Confess and acknowledge how you have offended one another and then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer! James 5:16 TPT

I was awakened this morning with a heavy heart and began to cry out to the Lord for someone. I wasn’t given a name but perhaps it was you, I don’t know. What I do know is that God loves you very much, especially if He put you on my heart.

I want you to know that people are praying for you. Whatever you’re going through, the Spirit of God is near. If you’re being persecuted, living in fear of what tomorrow will bring, God cares so much that He is nudging His children to call out to Him for you.

Call on Him and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you know not of. I will stay on my knees till this lifts and I know you’re going to be alright. You’re not alone in this, there is a great cloud of witnesses who are also crying out on your behalf.

If it’s sickness in your body, He sent His Word (Jesus) to heal you and deliver you from all disease. Sickness and disease has no place or part in you. You belong to Him and He made provision for all of that.

Perhaps you’re crying out for a financial miracle. Just as He’s done for others, He will indeed do it for you as well. He’s doesn’t play favorites! We are all His favorites and He loves to care for us.

I commission angels to go, take the Words spoken that they may pierce this situation and bring freedom in every area needed. We give you all the glory, honor and praise in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Expecting!

Sandy G

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. John 18:25

I wonder how many pages could be written of the things I’ve done in my lifetime, the things that count for Christ? The fact is-and I’m being real here-“greater things than this shall you do” has not happened in my life that I’m aware of-and I think I’d of noticed if it had. So what’s lacking? Search my heart, Lord. See if there be any wicked way in me. Purify me. I really want to know why the signs, wonders and miracles aren’t following me, cause I really do believe.

Thought: Perhaps it’s because there has not been a demand placed on the supernatural. Why do we need something when we can just charge it, buy it, go to the doctor? It’s not until we get to the end of our means that we cry out to God.

I’m running to you, God, not the medicine cabinet. When I’m in pain, I call out, “Your stripes! Your stripes! They were for me! Thank you!” When I am down for the count, You lift me up to win. You’ve made me more than a winner! This year for Christmas, I give You the only thing I have, all of me. There’s nothing I want from You that You haven’t already made provision for. I’m satisfied in just wanting more of You. More compassion for the lost, broken and hurting.

Lets ask God for more ways to show that this year. That, my friends, will be some kinda miracle and wonder.

Sandy G

When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai,
    you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.
He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me,
    the only God for me, and my great confidence.
He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy,
    and he will protect you from false accusation
    and any deadly curse.
His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.
    You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.
    His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.
You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night
    nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.
Don’t fear a thing!
    Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you,
    nor will the powers of evil be launched against you.
Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed,
    you will remain unscathed and unharmed.
You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment,
    for they will be paid back for what they have done!
When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High,
    our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm.
    How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?
God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go,
    defending you from all harm.
If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you
    and keep you from stumbling.
You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness,
    trampling every one of them beneath your feet!
For here is what the Lord has spoken to me:
    “Because you loved me, delighted in me, and have been loyal to my name,
    I will greatly protect you.
I will answer your cry for help every time you pray,
    and you will feel my presence
    in your time of trouble.
    I will deliver you and bring you honor.
I will satisfy you with a full life and with all that I do for you.
    For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!” Psalm 91 The Passion Translation

I like to post Psalm 91 in various translations throughout the year because we simply need to be aware of our covenant and the access that’s granted to us.

The door to His presence is always open wide, inviting all to come who will dwell there. However the promises that follow are for those who decide to continually dwell there, not those who occasionally visit.

Choosing to stay,

Sandy G

But unique is my beloved dove—unrivaled in beauty, without equal, beyond compare, the perfect one, the favorite one. Others see your beauty and sing of your joy. Brides and queens chant your praise: “How blessed is she!” Song of Songs 6:9 TPT

You know the saying, ‘Opposites attract?’ Walt and I are extreme opposites. I think the older we get the more evident it becomes. We love each other very much, but over the years we’ve learned to appreciate the differences and realize that together, we are a formidable force. If I’m weak in an area, it’s his strong point and I let him take it.

