The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith greater.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Pull yourself up by the roots and plant yourself in the sea!’ and it would obey you.“ Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? Of course not! Instead, you say to him, ‘Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal.’ The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.’” Luke 17:5-10 GNT

I used to think that Jesus just randomly put the story about the servant in here, but as I read it this morning, I realized He was referencing faith as a servant. Let me take it a step farther, He was referring to the role words have in conjunction with faith.

Let’s put it in todays terms; Let’s say you hired a maid to clean your home and cook your dinner. You would first communicate your expectations and expect that the tasks assigned would be completed prior to paying for the services. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, the end result of services rendered is payment.

Words were used in this transaction, and faith in their ability to do what you say is also a key factor. Jesus was saying that you must say what you expect before you get what you say. It may take time to complete the assignment, but your expectations can’t change because of the time factor. Just as God spoke and created, He gave us the same ability to speak and create.

Father, we say we want to be more like You, but we are speaking spirits just as You are. When we worship You, it’s in spirit and truth that we do so. The entire universe is held together by Your Words. Wow! Your Word can’t fail or the whole world would fail. I believe! Even when I don’t understand it all I still believe. Put a muzzle on my mouth today until I think out the path my words will take once I release them. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

Think About Your Words Today,

Sandy G

God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it’s my voice you’re hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers. Psalm 141:1,2 MSG

As I still my heart this morning to discern Your sweet Word I am undone. There is not one word that I speak that You do not hear. You are always aware of me, my words, my longing, my dreams, they are all written down. Like there is a transcriptionist recording the thoughts that I have and transmitting them directly to Your ear.

I am more precious to You then all the jewels in your throne. Your head turns when I sing praises to You. I make You smile. I have heard Your laughter a thousand times when I do or say something funny and make others laugh. I’ve seen Your concern when I fall down and felt Your kiss to make the hurt go away.

You surround me with Your glory and clothe me in Your righteousness. You have transferred to me everything I need for life and godliness. You teach me how to withdraw from Your limitless account. My heart is set on You.

Regardless of what I face today or the unknowns of tomorrow, I will place my trust in what I know, for You are my hope. I place my hand into Yours, knowing that You will not let go of me. You have walked through hell to gain back my rightful place.

I Am Forever Grateful,

Sandy G

So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Exodus 34:30 & 33

This morning I was thinking about Moses and the time he spent before the Lord and I wondered, is the time I spend with God visible to the world? What is it that people see when I’m at my desk at work? When I’m visiting the hospital? Do I reflect His glory?

On Monday as I sat checking patients in, an older woman stepped up to my desk. We exchanged pleasantries with a smile when she asked, “How are you doing?”

“Well,” I replied, “God is forever faithful!” Then on a whim, I jumped to my feet began to sing the song I learned years ago, “If God has been so good to you you ought to praise Him. If God has been so good to you you ought to praise Him. If God has been so good to you you ought to stand up on your feet, and praise and magnify the Lord for He’s the one who set you free, Praise Him! Praise Him!”

Tears came to her eyes as she mentioned that when she came in, her heart was heavy and as she lifted her hands up in the air she said, “Thanks for reminding me of what I need to do and reminding me that God is faithful. Keep singing, sweetie!”

I didn’t need to tell her about the crappy weekend I just had or the amount of sleep I was missing, or the trial I was in at that particular moment. No, she needed to know that God, the only true God saw her in her current state of affairs, that He loved her and always would.

It seems that many of us think we can have that same Glory Moses had without spending time in Gods presence. It is simply impossible! The more time you spend with someone the more you are like them. You cannot be clean unless you take a shower first and use soap. Time in Gods presence changes who you were. Old things are gone and all things become new.

It’s time to burn with passion for the presence of the fire we were created to carry. Time to flip the switch and go from powerless to powerful.

Set a fire in us, oh God. We want those around us to catch fire from the burning. Its our desire to be more like you, but that will only happen when we are with You more then the world. It’s all about You Lord.

Let’s Burn,

Sandy G

The way I love you is like the way a servant wants to please his master, the way a maid waits for the orders of her mistress. We look to you, our God, with passionate longing to please you and discover more of your mercy and grace. Psalm 123:2 TPT

I cannot get through one day without the grace of our Lord on my life. Grace means unmerited or undeserved favor. That’s what the sacrifice of Jesus did for me! It’s deserving death but receiving pardon. It’s walking to the gas chamber then being walked out of prison because someone took my place. That’s what Grace is.

