For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritualweapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 TPT

Spiritual warfare is not fighting to get a victory as humans do. It’s contending for the victory Jesus already won for us. It’s not begging God for what you need, it’s reminding your enemy what Gods already provided. Neither is it asking God to heal us, that’s already done.

When your territory is being threatened, hold up the shield of faith, grab the sword of the spirit (Word of God) and remind the thing that’s threatening you that it’s a done deal.

If you own a home but someone came and told you it’s not yours, what would you do? More then likely, you would show them your title deed and be done with it. But what if they didn’t leave? What if they got a corrupt lawyer who had a sheriff in his pocket and they tried to evict you from your home? I’m sure you would think it was a nightmare, right? The thought of having to hire a lawyer and go to court for something you own is ludicrous.

Yet we have handed over our title deed of healing and provision. We just accept everything that Satan throws at us. We don’t pick up our bible and find our promises. We even have an advocate who intercedes for us and we still do nothing. We get upset about things but we are too lazy to contend for what is ours.

Don’t be easy prey,

Sandy G

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 12:9 AMPC

I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me.  Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 CEB

What a beautiful picture this paints for us. His favor and loving-kindness and mercy is enough for you. It’s enough for me! What we can’t do–He can! His strength and power is shown more effective in our weakness. It’s like when you turn a light on in a dark room verses turning the light on in a sunlit room. If life was good all the time, why would we need Him?

Paul said, “I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” Can you see it? His strength and power, not mine. I don’t have to be strong. He’s not looking for me to be strong, but rather to find my strength in Him. He’s calling me into that tent and telling me, rest here, I have this! It’s a place of conversation and communion. A place of complete and total surrender. Jesus is saying, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, I will give you rest! Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Yes Lord! I hear you say to me, “I’ll trade you! You give me what you have, and I will give you all I am. I will be a Father to you, a husband and a friend. All I need from you is your weakness, and in exchange, I’ll give you my strength. Are you good with that? When are you going to let me pitch a tent over you? To give you a place where you can put your head on my lap and tell me everything that is on your mind. I’m waiting for your surrender.”

Love,

Sandy G

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Him who is able. Ephesians 3:20

I’ve often felt powerless, have you? Powerless to change a situation, a circumstance, a person or a chain of events. So many times I’ve cried out to God for help and it seemingly never came. I could have easily given up, given in or lost all hope, but I chose to remind myself that He is able!

Able to do exceedingly (to an unusual degree; extremely), abundantly (richly, amply, lavishly, generously, profusely, satisfactorily, sufficiently, affluently, inexhaustibly, luxuriantly) above all that we ask, think or even imagine. Your wildest imaginations can’t even come close to what He has in store for you. But it’s not in your ability. No! It’s only according to the power that works in you.

What power? The power of the Holy Ghost that God sent to you. Have you been filled with the Holy Ghost since you believed? (Acts 8:14-19) Study up my friend, that is where the power lies.That’s why praying in your prayer language (tongues) is so very important. It builds you up or empowers you (Jude 1:20). Hey, I’m not making this up! This stuff is not just real, it works!

So if you feel powerless to resist, pray in tongues. If you lack discipline, pray in tongues. If you’re facing an intense battle, pray in tongues. Trust me, it’s the difference between victory and defeat.

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. Luke 9:16 NASB

I don’t believe I’ve ever taken the time to really look at this verse in this translation. Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish, blessed them, broke them and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. Do you see that? He kept giving them pieces. Like the woman who kept pouring the oil into the empty jars until she ran out of jars, He kept giving.

What if we were to keep on giving when a need arose? What if we never stopped? Would the thing we are giving continue producing until the need was met?

I wonder how many times we’ve stopped just this side of our breakthrough? It must be like watching your child run a race and quit just out of site of the finish line. No amount of cheering, prodding and pleading will move them any closer, they’re tired and they just quit. How frustrating to watch this day after day.

Father, I commit to run the race with everything in me. When I grow weary, I will pray! When I’m discouraged, I will read your Word and encourage myself. I will turn my eyes upon you, pray for others with everything that’s in me, and continue breaking what I have and give. If I do not give like this, then others may quit the race as I look on.

Keep Giving,

Sandy G

“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ Jeremiah 33:2-3 Message

Thus says the Lord Who made [the earth], the Lord Who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name: Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand). AMPC

Who is reading this today that has questions? Perhaps you’re struggling with a decision or just need to know the direction to travel in life today. Whatever the need, God has the answer. He’s promised to tell you things that are hidden, a mystery that can’t be solved, so while you’re so intent on knowing, here’s a short ‘to-do’ list.

