Well, may I rejoice in the Lord, well may this heart triumph in my God. The deliverance he sends is like a garment that wraps me about, his mercy like a cloak enfolding me; no bridegroom so proud of garland that crowns him, no bride of the necklace she wears. Isaiah 61:10 Knox

What a beautiful picture of Gods ability to deliver. This morning, I just want to say THANK YOU GOD! for delivering my life from the destructive path I was on. You have made me righteous in Your eyes, not because of anything I’ve done, but because of what You have done.

My life has become a dwelling place for Your glory. In You, I live in abundance, free from regrets of past mistakes. I find myself running through Your garden of grace, dressed in the finest of the garments of praise. I lift up my hands to you and smile, for what else can I do when I see you running toward me.

I greet you with tender kisses and sweet words on my tongue. I have so much to tell You now that we are alone together. I will not give myself to another, for it’s You who have rescued me. You have given me a home with You. I will not look longingly toward the things of this world that can’t satisfy, for I am satisfied with you! My life belongs to you.

Today, as I go out into the world, You will stay with me, your words will be near me, even in my mouth. I will proclaim Your name, for what bride does not proudly announce her engagement. I will invite them all to our wedding.

Forever yours! Sandy G

In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

I’ve noticed a rise in what I like to call the ‘ME’ syndrome. May I point out that true Christ followers have laid down their lives and picked up where Christ left off? I’m having a hard time differentiating between those who serve Christ and those who serve themselves.

And it’s not just in the church. Everywhere I look, it’s like people don’t see each other. They don’t notice the widow standing in the grocery line, counting out her change to buy the essentials. They’re totally focused on themselves, their phones, their wants.

What is your guide? Is it selfishness and pride, or is it humbleness and honor? Do you value others over yourself, or are you so focused on your own needs and wants, you forget there are even people around you?

Jesus said, “But if you look at people in a selfish way, you will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, you have the worst kind of darkness.” Matthew 6:23

It’s as if by wrong focus, we become lost in a darkness that keeps us from seeing and experiencing God and His love. Here we’re supposed to be light, but our lights have gone out because our focus has become inward instead of outward.

Father, forgive me for not seeing others the way you do. I will turn my eyes onto You, look full at Your wonderful face, so that the cares of this life and deceitfulness of riches will grow dim in the light of Your glory and grace. I will become lost in You so that I’m no longer in the picture and only You are visible to the world. It’s in Jesus’ name, and for Your glory I pray, Amen.

Sandy G

You know the saying, ‘Opposites attract?’ Walt and I are extreme opposites. I think the older we get, the more evident it becomes. We love each other very much, but over the years, we’ve learned to appreciate the differences and realize that together, we are a formidable force. If I’m weak in an area, it’s his strong point, and I let him have it.

It was not always that way. Those first years when you fight to keep the tenuous hold on who you were alone, in becoming what you will be together.

Do you know that in every area of weakness, God is our strength? He is. We go through a similar struggle to retain control in our relationship with Him. At first, we come broken and commit ‘completely’ to Him until He asks us to do something difficult, then it’s a whole different story.

David would not have been king without Goliath. Moses wouldn’t have rescued Israel without Pharaoh. Jesus wouldn’t have been crucified without Judas. God has a plan for us. It’s ok not to understand. That’s what trust in a loving God is all about.

Just know this, while He has your hand, and He is leading you down an unfamiliar path that appears a struggle to walk on, what happens on the journey will prepare you for your destination.

John 14:3, “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

Sandy G

“Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.” John 14:1-4 Message

Whatever you’re facing, God has it! He’s way ahead of you! He not only knows the problem, but He has also provided the answer. It’s like an open book exam, they don’t put a question on the test if the answer isn’t in the book, you just have to take hold of the book, open it and read.

Something else happens when you read Gods Word. Your confidence in Gods ability goes off the chart.

Hebrews 10:23-28 Phillips “You must never forget those past days when you had received the light and went through such a great and painful struggle. It was partly because everyone’s eye was on you as you endured harsh words and hard experiences, partly because you threw in your lot with those who suffered much the same. You sympathised with those who were put in prison and you were cheerful when your own goods were confiscated, for you knew that you had a much more solid and lasting treasure in Heaven. Don’t throw away your trust now—it carries with it a rich reward in the world to come. Patient endurance is what you need if, after doing God’s will, you are to receive what he has promised. ‘For yet a little while, and he who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him’.”

