God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 Message

If we’re too busy to speak freedom to those who are bound, to pray for those who are sick, to bring hope to those imprisoned by their past, then we are just too busy.

Years ago, I listened to the Holy Spirit and spoke peace to a woman diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, bipolar, depressed with thoughts of suicide. 6 hours later, she returned to thank me with a smile on her face. It only takes a moment to put the Word to work in the lives of those we touch.

Jesus said go! Show! Speak! He wants us to be His hands, feet, and mouth. There are just too many ‘christians’ sitting in the pews not doing the do’s! It’s time to put to use what we’ve learned in our workplace, marketplace and schoolplace. Stop being intimidated by political correctness and live the life Jesus intended you to live.

Demonstrate Jesus.

Sandy G

And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”  When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 1 Samuel 17:10-11

Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:28

We all know the story of David and Goliath. It was one of my favorite stories growing up. As I was reading this again, I thought about how much fear surrounded the men Israel that day. It says that even Saul, the king, was afraid. Fear causes people to react differently. Especially if they enemy has been taunting them for some time.

I don’t know who you are or what’s happening to you but let me just say this; the devil is on the prowl, trying to devour your hope, your promise, your faith in God and even your victory. Don’t allow his voice to speak louder than Gods. Pull out the stone God gave you. That’s right. Now put it in the sling and begin to twirl it round and round. Take aim. Release!

Now see your enemy on the ground under your feet, his head in hand, defeated. That’s right because that’s what Jesus did for you. Don’t walk with your head down, focused on your feet. Lift up your eyes. Help is on the way. Jesus! By your side, hand in yours. You are never alone!

Sandy G

“But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33 GW

I’ve seen so many people give up on the promises of God simply because it’s been years and they have yet to see it fulfilled. I was reminded of this verse that seems to go well with this. When you find your mind consumed with these words, “When is it my turn? When will I get what’s been promised to me? Why is it taking so long?” than perhaps your gaze has shifted from Him to ‘me’ without even realizing it.

I want to be consumed with the presence of God, but situations arise that are challenging and I get shoved off track. It’s times like these that I need a reminder of what’s really important and what I need to let go of. If I’m spending more time on the ‘cares’ then I am on the Word of God, those cares need to go.

Luke 21:34-35 NLT Jesus warns us, “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.”

Father, I shift my focus to you, thankful that You’re aware of everything coming my way even before it gets here. I don’t have time for all that! Let me obey Your voice, go where You lead me, say what You need me to say and trust You to take care of everything else. Thank You for Your promises to me. I trust you to bring every one of them to pass at the appointed time, until then, I will press on toward You, my prize.

Sandy G

“Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted.” Revelation 21:5 CEV

Wait, did He really say ‘every’ word? What about healing, can His Word be trusted in healing? Yes! He made provision for that. “Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:3

What about my needs? Can His Word be trusted for my needs? Yes, for He is called the Great Provider! Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Is there anything He can’t do? Jeremiah 32:17 says, “‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.'”

Father, I understand why You can’t be limited, You who set the stars in place, who created the earth and everything on and in it. You who formed man out of a mud pie and breathed into him the breath of life so that man became a living, breathing soul. You who taught us how to speak things into existence just as You did. I wonder how it makes You feel when we agree with the dark side, any report that opposes Your Word? The times when your children choose hate instead of love.

Father, forgive me. I have sinned and fallen short of your glory. But you made provision for that as well. Ephesians 2:8-10 GW says, “God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It’s not the result of anything you’ve done, so no one can brag about it. God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.”

Father, may I be filled with good works today, faithful to do what You’ve prepared me for. My life is not my own, it’s Yours. Do with me according to Your plans and purposes. I trust you and your Word.

So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?”

And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” 1 Samuel 30:8

David had come back home to find his city burned and all the women, children and servants taken away. His own men were angry, blaming David for this afront and threatening to stone him. But David strengthened himself in the Lord. How did he do that? He did it by rehearsing all his past victories and giving glory to God. Then he went before the Lord and asked him the above questions. Why did he do that? Because he knew his success was only due to the instructions God gave.

He refused to go into the smallest of battles without the Lords direction on it. What an amazing example of what we should do when faced with any kind of battle. Small, large, spiritual or physical, get your strategy from Him first before you take one step. Remember, His instructions are always the perfect instructions for you.

If you saw the size of your blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the battle you’re engaged in.

Don’t let the battle consume you.

Your most effective warfare strategy is conceived before the face of God. Once you’ve heard from Him, you’ll walk away a victor, not a victim.

Gods plan is personalized to fit you. Don’t copy someone else’s.

