Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in order to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps, and their other clothes, and were thrown into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire. For this reason, because the king’s command was harsh and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Daniel 3:19‭-‬22 NASB2020

If you’re wondering why you’ve been going through what you’re going through, let me tell you what God showed me this morning.

Usually, when God takes me on a difficult journey, it’s because He’s trying to show me something. It could be a different path, something I’ve overlooked or missed because my focus is wrong. However, the intensity of what I’m currently experiencing is just plain hot.

You know the kind. It’s so hot you smell the burn. Ever stood too close to a fire because you were cold? It’s not long before it gets uncomfortable, and you back up before your clothes catch fire.

I don’t know how God speaks to you, but He’s always been pretty straightforward with me. Perhaps because I appreciate truth regardless of the price. Well, this truth was pricey. It almost cost me my sanity and my life.

He reminded me of these verses above and the price they paid for what they believed. They stood up for God and refused to bow even though they would likely forfeit their lives.

But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up quickly; he said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the middle of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Absolutely, O king.” He responded, “Look! I see four men untied and walking about in the middle of the fire unharmed, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Daniel 3:23‭-‬25

If you’re facing the firey furnace in your place, it’s so you can experience the presence of Jesus right there. That’s the trade-off. You’ll never experience that kind of deliverance without the heat you’re facing.

Notice that the only things burnt off were the ropes that bound them. Jesus came to set us free from all that keeps us bound. Perhaps that’s a part of why you’re going through your fire.

I don’t pretend to know. But let me tell you this; I finally felt hope for the first time in a long time. I began talking to Jesus in my fire, knowing He’s the only one who can bring me safely through.

I’ll take His presence with me and come out without a burn on my body or even smelling like smoke. Sandy G

O God of my life, I’m lovesick for you in this weary wilderness. I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart that can’t be described. Such yearning grips my soul for you, my God! I’m energized every time I enter your heavenly sanctuary to seek more of your power and drink in more of your glory. For your tender mercies mean more to me than life itself. How I love and praise you, God! Daily, I will worship you passionately and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. I overflow with praise when I come before you, for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul. I lie awake each night, thinking of you and reflecting on how you help me like a father. I sing through the night under your splendor-shadow, offering up to you my songs of delight and joy! With passion, I pursue and cling to you. Because I feel your grip on my life, I keep my soul close to your heart. Psalms 63:1‭-‬8 TPT

The greatest gift God gives me is His Word. I love it more than life. It brings such peace, joy, and contentment. In the middle of so much strife in the world, I know that when I call, He answers me. I’m never alone-NEVER!

Lord, I thank You for Your Word. It is alive. It is enough. As I feed on Your Word, show me great things that I don’t have revelation of yet because I want to know more and more of You.

There are so many things I don’t know yet, but I desire to know. You are my King, You are my Lord, You are all I need. Bless Israel, oh Lord. Help me to remember that today it’s about you, Lord. Not the elections, political agendas, or media mayhem. As you said in Psalm 91, I will look on it, but it won’t affect me because you are my dwelling place. I will hold fast to my peace

Sandy G

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:11

All their sins, past, present and future ones, under the blood of Jesus to be remembered no more. Once we receive Jesus as the head of our lives, we also accept everything he accomplished for us on the cross.

He took our sickness, our disease, our sorrows, our grief, every sin, every temptation, everything with him to the cross. It died with him so that we could live in right standing with God. Now he’s asking us to pick up our cross, the cross of self sacrifice, putting to death our own dreams, plans and ambitions to follow him, be directed by him, go where he leads, say what he says, love the unloveable, give to those in need, visit those in prison, care for the orphans, the list goes on.

You may be asking, how can little ole me do anything? I’m barely making it as it is! Unless we empty out what is in our hands, God cannot fill them with more. Increase can only come to empty vessels. So many of us are not where we should be because we trust in our own resources instead of Gods vast supply.

We follow the masses instead of walking in love and forgiveness and following the heart of God. We make excuses so that we can follow our own dreams instead of Gods. Pride keeps us stuck in a prison of arrogance. “I will not do that and you can’t make me!” Then we lose faith in God when our world crumbles around us. Little by little we lose sight of of the cross, the sacrifice, the blood.

I Corinthians 6:20 says, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Both are Gods. Not just our spirit, our body. That means it’s our gift to value what God wants us to do above our own desires.

