For sure, I tell you, a person may say to this mountain, ‘Move from here into the sea.’ And if he does not doubt, but believes that what he says will be done, it will happen. Mark 11:23 NLV

As I lay in bed this morning, I allowed my mind to begin thinking bigger thoughts than I felt I had the capacity to think. I know, right? Almost didn’t type it out cause I wasn’t sure people would understand and it just may confirm to them I’m a bit crazy. Allow me to explain.

I believe our words have so much power. They should not be hurled in insult or used as a weapon to do harm. Even if our intentions are good, the words we speak will either bring life, or death. Proverbs 18:21 in the Passion Translation says it like this; Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences.

I’ve known people who are directionally challenged. They couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag with both ends knocked out! But those who don’t give direction to their words are wandering around, lost and confused as to which path they should or could take. It’s a sad place to stay when your words could take you to the place you belong in life.

Have you heard the saying, ‘words shape you’? Well they do. You’ve been shaped for years by the words your parents spoke to you, the words of influential friends, even the words of teachers. Words can be sharp and cutting, soft and healing or even encouraging you as you run your race. Words are not forgettable. Once they leave the mouth, they take root and grow depending on the amount of time you focus on them.

Would that we only focused on the good words! This world would be such a wonderful place to live if that were true. But the natural mind is at war with the spirit realm, always trying to convince us that evil is good and good is evil. If only we were to live totally convinced of the fact that we are our Fathers children, made in His image and likeness, encompassed with His Spirit, filled with His living Word that is always creating.

I am totally convinced that my words are filled with light or darkness and it’s my choice and my right to speak words of light into the world that God gave me dominion over. If I walk around with my lips closed tight, afraid to speak for fear nothing will happen, than I don’t really believe in the Power that lives in me. That same power that Jesus spoke of in Mark, shows that our words truly give direction if we only do it and don’t doubt.

As I was saying while laying in my bed, thinking of a God who fills the universe living in me, and how much I limit Him by putting Him into the little box of my thinking, I invited Him to come play with me. I found myself in His big universe, free of my constraints, twirling among the stars He created, looking down on the earth I came from wondering why I found it so hard to believe God for what He’d promised me.

That just kinda made me happy! Night after night, David watched his fathers sheep, looking at those same stars, thinking of the vastness of God. He gained understanding of just how big God was by understanding what He created. He knew that THAT kind of God would back up his word with action, so when he found a mere giant, cursing his God, he defended the name of God and flung a tiny stone that brought him down!

That’s the power of meditating on God, His Word and His abilities. Put your mountain in perspective with the universe–whats bigger? Put your sickness in perspective with the forever living blood of Jesus–whats bigger? Put your lack in perspective with Gods vast supply–whats bigger? When your belief in God becomes bigger than all that, when you stop doubting HIS ability and believe you will have what you say, God will back up His Word because NOTHING is impossible with him.

He’s Forever Bigger,

Sandy G

I pray over you a release of the blessings of God’s undeserved kindness and total well-being that flows from our Father – God and from the Lord Jesus. He’s the Anointed Messiah who offered himself as the sacrifice for our sins! He has taken us out of this evil world system and set us free through our salvation, just as God desired. Galatians 1:3-4 Passion

Have you ever been forgiven? I have. Quite a few years ago, I discovered a mistake I made that cost the company almost $1000. It wasn’t intentional, I just missed something. Needless to say, I was hard on myself! I took a deep breath, went back and told my boss what happened, accepted responsibility and waited for the wrath to fall. I was expecting to be reprimanded at the very least, but would not have been surprised if he had fired me.

I could tell he was upset, but he kept his cool and asked me to appeal the denial which I had already began. Before he walked out the door for lunch, he casually said these words which I will never forget, “Just make me lots of money, all is forgiven!”

It took a few minutes for it to register. I had been expecting the worst and sat stunned as his words sunk in. As I sat at lunch thinking about it, I thought, I really deserved to have that money taken out of my paycheck, my mind going from one scenario to another when I heard the Spirit say, “You’ve been forgiven. Why is it so hard for my people to just receive it. After all the forgiveness you’ve sown, don’t you thing you should reap the same? Why are my people so sin conscious when I’ve washed all sin away? Why do they think on what they’ve done when I don’t even remember it anymore?”

