I John 3:1-3; See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.  Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.  And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

I remember when the girls were young and they’d do something that made me shake my head, I’d say, “She takes after her father!” Today when I look at them and the beautiful sweet spirit they possess, I say they take after their mother! Ha! If my heart swells with pride for my children, imagine how the Father feels when he looks on us. See how much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children.

I don’t know about you, but I love to be loved. When Walt comes to me and puts his arms around me, telling me how much he loves me, something inside me is extremely satisfied. When we love one another, we are able to give that same feeling to others. It’s extremely important to love one another or Jesus wouldn’t have said it. In John 13:35 Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

Just as your children possess your character traits (good and bad), we possess the love of our Father. It’s a part of our DNA if indeed we belong to him.  He said we would know each other by our love. If we don’t love each other, we don’t love God. Love should be the biggest part of who we are and if you’re not sure of what love looks like, I Corinthians 13 should be a chapter you memorize. May I add that it MUST begin at home! If I can’t love my husband as God loves me, my foundation is unstable and what I build will not last. I must love Walt, respect Walt, honor Walt for my love in the world to be of value. I cannot be to others what I am not first to my husband.

Father, I thank you that you love me. I love you! My heart is overwhelmed with love for you and you always give me opportunity to show that love to others. Everyday, may I show that love. Even when it’s hard, may I show that love. Even when I’m hated, may I show that love. Even when it’s not deserved, may I show that love. Your love changed me and that same love will change others. May I be a vessel you can trust with your love. May I invite others to partake of your love. It’s in Jesus Name, the one you first loved, that I ask this. Amen

I just love reading about ancient battles and how the Lord delivered his people. Such a wonderful testament to our God and his ability to defeat our enemies. This morning as I was led to read the first 6 chapters of Joshua and I was about to head into chapter 6, one short verse caught my attention. It’s found in Joshua 6:27, the very last verse; “So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country.”

So many times we think of these stories as old, long forgotten battles of another era. However, this morning, God spoke to my spirit and said, “I am with you and will make you famous!” I almost felt like Sarah when the angel of the Lord told Abraham she would have a son the next year in her old age and laughed out loud. But because I’ve spent so much time in the Word, I know that God is not saying it to be funny, He’s saying it because it looks impossible with me.

Like Gideon, you may be the least of your family, not gifted, no formal education, but God isn’t looking for you to be able to do it yourself. No he’s looking for someone totally dependent on him, someone who will give him all the glory.  One touch of Gods favor will change your life completely. He’s looking for someone who will be obedient to His voice, willing to serve him when it’s not popular, even when people make fun of you. Is that you?

Joshua faithfully served Moses in the wilderness and God led him into the promised land and made him famous. Not just honored and revered among his own people, but he became famous in the eyes of his enemies as well. It all began with a Word from the Lord. A promise. Joshua 1:5-9, God says to Joshua, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Do you see that? God called him and spoke a promise, Joshua listened, believed and obeyed. When was the last time you sat in the presence of God and heard God speak to you? Did it sound so absurd that you blew it off? Go back again and listen. Whatever the Lord is asking you to do, do it. He will confirm his word to you over and over again if you just listen. It could be that while you’re waiting for God to bless you, he’s already spoken and is waiting on you.

Father, I’m willing to go and do what you’ve asked of me, even when others don’t understand and make fun of me. It may seem foolish to do what you’ve commanded, but in the end, victory will be yours and I will share in the spoils. I trust you with my life, my husbands life and my children’s lives. All that you have placed in my hands are yours, you’ve simply entrusted them to me. So Father, I place them back into your hands knowing that you are able to keep them and care for them. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I love you! I love to serve you! I trust you! I humbly ask you to redeem my mistakes and cause your Word to come to pass in my life. In Jesus Name. Amen

Luke 6:38; “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

As I was thinking on the goodness of the Lord this morning, it occurred to me that God always does things big. No ‘even Steven’ with him, not even close! God always gives back lavishly. Here’s just a few examples to get your weekend started.