Father, today I surrender all to you, all thats standing in the way. My life is yours. Do with me as you please! I will listen and obey, not argue. I will be the daughter you need me to be for you are my everything.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits. Proverbs 16:24 TPT

He comes to bind our wounds. He comes to bring healing. He comes to bring a balm for your wounded soul. Those places that are hidden from all around you.

He sees. He knows. He will heal and deliver you. You may have scars, but that only shows your journey. God will use that if you allow Him to.

He will take what Satan meant for bad and use it for good. Watch it happen, but until it does, praise Him in the darkness and praise Him in the pain.

Sandy G


Psalm 91:1-2, The person who rests in the shadow of the Most High God will be kept safe by the Mighty One. I will say about the Lord, “He is my place of safety, he is like a fort to me, he is my God. I trust in Him.”

Have you ever been introduced to someone important? You extend your hand and graciously say, “Pleased to meet you.” That introduction doesn’t mean you ‘know’ that person. It simply means you met them.

There seem to be a lot of people in the world that have been introduced to God but are making false claims to ‘knowing’ Him. To really know someone, you must meet again multiple times. There must be more than an exchange of pleasantries. There must be words exchanged and trust built.

So many couples ‘fall in love’ after one date when they truly have no idea who that person really is. They don’t take the time to exchange more than surface stuff, where it’s in the deep things that develop trust and intimacy. You can’t go ‘deep’ on the first date! If you do, you’ll scare the other person away.

Same with building a home, you can’t put a roof on a foundation! Walls must be built to hold the roof on, and they must be straight. Lies only make for crooked walls, which must be torn down and built again. There is so much to say and so little time. I feel a book coming on!

The point here is to know God intimately. You must spend time with Him, cultivating relationship and trust. God doesn’t respond to manipulation. You can’t use, ‘God, if you do this for me, I’ll serve you!’ This isn’t His first rodeo, and I think He’s pretty familiar with the outcome. It’s about knowing you’re on a journey with someone you love, someone who is leading you down an unfamiliar path, but you know will keep you safe.

It doesn’t mean you won’t face obstacles along the way, but your hand is in the hand who created all things. You have to trust Him.

Joseph was on a journey with God. He received a promise and trusted God to keep it. He went 12 years being tested and proved worthy of the task God had given him before it actually came to pass.

Some of us are whiners, constantly asking God, ‘How long?’ Every 5 minutes, like children in the car on a trip. Trust. If you’ve spent time on your walls, you’ll be ready when God puts the roof on. Don’t settle for 4 foot walls unless you’re 3 ft tall. Keep building the walls, focusing on who God is and what He’s done. Praising and worshipping in the middle of your strong winds and rough seas. When you’ve been proven, your promise will manifest. Hold on!

Father, I want to know you more. More than I do at this moment. There is so much I’ve yet to discover about you, your grace and mercy. Your love alone, I’ve only caught small glimpses of, but what I’ve seen and known leaves me weak and breathless. I love with such small, immature love, but you have opened yourself to me in such amazing ways. The only way I can show you my love is by loving others as if it were you. Help me to do that. I seem to fall short so many times. It’s in your Name I ask this. Amen


Joshua 1:9 ERV, “Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Have you ever received an assignment that seems like more than you’re qualified for? I have! I told a group of doctors that it was no problem to get them up and running for electronic billing. Everything was in place, I just had to figure out what switch to flip to make it happen.

I remember entering their computer room, closing the door, opening the 6 inch thick manual, dropping my head onto the book and praying, “God, I have no earthly idea what I’m doing here! But I know that you are with me and give me the wisdom to do this task. Thank you, Lord, that you are my helper in time of trouble. I won’t be afraid because I know you are with me.”

I looked up and saw a phone with a phone number for tech services on it and felt impressed to call. Alright then, Lord. Fix this Father, and all glory goes to you! The man on the other line sounded so excited that I was there and that they would finally be able to get someone to do the one thing needed to get this office up and running for electronic claims submission. He literally had me change one character, run a test file, then transmit a slew of claims.

Two weeks later, that same group of doctors called me in. They held in their hands a check for $47,000 for claims paid in that one file I sent and asked me, “Do you walk on water?” I laughed and said, “No, but I’m friends with the man who does, and He’s the one who did this!”