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.” Romans 4:7

Forgiveness means never bringing it up again, removing it from our thoughts. It’s hard sometimes to do that, especially when we’ve been hurt so deeply. Our minds keep it alive like blowing on the dying embers of a fire. But Jesus commanded we forgive, not once, not twice, but over and over again. Ephesians 4:32 “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Walking in Forgiveness,

Sandy G

Our life is like an image in a mirror. We rush through life collecting things, but we don’t know who will get them after we die. Psalm 39:6

Ever feel that every day is a reflection of the day before? Oh, little things are different, but so much of it’s the same. We get up, go to work, come home, make dinner, spend a few hours ‘vegging’ out, only to be repeated day after day after day.

Wouldn’t it be nice to make a difference in someone’s life? To maybe take more time being a blessing to someone rather than gathering riches to ourselves? Riches? Are you kidding me? I’m just trying to make ends meet! But why? Didn’t Jesus tell us that, “My God will supply all your needs according to HIS riches in glory.”? Shouldn’t that take the stress off us and place it onto Him?

I don’t want to rush through life anymore. I want to slow down and enjoy those I pass by along the way. To encourage them and cheer them on. To enjoy my job and be a blessing to my boss and the patients who come in our door. To serve others in ways that might reflect my Father, showing what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Father, thanks for the reminder. We have become so self-sufficient. But You created us to need You. To fellowship with You and allow You to care for us. Forgive us for being so self absorbed! May we remember that we are Your sheep and You are our shepherd. Lead us into green pastures and restore our souls, that we might fulfill Your needs, allowing You to meet ours. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Reflecting Him,

Sandy G

I quietly observed a mother as she spoke to her misbehaving child, “You need to stop doing that!” The child continued with her actions and the mom pulled her back and repeated the same warning. The third time, she added a loving hand on the child’s behind and through tears, the behavior stopped. How many parents have used this age old method of correcting their child? It was done to me and I repeated it on our girls. Why? Because it’s effective. When applied correctly, it brings about a desired result.

I see people sharing all sorts of gimmicks on the internet, from vitamins to clever tools that cure any kind of ailment you might have. What blows my mind is that people actually buy them only to discover it was yet another scam. When I find an effective treatment for sickness, I continue using it because it works. Let me share what that is, because it’s free.

Did you know that when Jesus took all those stripes on his back, it was for your healing? Of course you do. Did you know that each time you take the bread and wine, you’re doing it to remind your body that when Jesus said, “It is finished!”, He was talking about a package deal. Remember when He said He would remember your sins no more! All that He accomplished on the cross was so that you could walk in the blessings of forgiveness, healing and provision. Isaiah prophesied it years earlier, “By His stripes you are healed!”

Reminding your body of those promises needs to be done every day by reading the Word. Go through your bible and make a list of all the healing scriptures you can find. Type them up and read them everyday while you take communion. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Why? Because we pay more attention to our symptoms than what the Word says. We need reminding, otherwise He wouldn’t have said so.

Father, I thank you for the blood of Jesus which not only cleansed me of ALL unrighteousness, it healed me. I partake of your body and blood as a way to remember what was accomplished for me. I overcome sickness and disease by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony. I will never take lightly the sacrifice made for me. I thank you that you constantly watch over your word to perform it. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Doing What Works,

Sandy G

You dried up the water that was in the deep sea. You made a road through the deepest parts of the sea. Your people crossed over and were saved. Isaiah 51:10

When I looked up the word ‘crossover’, I found a couple things; 1. A place where a crossing is made; 2. (railways) a point of transfer between two main lines. As I read that 2nd definition, I felt the Holy Spirit trying to show me something. God took the children of Israel through the Red Sea from slavery and bondage, to freedom and promise. It was a point of transfer from old, to new.

Today, I believe God is telling us it’s time to cross over from old to new. To pass from ‘not enough’ to ‘more than enough’. It’s transfer time. It’s time to pick back up the promises we’ve been given and run with them. No more waiting! No more anticipating! That means believing that when we reach an impossible river, God is able to make a way across it.

He said that when we call on Him He would answer us and show us great and mighty things. We must believe, not in our ability to build a bridge, but in Gods ability to take us to the other side. We’ve been self-reliant for far too long. We simply don’t believe that God is able to do what He did thousands of years ago, but He is! If He can find just one person who is willing to believe, He will show up to show off His mighty power.

