One of my favorite verses is found in Habakkuk 2:2-3 AMP goes like this, “And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.”

The word ‘Vision’ means; the act or power of sensing with the eyes; The word ‘Sight’; the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be. The word ‘prophetic vision’; the vision of an entrepreneur.

This shows how important it is to meditate on the Word God has given to us. I believe that without vision, something inside of us dies and we never see the promises of God become a reality. Let’s take a look at the Israelites, those with no vision never reached the promised land.

I have had God show me things to come that have not yet happened, but I believe they will. I’ve heard Him speak things in my spirit which were difficult to believe but remembered His Word, “All things are possible to him who believes.” I don’t ever want to be the one who doesn’t receive just because it looks too big or sounds too crazy. I just scream out, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!”

I fight off the doubts with my words. I just get more radical because I believe you must have radical, ridiculous faith to obtain and see the manifestation of the promises of God. I’ve heard it said, seeing is believing, I say believing is seeing. Don’t ever measure someone by what you see on the outside. They may look insignificant, plain and simple to you, but the inner person measures mighty in faith to God.

If you want to know the measure of a man or woman, listen to what they say. If their vision is big and their faith is relentless, they will not fail when they place their hope and trust in God.

Sandy G

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 Amplified

When you purchase a home, you’re given a key to that house. How silly would it be for you to tell everyone you own the house but never open the door and move in? What good is a home if you don’t live there? How foolish would it look for you to pitch a tent in the yard while the enjoyment of the home lays beyond the door.

Jesus gave us the keys to the Kingdom but we don’t use the keys to unlock the gate and live Kingdom lives. We talk about it, but we live outside the gate, pointing our fingers, ‘This is my eternal home. This is where I’m gonna live someday and have peace and joy and lack nothing!’ But He gave us keys to enjoy in that life now. He wants us to live in wholeness now, not when we get to heaven in the sweet by and by.

It’s time to begin reading the Word and believing what we read. Let’s bind up sickness and disease and loose healing and wholeness. Let’s bind up poverty and loose increase. Let’s not pray it once and say it just doesn’t work for me! Use the power given and contend for what is rightfully ours. Let’s bind the strong man everyday, reminding him of what is written. Let’s worship and give thanks for the Kingdom that’s within us!

Let’s live as we’re intended to live now and give the devil a faceful of Word every time he tries to take what rightfully belongs to us.

Sandy G

“I declared the former things long ago, And they went out of My mouth, and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.” Isaiah 48:3 NASB2020

The word suddenly is defined as quickly and unexpected. There’s something to be said about the unexpected suddenlies of God.

Suddenlies are sweet because they’re unexpected and impressive. It’s when you realize you were on someone’s mind and they preplanned to delight in gifting you.

I recently had surgery, which put me off work for several weeks. I had no time to plan or save up for the time off work. I knew it wasn’t a surprise to God, though, and during my recovery, I rested in Gods provision. Suddenly, I received 2 $500 checks and enough grocery gift cards to provide food for the family while I was off.

Have you ever experienced such a lack that you cried unto God for a rescue. You sit to get directions and hear nothing. It’s OK, at the right moment when you’re trusting and have stopped stressing….suddenly, you see deliverance show up in an unexpected way.

My remnant friend, there is absolutely nothing in your life that God’s unaware of. From large to small, He’s aware of all. Stop limiting a limitless God. Lay your weary head on His lap and allow Him to restore your soul.

Nothing is out of His reach even when you can’t see it.

Sandy G

Why do You stand far away, Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?
Psalms 10:1 NASB2020

It’s not wrong to ask why, but don’t exhaust yourself with asking. Sometimes God has His own reasons and He really doesn’t owe us an explanation.

I’m reminded of Isaiah 55:8-9; “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Why, you ask? Why? Because He’s God, and sometimes we forget that He always has a plan and we’re not privy to that plan. Someday, the things we are shortsighted in will be as plain as the nose on our face, but until that day, we’re prompted to trust Him. Will you do that?

Stop asking why and begin asking, “What do you need me to do next?” Stop questioning and start trusting. Passionate obedience yields breakthroughs in every area of your life.

I will end with Isaiah 55:10-11; “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth and making it produce and sprout, and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.”

