And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who passionately seek him. Hebrews 11:6 TPT

Note that verse doesn’t say without feelings, it’s impossible to please God. Feelings will come and go but they are not the way to gage your faith. Just because they both begin with the letter ‘f’, doesn’t mean they are even closely related.

Faith ignores feelings. Faith doesn’t question God’s ability to handle situations. It focuses on what is promised and relentlessly pursues it. Feelings try to crowd out faith, but when feelings are put down and we focus on who God is and what He’s capable of, it beefs up our faith.

Let your faith win over feelings today. Find a place where free worship is expressed and the Word of God is proclaimed. Don’t cave in to your feelings. Surround yourself with faith.

Sandy G

I love the story of Daniel. What an example he set to constantly place God as highest priority. Daily he rose early to pray, even after a law was passed to stop. What he received for his seeking the face of God is found in Daniel 9:20-23:

“I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, His holy mountain. As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.”

Lots of things here, but two that personally spoke to me. When you prioritize the Lord and the things that are dear to his heart:

1. You gain insight and understanding.

2. You become very precious to God.

There is a high price tag that comes with seeking the face of God; you’re not real popular with man. They don’t understand why you’re not more like them, why you don’t value what they value, why you don’t fit in. You become a social outcast, a misfit, people plot against you, set you up for a fall, sometimes it’s your own family, even members of your church. They tell you not to be so extreme, they don’t understand why you weep for the lost, why you carry such a heavy load, why you’re loud or so passionate.

Can I just encourage you for a moment, my remnant friend? Set your face toward God and carry what He’s called you to carry. I would rather leave this world light then to try to carry it with me. Knowing I’ve been obedient to the voice of the Lord is probably the most rewarding choice I’ve ever made. Am I perfect? Not by a long shot. God’s probably the only thing I’ve been able to focus on (squirrel) in my life.

Sometimes I think even our pastor shake his head and wonders what to do with me. I still blurt out inappropriate comments, still get upset and still vent about ‘stupid people’, but my heart is set on God and little by little he’s changing me to care more about what He wants and less about what’s mine. This isn’t a fad or a style change that if you decide you don’t like it, you can take it back and exchange it. This is for keeps!

Don’t try this at home and live something else on your job. It’s not like make-up that you take off at night, it’s permanent! You won’t find it in any church; you find it on your knees.

Sandy G

So he dispersed the crowd, said good-bye to his disciples, then slipped away to pray on the mountain. Mark 6:46

I’ve been preparing to speak with a group of moms about the importance of what you pray over your children. For all of us who’ve been doing it for awhile, it seems pretty basic, but what about those who have never developed the ability to listen for instructions?

Jesus knew the importance of spending time with His Father, praying. In fact in, John 5:19 Jesus said, “I speak to you eternal truth. The Son is unable to do anything from himself or through his own initiative. I only do the works that I see the Father doing, for the Son does the same works as his Father.” Now that’s being tuned in to knowing God.

No one knows us like God does. He created us, gave us our unique personality and set us in our particular families for His own purposes. Instead of finding fault with our situations, we should be talking to God about what His plans are for us.

I guess my purpose in this is pretty basic; have you learned to pray? To seek a deep intimate relationship with God, one that listens and doesn’t speak. What would our lives look like if we learned this? To know the heart of the Father was not just reserved for Jesus. He died to bridge the gap so we would have direct access to Him.

How would things change in our homes if we did what we saw the Father do? What kind of legacy would we leave our children and grandchildren if we demonstrated that?

Next time you stand in His presence, be still and ask Him to speak. Tune into His voice. It may just be a simple response to your “I love you!” with His, “I love you too!”

Sandy G

But no one earns God’s righteousness. It can only be transferred when we no longer rely on our own works, but believe in the one who powerfully declares the ungodly to be righteous in his eyes. It is faith that transfers God’s righteousness into your account! Romans 4:5 TPT

Here’s a truth that you can’t escape, it’s never been about what you do, but what you believe. I want you to understand this morning that the Kingdom of God is simply based on belief in Gods ability, not yours.

