You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.  It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. Ephesians 2:8-9 CEV

If your mortgage was paid in full, would you continue to make the payments? Of course not! More than likely, you’d throw a party to celebrate! Why? Because there is nothing more rewarding than paying off a large debt.

Well Jesus did just that for us. He paid off our entire debt, every sin we would ever commit, gone. Yet we continue to try to pay for the things that were purchased and gifted to us.

That verse says we are saved by faith. Faith in Gods ability to keep His Word to us, that is what has saved us from sin, sickness, poverty, pain and death. Salvation isn’t just about sin, it’s about so much more. It’s the ability to live a life free of all of those things, but that freedom is dependent on believing.

I believe we’ve believed the lie that, ‘nothing in life is free’, for far too long. I’ve listened to countless people tell me they just can’t get past that. But here’s the clincher; it’s free, you just have to receive it. Like winning the lottery takes you going to the office with the winning ticket to claim your winnings, you must come to Jesus, tell Him you believe and receive your forgiveness and everything else that His blood purchased for you. The difference is, you don’t have to pay for the ticket!

What a beautiful gift! I’m so thankful for the grace of God, His undeserved, unmerited favor. Everyday, I shake my head in wonder at the life I get to live because He gave His Son to buy me back from slavery to sin. I live free because He made me free.

Forever Grateful,

Sandy G

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

What a beautiful passage to speak out over yourself today. Gods promise of peace regardless of what you face. Not the worlds peace, but the peace of God. If you’ve never experienced that peace, you’re missing out on the very best He has for you.

I love verse 7 in the amplified bible; And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

It will garrison and mount guard over my heart and mind. Wow! That word ‘garrison’ means a body of troops stationed in a fortified place. Can you see that now? God sends His angels to surround you and keep you in all your ways. There are more with you then those against you.

Thank you Father that You’ve sent your angels to guard and protect my peace. I will not by any means allow the enemy to steal what is mine. I rest in Your ability to fight my battles for me. You are more then enough! Now I rejoice in Your victory! I rejoice in the blood of Jesus that was shed for me. It saved me from sickness, disease, poverty and strife! I lay my head on Your shoulder and rest in the peace You gave me.

Come Rest With Me,

Sandy G

Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ Joshua 1:11

If you’re planning a trip, you must first decide on a date, purchase your ticket, make arrangements for lodging, than pack a bag and you’re on your way. Each step is significant in the process. If any one step is missed, it could spell disaster!

In the same light, God has chosen a date for you to possess your promise. You’ll only get the instructions when you spend time in His presence, reading His Word and worshiping before Him. When He speaks, have faith that each step you take will bring you closer to the land He’s promised. He is faithful to lead if you’ll but follow.

If you never prepare, you’ll never possess. Have you been listening? What is the Lord telling you to do? Your simple obedience to His still small voice, will pave the way for you to possess your promise. What Joshua learned was that he could trust the voice that led him. He listened and obeyed and when he did, everything fell into place.

I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 CEV

Possessing My Promise,

Sandy G

“Just as Joseph had the dream that God had given him, he also had to overcome many things to see those dreams come to pass. In a moment he inherited a kingdom. When the fullness of time comes for our dreams, God is faithful to see that they come to pass. Our faithfulness, commitment, and uncompromising heart is required to inherit the fullness of what God has for each of us. In order to inherit a promise, we must have a dream with the accompanying grace to overcome in the seasons of life that are packaged with these dreams.” John Belt.

This was something I read from 2009 that deeply touched my spirit. As I read it again this morning, I decided that perhaps I’m not the only one who needed to hear these words again.

We need the grace of God to overcome what comes with the package of our dreams. It’s nice to have a promise, a word, a vision or dream, but what prepares us, will be the trials and tribulations we’ve had to go through once the dream was given.

You can’t give birth without labor and you can’t take a trip by virtual reality, it’s just not the same. But I will say this, the journey you’re on won’t get any shorter by you whining about it. Jesus said these words, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT.

You have choices to make on your way to your promise; keep your peace and joy or be at war with yourself. Stop fighting for what you deserve and rest in His ability to get you to the finish line. You will get there eventually, but when you arrive there, you’ll have everything in you that you need to accomplish that dream.

I choose peace. The peace of God that passes understanding will guard my heart and mind. He will keep me in perfect peace when my mind is focused on him. So it’s all about my focus. Guess I’ll snuggle up under the ever capable arms of my Father and allow Him to lead and direct my steps, confident of this; His love, grace and mercy will be enough.

Keep Dreaming,

Sandy G

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 this morning, 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.” Our words are our weapon. In time of battle, David told Goliath he would kill him and cut off his head, and he did! At a time of loss, David asked God, “Should I pursue them?” and God replied, “Pursue and recover all!” and he did.

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.

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.

Daily Declaring!

Sandy G

The confidence of my calling enables me to overcome every difficulty without shame, for I have an intimate revelation of this God. And my faith in him convinces me that he is more than able to keep all that I’ve placed in his hands safe and secure until the fullness of his appearing. 2 Timothy 1:12 TPT

Do you know what I love most about the Word? It’s applicable in so many ways and to so many seasons of our lives. It speaks in context in it’s intended purpose, but it also ministers in a very personal way. Just as an antibiotic may help with an infection in my toe, it also can be used to treat pneumonia. So the Word works in different ways for different things as needed.

Recently, someone made me aware of one of my many flaws and I lay in bed thinking about it. I began down the road of regret, which took me in the pit of despair, and as I sank deeper I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Perhaps you should see a counselor.” I smiled at that because He is my counselor and I felt Him smile as well at the recognition.