I am in debt forever to the one who gave it all up for me. No excuses! I will live my life as He asks me to. I’ll go into all of my world and be a living light of love to everyone, even the challenging ones! I’ll await my orders and happily comply.

Father, I cry out for opportunities to love. May your mercy and grace never become familiar and meaningless words to me, but may I always remember it was a costly word for you. I love you Lord! I love you! May my light shine so brightly that it may glorify Your good works.

I Am Yours,

Sandy G

Does God leave things undone? I think not!

Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

God finishes what He starts, perhaps not like you imagine it will happen, but he does get it done. Paul was clear when he said, “until it’s finally finished on the day when Jesus returns.” That tells me I’m a work in progress and He will continue working on me.

Is anything too difficult for our God? If He can bring a valley of dry bones together to become a mighty army, will he only do a partial healing? A partial provision? A partial miracle? There is nothing that God cannot do. I know God, and God will never change. He always will be God and there’s nothing you can do that will minimize His position.

It’s time to stop limiting the limitless power of the mighty God that lives inside of you. NOTHING is too difficult for Him. If our deliverance had anything to do with us, we’d all be in deep trouble. Be desperate after the heart of God and watch as He shows up and deliberately sets you free and finishes what He began to do in you.

I’m Ready!

Sandy G

Let them sing their celebration-songs for the coming of the cloud rider whose name is Yah! To the fatherless he is a father. To the widow he is a champion friend. The lonely he makes part of a family. The prisoners he leads into prosperity until they sing for joy. This is our Holy God in his Holy Place! But for the rebels there is heartache and despair. Psalm 68:4-5 TPT

Lately I haven’t been sleeping well so in the night, I try to meditate on who God is to me. I’ve known God since birth, but I formed relationship with Him 2 years after my father died. I was a lost, confused teenager when I was invited to a Pentecostal type service. After asking forgiveness and being baptized in the Holy Spirit, I became a totally different person. I began reading my Bible and getting to know Jesus for myself.

I’d spend hours out in the field across from our house, sitting on a log, crying and talking to God. At first it was a one way conversation, but soon I began hearing Him speaking back, answering my questions, assuring me of His love. It wasn’t how I was raised, this interaction was something birthed of the Spirit deep inside of me.

Over the years, He’s become a trusted confidant, a wise counselor and intimate friend. He’s comforted me so often when I cried in the night. He’s chastened me when I was wrong and walked with me when I was alone. He’s my best friend, one that never leaves me, even when I’ve done something stupid or been just plain stubborn. He’s so patient with me. Much more patient than I am with others or even deserve.

I must tell Him how much I love Him, that He alone is Holy and that each and everyday, I’m thankful for His touch on my life. I know where I would be without Him–lonely, a rebel with heartache and despair. I will sing a new song to Him! He’s worthy to be praised!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Rise up and help me, Yahweh! Come and save me, God! For you will slap them in the face, breaking the power of their words to harm me. For the Lord alone is my Savior. What a feast of favor and bliss he gives his people!
Pause in his presence Psalm 3:7-8 TPT

Continuing on with the remaining part of this Psalm of David fleeing from Absalom, the last part in this translation is entitled, The Secret of Strength. It took me a few minutes to figure out just how they came up with that, but if you’ll allow me to share my thoughts.

First of all he cried out for help. Regardless of what you’ve been sold over the years, it is not a sign of weakness to ask for help! In fact that is by far the most important lesson we can learn. When you cry for help, you’re relying on your covenant partners strengths and abilities, not your own. Somehow we’ve bought into the notion that we must figure it out and do it on our own, that God created us to rule and reign and by cricky, we must do it! But the bible says we rule and reign with Him and that, my friend, is partnership.

Strength also allows God to deal with our enemies and the words and deeds they’ve hurled at us. By allowing your partner to do His part, you become more focused on what He is able to do, and less focused on your inabilities.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Then David gives all glory to God by proclaiming that He alone is my Savior. Again, it takes the focus off of us and places it where it belongs–on Him. All through the Psalms and in every situation David faced, even in his rantings about his enemies, he always shifted to phrases highlighting Gods ability to save and deliver. Talking about what a mighty deliverer God is.

He closes with the benefits of leaning into Gods strength, His favor and blessings. Can you just take a moment and thank Him for that? To tell Him how eternally grateful you are for all He has done for you. In the middle of your mess, tell Him how thankful you are that He is strong even when you are not. Tell Him how much you trust Him and love Him, that regardless of the supposed outcome, He always causes ALL things to work together for your good because you love Him.