This month, let’s make it a crossover kind of month. Let’s believe God is God, that He never changes. Let’s believe He is well able to do though us, the signs, wonders and miracles He did through Jesus. Let’s believe that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. Let’s make it a month where the transfer of power doesn’t happen in our nation, but happens in us.

Father, we your people give you reverence. We humbly ask that you transfer the wealth of the wicked to the hands of the just. We ask that through our hands would flow mighty, miracles. Not through just our pastors, but through your people. May we stand on the bridge, Jesus Christ, and be his body in the earth. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Use Me Lord,

Sandy G

I found these 3 great goals to have today and thought I’d share them with you all. They are found in Romans 12:12 ERV; Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time.

1. Be happy! Why, because of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.
2. Be patient! Troubles will come, but they will also go.
3. Pray all the time. I call it talking to Jesus, cause when you do, He will show you what to do.

There you have it. Let’s get happy, because the hope we possess is a sure thing. It’s because of His grace and mercy that we are alive, forgiven and prosperous. It’s not because of what we do but what He did. What a wonderful Savior we have. We didn’t deserve it or earn it, but he completely wiped our slate clean and said, “Rest in me, I’m giving you a future and a hope!” Praise God!

You may be looking at a pile of bills, a shut off notice, a repossession note or a negative balance in your bank account. Let me just tell you, wait on the Lord. When you just set all that aside and get into His presence, those things will look so small in comparison. Today things may be scarce, but tomorrow is payday! Today the refrigerator may be empty but tomorrow, it will be full. He is faithful in ALL his ways.

Why does it say to pray all the time? Because when you’re praying, you’re not worrying. When you’re praying for others, you’re not focused on yourself. When you make a list of the needs of others and pray continually for others, you’ll find your own situation changing. He never said pray for yourself, he said pray one for another. Right praying gets quick response.

Father, with great joy I come to you, knowing that you hear me, knowing you see me, knowing that you answer prayer. I bring before you each of my brothers and sisters that are reading this right now. You know their needs. I speak peace to every storm and that you will manifest to them fulfillment today. Show them your glory. I speak healing and provision to each family who has cried out to you for help. You are the God of MORE than enough, not just enough. You said you would prosper them as their soul prospers. As they draw near to you today, fill them to overflow with your joy. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Choosing hope,

Sandy G

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. 1 John 1:9 AMPC

I absolutely love that translation of ‘faithful and just’–‘true to His own nature and promises’. It’s His nature to be good. It’s His nature to heal, His nature to forgive us continually and wash away everything we’ve done out of rebellion against His will in purpose, thought, and action.

Many of us are so stuck in our past sins, we are unable to comprehend that such a thing as perpetual forgiveness exists for us. The fact is, the Word of God which is active and alive in us, is the same Word that leads us into all truth and makes us free. To say we do not sin is wrong, but to say He cannot forgive is a deception from the pit of hell. It’s His nature to forgive.

I’ve said before, that He died for our past, present and future sins. Some have argued with that thought process, but may I ask you this? Were you alive when Jesus died and gave His life for you? The answer is a simple no. None of us were alive 2021 years ago, yet He knew you would be born, He knew you would do all you have done and He still died with you in mind. Even though you were in the future, He died for you.

That same blood continuously cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He knew we would need the assurance of His nature as a Father. That is why Jesus stands between the Father and us, constantly making intercession for us, reminding Him of His shed blood and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us into that truth.

Please understand that I’m not condoning sin. I’m simply choosing to focus on forgiveness rather than my lawless deeds. I’m choosing to focus on relationship rather than religion, love rather than hate, peace rather than turmoil. The more my vision changes, the more complete my revelation. Gods perspective does just that.

You cannot complete a race looking behind you. You cannot hold tight to your regrets and live the life God intended for you. Repent of what was done, than carefully place it into Gods hands to make something good of it and move along. Learn from your mistakes so you don’t constantly repeat them, yes, but you can’t do that alone. Only Jesus can lead you into the right path so that you can forgive yourself. If you can’t learn to forgive yourself, you’ll never learn to forgive others.