Don’t freak out at test time! Trust the One who gives the answers.

Sandy G

Every day, things are changing around us. Weather patterns, economy, health care, life in general. Will we have the same job next year? Will we have the same home? The things that used to make us feel secure are quickly being yanked from our grasp. Who do you trust in? Where is your hope?

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God. I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” Psalm 42:5 NLT

Sometimes you just have to turn from what you see and turn towards what you don’t see. Stop spending so much time trying to fix what you can’t and spend more time in the Word, setting your confidence in the only one who can.

My thought is this: God loves me so much that He sent His only son to die for my sins. That’s a lot of love. If He did that for me, He won’t leave me with no hope, no peace, no promise. Everything He did to deliver His people long ago, He will do it for me (Psalm 84:11b).

He doesn’t withhold any good thing from me. Now, that is something to think about. That will never change. Gods love is a forever thing, and I will keep my heart set on that. So when you become overwhelmed (and you will), quickly turn your eyes back to those great promises of love. Let His peace consume you today. May your ‘Black Friday’ become a Bright Friday!

Sandy G


Hebrews 6:10-12, “God is fair, and he will remember all the work you have done. He will remember that you showed your love to him by helping his people and that you continue to help them. We want each of you to be willing and eager to show your love like that the rest of your life. Then you will be sure to get what you hope for. We don’t want you to be lazy. We want you to be like those who, because of their faith and patience, will get what God has promised.”
We all experience times when we grow weary in doing good things, especially when nothing good ever seems to come to us. But just as Paul said to the Hebrews, I say to you, don’t ever stop doing what God has told us to do, love. Don’t ever stop looking for ways to bless others, to stand in the gap, and pray for them. Don’t ever stop doing and being what God created you to be and do, for if you do, the world will miss the blessing your life holds inside of it, the blessing of the Holy Spirit’s power to change lives. If you don’t do it, no one will. Your life makes a difference! It has to because the all changing power of Gods Word lives in you.
I John 4:17 NLV, “Love is made perfect in us when we are not ashamed as we stand before Him on the day He judges. For we know that our life in this world is His life lived in us.” Our life in this world is His life lived in us. Wow. It’s never been about how much money we can make or how many possessions we could accumulate. It’s always been about showing the world the love of God just as Jesus did.
What made the difference for you? What was it that drew you into the Kingdom of God? Was it not his deep love for you shown by others? The intense burning, living love of God. Knowing that, he selflessly gave his only son to die so that you could experience His love? Let us then show the world that we are not ashamed to love the vilest of sinners, those bound by addiction, bruised and broken by sin. Let us be light in these dark, unreached places, where only the light of Gods love will filter through.
Father, I want to stand before you unashamed. I want to be sensitive to your voice, always doing what you say, going where you tell me to go. I can’t do it alone, I must do it with you and others who will be the remnant, losing their life in yours. So lost in your love, so blinded by your light that we never see the world the same again. This is my desire to honor you. To humble myself under your great hand, bowing before you, offering myself my inabilities to you. Use me today to show love. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
Sandy G


Romans 8:28-30 GW; We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan. This is true because he already knew his people and had already appointed them to have the same form as the image of his Son. Therefore, his Son is the firstborn among many children. He also called those whom he had already appointed. He approved of those whom he had called, and he gave glory to those whom he had approved of.
One of the most quoted verses, Romans 8:28, We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God-those whom he has called according to his plan. But did you know God has a plan and that you fit perfectly into that plan? As children of God, he has made provision for our lives. Even when we don’t see it, it’s there. Whoever we are, wherever we’re from, whatever we’ve done, we can trust Him, our Father who loves us.
Made in the image of His son, our eldest brother, Jesus Christ, who has given us all power and authority over everything in the earth, who is sitting beside Father, interceding for us. Our very own mediator. Wow. He not only died for us, but he lives to stick up for us, stand in for us, and watch over us. He took our punishment for us. When we deserved the whipping for disobeying, Jesus stepped up and took it for us. What a family to be linked with. I have some pretty sweet earth family, but none that would die for me just so that I could live free of guilt, shame, and condemnation.
So why would we live in condemnation? Why would we allow our enemy to convince us of our guilt when Jesus took it for us? It’s like someone giving us a brand new car, free and clear, and we try to pay for it. You can’t pay for something that’s been paid for. It’s a gift! And with that gift comes a plan. It is an intricately woven plan for our lives that the Father has made to suit Him, not us. I love the last part of that passage; He also called those whom he had already appointed. He approved of those whom he had called, and he gave glory to those whom he had approved of. See that? He has set you on this earth, called you, appointed you, approved of you, and placed His glory in you.
Father, help us not to focus on the circumstances we face or the situation we find ourselves in, but to focus our attention on you and trust your plan. We don’t even need to know the details of the plan, we just know we’re in it and you have a purpose for us on earth. I’m excited, Father! To be a part of something so big that my mind can’t wrap around it, but my faith in you can see that it’s going to be awesome. You have a big plan for each person on this earth, we just need to humble ourselves and trust you. Direct our steps today. Cause us to be obedient to your still small voice so that we will always be in the right place at the right time. It’s in Jesus Name we pray. Amen
Sandy G