He has a bigger plan and you must play your small part. Let it be enough.

Sandy G

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 The Message

Spirit, soul and body. We are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body. Our body is simply the container for the spirit and the soul. I think a lot of people have confused the order of things thinking that it’s all about the body and how good it feels. We have allowed our body to be in control when God designed us to be spirit led. That’s where fasting comes in. It tells the body, “I don’t think so, you’re not having your way anymore!” Not a very popular subject even with Christians. Seems no–body wants to be told what to do.

That’s why we need the Holy Spirit. He’s not just our comforter, He gives us revelation and leads us into all truth. We’ve not seen the Spirit of God, but we are aware of His presence in us. It’s the still small voice, that stirring of unease inside that if we pay attention to Him, will save us a world of hurt. Is it possible that when we starve or neglect the spirit within us, we offend the Spirit of God?

I wonder how long our friends would stick around if we ignored them or talked over them all the time. Shouldn’t we value our spirit over our body? I mean, which lives longer?

Just a little food for thought as you go about your day. May you feed your spirit and starve your flesh.

Sandy G

God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Don’t send me away from you. Don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy that comes from being saved by you. Give me a spirit that obeys you. That will keep me going, Then I will teach your ways to those who commit lawless acts and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:10-13 NIRV

This has always been my prayer! God, create in me a pure heart with no guile, no hatred or resentment toward others. Give me a faithful spirit, one that isn’t easily drawn away by the lusts of the flesh or deceitfulness of riches or fame. Please don’t send me away because of displeasure over something I’ve done or said that was displeasing to you. I know it’s not in your nature to leave me ever, but keep me that I may never walk away from you.

The next part is what we should do daily; remembering what it was like when we first learned of forgiveness and grace. Being thankful. Always rehearsing the goodness God has poured into our lives. Then there’s the biggy: Give me a spirit that obeys you, that keeps me going. An obedient heart with a tenacious spirit.

I don’t want to miss an opportunity, an open door or a chance to affect a life for God. Constantly remind me that my life is not my own. Sometimes it thinks it is, but I have to constantly remind myself, no, flesh. You are free because of someone’s’ sacrifice and that someone was Jesus.

A love that big deserves more than I have to give so I give it all. Someday, I will stand before Him, wrap my arms around Him, hug Him hard, as I fall at His feet and kiss them. I will scream out, HOLY! WORTHY! THANK YOU! and repeat it over and over again. How I long for that day. The eternal ‘Friday’! Never to have to labor again.

Blessings,

Sandy G

I asked permission to share my daughter’s encouragement today on my blog. She had posted this on Facebook Sunday, but she’s been discussing this with me over the past several weeks and it’s blessed me watching her make this journey. I hope you enjoy it as much as others have.

We can take a lot from the examples of the bible. Take Peter for instance. Peter was the only one of the disciples who had the faith to step out of the boat onto water. Modern day examples; God told you to quit your job with no plans for future income. Maybe God told you to pick up, pack up and move with no home, no income, no way of making a way for yourself or your family. That’s a big ask, no, that’s huge.

There’s no way that God would ask you that, right? Hold on, in Genesis 12 God told Abram to leave his home, his job, his family, his friends, everything he’d ever known and move to “I’ll show you where”. Our response today would have been, I’m going to need a little bit more information before I do this, Lord. Like, where will I get my income from? Where will I live? How will I feed my family? What we need to realize is the answer is in the obedience.

Now back to Peter and the boat. Peter asked to step out of the boat because he wanted proof that it was Jesus who was walking on water. When Jesus said, “Come,” Peter did. He walked on water with Jesus, in obedience. There was one problem, though, when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, when he moved his focus to the waves, the waves became bigger that Jesus, he got scared and started to sink. When we take our focus off of the one who said, “Come,” the problems become bigger than the One who gives us peace in the midst of the storm.

“Sometimes God calms the storm, but sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms His child.” Leslie Gould.

Don’t allow your storm to get bigger than the one who can either calm the storm (Luke 8:22-25), or let the storm rage. Focus on Jesus. He won’t necessarily calm the storm that rages. He won’t magically fill your bank account (I’m not saying it’s not possible, because “…with God, all things are possible,” Matthew 19:26). What I am saying is that God may not do it in a way that you envision.

