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Let God Do It

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Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.”

That set the disciples back on their heels. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked.

Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” Mark 10:23-27 MSG

One of the most difficult things to do is to trust someone we’re not familiar with. We have a tendency to trust what’s worked in the past, those we know well or things that have been proven over time. It makes sense that Jesus would say it’s difficult for those who have everything, or those who trust in the money that got them everything, to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Why? Simply because they trust in what ‘got’ them everything. They trust this worlds system. Once we trust something, we’ll continue to trust it until it fails. I trust the chair I’m sitting in, but if the chair would break, I would be hesitant to sit in this chair and trust it to hold me.

But the Kingdom of God is a kingdom that trusts in God alone. It’s backward from our own systems. Mans system says ‘bank it!’, Gods says ‘give it’. It seems this is key with everything with God.

Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.” (verses 29-31)

I see so many people get discouraged because they’ve tried it and it doesn’t work. This isn’t a ‘get rich quick scheme’, this is a lifestyle of trusting God regardless if you like the outcomes or not. God see’s all, know’s all, has a plan and orders your steps to do HIS pleasure, not yours.

Stop stressing over what hasn’t happened and focus on what has happened. Thank Him for what He’s done in the past and what He will do in your future. Spend time reading about His faithfulness and learn of Him. Let Him do what needs to be done. Your job is to keep giving when He says, in ways He tells you to, and let go of your need to control it. Just as a seed that’s planted, comes up out of the ground and bears fruit, so will your seed produce.

Father, today I let go! I will trust You with everything! My future, my finances, my health, my home, my children, I let it all go. I trust You to do what You said You would do. You promised protection, provision, health and long life and I believe with all my heart that You will remain faithful to do it. I will listen today and obey the promptings to sow seed and trust You with the outcome. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Faith Does Things

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My brothers and sisters, what good does it do if someone claims to have faith but doesn’t do any good things? Can this kind of faith save him? Suppose a believer, whether a man or a woman, needs clothes or food and one of you tells that person, “God be with you! Stay warm, and make sure you eat enough.” If you don’t provide for that person’s physical needs, what good does it do? In the same way, faith by itself is dead if it doesn’t cause you to do any good things. James 2:14-17 GW
 
Believing in God is an awesome start, but belief alone isn’t enough. Let’s take a look at Jesus, since He’s to be our example of what a believer should look like. It was said of Him that He went around doing good and healing all. He was a doer. He recognized that faith requires action.
 
James 1:22 says it like this; Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves.
 
Start where you are. Gain the mindset that you serve a God who can not just replace what you sow, but multiply it beyond your wildest dreams. Now look for ways to give out of what you have. Anything. Clothing, food, money, a ride, a job, a glass of water, a hug, a word of encouragement. God isn’t stingy, He’s generous. If you want to be like your Father, learn to be generous and watch what happens next.
 
Everybody wants a miracle, but nobody wants to be that to someone else. Stop looking at raising the dead until you train yourself to see the person in need next to you at the bus stop. Put action to your faith!
 
Father, you have sufficiently rattled my cage this morning. You woke me early to show me a very simple element of a true believer; being others focused in a tangible way. You said that in all my getting, get understanding. Understand that You’re a giver, and be like You. Give me ways today to demonstrate that today. It’s in the name of Jesus, the Son You gave, Amen.
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Loving Me

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“Loving me empowers you to obey my word. And my Father will love you so deeply that we will come to you and make you our dwelling place.” John 14:23 TPT

Love does so many things, but this one, loving Jesus empowers me to obey God’s Word, that is so very profound. If I just focus on loving Jesus. Seems the more I pour out, my heart is overwhelmed with more love then I can contain. It’s the spill-over affect that changes lives around me.

But the second part of that verse makes me so excited! That Father will love me so deeply that He will come to me and make me His dwelling place. Me. Sandy Gregory! A place God calls home. That thrills my soul.

“Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, How Great Thou Art! How Great Thou Art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, How Great Thou Art! How Great Thou Art!”

He’s in me. He’s in me on purpose, for purpose. He’s in me to perfect me, not based on my merit, but on Jesus’ merit. He’s in me every moment of every day. Good days, bad days, He’s still in me. My hope. My healer. My provider. My strong tower. My refuge. My help. My Love.

It’s not me who is able to do what God intended me to do, it’s Christ in me who is able. Mine is to love and surrender to His love. His is to abide in me. I can live with that! I can do with that. I can love others with that.

Father, thank You for placing Your Spirit in me and accompanying me each day and night. In the good times, the hard times, the lonely times, the frustrating times, You’re always there, lighting the way and leading me on. I love You Jesus!

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When GPS Loses it’s Voice

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Have you ever been on your way to a destination and for whatever reason, be it a detour or lack of GPS service, you got totally and completely lost? A few years ago, I was invited to a party in a nearby city in an area I was not familiar with. Like any one with a smart phone, I plugged in the address into the GPS and hit start. Usually upon hitting that button, a voice booms out advising you how to exit your driveway and get on the right road. That part annoys me, but I digress.