Happy Forgiving,

Sandy G

God faithfully keeps his promises. He called you to be partners with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. I Corinthians 1:9 GW

Funny how two statements go so well together: He keeps His promises & called us partners. In any partnership, there are roles each person plays. I like how the dictionary describes the word ‘partner’ as person associated with another or others as a principal or a contributor of capital in a business or a joint venture, usually sharing its risks and profits.

Interesting, isn’t it, sharing it’s risks and profits? I guess it wouldn’t be a partnership if there weren’t risks involved. I was reading an article yesterday about financial investments and found that the greater the risk, the higher the interest rate, but the safer the risk, the lower the interest rate, so your money won’t grow fast without risk. Those who invest the most will definitely get a higher return.

There are times we’ve invested in a high risk venture and lost it all. It was disappointing, but with God, nothing you invest is ever lost. He sees it as seed planted and what comes out of that seed is a lasting and satisfying reward. Nothing you give in the Kingdom is ever lost for long.

So, this partnership with Christ is not without risk, but I can count on one thing; when I risk it all to follow Him, He will faithfully keep His promises to me. I’ve never been one to play it safe, perhaps thats why when I commit to something or someone, regardless the risk, I’m in it for the long haul. Our marriage was definitely a risk, but God is faithful and 45 years later, the dividends are paying out! Life with Christ-BIG risk, but the depth of love and trust, the abundance of blessing I partake of, worth every moment.

Don’t play it safe any longer! Jump in all the way and watch what God will do with that investment.

Gotta Love Partnering With God!

Sandy G

We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him. I John 5:14-15 ERV

It’s so simple, isn’t it? When we come to Him with no doubts, no wondering if He truly is who He says He is, we can ask for what we need and He’ll provide. He cares. He listens each time we ask. Like the loving Father He is, watching over us, allowing us the assurance of His love.

According to Dictionary.com, the word doubt is defined; to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe: to distrust or regard with suspicion.

I’ve been hearing a lot of this lately on social media, in conversations with people I love and hold dear. Seems they have doubts. Doubts as to whether God really cares, whether He’s really the provider, healer and help in time of trouble. Doubts about Him keeping His Word or perhaps it is they’re doubting based on what they think He should have done or how they think He should have responded to this situation or that.

It is true that some of them did not believe the message. But does this mean that God cannot be trusted, just because they did not have faith? No, indeed! God tells the truth, even if everyone else is a liar. The Scriptures say about God, “Your words will be proven true, and in court you will win your case.” Romans 3:3-4 CEV

But no doubts means just that. No oscillating back and forth between two opinions–yours or Gods. We must be convinced that God is a good Father and wants His children well and prospering. If you know the Word of God, you’ll have no problem believing when He says it, He means it. Relationship makes all the difference! You won’t believe someone you don’t personally know and trust. You’ll come up short even is you take my word for it.

Doubt and fear are the weapons of choice the devil uses, not God. Satan will try to remind you of your failures, God reminds you of your future. Don’t doubt Gods deep love for you and that His plans for you are for always good, not evil. Believe you receive what you ask for and go on your way rejoicing as if it’s already done, because it is.

I Choose Not to Doubt,

Sandy G

God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

When I read this, I realized that if more Christians would make this their goal, there would be less hate, less hurt feelings, less bitterness and less strife. Forgive, love and always be thankful. When there is sickness in a body, it’s because we’ve allowed things in that our immune system is unable to fight off. Pretty soon, it takes over and we need assistance getting on top of it and feeling well again.

If you focus on the hurt, talk about it, rehearse it, you become a contagious, infectious wound that will take some scraping, flushing and medicating to get well again. But if you show mercy, are kind, humble, gentle and patient. If you stop being angry and forgive, repeatably just as God forgave you, you become a healer instead of someone who needs healing. It’s the way God made us you know. It’s far more blessed to give than to receive.

You say, “It would be so much easier to just get away from the hurt!” and you’re right, it would be. But that’s not what this is about. It’s about you learning to love beyond your ability to love. It’s about you learning to forgive beyond your ability to forgive. It’s allowing the love of God to free flow through you and not be hung up on stuff that’s stuck inside of you. Let it go! Live a life of love, Gods love. Don’t get stuck where you are. There are people out there who need what’s inside of you. Let it go so you can love again.

Ever Letting Go,

Sandy G