He began to minister to me by asking me if I remembered the movie, The Shack. He brought back to my mind the scene where Holy Spirit took Mac through his garden made up of all bad things that had happened over the course of his life. As he walked through his garden, it looked like a huge chaotic mess, but as the camera panned out to an arial view, it was the most beautiful garden ever. A masterpiece that only God can create.

I won’t go into all the Holy Spirit said to me, but here’s one little tidbit that may help you when your mind gets carried away. Leave it in His hands, He knows what to do with what looks like a giant heap of dung in your life. Those things make the best fertilizer. Out of those things bloom the most beautiful gardens.

I don’t have to carry shame or condemnation for what happened in my life. I have a deep revelation of God and what He is able to make out of all that. If He can remove the very stain of sin from my life, He is more than able to use what was meant to destroy me and use it for His good.

You see, it’s not just the good parts of me God wants to use, it’s the bad things too. I feel it’s my job to try and work on things and erase them from my life, when only God can do that. No other counselor can do what He can. When I focus on the problem, it becomes bigger than I can manage. But when I surrender it to Him, He will deal with it in His own time. It will not overwhelm me if I leave it in His hands.

In the mean time, my faith in His ability will keep me from going where I wasn’t meant to travel. I will stay in His presence and trust His timing to use the things I’ve been through to be stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

Safe and Secure,

Sandy G

Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Philippians 3:12 AMP

Never judge others based on your opinion of what happened. It could just be that they were going through something you were unaware of and their ‘leaving’ was simply them curling up in a corner trying to survive. Rather, take a moment and ask God what He would have you do.

For some reason, it’s easier to believe the worst about someone then to stand in the gap and intercede. But even when you don’t know the cause or reason, taking it to God is the only way to go. We get offended so easily when in reality, it was never about you in the first place. Whatever you do, get off the self pity bus, stop talking to everyone else about it and shift into compassion and love.

Until God reveals it to you (which He may never do), just keep praying for them, keep encouraging others to do the same and keep smiling and pressing forward. Remember that what you do to others is heaped back onto you. Stop the madness and press toward Jesus, it’s the only place you’ll find peace and that is worth it all.

Forgive and Live,

Sandy G

The Lord gave me this answer: “Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance.  Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.  And this is the message: ‘Those who are evil will not survive, but those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God.’” Habakkuk 2:2-4 GNT

I heard the Lord whisper to my spirit this morning, “Look around you, what do you see?” I sensed He wasn’t speaking about what I see in the natural, but what I see in His realm, the Spirit realm. I had to take a moment to make that shift, because what is happening around me can be overwhelming.

Alright Lord, show me what You see so that I can agree with Your Word today. Your Word is infallible. Once it leaves Your mouth, it works until it has completed the thing You sent it to do. Regardless of what is before me, it will conform to Your Great Name and submit to the sound of Your voice.

Because You live in me, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in me. Therefore, my agreement with Your Word holds the same power. May those who do evil in Your sight and have hardened their heart to Your Word not survive. Today I agree with what You spoke all those years ago, the righteous will live because they are faithful to You. They will live and not die and declare the works of their God.

You will loose us from our oppressors and set us on the path You have chosen for us. We will bring good news to the nations and the traps the enemy has set for us, they will consume them. I call for the wealth of the wicked into our bank accounts so that we may accomplish all that You would have us do in the earth. I declare supernatural debt cancellation for Your righteous ones. That no weapon formed against them would prosper and every tongue that rises in judgement against them you would put it down. It’s our heritage, Your covenant promise to us.

I praise Your great name today. You are our Provider, Protector, Deliverer and King. There is no one in all the earth that compares to You. We give You all the Glory, Honor and Praise in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen

Rejoicing in Victory,

Sandy G

God will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; He’ll bless you in the land that God, your God, is giving you. Dueteronomy 28:8

When God orders something to happen, it will keep happening until He says stop. If God has ordered you to be blessed, I can guarantee it will happen. There is only one thing required of you, and that is to believe. Unbelief will postpone your blessing.

In Mark 9:23, Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

James 1:6-8 says, “When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea.  A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord.  A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything.”

So many times I hear people say things based on what they see in the natural instead of coming into agreement with what God says. Hear what David wrote in Psalm 105:19, “Until the time that His word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.” Why the test? To see if we have committed to trust in Him regardless of what we see, touch, taste or feel. In other words, get your emotions out of the way and hold fast to His infallible word!

When you plant seed in the ground, you can expect it to come up and eat the fruit of your labor. And when God speaks, nothing He says will come back to Him without first doing what it was sent to do. You have the same power in your words. Just believe! Praise God that in the middle of bad economic times, He can still be trusted.

Believing His Word,

Sandy G

For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. I Corinthians 13:12-13

Wow! Above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. My friend, I John 4:8 tells us; The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love. Any other love is just an imitation. True love is God.

If you desire love, look no further. When you begin the treasure hunt for God, you will find the greatest, most amazing love you’ve ever known. It’s the kind of love you can only know by knowing Him.

Anyone who’s been married for more then a minute will understand that love is not a feeling. It’s so much more then that. Love commits to doing right even when feelings don’t line up. God is our example, for no one has ever loved us enough to give their life for us like He did.

It can’t be earned by doing good, it’s the gift of God’s grace filled love. Unconditional, unending, hope filled, deep and abiding love. The gift that keeps giving long after the feelings are gone.

Father, thank You again for the gift of Your son. It was Your gift to us that gave all so that we could know You. May we never be satisfied with anything else. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Happy Reflecting,

Sandy G