For reasons unknown, the voice was silent this time so I checked my media volume to make sure it was up. Still no voice. Well, I’m not a total idiot and still know how to read a map, so I looked at the layout of the map and figured the best route to proceed and I’m off.

The ride was pretty uneventful until I looked at the map and saw the road I was told to turn on had a different name then the one hanging from the traffic signal.  I found myself growing a little anxious, unsure if it was the right road, finally deciding that if it was wrong, I could always turn around. I looked at my phone and in my best ‘mother’ voice yelled, “TALK TO ME!”

As though she heard me, the GPS chick found her voice. The rest of the ride was a lot easier because she was there to verbally walk me through each turn until I arrived at my destination.

I think that’s how we are with life sometimes. God’s invited us to His party and given us directions on how to get there, but when our signal is weak and we don’t hear His voice, we become undone. Some pull off the road and refuse to go any further until they hear Him clearly speak, “This is the way! Walk this way!” And some of us read the map, pull out our compass and just keep moving even when we’re not sure.

God told Abram: “Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you. I’ll make you a great nation and bless you. I’ll make you famous; you’ll be a blessing. I’ll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I’ll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 Message

Now mind you, Abram had never met God, didn’t know who He was, but did just what He asked and left. He had no GPS, no maps, didn’t know where he was going but still went. He was 75, married to a barren woman, had livestock to care for along the way, but in spite of all that, he went. Why? Because he heard a voice.

Some of you have heard Gods voice but because he didn’t give you step by step instructions, you opted out for a safer more secure plan. Some of you started out but hit opposition, unexpected detours, foggy weather, you felt it unsafe to proceed so you stopped.

But some of you crazy people just kept walking. You wouldn’t be deterred by the weather, the cliffs, the falling rocks, the hidden traps. You kept walking, even when your feet were tired and you just wanted to stay in your comfort zone where all your friends and family were. You traded the familiar for the hope of a future with a God you’ve never seen but know deep down in your heart that He’s alive and has big plans for you.

How do you know when you’ve arrived? How do you even know you’re in the right place? You’ll just know. Just as Abram did, so will you. And regardless if you’ve heard His voice along the way or not, you’re still aware of His presence and are confident in His ability to steer you in the right direction. Psalm 37:23 says that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He takes great delight in the plans He has for him.

He’s delighted that you’ve chosen to trust Him. He’s excited for the plans He sees for your future. He’s right there watching over you and if you’ll continue to trust Him, He will bless your future even more then you can imagine. Thank you for trusting Him to step out into the vast unknown when you heard His voice.

Father, I’m still walking! I’m still doing! I’m still singing! I’m still talking! I’m still writing! I’m still praising Your Name. I’m still trusting! I’m still at peace! I’m still confident in Your plan even when I’m unsure of myself. It’s in You I live and breathe and have my being. Amen

 

 

 

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Priceless Peace & Perspective

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Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed with the circumstances you face? Regardless of where you look, there’s another problem, and another, and yet another. Wave after wave seems to hit you in the face and you can’t get your breath. In times like these, what do you do? I don’t know about you, but I just want to run away! It’s days like this that I wish I was a child and could just let my mom and dad fix it.

Well guess what? You’re still Gods child and He wants you to come to Him so He can fix it with you. Please hear what I’m saying. I’m not advocating we bury our heads in the sand and do nothing. No, I’m saying He wants to be an active partner with us in everything we face in life. He’s offering His peace and perspective.

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me.  I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.  For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” Matthew 11:28-30 TPT

My dear friends, it’s when we want it our way, in our time and on our terms that we grow frustrated and overwhelmed. His ways are so much better, but to allow someone else to carry the load, we must surrender it to them. I can offer to carry something for you, but unless you give it to me, I’ll never be able to help.

That’s how it is in any relationship. We partner up with people because we don’t want to do it alone. Every one of us has unique gifting and abilities that we add to the whole. Where one is weak, the other is strong.  Where one is unable, the other is able. When you’re to close to the problem, the other can give a better perspective.

So if you’re in a situation and find it’s hard to breathe, take time to come to God and find His priceless peace.  If you stay long enough, He will show you things you don’t know and give you His perspective on each thing you’re facing. There’s no time like the present and no one like the Father.

Father, thank You for consistently loving me. Even when I’m stubborn and want to do it on my own, You’re always there waiting. You only ask that I come to You, lay it down so that You can show me what I don’t see or know. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

 

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You Just Don’t Know

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Have you ever questioned God? You know, tried to figure out what He’s doing with your life? Asked if He knows what He’s doing?
 
Job and his friends tried to philosophize God, tried to ‘figure’ Him out. It seems God grew a bit weary of listening to them so He came down and began asking Job some very pointed questions.
 
Where were you when….? If you know so much, tell me this? I love reading these verses because it truly puts things in perspective. We spend so much time trying to figure out what God’s up to when we should be reminding ourselves that He created it all. He knows all, see’s all and is accurate in everything He does.
 