2 Chronicles 20 tells a story of King Jehoshaphat who was facing an impossible battle against a much mightier army. The Lord told them they wouldn’t even have to fight, they would just go and stand still, God would do the rest. True to his word, when they finally came upon their enemy, the ground was strewn with dead bodies and they just went and took the spoils. It says in verse 25: When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.

I Samuel 30, when God spoke to David to pursue, overtake and recover all that the Amalekites had stolen from them, God even threw in some spoils for David. He would have been content just getting back his wives, daughters and stuff, but God never does ‘just enough’. He’s a more than enough God.

God’s not about giving us just enough to live on. God’s about blessing our socks off, not so we can flaunt our wealth, but so we will have more to give. He wants His children to reflect Him. Look back at Abraham. Everywhere he went he accrued more and more wealth. Why, because when the Lord is with you, money just comes your way. No matter how much you give, God has a greater return on your investment than any bank in the world. Just like he said in Luke, whatever you use to give with, God will use to bless you with. If you use a spoon, he’ll bless you with a spoon. If you use a dump truck, God will bless you using a dump truck and trust me, his is bigger than yours.

Father, thank you for lavishing blessings on me. I am definitely blessed beyond measure. I love it when you remind me of all you’ve done for me in the past and that you’re just getting started. You said that my latter would be greater than the rest of my life so I have a lot to look forward to. I thank you for giving me your heart to bless others, to be a blessing in word and deed. May I take every opportunity to give out of the abundance you have blessed me with. It’s in Jesus’ Name I ask it. Amen

Isaiah 40:27-31 MSG; Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening, God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.  He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.  And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

I almost changed the name from Jacob, to Sandy, thinking maybe no one would notice. We’ve all been there, right? Wondering if God’s been too busy to notice I’m even here? Discouraged, downhearted, afraid that I won’t have the strength to endure what I must. Over-thinking everything. This morning as I sat here contemplating whether or not to even blog, this verse came to my mind and so I waited. I waited for the sweet breath of God to blow away my fatigue and give me fresh strength, and as always, I didn’t have to wait long.

It’s like snuggling up to your husband or laying your head in the lap of your mother, having your hair played with or your back stroked. Soft sounds of comfort being whispered softly over the sounds of your tears. “You can do this, but you don’t have to do it alone. Haven’t you been listening? I don’t come and go, I’m always here with you. Just as your heart beats constantly in your chest, know that I am here to bring you life. Abundant life. Grace filled life. I love you!”

Oh my darling Jesus, sweet lover of my soul. I’ve not forgotten your sacrifice. You gave all for me so that you could live in and through me. You’ve taken my exhaustion and turned it into fuel for my day. You’ve sorted out my overwhelming list of things to do and organized it, prioritizing my time with you is the best thing I could have done. You have made for me a road where once there was only wilderness. You are my protecter, provider and healer. Thank you for all you have done and all you are doing. You’ve not forgotten any detail of my life and you are working all things out for your glory. It’s in your wonderful Name I thank you, Amen

Ephesians 2:4-10 ERV; “But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much.  We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.) Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with him in the heavenly places.  God did this so that his kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of his grace. 

“I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.  You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about.  God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.”

Did you know that the word grace in this context is the unmerited or undeserved favor of God? That means that though none of us deserved it or did anything to earn it, God gave us new life in Christ. It says that He raised us from death and seated us together with him in heavenly places. Wait a minute. I don’t remember dying and being raised from death, do you? When we decided to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and trusted in the one time sacrifice for our sins, the old man or woman we were died and we became new in Christ. It was as if we never sinned. Old things are gone, all things are made new. (II Corinthians 5:17)

No wonder the devil constantly tries to convince us that we are sinners, that we can never be guilt free. He tries to tell us that we’ll never be good enough because of what we did or said. He hates it that we are forgiven, blood washed, purchased, seated with Christ in a place of authority. That really bakes his cookies! Burns his bacon! He thought he messed up Gods plan when he had Jesus crucified but low and behold, Christ is risen and because of that, I have victory too over death, hell and the grave. Woot! Woot! No longer am I condemned to live a lowly life of defeat, I’m victorious! I share in this beautiful gift from God.