I know, seems too basic, but hear me out. People always want proof, ‘seeing is believing’, but in the Kingdom, you must first believe than you will see. Jesus said you must first believe. If you believe and don’t doubt you will have what you’re believing for.

Satan is always trying to get us to doubt what we believe. He knows if he can mess with our believing he can steal our promise, our blessing, our health, our nation. We must first believe that He is, and believe He’s the rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. Just a little something to think on today.

Have a great day,

Sandy G

And while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! What a picture of Gods love and redemption for His bride. 2 Peter 3:9 says; The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.

How can we not love and cry out for those who fail to see that kind of love. He stands waiting! Waiting for us to show His redemptive love in the earth. He’s already done everything He will do, now it’s our turn.

Everyday, God sends lost people across your path to reflect that love to. Deep abiding, unconditional love, the kind that overwhelms you. I’m not talking about those who already love us! I’m talking about those who hate you, who talk about you, who’ve hurt you, who you distance yourself from.

These are someones mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Someones wife or husband, all created by one loving Father who gave His own son so that they could know of His great love for them. We need to stop living life like it’s all about us, because it’s not! It’s all about others.

I hope this does more then tickle your ears. “Oh, great word today, Sandy!” No. That can’t be the end of the greatest love story ever written. I hope this lights a fire inside of you to BE LOVE to the hard, the broken, the mean, the smelly, the ugly, abused and rejected that we’ve refused to really see around us.

Freely you’ve received this love, now freely give.

Sandy G

“Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, till the clouds roll forever from the sky. Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of thy hand. Keep me safe, till the storm passes by.” (written by Mosie Lister)

Wow, I actually remembered all the words to that very old chorus my mom used to sing a lot. It is true, as we age, our older memories become stronger. Ever since my mom transitioned to heaven on August 30, 2022, I hear her singing various songs and it brings joy to my heart.

I was thinking of a sermon I heard recently about having a storm shelter. When a really bad storm comes, we get our essentials and run to the storm shelter. If you’re anything like me, I can’t just sit still, I’m running to the door, opening it to try to see if it’s over yet, letting in the weather I’m trying to keep out. But God wants us to run to Him as our storm shelter.

Psalm 91 says, “He is like a fort to me, he is my God. I trust in him. He will certainly save you from hidden traps and from deadly sickness. He will cover you with his wings. Under the feathers of his wings you will find safety. He is faithful. He will keep you safe like a shield or a tower. You won’t have to be afraid of the terrors that come during the night. You won’t have to fear the arrows that come at you during the day. You won’t have to be afraid of the sickness that attacks in the darkness. You won’t have to fear the plague that destroys at noon. A thousand may fall dead at your side. Ten thousand may fall near your right hand, but no harm will come to you.”

He will never leave you exposed to the elements. Don’t run out to see, rest under His loving arms of protection and wait till the storm passes by. This could be your finest moment, your greatest revelation of Him, if you simply use the time that the storm is at its worst to shelter with Him.

May His strong arms gather you in and His peace surround you during your storm today.

Sandy G

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

What was I thinking? Seems sometimes my mind has exploded into a gazillion tiny thoughts, all pointing in the wrong direction. How do I get back on track? How do I round up all those fragmented, futile thoughts? Paul teaches us that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but principalities, powers we can’t see. OK, so again, how do I get back on track? How do I keep my thoughts from spilling over into my words and actions?

Romans 12:2 talks of renewing our mind, but I love Ephesians 5:26 because it shows what the Word of God does; it washes. Bottom line, unless I spend time in the Word, using it as a scrub brush to clean away all the gunk left by the news, what we are exposed to, our thought life will continue to explode and grow.

