I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. Psalm 119:162

I’ve always loved to watch treasure hunter shows. Any kind. Those who search for lost treasure on ships buried deep in the oceans, or simple antique appraisers who give the value in the treasures brought to them. It’s amazing to me how something that looks so insignificant can be valued at such a large amount of money simply because of how rare it is and its condition.

Perhaps that’s why I love the Word of God so much. Each time I open the book, I find a plethora of rare jewels waiting for me to discover them. It brings to mind an old worship song, “Lord you are more precious than silver. Lord you are more costly than gold. Lord you are more beautiful then diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with you.”

What a precious gift we have in the living Word of God. Proverbs 3:8 says, it will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. It’s our guidance system, and peace to our storm. It’s the rock on which we can stand to keep from being carried away by the rush of water that surrounds us. If we choose to live by it, we are promised a long and satisfying life. It’s our living bread and consistently brings provision for everything we will ever face, everything we will ever need.

I’m thankful for Your Word, Lord. May I never treat it as common or ordinary. May I honor your Word, obey your Word and be a doer of your Word. May Your Word hold first and last place in my life. May it change me, wash me clean and give me a fresh start. May my heart be filled to overflowing with Your great and precious promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Have a Word day,

Sandy G

Hebrews 12:15 says, “Be careful that no one fails to get God’s grace. Be careful that no one loses their faith and becomes like a bitter weed growing among you. Someone like that can ruin your whole group.”

There have been times in my life when things did not work out as I’d planned. It’s times like this that I feel I may have missed it somehow. Then I remember this verse:

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

So don’t be short-sighted! Don’t become bitter or lose faith! God has your way all planned out and will work everything out to the very last detail. There’s nothing too hard, too big or anything that overwhelms Him. He’s always looking to bless you if you’ll keep your trust and hope in Him.

Everything I do, every step I take, every word I speak is merely ushering in the extremely good plans God has for me. Everything I learn is not wasted, God will use it somehow for His good.

I’m excited for you, my friend. Don’t allow yourself to become discouraged or bitter. Rejoice in the Lord and trust in Him because HE will bring it to pass.

Sandy G

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Are you struggling today with questions? Your questions matter. In fact, everything that is seen and unseen, known and unknown, dreams, goals, promises, all of it matters to God.

If it matters, then why does it take so long, you ask? If you could see what God has planned, you would trust that He also knows the perfect time for it to happen. I Samuel 1 tells us the story of Hannah who desperately wanted a child. When God finally opened her womb, she conceived Samuel the Prophet and gave him for the service of the Lord.

Sometimes what God is doing sets us up for something beyond our understanding. During your time of waiting for the promise to manifest, allow God to finish you. Yeah, just like making a fine garment, the finishing touches is what makes it beautiful.

25 years ago, I made my daughter, Stacy’s wedding dress. it was the hand sown pearls on that blasted bodice that took so much time. I didn’t think I’d ever get that done, but once it was all put together and fitted to her perfectly, it truly set the dress off beautifully.

God’s putting it all together for you as well, every pearl, every seam, every part of every promise and it will be a perfect fit to you. Wait for it. Be excited. For your day is almost here.

Sandy G

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

One of the definitions found for the word ‘mystery’ intrigued me this morning; any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation. Interesting! The mystery of ‘Christ in me’ is something only revealed by God to seekers.

As I was sharing this yesterday, God began to peel back the layers of this to me. Unless we believe He is in us, we will never see the manifested power of God displayed through us. We must believe that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, lives in us. That’s powerful.

Jesus said, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The word ‘follow’ denotes movement. If we’re not moving, signs can’t follow. Why aren’t we moving? What are we waiting on? God? He’s in us! He’s given us everything we will ever need and placed it in us. Healing? In us! Provision? In us! Power? In us!

It’s time to plug into the power in us and move out of our comfort zone, out of the 4 walls of the church building and truly believe He is in us! You may not have faith in you, but have faith in the God in you and MOVE! Signs and wonders will never follow people who are sitting still, observing others who are moving. Join the race! Come run with me!

