But look at his people. Others have defeated them and have stolen from them. The young men are afraid. They are locked in prisons. People have taken advantage of them, and there is no one to protect them. Others take their money, and there is no one to say, “Give it back!” Isaiah 42:22 ERV

As I read this verse, I was reminded of how important and valuable our words are, not just for ourselves, but for others. We were created as speaking spirits, those who would declare the Word of the Lord, yet seldom do I hear people willing to do just that. Instead, we are told to keep quiet, that mere words won’t make a difference. Oh contrare!

David went so far as to pray, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord, my strength and redeemer.”

I believe that God positioned us in various communities, neighborhoods and cities so that we would use His words and say, “Give it back! Give back the souls that are lost and deceived! Give back the money stolen! Give back the houses and lands!”

We’ve become lax in our speaking over sphere’s of influence. We’ve been convinced by the enemy that our words are useless, that what we say doesn’t come to pass. Let me be so bold as to say, THAT IS A BALD FACED LIE!

Moses responded at the ripe old age of 80 to the call of the Lord. He stood before Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go!” He didn’t do it just once or twice, but he did it until the people of God were set free.
What would happen if we all stood in our cities and said those words on a daily basis, “Let my people go!” or even, “Give it all back! Everything stolen, return it in Jesus’ name!”

Guess we won’t ever know until we rise up and do it.

Sandy G

Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change. James 1:17 TPT

I can’t change yesterday, it’s over and done with. I can call for a better today and tomorrow. So many are making New Years resolutions. Some are simple, some are severe and unrealistic. Some call for extreme changes in lifestyle or society, some commit to going to church every Sunday, losing 100 lbs, never eating sweets again, working out everyday.

I’m doing something different this year. I’m committing my ways to the Lord, delighting in Him each day, enjoying my life, giving my worship, continuing in the Word. Each day He has given me is a gift and I will find enjoyment in it, whether I must work or stay home. I will find ways to encourage others and show them a love that never fails.

I will not hesitate to speak the truth of the Word in love, for love never fails. I have lost friends, family, and things that were dear to me, but I will not lose my relationship with Jesus. I will praise Him when I’m up and praise Him when I’m down. I will grab hold of Fathers hand knowing He will lead me and guide me each step of the way.

I was 15 when I surrendered my life to Christ and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Like Paul, I’ve learned that praying in the Holy Ghost builds me up in the weak areas of my life and trust me, I need to be doing it all the time! So in the year 2022, what I’ve committed to do on a daily basis will not change. What will change is me.

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” II Corinthians 3:18 NLT

Sandy G

The battle has been long and has almost defeated you, but the Lord your God is with you wherever you go and as He said to Joshua, “Make yourselves pure. Tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among us.”

This is indeed the year of the open door and we’re prepared to walk through it. That’s not to say every door will look inviting or beautiful. What it does mean is, you’ll never know what waits for you on the other side unless you open it up.

I didn’t die. I lived! And now I’m telling the world what God did. God tested me, he pushed me hard, but he didn’t hand me over to Death. Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates! I’ll walk right through and thank God! This Temple Gate belongs to God, so the victors can enter and praise. Psalm 118:18-20 The Message Bible

Last year may not have been a great year, but if you’re reading this today, you made it! You didn’t die in your trial. You still have reason to be thankful. What I went through last year, I didn’t go through alone. God kept His Word to me when He said He’d never leave or forsake me. No. Never. I’m thankful for that.

So I speak to those doors that have been shut up in my path, “Swing wide open!” I will walk right through and praise the Lord. He remains faithful. These doors before me will no longer be shut to me, they will open and I will walk through them praising God the entire year.

Let’s do it!

Sandy G

Not everything in life comes in a nice neat package. There are things that life throws at us that are unexpected but let me give you a new perspective on the unexpected things of life.

Do you remember when Jesus was teaching the crowd of people and it got late in the day and He didn’t want to send them away without feeding them because they were in a very remote area. So he told the disciples to feed them. You can find the story in Matthew 14 but their first thought was that it would cost too much to feed so many.

When they brought Jesus the small fish dinner and He blessed it, it became more than enough to feed the crowd. There will always be tests in our lives but those tests are to challenge our faith. Not faith in our own resources, but faith in God and His Word. If Jesus said to do it, than you can be guaranteed that He has already made provision for it.

Stop looking at what you don’t have and start looking for what you do have, then offer it up to God. He said whatever you bless will be blessed and whatever you curse will be cursed so begin blessing your supply. You may need $1000 and only have $100, offer it up to God and ask Him to bless and multiply it, than do what He showed the disciples-give it out. What you collect after will fill up multiple baskets.