God loves being our hero! He loves to rescue us when we’re down for the count. Be it financially, physically, whatever miracle needed, He’s merely waiting for us to call out, “Help me!” You see, nothing is too hard for God. He created it all, and everything is subject to change. Just as Joshua faced a fortified city with walls too high to climb, God knew the way to bring it down. He just had to convince Joshua to be strong and brave because He was with him.

My friend, what are you facing today that God hasn’t faced before? Maybe God gave you a dream to do something that seems way over your head. He’s not asking you to do it alone, He wants to partner with you to get the job done. Each step you take, He is there. Everything you need for the job is already in you via the Holy Spirit of God. If God begins to open doors, don’t be afraid to walk through the doors. Hear the Lord say to you, “Be strong and brave, don’t be afraid! I am with you and will never leave you. Never!”

Father, I thank you for your constant presence in my life. You make me brave enough to face the winds of change and the mountain of fear that are before me. Just as the walls came down for Joshua, you will cause these obstacles to move out of my way. I’m thankful that I know your voice and that I listen and obey your commands. I’m excited for what lies ahead. I will not be afraid because you will not allow my enemies to win. Together, Father, it’s the only way I’ll go. I’ve tried it alone before, and I will not do that again. I won’t listen to mans voice of reason or the call of those who say, ‘Come this way or, do it that way.’ You will use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise so Father, may I be a fool today for you. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Deuteronomy 30:11-16 ERV; “This command that I give you today is not too hard for you. It is not a secret hidden in some far away land.  This command is not in heaven so that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it to us, so that we can hear and do it?’  This command is not on the other side of the sea so that you should say, ‘Who will go across the sea for us and bring it to us, so that we can hear it and do it?’  No, the word is very near to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart. So you can obey it.

“Today I have given you a choice between life and death, success and disaster. I command you today to love the Lord your God. I command you to follow him and to obey his commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, and your nation will grow larger. And the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take for your own.”

This morning, I’d like to break this down on a much smaller and more personal scale. Instead of seeing this for a nation, I’d like you to see it for  you personally. In previous chapters, God is asking us to simply obey Him. If we do what He says, we will participate in the blessings. If we turn our own way and do our own thing, then we place ourselves under a curse. God’s not trying to make it hard for us. He even gave His son, Jesus to pay the ‘once and for all’ sacrifice for our sin.

He did everything He could to make it easy on us. To help us make the right choices in life, but we’re so stubborn. We’ve become like spoiled children, making choices that aren’t good for us with no regard to authority. We want our way regardless of the consequences, than blame God for all the bad that happens because of it. WOW!  He clearly made it our choice and showed us what would happen because of our choices. We have no one to blame but the one we see staring back at us in the mirror. We want the good stuff but don’t want to obey Gods word to get it. We’re looking for another way, an easier way than putting our flesh down and doing it Gods way.

Oh Father, how I regret so many things in life. My mind won’t let me forget the wrongs, even when I’ve done a thousand things to counteract it. But that’s not what You said. You said that if I believe in Jesus, I will be saved as well as my family. You said it’s a gift, not something I have to work for. Simple obedience, that’s all you require of me. That obedience brings blessing into my life and the lives of my family. I choose to obey You. It may cost me all I have but I will never come close to the price You paid. It’s in Jesus’ name I trust. Amen

Lord, just singing about you makes me strong! So I’ll keep shouting for joy to Jacob’s God, my champion. Psalms 81:1 TPT

Don’t ever downplay your past. It’s only a compilation of the most beautiful song ever written. You may be in the middle of something horrible and can’t see how Gods gonna use this, but trust me, he has a plan.

Don’t allow the enemy to steal your song. Just one more note. One more word, and your song will be complete. Sing, mighty child of God! Sing from your pain! Sing from your failure! Sing with passion for a tender loving God.

Your song gets more beautiful with the deep meaning it holds for you, and when you sing it, it’s going to touch more lives than you can imagine. Sing!

Sandy G

“Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them.” Matthew 7:7-8 ERV

God is a motion sensitive God. When we move, He moves. When we seek Him, we find Him. When we give, its given back to us. When we raise our hands and praise Him, He responds by coming into our midst. That’s why they sent singers into battle first, because they knew it would evoke the presence of God and assure the victory.

And when we’re still, we know that He is God, and the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Oh Astounding God, if I stand, you’re there. When I’m asleep, You watch over me. When I move, You direct my steps. Is anything too hard for You?

So I will wait in Your presence until I’m full and spill over onto those you place around me.

Sandy G