Let’s remember one thing. As believers, we are not of this world so therefore we must not conform and be like those in this world. We must be like our Father, God. How can we be like someone we don’t know? How can we speak like Him, think like Him, act like Him or be like Him? How can we love like Him, heal like Him or give like him? I

f I want to capture my thoughts and words, I must study my Father. Today, I will practice what I teach. I will think of the Word as dish soap. Takes evil imaginations out of my mind and keeps them from turning into bad words. Here we go….You with me?

Sandy G

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15

How many times have you called? How many times have you felt ignored? How many times has He simply answered in ways that seemed contrary to the norm or just differently than you would have preferred?

One thing I know for sure is this; God always hears and always answers. Don’t get so stuck on what you want that you’re unwilling to see things His way.

He’s not asking for help, He’s asking for trust. He’s not needing your suggestions, He sees more than you do and has it all worked out. So next time you ask, simply place the problem in His hands and trust the outcome to Him.

So that thing you’ve been praying for, standing before the Father in faith, believing for your miracle, placing a demand on your contract, being relentless in your pursuit, God has heard you! He has been working on a plan to show you that your steps are truly ordered and He delights in His plans for you. God notices faithfulness!

Sandy G

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. Mark 13:8

Ever play ‘King on the Mountain’? That was such a fun game! We’d all try to pull down the person at the top and move our way up.

For centuries, tribes and nations have tried to increase their territories and expand their borders simply to add value and money to their kingdoms. We see it still goes on today all around the world, nations against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms. They incite riots, spread dissension, all for greedy gain and lust for more. Walls are built, border guards at every crossing, keeping watch over what is theirs.

Ever wonder why we, children of a greater Kingdom, never guard what is rightfully ours? Things purchased at a high price, the Son of the King, we let slip away as if there’s no value to it at all, until the time comes when we suddenly find ourselves in need of what’s gone and don’t know how to get it back.

I have good news for you; there is a simple solution to your problem, but you must discipline yourself to do it. The key is found throughout the bible in messages to us. From Genesis to Revelation we can learn from example to control our tongue, speak life not death, blessing not cursing. We find we’re in a Kingdom run by ‘opposites’. We give to receive, we guard our hearts, not our homes. We are weak so He can be strong. We must be least to be greatest. We have what we say not say what we have.

My friends, as patriots of a Kingdom of Love, we must go about doing good, healing, forgiving, loving and speaking faith filled words. “Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.” Proverbs 4:23 ERV. Why? Because you are what you think. You speak what you think. You hear what you speak. You believe what you hear.

Guard your healing, your peace, your blessing, your life by focusing on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.

Sandy G

There I stood, in waist deep water, hands lifted, heart stilled in the ebb and flow of the water. Beside me stood Jesus, arm around my waist, speaking so quietly I had to strain to hear over the music. “What, Lord?” I asked. “The music is loud and I can’t hear you!” He replied, “Focus on my voice. My still small voice.”

Suddenly His voice was so clear even though I could hear the music the same, as though He was speaking directly in my ear. Relief came over me. I love to hear His voice, my best friend, my confidant and love. Then He lowered me into the water as if baptizing me again. When I came out of the water, He began pulling off what remained on me. I felt so free, so focused, so complete.

Psalm 51:10-13 “Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me. Do not force me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience. Then I will teach your ways to those who are rebellious, and sinners will return to you.”

I wanted to share this simply so that you can understand something; no matter who you are or what you do, when you live in the world, the world gets on you. You don’t even realize it and you’re not doing it intentionally, but everything you watch on t.v., everything you surround yourself with, people who throw their cares on you instead of the Lord, it all leaves a residue on you.

That’s why it’s so important to stand close to Jesus, allowing Him to wash you daily of the stuff that’s come on you. To constantly be ‘baptized’ by the Word (Eph. 5:26), and by the Spirit (Acts 11:16) so that you can present yourself holy to the Lord (Romans 12:1).

We were not made to be part of the world, but to be separate. If we look like the world, talk like the world and act like the world, we are not doing what he asked us to do. Time to examine ourselves and ask God to wash us and make us totally his.