It was not always that way. Those first years when I fought to keep the tenuous hold on who I was alone, in becoming what I could be in our life together. It was scary! It’s sort of like when you get saved, but you’re scared to surrender completely because you fear the change. It’s not until you choose to hand over the reins and trust His crazy plans that you’re truly one with Him.

Do you know that in every area of weakness, God is our strength? He is. We go through a similar struggle to retain control in our relationship with him. At first, we come broken and commit ‘completely’ to Him until He asks us to do something difficult, than it’s a whole different story.

But hear me today if you’re struggling; David would not have been king without Goliath. Moses wouldn’t have rescued Israel without Pharaoh. Jesus wouldn’t have been crucified without Judas. God has a plan for us. It’s ok to not understand, that’s what trust in a loving God is all about. Just know this, while He has your hand and He is leading you down an unfamiliar path that appears a struggle to walk on, what happens on the journey will prepare you for your destination.

John 14:3, “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

It’s gonna be ok,

Sandy G

For no matter where I am, even when I’m far from home, I will cry out to you for a father’s help. When I’m feeble and overwhelmed by life, guide me into your glory, where I am safe and sheltered. Psalm 61:2 TPT

We’ve been traveling this past couple weeks, visiting family in Michigan. It’s been awhile since Walt’s been up to his brothers place. We’ve had a wonderful time talking, laughing, freezing….well, maybe not that so much.

But anyone who has traveled will understand that although it’s nice to see family, it’s always nice to be home. To sleep in your own bed, get back into your groove (especially those who have that particular personality–Walt).

Here’s what I’ve come to understand about traveling; I can never travel too far from God! The moment I take pause and think on Him, He rushes in and fills me to overflowing with an overwhelming joy. Safe and sheltered from cold and snow, wind and rain, almost as if you’re encapsulated in a bubble.

In that place, I’m not stressed by traffic or the drama around me, I’m simply tucked up in His arms and He is enough. I take Him everywhere with me. Even in the darkest night, when the clouds hide the moon and stars, He is my light. I can’t stay lost or even afraid when He holds my hand.

It won’t be long now, we’re on the last leg of the journey and we’ll be home tomorrow night. But in the meantime, I’ll be content just knowing I’m not alone.

Sandy G

She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 1 Kings 10:2

Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the Queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 1 Kings 10:10

What a beautiful picture of a wise woman. She knew how to give honor by bringing not just a gift, but many gifts. I believe this is also a picture of the bride of Christ today as we come to Him, we never come empty handed, we pour out our love and worship telling Him all that is in our heart.

It’s never about monetary value. It’s about what it costs you to give it. The cost of your gift may be time, it may be stepping up to do what you feel is not in you to do. The greatest of all gifts are those born of sacrifice, when tears flow from the cracks of a broken spirit.

This should be happening in our church services but most importantly, daily in our homes. It should the example we set for our children and our friends, that they too may know the value in their gift.

Approach God with a humble heart and a contrite spirit, but knowing that you’re His son/daughter, come boldly, holding nothing back, but giving liberally to Him of the Love He so freely has given you. Expose the secret places of your heart to Him and you will find Him exposing the deep and hidden treasures of His covenant to you.

Until Next Time,

Sandy G

Malachi 2:17 says, “You have wearied the Lord with your words. ‘Wearied him?’ you ask. ‘How have we wearied him?’ You have wearied him by suggesting that the Lord favors evildoers since he does not punish them. You have wearied him by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’

I can’t stand listening to whiners. Sometimes Walt will do it because he knows how much I hate it. Anytime my grandkids would whine, my daughter would say, “Whiners don’t get crap!” I must have raised her right!

When I think of whining in the Bible, I always think of the children of Israel and their time in the wilderness. Even God grew weary of it and wanted to kill them all and start over again.

If they only knew that God was simply trying to show them what real relationship with Him looked like. He was trying to build trust.

When you truly trust someone, you know there are reasons beyond your understanding. When you trust, you realize you just don’t have Gods perspective on things. When you trust, you know He cannot lie! His Word doesn’t come back void!

It’s just a matter of time. The Lord ALWAYS has our best interest in mind. When you trust, you also learn to listen, correct your path, press on. Nothing can separate you from the LOVE of God or make you believe He is not a good and faithful God.