“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” Isaiah 40:31 AMP

Such a great verse. I’m sure we’ve read it hundreds of times but catch this; if you want to change & renew your strength & power, you must expect, look for and hope in Him. This old song just popped into my head, “I expect a miracle, everyday! God will make a way, out of no way! Just believe and receive it, God will perform it today!”

When I’m called to dinner, I expect to eat. I come hungry, appetite intact and I never leave hungry when I get up. It’s like that when I come before the Lord each morning. He’s called me to breakfast with Him, I expect a great word, I look for it and I receive it.

What are you expecting this morning? Don’t leave till you get what you’ve come for. You may be on the road or sitting at your desk, perhaps walking through a store, but He’s as close as the mention of His name, Jesus. Call out to Him, whisper it softly, Jesus. When you call, He answers and shows you awesome things.

Father, for those who are weary, strengthen them. For those who hungry, feed them. For those who come wanting, meet every need. I am made strong when I sit in Your presence. You help me focus and accomplish twice as much as I would have if I just went on my way. You are my God and the strength of my life. I worship You and give You all the praise, the glory and honor in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great weekend!

Sandy G

You know the soil of your heart is right when you wake up at 4am with a word burning in your spirit. I know the Word is alive and powerful, but seriously? 4am? Couldn’t it have waited to wake me at 5:30 when the alarm went off? Guess the Lord really wanted me to get this.

So I was thinking that being pregnant with promise is like being pregnant with a child. You don’t know the day or the hour, but you know when your time is close. The doctor can give you your ‘estimated due date’ but we ALL know how right doctors can be (dripping with sarcasm). I was 2 weeks overdue and they had to induce me with with my first child, but none-the-less, deliver her I did!

Well, the Lord began to show me the similarities between sowing the Word on good soil and being pregnant with child. Both start with a seed. Both grow unseen. Your chances of conceiving decrease greatly when there is no intercourse or if you’re taking birth control.

Once conceived, so many consider they have a choice to carry or abort. The process of growing is uncomfortable and delivery is very painful, but when you hold the promise in your arms, the rewards will blow you away.

I have so much seed growing in me that I feel I could explode, and sometimes I do. I do it by watching for opportunities to encourage or speak into others. There are times when I’m talking and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon me and I began to prophesy. Perhaps not in the traditional sense, but in the office I’ve been appointed to. That’s what happens when the Word becomes big in each of us, it spill over into the lives of others and begin to allow the Lord to speak through you.

Where are you in the sowing and reaping process? Do you daily have intimate intercourse with the Lord, speaking of His goodness, grace and love? Have you prepared yourself for the oil He longs to pour into you so that you may be full to overflow into the world? Or do you keep Him at arms length, taking your birth control pills so that you don’t go all extreme and appear more like ‘those’ kind of Christians that are fanatical about their walk with the Lord.

Today I challenge you to read Mark 4:14-22 Amplified version yourself and find out what your soil looks like. Be prepared for life to change in a big way. Once you become a seed sower, your harvest will increase big time.

Get a glimpse of harvest,

Sandy G

Faith doesn’t ignore the storm. It sees through the storm. Pastor Howard Bass

As night fell, the boat was in the middle of the lake and Jesus was alone on land. The wind was against the disciples and he could see that they were straining at the oars, trying to make headway. When it was almost morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the surface of the water, and he started to pass by them. When they all saw him walking on the waves, they thought he was a ghost and screamed out in terror. But he said to them at once, “Don’t yield to fear. Have courage. It’s really me—I Am.” Mark 6:47-50 TPT

This past Sunday, our pastor whose name is listed above, spoke on this passage and there was so much he unwrapped. I won’t even try to get into it, but if you’d like to listen, please feel free to go to https://youtu.be/77CcWIKvrSk to listen.

First thing I observed was that Jesus had directed them to go to the other side of the lake while he went to pray. As soon as they got into the boat in obedience, we find the wind was contrary. These strong fishermen were having a very hard time going where Jesus told them to go. Why? Was it because they were doing something wrong? Was it because their timing was off? No. Absolutely not!