Father, I turn a deaf ear to the accusations and lies of the enemy and I chose to only hear your voice. The voice of victory. The voice of Love and Grace. Thank you for the free gift of salvation. I didn’t have to do a thing for it, you simply gave it to me. All this time I’ve been trying to earn the right to come before you, to do good so I could get good things from you. Such a waste of time. I will never do anything to earn your grace-it is totally a gift with no strings attached. Thank you for that. Let me walk in that knowledge everyday, in every way, so that others may find the path to you through Christ in me. I love you Lord. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

I recently read an article about a woman who was traveling, facing a very long line in customs, she told the Lord, “I really don’t want to stand in line for 45 minutes! I’m tired and I just want to go rest.” Just then, a woman approached her, asked for her declaration paper, drew a red line through it and pointed her toward a door she hadn’t noticed before. When she went through the door, she found herself in the main terminal, totally bypassing the long lines of customs. Wow! If you’ve ever had to wait in customs, you will understand what a miracle that was.

Isaiah 42:16 came to my mind; I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.

When she returned to that airport, she headed for the door she had previously taken but it wasn’t there. After complaining to the Lord for a few minutes and going to stand at the end of the long line, a man walked up to her and another woman and directed them through another door that was straight in front of them. She again found herself in the main terminal.

Here’s what I heard the Lord speak to me this morning; “Don’t look for me to move the same way because that’s not my style. If you continue to look for the method of deliverance instead of the Deliverer, you will be very disappointed.  I am the way. If you follow me, I’ll show you the way to go. I am the truth. If you listen to me, you’ll be free. I am the life. Things alive keep changing and moving, they’re never still. If you stay in me, you’ll always be alive.”

Sometimes we wear ourselves out by trying to stay one step ahead of the game instead of following the game changer. Listen my friend, God knows what you’re facing but you’ll never face it alone. In fact, he is always standing between you and what’s ahead of you. Don’t put yourself in a position you don’t belong in. There’s an old song by Don Moen my mom sings that goes like this; “God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, he will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to his side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way.”

Father, thank you for your constant hand on my lives. You never lose sight of me. You’re always close by, like any parent that watches over their children as they play. Protected. Kept. Provided for. You’re all that and more.  Thank you for reminding me again this morning just how much I mean to you. You will not allow the waves to swallow me up or overwhelm me because you control the waves and your hand is ever on my life. Just because I don’t see the door, doesn’t mean it’s not there. If you have to, you’ll make a door for me and I’ll walk through it to my miracle.  I give you all the praise in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Matthew 4:18-20, And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

What would prompt two grown men to leave their livelihood, their homes and families to follow a stranger and learn to fish for men? Not at all logical to say the least, but since when does God operate on the logic of men? So often, we try to humanize God instead of allowing God to make us into his likeness. Logic will always keep us from operating in the supernatural.

Mark 8:23, So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

WHAT? Spit on his eyes? Really? Do you know how many germs are in spit? Not very logical at all! Someone should have taught Jesus some manners, don’t you think? What possessed him to spit in someones eyes? Yet Jesus said that he only did what he saw the Father do and God did create man from the dust of the ground. Wonder how he made that very large mud pie? Did God spit?

God doesn’t work with mans logic! No one can figure out his ways or knows the way he thinks or plans, yet He loves us, cares for us and provides for us always. We tend to waste so much time trying to figure God out when we should just be listening to his voice and doing what he tells us to do. If it could be figured out logically, we would get the pat on the back, but since God doesn’t do things our way, He will receive all the glory and praise. He doesn’t want man turning to you, He wants man turning to Him.