Without faith, it’s impossible to please God, so stop looking at your need and begin to ask God what to do with your seed. The answer to your situation is in your own hands, but until you get your eyes off your problem and on to God, you’ll never see it, you’ve exalted the problem over the problem solver.

Father, I offer up to you my seed. I believe that all things are possible with You. Thank You for growing my faith this year, faith in Your Word and Your promises. You are my healer, provider, protector, deliverer. I know that I can’t please you without faith and that my faith can grow, so grow my faith! With every unexpected and unplanned situation I face, may I turn to You and ask Your blessing on what You’ve provided and trust You to take care of it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 4:2-3 NASB

But unto you who revere and worshipfully fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and you shall go forth and gambol like calves [released] from the stall and leap for joy. And you shall tread down the lawless and wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 4:2-3 AMPC

Today I included these verses in the Amplified translation simply to show how the word ‘fear’ is being translated. It’s actually why we need to pay close attention to the commandment that says, “Do not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” Basically, His Name has meaning and value and should be spoken in reverence and honor, worshipfully and lovingly with deep respect. Definitely not as a swear word or a casual reference.

I can’t expect to receive the blessing if I’m unwilling to honor and respect His Name. I can call on the Name of Jesus and be saved from sin, sickness, disease, viruses, fear and destruction. I can call on His name for direction and deliverance. But if I continually use that name to curse my fellow human travelers, the shame is on me. It’s like the boy who cried wolf, overusing the word without meaning caused the hearer to turn a deaf ear when help was truly needed.

That is why I write about that great Name that is above all other Names-Jesus. There is no other name higher than His Name. I can and do cry out for help and He answers me each and every time. Not necessarily in the way I think He will, but always brings what I need. It doesn’t exempt me from experiencing hard times, but what joy to know that He’s with me, teaching me as I go through it.

Thank You Lord for healing that only comes from You. Emotional healing, physical healing and healing into areas of my life I was not even aware I needed. You are God and You never change. You even provided me with Your Holy Spirit to dwell in me and bring me what I need in every situation I must face. I honor Your Name and give You praise, glory and worship. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Sandy G

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:16-17 NASB

I have a couple friends who constantly talk about the goodness and faithfulness of God. As much as it lightens my heart and gives me joy to hear it, I’m pretty sure that it pleases God even more. As I read this particular passage this morning, I realized that God isn’t just pleased, it draws His attention to it and He hears it. So much so that He had a book written with all the names of those who fear (or reverence) Him and His Name.

I understand that there are those who make reference of the Lord by way of what they’ve read in the Bible or heard in a sermon, but there are also those who have personal revelation of Him and believe in Him in such a way that makes Him come alive when they speak of Him. It’s the reason so many people read the Psalms, because David had personal and tangible reference of the God whom he served. It began as a shepherd boy in an open field while tending sheep under an open sky.

I’m not satisfied to know about God. I must know God. Although I know Him in so many ways, there is so much I don’t yet know but intend to. I don’t want to sit in a room of those who have laid down their personal comfort and chosen to follow Him with all their heart, only to be found sitting on the outside merely watching.

I want my name to be found in the book of remembrance. No hesitation or question in His mind, but that He knows that this Sandy Gregory is the one in His book. May He know me by the Love in my heart and the smile on my face even in the midst of the mess around me. That He will say of me, “She will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare her as a man spares his own daughter who serves him.”

Are you in His book?

Sandy G

“For I am the Lord, I do not change” Malachi 3:6a

This is the word I will be repeating to myself all day today in a very loud voice: I AM THE LORD, I DO NOT CHANGE! His words, not mine!

According to the dictionary, this word ‘change’ means to become different, altered or modified. To make God different from what He could be if left alone is unimaginable to me and should be to you as well. He cannot every change or be different than who He is.

There is a stirring in my spirit this morning that makes me want to shout out to all who are trembling in fear at what they see happening around them, God isn’t changed by anything you see. He is still Faithful, Provider, Protector, Great Physician and Healer. He cannot fail or change in anyway.

The words of a song written by a friend who has long since stepped into the Fathers presence floats back into my memory; God is God, and God will never change. I know God, God is God and He always will be God. (Written and recorded by Ray Overholt)

Perhaps it would be a good time and a great new years resolution to stop watching what is happening around us and begin focusing on the God who cannot change. To pay attention to the Words He has spoken through the ages and have been written down for all to read, “I am the Lord, I do not change!”

I understand that you can’t believe someone you’ve never met or are not yet acquainted with, so perhaps today is the day to begin. Once your eyes are open to the truth of who God is and the great plan that has unfolded since the beginning of time, perhaps you’ll begin to see things a bit differently. He doesn’t think like we do, nor does He have to explain Himself to us, but He said we will know Him through His Spirit who lives in us. He longs to reveal Himself to us, we only need to ask.