John 17:1-5 ERV; After Jesus said these things, he looked toward heaven and prayed, “Father, the time has come. Give glory to your Son so that the Son can give glory to you. ² You gave the Son power over all people so that he could give eternal life to all those you have given to him. ³ And this is eternal life: that people can know you, the only true God, and that they can know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. ⁴ I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on earth. ⁵ And now, Father, give me glory with you. Give me the glory I had with you before the world was made. (24-26)²⁴ “Father, I want these people you have given me to be with me in every place I am. I want them to see my glory—the glory you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. ²⁵ Father, you are the one who always does what is right. The world does not know you, but I know you, and these followers of mine know that you sent me. ²⁶ I showed them what you are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that you have for me, and I will live in them.”

With all he would face that night, he prayed for us.  I wanted to post the entire prayer and I encourage you to read it because it shows us that Jesus set us up, not for failure, but for success. He showed us a better way to access Gods great grace and mercy, through him. The price to pay for our eternal life was his own life. He showed us that death is not the victor, because he overcame death when he rose again. He came from heaven to earth to show the world what great love the Father has for us. What a beautiful gift.

“I showed them what you are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that you have for me, and I will live in them.” How will he show us again? Through his Word. Through signs and wonders. Through miracles. Through unconditional love. The same love the Father had for Jesus is the same love that now lives in us. How generous. How spectacular. The affect of love on a sin darkened heart is like turning on a bright light in a cave. It’s like pouring water on parched soil. “How marvelous, how wonderful is my Saviors love for me.” We can’t hoard this love! We are commissioned to give it away, it’s in the giving that it multiplies.

Your love, oh Lord, is so deep, so high, so wide, unfathomable, strong, tender and completely satisfying. How amazing to be carriers of such great love. May I be a suitable container today. One with lots of holes and cracks so that the love you have poured into me, seeps onto everyone I come in contact with. My husband, my children, my boss, my co-workers, our patients, the cashier at the grocery store, the neighbor next door, the stranger I pass by. May the light of your love leave a lasting impression on all who cross my path in Jesus Name I pray, Amen

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to Heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward Heaven, and blessed them. Mark 6:41

I heard the Lord say to me, “Take what you have in your hands and lift it to me that I may bless and multiply it.” Yesterday, I came close to posting this, but I felt the Lord had more to say on it, so I saved it for today. Perhaps this speaks to you as well. There are times when I just don’t have enough to pay my bills and get groceries. Sometimes what I have on hand or in my bank account is way short of what it needs to be.

A few weeks ago, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me that He needed me to have radical faith. The kind of faith that would see nothing as impossible, but a way for the Lord to show Himself strong in the earth. He also gave me a vision of something He wanted me to have that in the natural, made me laugh. When I laughed, I felt like Sarah, Abrahams wife when the Angel of the Lord said she would be holding a baby in her hands by this time next year. NO, the vision had nothing to do with babies, not for me anyway!

I’m sure that the disciples just looked at each other dumbfounded when Jesus told them to feed the large crowd He’d been teaching. They ended up dumbfounded, at the audacious display of miraculous provision with leftovers. It all began with a need and a search for a seed. The need was lunch for a multitude, the seed was lunch from a small boy. When placed in Jesus’ hand, He was able to bless the little and make it much.