Today I’ll Leave It All To Him,

Sandy G

So now I’ll lie down and sleep like a baby—then I’ll awake in safety, for you surround me with your glory. Even though ten thousand dark powers prowl around me, I won’t be afraid. Psalm 3:5-6 TPT

What are you going through that has you so afraid? When this Psalm was written, David was forced to flee from his own son, Absalom. His very existence was threatened by a son he had loved and cared for his entire life. Bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh had risen against him to take over his kingdom. An act of treason to be sure, but your own son?

How troubling this must have been for David. How do you sort through all of those emotions? Betrayal, hurt, unbelief, grief must have flooded his heart each time he thought about it. Like the time I tried to walk into shore just to have wave after wave knock me off my feet. It weakened me to the point that I almost drowned. That’s how I see David at this time.

It takes a special kind of relationship in spite of the torrent of feelings and emotions to proclaim, “I think I’ll lay down and sleep like a baby now! When I wake up, I’ll awake in safety, for You surround me with Your glory. I won’t be afraid!”

But Sandy, you don’t know what I’m going through! You don’t know the pain I feel or the uncertainty of my next step. You’re right, I don’t! I can only imagine how hard it is for you right now, but He knows. And like David, He wants you to experience the same kind of relationship and intimacy with Him. The same confidence that you can lay your head down tonight and sleep like a baby, knowing you’ll awake in safety because He’s with you. Let that knowledge be enough.

Hush Now! Sleep Well!

Sandy G

But in the depths of my heart I truly know that you, Yahweh, have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You lift high my head. Psalm 3:3 TPT

It’s that place deep down inside of me that just knows. It’s the confidence in my Father that regardless of the part of the journey I’m in, He has become my impenetrable covering. Regardless of what tries to destroy me, take me out of the race or tries to trip me up on my way, my God wraps me in Himself.

Most shields I’ve seen simply are held up to protect the vital organs, but God literally wraps Himself around me and shields every part of me. It’s the way I would protect those I love. I would do everything in my power to keep them from being harmed. I’d place myself as a shield between them and a bullet, an attacker, I’d risk my life for them.

How much more would God shield me from danger and harm? He’s waiting for me to cry out to Him, “Daddy! Do you see me down here? I’m sitting here with a pile of used tissue in front of me. I’ve been crying all night, wondering if you truly see me or if I’ve made an error in judgement to trust you. But deep down in my heart, in the depths of my spirit, I know that you have become my Shield, my Strong Tower, my Fortress, my Father and my trust is in you.”

In moments like these, I lift up my hands in total surrender and I say, “Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done. My heart and soul belongs to no man, it belongs to You. I am and will always be Yours. I will never stop being Your daughter. My situation and circumstances may change, but You are unchangeable. When things look dark, You alone are my Light and my Salvation.”

I lift up my head, Lord. You are my glory.

Sandy G

“Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.” Genesis 37:5

Sometimes dreams are misunderstood. Perhaps you don’t even know all of it, but somehow, you know it’s a God given dream. Maybe your dream has not come to pass and it’s been years. You’ve lost hope, become disillusioned, even turned your back on your dream or even on your God.

Perhaps you’re just too old, too feeble, too fat, too poor, too busy, too whatever! Maybe you feel it’s your fault that you’re not walking in your dream. That you took one too many wrong turns, didn’t take care of yourself, don’t deserve it.

I’m here to say, wake up from your slumber, oh dreamer. The King gave you that dream for a specific time and the time to prepare is now. Perhaps you’re not nearly as ready as you think you are. Dust off your dream. Scrub off the dirt of doubt and unbelief. Why should you be any different from any of the men of old. God needs you! He needs your hope and trust to be in Him, not the dream.

A few years ago, a friend of mine gave an illustration of CPR that applied to what the Spirit is doing in us. First, He gives heart compressions which causes the blood to flow. Then He checks the airways and removes obstructions (OMG-anything in the way must be removed!) Last but most importantly, He breathes into us.

Holy Spirit, breathe in me that I may live and declare Your works, singing praises to Your name, giving that same life and hope to others. Remove obstructions, things I’ve become familiar with and allowed in my life that deter me from my destiny in You.

All or nothing, Lord! Thats what I want. I want all of You or take me home, I cannot live 1/2 full, 3/4 full, I must be completely filled with You. If I loose friends, family, jobs and I have You, I will never lack for anything. If I’m to be Your bride, I can no longer live to please others, I must live to please You. I speak to dead dreams, LIVE! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dreaming,

Sandy G