1. Keep in mind who you’re speaking with. He is God. Creator, King of kings and Lord of lords. Bow at His feet and cry out, holy, holy, holy, there is no God like you! No one can compare to You, so rich in mercy and kindness, full of love and compassion. You made us in Your very likeness and gave us authority to rule in the earth. We humbly bow before You and submit to Your authority and leadership.
2. Never forget who you belong to and refer back to #1.

Don’t allow this mountain you’re facing to become bigger than the God who made it. Don’t become weary in climbing, rather stop, rest and remember that you are His and He will take care of you. Each time you feel you can’t go on, remember that you possess the strength to get through this. He sent His Spirit to dwell within you so that you will know you’re never alone.

Today is a new day with a beginning and an end. We are never promised tomorrow, but we are promised that He’ll never leave us or forsake us. He’s promised to accompany us each and every day, showing us what we don’t know, but only as we acknowledge Him in the process.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT

There’s something about this opening sentence that caught my attention this morning. Christ may come into our hearts by invitation, but He makes it His home as we trust Him. We can invite someone into our home, but they’ll never feel at home there until they get to know you. Once that happens, you see a shift in the way they behave. They feel comfortable pouring their own coffee, getting into the refrigerator for cream.

Do you get the picture? I’ve hosted people in our home for years and totally enjoy it. I’ve observed this on a first hand basis, so I know what I’m talking about. Funny thing is, often those who trust the most will enjoy and take advantage of the hospitality I offer. Those who aren’t trusting simply retreat back into their room, hanging out a ‘do not disturb’ sign on their door. It’s often a telltale sign of a past built on rejection, hurt and shame.

I can offer a listening ear and encouragement as part of the benefit package, but they must spend time with me to enjoy it. It’s the same with God. To gain all of the benefits that go along with His deep love, I must spend time with Him, building relationship and learning to surrender my time and attention to Him. It’s where I learn about the fullness of life and the power that comes from God.

Paul advised us to experience the love of Christ, though it’s too great to fully understand. That tells me that even if I can’t understand, I can still pursue it. I can still seek Him and am told I will find Him when I do. It’s the only thing that makes me complete.

Today, allow your roots to go deep into the ground of His love. It will change you from a visitor, to a resident.

Love,

Sandy G

Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me:“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:9-10

As kings and priests, ambassadors of God, we must remember that our words are not just words. They carry the very authority of God. A spokesman of the king carries with him the right to speak it and the king backs him up. My friends, don’t be afraid to carry out the orders we’ve been given as sons and daughters. Our Father will indeed back us up.

Those who have served in the military understand this principle well. If an order is given, they carry out that order to the letter, right? If a higher ranking officer tells you to do something, you don’t wait around, you go and do it right then. If someone questions you, you tell them who gave you the order.

Jesus has given us orders; Love one another as I have loved you, love them. Those weren’t merely suggestions, they were orders. When He returns to find His children, He will look for those who followed His commands. Make disciples! It wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command! Heal the sick! Again, not a suggestion, a command. Are you following orders today or do you think it’s still all about you? People are still court-martialed for not following orders.

Father, here I am, no excuses today. Speaking what You say has never been more clear, even when others don’t agree. I will be your mouthpiece in the earth. I will love even when I’m not loved. I will speak even when others don’t listen. I will challenge others to burn with passion for Your Word and allow Your power to flow through them. It’s in Jesus’ name and for Your glory, Amen.

I Will Obey,

Sandy G

Sometimes its the weirdest routes that takes you to the coolest places.

Have you ever taken a detour only to discover things you’d never found if you hadn’t? I have! This is something the Lord’s been showing me so much lately. There are times I may not understand what He is doing, but I know that if I obey and follow His directions, I will indeed stumble into things that will benefit me immensely.

What about you? Are you ready to embark on a journey you may not have chosen for yourself? Something that’s a little bit scary but a whole lot exciting? Are you ready to trust someone besides you, knowing He alone knows the plans He has for you and is more excited than you are about them?

Not knowing everything, leaves God in control instead of you. Trust Him! He really does know what’s best for you and He has astoundingly awesome things ready for you to grab hold of.