Father, the more I know you and spend time with you, the more you change me from thinking small to thinking big. May the power of your Holy Spirit invade my space today. May you take all traces of logic and turn me into the mirror image of your Son. Today, may I hear the heart cries of those around me who desire healing, deliverance and freedom. May I walk in your footsteps and not care what others think of me. I trust you and your plan for me. May I leave a large God-print on the earth and may it point back to you. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

Since today is Halloween, I thought I would choose something a little more towards the dark side this morning. Let’s begin with Job1:6-12: One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan, who was the Designated Accuser, came along with them. God singled out Satan and said, “What have you been up to?” Satan answered God, “Going here and there, checking things out on earth.” God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil.” Satan retorted, “So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can’t lose! But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He’d curse you right to your face, that’s what.” God replied, “We’ll see. Go ahead—do what you want with all that is his. Just don’t hurt him.” Then Satan left the presence of God.

And as we read on, we see that satan did indeed take everything Job had. He began with the farm (his harvest) and then took all his children (his seed). In one day, Job went from being the wealthiest and most prominent, honored business man, to the man with the most loss. Lets read verses 20-22 together: Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I’ll return to the womb of the earth. God gives, God takes. God’s name be ever blessed.”  Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God.

You know what impresses me most about this story? Job knew that all he had belonged to God, he wasn’t the owner of anything, only the keeper.  Loss is only mourned when you know there’s no more out there to be had, but Job knew that God created it all and there was plenty more where that came from. I wonder how many of us would respond as Job did when stripped of every earthly blessing we’ve acquired?

It didn’t end there though. Job 2:1-10 says:

One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan also showed up. God singled out Satan, saying, “And what have you been up to?” Satan answered God, “Oh, going here and there, checking things out.” Then God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him, is there—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil? He still has a firm grip on his integrity! You tried to trick me into destroying him, but it didn’t work.”

Satan answered, “A human would do anything to save his life. But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away his health? He’d curse you to your face, that’s what.”

God said, “All right. Go ahead—you can do what you like with him. But mind you, don’t kill him.”

Satan left God and struck Job with terrible sores. Job was ulcers and scabs from head to foot. They itched and oozed so badly that he took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself, then went and sat on a trash heap, among the ashes.

His wife said, “Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!”

He told her, “You’re talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?”

Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God.

So, I see that the enemy always has a plan to rob us of Gods blessings. First what we have, then he gets personal and touches our body. Perhaps you’ve experienced this in your life or you’re experiencing it right now. You may be wondering how long? How much can I take? Job wondered too. He didn’t understand or see the plan. But when it’s all over, God has the final word as seen in Job 42:12-17;  God blessed Job’s later life even more than his earlier life. He ended up with fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand teams of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first daughter Dove, the second, Cinnamon, and the third, Darkeyes. There was not a woman in that country as beautiful as Job’s daughters. Their father treated them as equals with their brothers, providing the same inheritance. Job lived on another 140 years, living to see his children and grandchildren—four generations of them! Then he died—an old man, a full life.

Father, if you did it for Job, you will do it for us. The losses we have had in our past will be replaced with double treasure. Loss of family, doubled. Loss of money, doubled. Losses are merely a planted seed that produces more because that’s just how you work. Thank you for the honor of being your daughter and that everything you’ve promised me, you will do it. I place my trust in you. I am unable, but you are able. It’s in the name above all names, the one who lives to intercede for me, Jesus, your Son. Amen

Elijah was a man who listened to Gods voice and obeyed what God told him to do and say. In I Kings chapter 17, he told King Ahab that because of their refusal to give up their false gods and their sacrifices to idols, there would be no rain for a few years until Elijah called down rain from heaven. Then we see that the Lord hid Elijah and fed him and cared for him. Many wonderful stories of Gods provision that I just love to read, but lets fast forward to chapter 18, when God tells him to present himself to Ahab, who had been searching for him and had a price on his head.

Verses 17-19; When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?”

 “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.  Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.”