Father, for every person reading this today who asks, show Yourself to them. May they know You for the unchangeable Father You are and always have been. May they know how much You love them and care for them. I know that I am Your daughter, but show them that they too are Yours. I ask in large ways today because You said I could ask largely that my joy would be full. Thank You!

Sandy G

So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! Hebrews 10:23 TPT

That verse in that translation just spoke volumes to me today. It’s such a visual! Wrapping my heart tightly around the hope that lives in me, knowing that Daddy God ALWAYS keeps His promises!!!!!

I’ve listened to so many who have had their hope shaken so hard that it’s left them wondering if what they’ve believed all their lives is simply a pipe-dream. Shaken to their very core so that what’s been exposed is a tiny, shriveled seed with no life left inside. Or though they thought.

It’s the dead seeds that hold so much. Only God knows where those seeds will grow best and yield the most fruit. I’ve seen people uprooted and driven from their homes only to be plopped down in the middle of nowhere, knowing no one, starting over again in a strange place and not at a young age at all. I’ve heart them cry out for understanding, wondering if they took a wrong turn somewhere or missed God along the way.

I just had an old friend reach out and want to reconnect with me. I haven’t heard from her in years and wasn’t sure if I wanted to go down that path. I’m not the same person I was when she knew me. I think a part of me was a little fearful that she would have unrealistic expectations of me.

I made the comment to her that I have been stripped and redressed, and I think that’s exactly what God is doing to each and everyone of His children. Stripped of this worlds influence. Stripped of the stench of religion that has clung to our garments for years. Mans thoughts, mans ideas, founded on God knows what, but simply followed along because we were expected to.

Just because God has promised us something, doesn’t mean it’s going to unfold as we think it will. I can pretty much guarantee that when God told Abram to pack up and go to a land He would show him at the age of 75, he didn’t drive in a car or was it an easy journey. But it was His trust in God that caused him to see the promise fulfilled. It ended up being so much more than he bargained for.

Be open on your journey. Be attentive along the way. Don’t be so focused on the promises you’re longing for, that you forget to be a friend along the way.

Always His,

Sandy G

I’m hurting, Lord—will you forget me forever? How much longer, Lord? Will you look the other way when I’m in need? How much longer must I cling to this constant grief? I’ve endured this shaking of my soul. So how much longer will my enemy have the upper hand? Psalm 13:1-2 TPT

These words are so genuine and real, reflecting the feelings of my own heart at times. Perhaps that is why I love reading the Psalms. David knew how to be real with God. He never withheld his anger, his tears, his respect or his love. He knew a side of God that we all need to know, the real side.

God created us in His image and likeness. He also gave us our unique personalities and placed us in some wild situations to prepare us for the things He’s created for us to fulfill. It may have been a dysfunctional family, a horrible marriage, an unwanted pregnancy or devastating loss. But if you look under all the bad, He will show you the good and purpose for it all.

Verses 3-4 go onto say: Take a good look at me, Yahweh, my God, and answer me!  Breathe your life into my spirit. Bring light to my eyes in this pitch-black darkness or I will sleep the sleep of death. Don’t let my enemy proclaim, “I’ve prevailed over him.” For all my adversaries will celebrate when I fall.

When my days are filled with darkness and I’m not sure if the light will ever shine again, I can reveal my heart to Him because I trust Him to bring the answers I’m crying out for. Regardless of the situation you’re facing, reach up to Him. Make this your prayer today.

I will end with the rest of this beautiful Psalm: I have always trusted in your kindness, so answer me. I will spin in a circle of joy when your salvation lifts me up. I will sing my song of joy to you, Yahweh, for in all of this you have strengthened my soul. My enemies say that I have no Savior, but I know that I have one in you!

Let your day bring a spin of joy in your remembrance of His Love and affection toward you. You’re not alone!

Sandy G

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:9-10

So many people are out shopping for the ‘perfect’ gift for their friend or loved one. But do you know that the only perfect gift is the Son of God who was given to restore our broken relationship with God? That is a gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving over and over again.

It has taken me from a pit and transferred me to His palace. It’s kept life interesting for sure. I don’t believe I’ve ever been bored or lonely as long as I’ve kept myself in His presence. As David said in Psalm 23; Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Now please don’t get me wrong. God is absolutely not a genie. You can’t make a wish and get it. He won’t wave a wand and make your problems go away. He said He’d never leave you, ever. He also said to seek Him with all your heart, soul and mind and you will find Him, that’s all the treasure you need. With Him we are rich in ways the world will never understand.

What a perfect Christmas gift.

From our home to yours,

Merry Christmas!

Sandy and Wally G