Yet we find the same thing happens so often to us. We hear the Lord give us specific instructions and we do it, but find that every kind of opposition comes against us, causing us to question whether or not we heard from God correctly or not. I’m finding that if I find opposition, chances are I’m heading in the right direction.

Can I just share a personal thought here? I don’t believe life with God was ever designed to be easy. I don’t believe that ‘faith’ is something that once developed is never challenged. It’s pressure that creates trust and gives us flexibility to move. If life was all fluff and stuff, we’d never grow up to figure things out. If the Holy Spirit wasn’t living inside of us, we’d never have access to the wisdom we need to make it through the storm to the other side.

Second thing I see is, that Jesus didn’t ignore the storm, He saw it, but chose to change it by walking on the water and stepping into the boat. He had reasons for doing things the way He did. Remember that He chose the disciples to teach them to be like Him. He showed them another way to do what He said. He taught them how action and words can change things, but He also showed them the destruction fear can cause.

His response to that fear is something I need to remember every I face a scary situation, hear a scary report or find myself in panic mode: “Don’t yield to fear. Have courage. It’s really me—I Am.”

We Can Do This,

Sandy G

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT

Oh my, does this not describe the world we live in today? May none of us fall into this category, but may we remain focused on the what God has called us to; a life of godliness, faith and trust in Him.

May we appear different from the world, so much so that there is not a doubt we are Christians. I’ve met people like that. The Spirit of God leapt in me and I knew they were believers. They have separated themselves from the things of the world, choosing heaven as their destination. What a beautiful example of coming apart and living unto the Lord.

Father, once again I declare that I am yours alone. My heart is set on loving you, trusting you and being only yours. When the lure of the world becomes a temptation, you will keep me for my eyes are on you and you watch over me day and night. There is no room for second place with you. You have asked for all of me and I respond that I am all yours. Beautiful Savior! Precious Redeemer! You have bought me but set me free. I will follow you all the days of my life and dwell in your house forever.

It’s My Prayer,

Sandy G

Rise up worshipping warriors and decree healing to the bruised and broken, strength to the weary, peace to those in turmoil. The enemy is real but victory belongs to the King.

Let us arise and declare the power of our Lord. Let us speak life and not death, blessing and not cursing. He is our place of safety, we trust in Him. He will certainly save us from hidden traps and from deadly sickness, he will cover us with his wings. Under the feathers of his wings we will find safety.

He is faithful. He will keep us safe like a shield or a tower. You won’t be afraid of the terrors that come during the night. You won’t fear the arrows that come during the day. We won’t have to fear sickness that attacks in the darkness. We 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. You will see with your own eyes how God punishes the sinful people but that is not you.

The Lord is the one who keeps you safe. So let the Most high God be like a home to you, then no harm will come to you. No terrible plague will come near your tent. The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you, they will lift you up in their hands. Then you won’t trip over stone. You will walk all over lions and cobras. You will crush mighty lions and poisonous snakes.

The Lord says, “I will save the one who loves me. I will keep her safe because she trusts in me. She will call out to me and I will answer her. I will be with her in times of trouble. I will save and honor her. I will give her a long and full life. I will save her. (Psalm 91 personalized)

Happy Monday

Sandy G

Some of you may be facing a pretty tall mountain today. Let me just put it into perspective for you; God is bigger than that! This morning, the Lord dropped this into my spirit and I wanted to share it.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel (Sandy) saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel (Sandy) you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’” (revised by me) Zechariah 4:6-7 NASB

Whatever it is, speak ‘grace, grace’ to it, for it has to respond to the grace of God. His powerful word works! You don’t have to earn it, deserve it, work for it, it’s free and He says, if you call on Him, He will answer. You call. He answers. Done deal!

Now just praise Him! Lift up your hands and praise Him! He’s not done with you. He has lots for you to do, so speak grace!

Sandy G