Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or hemming and hawing—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” Mark 11:22-25 The Message

It’s truly a God-life when you can believe for the impossible things. When your mind gets on Gods wavelength and you begin to think like He does and not as the world does. Jesus did it and said we can do it too. I believe that part of our problem is the influences we allow in our lives. Hey, if your closest friends aren’t of like mind, stop hanging with them. Don’t allow their limits to be yours.

So what I’m saying today is, beware of naysayers. You know who they are, the people who tell you it’s impossible, you look sad, you don’t sound well. They play on your emotions and make fun of your faith stance. They go by what they see and refuse to entertain the possibility of you getting what you’re asking for.

Instead surround yourself with faith-sayers. Those who spur you to believe for the impossible, tell you that the joy of the Lord is your strength and that speak health into your body. Those who nourish you with the Word and pull you up when you’re down when you’re unable to pull yourself up.

Feelings change, everything in this realm is subject to change but the Word of God, it never changes. Trust in the unchangeable Word.

Sandy G

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

What a beautiful passage to speak out over yourself today. Gods promise of peace regardless of what you face. Not the worlds peace, but the peace of God.

I love verse 7 in the amplified bible; And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

It will garrison and mount guard over my heart and mind. Wow! That word ‘garrison’ means a body of troops stationed in a fortified place. Can you see that now? God sends his angels to surround you and keep you in all your ways. There are more with you then those against you.

Thank you Father that You’ve sent your angels to guard and protect my peace. I will not by any means allow the enemy to steal what is mine. I rest in Your ability to fight my battles for me. You are more than enough! It’s in Jesus’ name I pray this, Amen.

Sandy G

But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see the salvation of Adonai, which He will perform for you today. You have seen the Egyptians today, but you will never see them again, ever!
Exodus 14:13 TLV

I have one word to share with you this morning. It is a small word but a profound word. Regardless of what you are facing, know this, God will never agree with your enemies. He has plans and His plans will be completed.

This verse in Exodus denotes a very scary time for the Israelites. Even though God had shown Himself and His power so many times, fear had a way of scaring the truth out of them. That’s why Moses spoke to the children of Israel to not be afraid! He had to arrest their attention. To change their perspective and get it back on the sovereignty and mightiness of God.

God has absolutely not conceded to the lies your enemy has been yelling in your ears. His Word still stands. He hasn’t changed His mind nor will He fail to keep His promises.

There are times for action and you must move at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. But there are times to stand still on the rock of His promises. His promises must be a solid foundation to you. If your foundation is constantly shifting, reevaluate where you’re standing.

Find your promise in the word and stand on it, for truly it is a sure foundation! Speak to every outside noise and every outside sign that it’s not working. Just as Jesus spoke to the tempter and the wilderness, you must speak to the fear that would try to knock you off that foundation. You must trust in Him regardless of what you see in the natural. He will never fail!

Stand still. Trust me, you will see the salvation you’ve been waiting for.

Sandy G

“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” Matthew 7:13-14 Message

This is the time resolutions are made to lose weight, eat healthy and live cleaner lives. Everywhere we see the latest diets and plans to lose 20lbs in 20 days, but nothing really works like that, does it? Discipline and small changes is the only thing that works and keeps working. There are no shortcuts.

Neither are there shortcuts to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

He is the only way to the Father. His way or no way. Seek Him with all our heart and suddenly the things we thought we wanted don’t seem important any longer. It’s in Him we find love, peace and joy. It’s sweet fellowship with Him that fulfills the deep longings of our heart.

The really cool thing is this; He made us and knows the plan that will work the best for our success in everything we try to accomplish. He’s in it for the long haul.

Sandy G

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Philippians 1:3‭-‬6 MSG

Although I think of you all as I type these words in the morning, it’s important that you know you are always God’s first and last thoughts every day. There’s not a moment that He’s not thinking of you. What a wonderful thing to remember as you go about your day.

There may be times where you feel you’re alone, but in your heart you must know you are never alone! What He said, He meant. What He started, He will finish.

Every sunrise has a sunset. Every beginning has an ending. We are not in control of when the ending will happen, but we do know that God will complete what He started.

Each book starts with a thought and continues word by word until the last word is typed. God knows your story because He’s the author of it. You may not like what it looks like, but He has purpose for it and your story will encourage someone else to get through their journey as well.

Whether your life is a short story or a long one, there is purpose in every page. It’s not over until it’s over. Remember who the author is and trust Him with the finish.

Sandy G

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Every year I try to take an account of the words that I’ve spoken and the thoughts that I’ve had during the 12 months. I try to evaluate how those thoughts have either benefited me or was possibly a detriment.

There are a lot of times where I want to speak out my feelings, but after I think about it, I decide that I don’t want my feelings to control my outcome so I keep my mouth shut. It has been an effective deterrent in keeping me from speaking out how I feel during any given situation. More than once it’s probably saved our marriage.

It’s not to say that I don’t vent! I do. And it’s not always a good vent! But I have tried to make it the exception to the rule simply because I know that my words have power, and with that power comes responsibility. I know that I am made in the image and likeness of God and that God is a speaking spirit. He creates with the words of His mouth and He has made me to do the same. That’s why Proverbs 18:21 says, death and life is in the power of the tongue and those who love it eat the fruit of it.

So what words have you spoken this year that you regret? Because it’s not all about you, it’s about speaking what God sees and feels about others not how you feel. Yes people are going to be people and the things that they do are going to sometimes light you on fire. But the key here is to gain control of your feelings to be able to speak positively and as the spirit leads rather than as your flesh leads. That’s practicing self-control and there are many of us who have forgotten what that is. As my mom always said, “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.”