Sandy G

Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim His truth. If you praise Him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and Him. But when you proclaim His truth in everyday speech, you’re letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience His presence with you. 1 Corinthians 14:1-3 Message

I don’t know where I would be today without my prayer language that only God can know and understand. There have been so many times in my life when I just couldn’t put into words the things I felt in the depths of my being. It was as though they were trapped, refusing to be released, bottlenecked in some unseen container. But when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at the age of 15, I would sit alone for hours, using only my prayer language until slowly my own words would surface and I began to talk about my grief, fears, disappointments and the misery that held me in it’s grips.

God became my confidant. I could trust Him with my secrets, talk with Him about anything and everything without fear of being judged or condemned. I had lost my own father, only to gain my real Father. He understood when I just needed to vent and release steam, but when I became still in His presence, He would speak to me. Always understanding, always accepting, full of love and I would leave wrapped up in His embrace, knowing He’d be with me through anything I had to face. I was never alone.

Today, remember that whatever you face, you don’t face it alone. His gift to you is His presence and with it, His sweet embrace. You can share everything in your heart and anything on your mind and it’s ok. You can shout, scream, vent all your bottled up feelings and He won’t condemn you for it. When you’re done, sit in the silence and listen to Him love on you than come away with a sense of that gift tied up in a neat little bow around you.

Sandy G

Rise up and help me, Yahweh! Come and save me, God! For you will slap them in the face, breaking the power of their words to harm me. For the Lord alone is my Savior. What a feast of favor and bliss he gives his people! Psalms 3:7‭-‬8 TPT

I don’t know if you’ve ever been slapped in the face, but it does shock you into silence. I remember telling my mom I wasn’t going to do something she asked me to do. I was 18 and felt I had the right to refuse. Guess she didn’t share those feelings.

Her hand came up across my mouth quicker than a striking snake, but her words backed up the reality that as long as I lived under her roof, I’d do as I was told. That was the first and only time she ever struck me.

So when I saw this verse, my first thought was, somebody’s in trouble. Father doesn’t like it when you talk mean about His children. He comes to our rescue every time, breaking the power of every word spoken in evil against us.

Pay close attention to this; “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 NASB2020

Know your heritage. God will vindicate you.

Sandy G

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 NLT

I had lunch with a dear friend once and we talked about this. She commented that she didn’t like ‘Jesus’ crammed down her throat before she was a believer. She has learned that a life lived for God speaks louder than a lot of words about God. This verse says to live wisely, not to talk wisely, not that we shouldn’t be wise about both.

While I was thinking about this, I heard the Holy Spirit remind me that the world doesn’t need to hear about our problems, they have enough of their own. In other words, save your drama for your mama! We need to demonstrate that we are victorious in Christ Jesus by overcoming our issues, not just talk about them. We still go through things, but our focus is on helping others because we know that God has this!

The confidence and trust we have in God should speak loud and clear by the way we don’t focus on and talk about our problems.

Thank you Jesus for showing me this. You said we are to be salt and light, not blend in so there’s no difference. I’m determined to smile through the pain, laugh through the trauma, give through the lack so that others may know Jesus is ever working in me. If they need a miracle, Lord, may you use me.

Sandy G

But in the depths of my heart, I truly know that you, Yahweh, have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You lift high my head. I have cried out to you, Yahweh, from your holy presence. You send me a Father’s help. Pause in his presence. Psalms 3:3-4 TPT

Regardless of what you face today, be assured that God covers you. Funny, but as I was typing this, I heard the phrase, “I’ve got you covered.”

The thought of His glory cloud covering me like a soft blanket, hiding me from my enemies, simply makes me smile. I can stand in that position for as long as I need to because in His presence is peace and joy.

I’ll take that every day. Knowing I can call out and He responds to me. Bringing a Father’s help in times when bullies are harassing me on the playground of life. Intimidating me and harassing me into giving up what is rightfully mine.

Not today, devil. My Father has me covered.

Sandy G

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

This morning and every morning I’m thankful for the sacrifice of my mom. She tilled the soil of my heart and planted good seed in it daily. I know from talking with other friends that the home I was raised in, though not perfect, was indeed rare.

She read bible stories to us, missionary stories, never tired of our questions. She had us in church 3 times a week and in between if there was anything else going on.

When my dad died and we began to wander away from God, I would hear her from behind her closed bedroom door, praying and crying out to God. She never stopped! She never doubted that if God began a good work, and she was faithful to water and tend it, He would be faithful to complete it. Even if it took a lifetime, she knew His Word would never return to Him empty but would finish what He started in us.

Mom transitioned into her heavenly home last August. This is one of the last good pictures I have of her. But I know now that she is seeing the harvest of those seeds she’s sown into the hearts of so many. Teaching Sunday school, playing the piano because there was no one else to do it. Singing with my dad and later with my step-dad. Ministering hugs and a listening ear.

Here’s what I’ve learned from her; Just keep sowing regardless if you ever see the outcome. It will not only change the life of the one you sow into, but the fruit of it will tasted for generations to come.

Happy first Mothers Day in heaven, Mom, I’m a life that was changed.

Your favorite daughter,

Sandy