Have you ever had a totally ridiculous vision or dream? Something that stretched you so much you felt like Gumby? What is it you need to accomplish the thing God has called you to do and where is your seed. My seed is in my savings, tucked away for a desperate need that’s due in 48 short days. It’s not close to being enough, but it’s taken awhile to save it up. Human reasoning would say, “Don’t give it to God, he has enough!” But faith says, “Here is what I have, bless and multiply it, then return it to me so that I may do what you’ve said.”

I want Mary faith that says, “Be it unto me according to your Word.” Who allowed herself to carry the seed of God. I want Abraham faith, who believed what God said and never doubted. I want Joshua faith, that marched around Jericho until the walls came down. I want David faith, who took the five smooth stones in his hand and declared he would take Goliath’s head off. I want Jesus faith, who believed every Word his father spoke and did it. What is your need? Where is your seed? Will you allow for God to take it and bless it? Without the blessing of God on what you have, it will be useless to you. It just won’t be enough.

Isaiah 43:16-19 “The Lord is making roads through the sea. He is making a path for his people, even through rough waters. The Lord says, “Those who fight against me with their chariots, horses, and armies will be defeated. They will never rise again. They will be destroyed. They will be put out like the flame in a lamp. So don’t remember what happened in earlier times. Don’t think about what happened a long time ago, because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert, and rivers will flow through that dry land.”

Father, what I have won’t be enough unless you bless it! You said you would bless all the works of my hands and I have taken you at your Word. Lord, you’ve been working on me for a very long time and I thank you for your patience. I’m leaning on your everlasting arm of faithfulness. Like Jabez I ask you to bless me indeed, enlarge my territory that I may be a blessing to others. It’s in Jesus’ Name I ask this. Amen

Sandy G

Did you know that God has commanded a blessing over you? Deuteronomy 28:2-14 is a covenant promise God made to bless us for obeying him. Seriously, read it for yourself; If you will obey the Lord your God, all these blessings will come to you and be yours: “He will bless you in the city and in the field. He will bless you and give you many children. He will bless your land and give you good crops. He will bless your animals and let them have many babies. ^{He will bless you with calves and lambs. He will bless your baskets and pans and fill them with food. He will bless you at all times in everything you do. The} Lord will help you defeat your enemies who come to fight against you. Your enemies will come against you one way, but they will run away from you seven different ways! The Lord will bless you and fill your barns. He will bless everything you do. The Lord your God will bless you in the land that he is giving you. ^{If you follow the} Lord your God and obey his commands, he will do what he promised. The Lord will make you his own special people. ^{Then all the people in that land will see that you are called to be the} Lord’s people, and they will be afraid of you. And the Lord will give you many good things. He will give you many children. He will give your cows many calves. He will give you a good harvest in the land that the Lord promised your ancestors to give you. ^The Lord will open his storehouse where he keeps his rich blessings. He will send rain at the right time for your land. He will bless everything you do. You will have money to lend to many nations. And you will not need to borrow anything from them. The Lord will make you be like the head, not the tail. You will be on top, not on the bottom. This will happen if you listen to the commands of the Lord your God that I tell you today. You must carefully obey these commands. ^{You must not turn away from any of the teachings that I give you today. You must not turn away to the right or to the left. You must not follow other gods to serve them.}

I speak these verses over my children, my finances, my home, my church, my pastors, my job, my friends. God promised these things and I believe them. He cannot lie. He ALWAYS keeps his promises. The coolest part of all this is, because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, I no longer have to do good to get good, I am clothed in HIS righteousness, not my own. Jesus made me right so that I could inherit the blessings he promised. WOW!

I’m redeemed by the blood and that covers every mistake I’ve made, every wrong turn, every poor decision, every sin committed. Don’t believe it? Try putting something in a bucket of blood. Can you see it? It’s there, but you can’t see it because it’s covered. Jesus has done that for us.

Thank you Father for this completely, perfect gift of salvation. No one can duplicate it. It was freely given and freely received. Without that blood, every sin would remain obvious and the ugly guilt and shame would be visible for all to see. But your blood was enough to take it all away. I receive that gift and every promise you’ve ever made to me. Promise of provision, forgiveness, prosperity, wisdom, healing, everything, I receive it and thank you for it. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

Sandy G