Wow! What a way to speak to a king, right? But Elijah had confidence in a greater King. The King of kings was his master. He had witnessed close up the power of who he worked for and knew that God was well able to deliver on what he promised. Elijah never once forgot who he represented. He trusted in Gods Word. He heard clearly Gods voice and he obeyed. In the end, God sent a chariot to pick him up and bring him to heaven.

You see, Elijah had relationship with God. You cannot recognize someones voice unless you’ve spent time with them. You cannot have that kind of complete confidence unless you develop intimacy. As my husband, Walt could call me in the middle of a crowd and I’d be able to pick out his voice because I know him. That voice has spoken into me for almost 40 years now, but more than that, I’ve learned that what he says, he means and does. He’s merely a man, but the spirit of God is in him. When he says I’m beautiful, I know I am. When he says he will care for me, I know he will.

Elijah received instructions from God and whatever God told him to do, he did it. He wasn’t perfect, but he was willing. What are you waiting for? God is looking for men and women throughout the earth that will boldly proclaim what His Word says. People who will believe in his promises and be confident in HIS ability to perform it through them.

Our outreach pastor is taking a team of ordinary people to the streets of St Petersburg on the eve of Halloween with sack lunches and love. They will be ministering to the lost and hurting, the drunks and demonized, prostitutes and drug addicts, restoring hope and giving love. She believes in the Word that says, “signs will follow those who believe,” and she has confidence in the One who heals, saves and delivers. Those who can’t go will pray for those who go. That gives everyone an opportunity to be involved and take part.

What are you doing for God? It’s more than being busy in church, encouraging the saints who should be encouraging themselves in the Word. What are you doing to stretch your faith and trust in God? Has he asked you to so something that put you out on a skinny limb? Are you wondering if the limb will hold you? Trust me, if God told you to walk out on this skinny limb and it wasn’t even attached to a tree, he has the power to hold it up and keep you safe. It’s time for us to step up and be modern day Elijah’s, not fearing man but fearing God.

Father, these are the days when your people will shine brightly in this dark world. Light us up, Lord. Set us ablaze with your glory and your power. May your Word be alive in us. May we believe what you said and lay hands on the sick knowing that YOUR Word doesn’t return to you empty, but it produces results. We speak a hedge of protection over those on the team that will be going and ministering this week. Cover them with your blood. Cover their families, their homes, their finances. May they hear clearly your direction and may they see clearly your heart for these people. It’s in the Name of Jesus we ask this. Amen

II Peter 3:3-4 NLT; Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.  They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” vs 8-10; But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.  The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.  But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

I’ve had this very conversation with someone recently, where they said almost exactly the above. ‘Nothing has changed! For centuries people have said Jesus is coming again and it’s never happened. Wake up! It’s never going to happen! Just enjoy your life, have fun! Stop preaching a message that will never happen!’ Made me feel sick inside and my spirit wanted to weep. Nothing you say is going to change their minds, you can only pray for them and ask the Holy Spirit to show them.

God is not limited to our time frame or our way of thinking. He sees things we cannot see and wants everyone to know him and have relationship with them. He never intended for us to argue or brow beat people to come to him, he said it’s our love that will make the difference. Jesus did that, he loved and served them. He didn’t say, “Repent first and then I’ll heal you, feed you and give you salvation.” He loved the sinners, healed the sinners, loved the sinners. It was the love that made them want to be near him, love opened their ears to hear the truth. John 13:35 tells us that it’s our love for one another that proves we are his disciples.

Father, forgive us for being so short-sighted and narrow-minded. Most of all forgive us for not walking in love. I’m realizing that the more time I spend with you, the deeper my love becomes for those around me. Use me to be an funnel of love not a bottle that can be filled and closed off. I will not hoard what you have given to me so freely. Forgive me for the many times I walked away when you prompted me to show love. I cannot just love you, I must love you by loving others. I cannot just love those who love you, I must love those who have never experienced your love. Words are not needed when love speaks, it’s message is clear and life changing. It’s always for you, Father. So that your table will be filled to celebrate the marriage supper of your son, Jesus and his bride.  May your Love be seen in me I pray, Amen.