God told me to quit my job, I am now down to my last pennies, the storm is raging and He’s not calming it. But I tell you, when my focus is on Jehovah Jireh, my provider, I have peace that passes all understanding. He may not provide in the way I think or want. He may not fill my bank account to overflow right no, but I know that in my obedience to pick up, pack up and go, so to speak, “My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

People looked at me like I was crazy, some even called me crazy and tried to talk me out of it but they did the same thing to Noah who, at the instruction of God, started building a boat. He didn’t even know what rain was, it had never rained before. At that time, the ground water would raise up and water the plants. But because of his obedience, his family and 2 of every species survived the flood.

Your obedience will be your blessing. Stepping out in faith is never an easy thing, but when you do and the blessing comes, just know that the God of the universe will be bigger than your problems, if you only keep your focus on Christ and not the waves. When God says, which He has to me many times, “Just keep doing what you’re doing and i’ll take care of the rest,” don’t question it. Just keep moving in the direction that you’re moving in. God will handle the steps you have to take to get to where He wants you. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9. Be blessed my friends. Hope this speaks to you as much as it did to me. #BigLoves-Shannon Gregory

So my dear crazy-faith-remnant friends, if you want to know every aspect of God to the fullest–be obedient and enjoy the ride.

Sandy G

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a

Don’t you ever think that God misses anything. When we stand in faith, unwavering, disagreeing with our natural vision to agree with His Word, He notices.

There comes a time, a moment, when suddenly you see the thing you’ve waited for take place. God rewards that kind of unwavering faith. People may disagree with you, they may argue with you and make you think it’s your fault that it hasn’t happened. Just like the voice of satan, the accuser, they guilt you, beat you with their words, they will try to minimize the word God has given to you and make it of no effect. They will try to make you think it’s something you did or said that is holding back His promises.

Pay no attention to them or their words. Just like lightening falls from the sky, so the Word will connect with you, my friend. He is not a man that He should lie to you! It is not for nothing! Don’t ever stop believing and holding fast to the promises of God. May His Word always speak louder to you than any other word. If it doesn’t line up with Gods written Word, it isn’t something you should pay attention to.

He is faithful. Always. He has not called us to a life of feelings but a life of faith. Feelings change, but His Word never changes.

Sandy G

Tomorrow, by the time the sun gets hot, you will be rescued. I Samuel 11:9 GW

It was a prophetic word our pastor spoke over us years ago but came back to me today. I’m thinking there is someone out there somewhere who needs to hear this or it wouldn’t be so heavy on my heart yesterday and today.

Some translations say help, others say deliverance but the meaning is clear; Our God loves to help those who call upon His great name, those who are thankful, who choose to give Him the glory He alone deserves.

This morning, I looked around me at the goodness of the Lord and began to worship and thank Him. This is what God showed to me and perhaps it will help you as well. What is it that caused Satan to fall from heaven? He was after God’s glory. We cannot fall into the trap of stealing what belongs only to God.

ALL GLORY, ALL HONOR, ALL PRAISE TO YOU THE KING OF ALL KINGS, LORD OF ALL LORDS. NO ONE IS GREATER THAN YOU, NO ONE DESERVES PRAISE LIKE OUR GOD. WE LIVE TO DO YOUR GOOD PLEASURE.

Your Kingdom Come! Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We are carriers of the glory only to show off the goodness of the Lord.

Sandy G

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. Ps 34:19

What a word for us this morning. God sees everything you’re going through, every lie spoken about you, every seemingly impossible situation. He hears the lies the enemy is whispering in your ear, ‘You’ll never get a job! You’re gonna lose your house! Your God will never come through for you! Is there really a God? You’ll never get married!’

The Accuser will always accuse but the Lord comes. You see it’s like this scripture says, we will face troubles, probably more than our share, but the Lord comes to our rescue each and every time. Watch for Him. Wait for Him. Expect Him because He will not break His Word to you. He’s coming to the rescue, just in time.

So today as you face what you face, just remember, get your eyes off your own problems and see what you can do for those around you. Do some ‘makes-no-sense’ kind of goodness to others and watch it come back to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

Sandy G