So today, stop whining about things you can’t control and place your hand in His, trusting Him to take you safely to the place He’s prepared for you.

Sandy G

But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld. Job 36:17 NLT

Obsess: to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally. What are you obsessing about?
If there are things that you are obsessing about, let them go into the very capable hands of God.

Ever been bothered by things to the point it’s all you think about? It consumes your thoughts, your speech, your movement. Awake, asleep or at work, it’s always there, nagging at you. It’s the reason there’s so much crime and hatred in the world. They’re obsessed with it.

If you’re going to obsess, obsess about God and His ability to take care of it all. The religious people around you won’t like it a bit, but you’ll be too busy resting in Gods peace. Be assured, all your striving, reaching and stressing isn’t going to make a bit of difference, nor does it impress God.

Get consumed with His presence. In that quiet time of fellowship, he will give direction to either go and do, or stay and wait. Whichever way he directs, do it even if it makes no sense. He sees things and knows things you don’t and your obedience measures your level of trust. Spending time with Jesus is the only worthwhile obsession to have.

Father, I will keep my mind focused on what is good. You are a good God so I will think on You. When trouble tries to hide take my peace, I will remember You are the peace giver. I love You so very much and I’m thankful for every promise You’ve made that I can think on. Keep my mind stayed on You today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

John 14:1-4 MSG-1-4 “Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.”

Whatever you’re facing, God has it! He’s way ahead of you! He not only knows the problem, He has also provided the answer. It’s like an open book exam, they don’t put a question on the test if the answer isn’t in the book, you just have to take hold of the book, open it and read.

Something else happens when you read Gods Word. Your confidence in Gods ability goes off the chart.

Hebrews 10:23-28 & 32-38 Phillips translation says, “You must never forget those past days when you had received the light and went through such a great and painful struggle. It was partly because everyone’s eye was on you as you endured harsh words and hard experiences, partly because you threw in your lot with those who suffered much the same. You sympathised with those who were put in prison and you were cheerful when your own goods were confiscated, for you knew that you had a much more solid and lasting treasure in Heaven. Don’t throw away your trust now—it carries with it a rich reward in the world to come. Patient endurance is what you need if, after doing God’s will, you are to receive what he has promised. ‘For yet a little while, and he who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him’.”

Don’t freak out at test time! Trust the One who gives the answers.

Throughout human history the fingerprints of God were upon them, yet they refused to honor him as God or even be thankful for his kindness. Instead, they entertained corrupt and foolish thoughts about what God was like. This left them with nothing but misguided hearts, steeped in moral darkness. Romans 1:21 The Passion Translation

They refused to honor Him, to give Him respect, to place Him in high regard, a place of highest esteem. To lose the awareness of the sovereignty of God, is to risk the fall into moral darkness. If you haven’t seen it yet, take the time to look around. Watch how low we’ve fallen by taking a moment to watch some of the TV programing or commercials on public television.

We have made the grave mistake of humanizing God in our hearts and minds. Not all of us, but so many of us have. We place a higher priority on human medicine than the blood of Jesus which heals, saves and delivers. I’ve even heard people say, “It’s ok to trust God for your health when you don’t have doctors available.” WHAT? That’s like saying that God only provides food for those who don’t have money to go buy their own. That’s worldly thinking!

God wants us to rely and trust in Him with ALL our hearts, not part. Not just when it’s easy, but when it’s hard. You develop trust, it’s not something that magically appears when you need it.

Galatians 6:7 says, “God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest.”

You don’t want to trust in God with all your heart, it’s your choice! Nobody can make you believe what you choose not to. But when you get into a situation that only God can fix for you, don’t be surprised when your answer is what you’ve always believed in.

Father God, when people look at me, I want them to see your fingerprints on me. I want them to sense your love when I hug them, to feel your heart when I encourage them. Keep your hand on me and never take it away. I will thank You for Your goodness and mercy. I will rely on You for strength in my weakness. When I’m tired, I will draw on You for an infusion of strength.

I rely on You!

Sandy G