So as the end of this year approaches quickly, let’s start out the new year with the most important resolution we can make, and that is to control the things that we say because it does affect not just others but the outcome of our own existence. Make this your prayer today.

Father, this year I give You my words. They are no longer mine, but Yours. May they bring life and not death. May they build and not tear down. May they bring peace and not strife.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Lord. I repent of bad seed and pray for crop failure on those. This year may I declare, “Your Kingdom (Your way of being and doing) come on the earth as it is in Heaven!”

It’s in Jesus name and forever for Your glory! Amen

Sandy G

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into heaven’s kingdom. It is only those who persist in doing the will of my heavenly Father. On the day of judgment many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, don’t you remember us? Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we cast out demons and do many miracles in your name?’ But I will have to say to them, ‘Go away from me, you lawless rebels! I’ve never been joined to you!’ Matthew 7:21-23 TPT

Most translations say, “I never knew you,” which can be interpreted as joined in intimacy. I like how they made it as an intimate term, because just as Jesus was one with God, we are made one with the Father, through His shed blood. But there are those who want to keep God at a distance. They want the feel goods, but not the complete surrender that comes with deep intimacy.

There is a difference between being acquainted with God and truly knowing Him deeply. Jesus knew God because He did the will of the Father. He stayed surrendered, living out Gods plan, walking and talking with Him daily, minute by minute. That was the whole plan from the beginning, to allow all to come to the Father as sons and daughters, fully restored, seated with Him, living lights reflecting His glory.

I want that, don’t you? Let’s make that our prayer today.

Father, I don’t want to worship from afar, I want to be where You are. Sweep me off my feet because I can’t live without intimacy with you. I’m here for you to move through and work through. I yield all of me to all of You. Take me into Your Presence, my heart is Yours alone.

Sandy G

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Psalm 34:8 MSG

What’s with all the stress? I know if I feel it, you must feel it too. It seems to be in everything now days. Everything’s a drama event waiting to pull us into its abyss.

“It must be completed NOW!” and the stress they feel is transmitted to you because they waited too long. Drivers sliding from lane to lane, in a hurry to get to somewhere fast. Why didn’t they just leave sooner instead of their actions causing accidents? Horns honking when someone at the light hesitates a second longer than seems appropriate, as you yell to your windshield, “Pay attention!” Someone in the ‘fast food’ lane taking too much time with their order. Why didn’t they just go inside rather than hold everyone else up?

Ever feel like that, or am I totally alone in this? I must admit I’ve been that person at times in my life. Now I find that when anxiety makes my heart beat fast and my blood pressure rise, I try to take a minute and check my attitude now. Why am I in such a hurry? Is this internal or external pressure? Hey, it doesn’t happen often, but it’s a start!

So I guess I’m asking what you do when stress and drama is played out before your ears and eyes? Do you react with anger and impatience, or do you internalize it and explode in other ways? Take a few days and listen to yourself when you’re driving. I’m wondering if it’s become a normal thing, or simply something we’ve accustomed ourselves to? If so, how can we change our behavior to be the exception to the rule?

I don’t want to be influenced by others behavior anymore, unless it’s to the good. I want my life to be a reflection of the peace of God that is always accessible to me. Perhaps it’s time to change. I know some of us hate that word, but change is a good thing if it brings peace.

Perhaps it’s time to place Jesus in the passenger seat when we enter our cars (oof, that’s gonna take some getting used to). To pull up a chair by our desk at work for Him to sit in. To be aware of Him as we wait in line at the store or the drive-through. Because although that seems silly (because who does that?), He is always with us, whether we’re aware of it or not. He never leaves us, at our worst moments.

My prayer today: Father, sorry about my behavior of late. No excuses! I can’t control what others do, but I can surely control my response to it. I really need your help with this. I’d say, ‘Hey, I’m only human!” but you already know that since you made me. Help me to choose better when I get behind the wheel. To take a moment at work to gain control of my emotional response before I make one. Thanks for never leaving me or getting put off by my human nature. To stick with me so closely and still love me, that’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever known. I really want to be more like you!

And all Gods people said, AMEN.

Sandy G

So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose.
Romans 8:28 TPT

I’ve been reflecting on some of the hard things that have happened in my life over the years. Although at the time, I did not appreciate going through them, looking back, I see that there was purpose for it.

Granted it didn’t seem like it. And I didn’t see it for a long time. I guess my focus was more on how hard it was during the event than what God had planned for it. I’m convinced that through each hard trial we went through, it taught us to trust God deeper.

I wasn’t thankful than, but I’m very thankful now. Thankful for the deeper intimacy. Thankful for the deeper trust. Thankful my faith has grown. Thankful that I have a greater endurance. Thankful for the ability to type not only my stories, but my victory’s as well.

I’m no longer shocked by the battles that pop up in my life, for I know who fights my battles and has won them for me once and for all. When they show up, I lift up my hands and worship the one who has seen me through them time and time again. My Father loves me and that is enough.

Find the purpose and praise Him.

Sandy G

I see you struggle everyday with what seems so real. I wish there was someway to help you see what lies beyond all of this, because that is what is truly real. You’re running toward a mirage instead of running to Me. Do you hear me calling you? Close your eyes and listen, it is then that you will hear me the loudest.

I Corinthians 13:12-13 MSG; We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

Say that outloud: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. It’s the best gift you can give yourself that actually transmits to others.

Sandy G