To trust God from the bottom of your heart, you must first let go of your own plans. Don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 Message

Walt and I have always enjoyed taking a road trip. The best ones seem to be when we just decide to go, no plans, just a tankful of gas and a sense of adventure. To discover a nearby town, a bit of history or just to enjoy the scenery we haven’t yet seen. I believe God created us with the curiosity to discover new things.

Life with God is never dull unless you’ve been going the same direction merely by way of convenience or comfort. Life with Him was made to be uniquely different from any other life. To go where He sends us, to find new paths and opportunities to share His love with others. To not be comfortable with the same friends and familiar surroundings that we lose the desire to find the new He has for us.

Ready or Not,

Sandy G

God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. Numbers 23:19 GW

I feel I need to qualify the title of this blog today; God indeed keeps His Word–not our interpretation of His Word–but His Truth. That becomes clear to us as we seek Him. His word says that He makes known the secrets of His covenant to those who truly seek to know Him, not for what He brings, but for who He is. It’s your motives that opens that door.

I have discovered that if I am in agreement with His Word and I don’t waver, don’t listen to the report of other ‘experts’, but stay in His Word, focused on who He is in me, I will have whatever I say. I’m absolutely sure of that. Why? Because it’s in the Word and whatever is in the Word I can take it to the bank!

What the devil does is tries to make me doubt just like he did with Eve in the garden. “Did God really say that?” If she had responded as Jesus did when he was in the wilderness, we would not be dealing with him today. But instead of using her authority and agreeing with the Word of God, she submitted to the doubt and lost her authority.

Whatever you do, DON’T lose your authority. Jesus paid a high price to win it back for you, not for you to agree with the enemy, but to know the truth and be free from the enemy’s lies. He said that you will know that truth and that it would make you free. There are a whole lot of people today who would rather believe what they hear on the news than what they hear from God. They have more relationship with their pastor than they do with their Father. They have itching ears, ears that want to hear anything that makes them ‘feel’ better. But the truth of God is hidden to only those who seek Him with their whole heart.

Thank you Lord for the price you paid for my freedom. My weapons are mighty in you to pull down the strongholds of my wrong thinking and wrong speaking. It says in your Word that NOTHING is impossible with you. You’re looking for radical people that have radical faith in Your abilities, who will agree with Your Word, not their circumstances and what surrounds them in the media and the world. I’m Your girl, God! You have stopped at the right house at the right time. I place myself in agreement with You. Be it unto me according to Your Word.

Trusting In You,

Sandy G

We ourselves are eye-witnesses able and willing to testify to the fact that the Father did send the Son to save the world. Everyone who acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God lives in him, and he lives in God. So we have come to know and trust the love God has for us. God is love, and the man whose life is lived in love does, in fact, live in God, and God does, in fact, live in him. So our love for him grows more and more, filling us with complete confidence for the day when he shall judge all men—for we realise that our life in this world is actually his life lived in us. Love contains no fear—indeed fully-developed love expels every particle of fear, for fear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty. This means that the man who lives in fear has not yet had his love perfected. 1 John 4:14-18 Phillips

Have you ever loved someone so deeply that you wanted to crawl inside of them? Where your hearts beat as one and if theirs would stop, so would yours? There is a love so deep that when it ceases, so do you. We’ve all heard stories of couples who have been married for 60 or 70 years that when one dies, the other dies just a few days later.

Well guess what? That’s the love God has for us. “The man whose life is lived in love does, in fact live in God, and God does in fact, live in him.” Do you see that? It’s as if He has crawled inside of us. By His Spirit, He has! We are one with Him just as He is with us. That’s why He can never leave us or forsake us because when His Spirit leaves our body, our spirit goes with Him.

If you’ve never surrendered to someone to that extent, I invite you to do so. Get alone and worship Him. Lavish your love on Him until you stir yourself up to sing, “I surrender all. I surrender all. All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” That’s how it’s done. Let Him consume every part of you until there’s nothing left of you that remains untouched by His Love.

That’s when you’ll find sickness and disease submitting to His power. That’s when you’ll discover that His strength is made perfect in your weakness. That’s where you’ll find peace and joy, in His presence. David wrote about it throughout the Psalms. He had discovered the many aspects of his God in solitude and conversation. He gained strength beyond His own abilities by placing His trust in Him.

Father, did you really mean to love us so deeply? What is the measure of Your love for us, Lord? With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. (Psalm 86:12-13) For with the measure you use to pour out love, it will be measured back to you again. I choose to love deeply today. Not for myself but so that others will know I’m forever Yours.

Take a risk, love deeply today,

Sandy G