“Do you presume to tell me what I’m doing wrong? Are you calling me a sinner so you can be a saint? Do you have an arm like my arm? Can you shout in thunder the way I can? Go ahead, show your stuff! Let’s see what you’re made of, what you can do. Unleash your outrage. Target the arrogant and lay them flat. Target the arrogant and bring them to their knees. Stop the wicked in their tracks—make mincemeat of them! Dig a mass grave and dump them in it—faceless corpses in an unmarked grave. I’ll gladly step aside and hand things over to you—you can surely save yourself with no help from me! Job 40:8-14 MSG
 
Great God! Forgive me for questioning Your plans. I cover my face in shame. To think of all You’ve created and yet You loved me enough to provide a Savior to buy me back so we could do life together. A life where I place my hand in Yours and allow You to lead me. I will trust in You. In the quiet pain that threatens my home, I will trust You. In the not knowing, I will trust You. Your love is enough. Amen
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What You Do With What You Have

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Sow seed, it’s the only way to obtain a harvest. No seed, no harvest. Regardless of the size of the field, the only way to gain additional seed is to sow what you have. You will ALWAYS end up with more then you started with.

Here’s my point. A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest. Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity! Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do. What you do with what you have determines your outcome. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 TPT

My friends, I don’t believe this is just about money. It’s about what you do with your talents, your words, your life and your time. As a parent, you may be sowing into your children right now. What you sow in them today will manifest in them later. It may be FAR later, but it will show up.

Whatever it is you’re sowing, do it to please the Father and do it with ‘hilarious generosity’. It all belongs to Him so don’t hoard it, give it away. Know that everything you’ve planted will produce more of it’s kind and allow you to continue giving. You’ll never run out of seed!

Father, today I plant again so that my future will be full of seed to harvest. You’re such a giving Father, how can I not duplicate all that You have displayed and taught. Cause me to be more aware of what You would have me sow into so that the seeds You’ve given me will be an optimal harvest. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Promise Keeper

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Now when God made a promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater than himself, he swore an oath on his own integrity to keep the promise as sure as God exists! So he said, “Have no doubt, I promise to bless you over and over, and give you a son and multiply you without measure!” So Abraham waited patiently in faith and succeeded in seeing the promise fulfilled. It is very common for people to swear an oath by something greater than themselves, for the oath will confirm their statements and end all dispute. So in the same way, God wanted to end all doubt and confirm it even more forcefully to those who would inherit his promises. His purpose was unchangeable, so God added his vow to the promise. So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! Hebrews 6:13-18 TPT
 
Hopefully that wasn’t too much scripture for you to read. I was only going to post a couple, but the more I read, the more I thought that somebody out there today needs to hear this. Someone needs to know that Gods purpose is unchangeable!
 
I hear you say, “Sandy, that promise was made to Abraham! I’m not he and that promise wasn’t made to me!” Well, let me answer you like this my dear friend. Galatians 3:29 says, “And since you’ve been united to Jesus the Messiah, you are now Abraham’s “child” and inherit all the promises of the kingdom realm!”
 
So when every force in hell seems to be standing between you and your promise, the Word that is in you does not lie. It cannot lie! It will accomplish what God sent it to do. You can throw that back at the devil any time and any day. Each time you do this, you’re flexing your faith muscle in the face of your opposition. Wait patiently. Don’t be discouraged. It’s coming.
 
Promise Keeper, I call out to You this morning, reminding You of Your promises to me. I know You know, but You said I’m to remind You so here I am doing just that. Remember, You said when we tithe, You’ll open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing we don’t have room to contain? I still have lots of room, so I’m patiently waiting for the promise to be fulfilled.
 
Promise Keeper, remember You said You heal ALL my diseases? Well, I believe You keep Your word to me and my family, so I patiently wait in faith for the manifestation of Your promises because, oh Mighty and Sovereign God, You’re the one who swore by Your own integrity, I believe it! I am Your child and I inherit all the promises You made. All praise and glory to Jesus Christ who sealed the deal for me. Amen
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“Loving me empowers you to obey my commands. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. The world won’t receive him because they can’t see him or know him. But you will know him intimately, because he will make his home in you and will live inside you.” John 14:15-17 TPT

I tried so hard to be good! No really! Have you ever heard those words or said them? There seems to be a lot of pressure to follow the rules. But it’s so hard!

Yesterday, I was listening to a message about a man who threw a party for his sons birthday. There were bouncy houses and all sorts of fun activities he’d provided. As he gathered all the kids together, he gave instructions that the only thing they couldn’t do is spit in his flower garden.

Guess what all of them did? Spit in his flower garden. Why? He had made them ‘rule’ conscious and whatever we become conscious of, we tend to do. If he had shown them all the games and fun things to do and not mentioned the flowers, they probably wouldn’t have been aware they were even there.

Satan makes us sin conscious. He constantly reminds us of our sin nature and the things we’re not suppose to do. He highlights the wrongs done, the bad things happening around us. It’s all a distraction to keep us focused on the wrong things. But Jesus said to love because love empowers you to obey.

What if our primary focus wasn’t on the wrongs but on ways to love and show the love of God to others. What if by training ourselves to love, we lost sight of the wrong attitudes and actions. Jesus knew that if we’re focused on loving Him, we would become more God conscious and aware of His abilities in us. He gave us the biggest gift, the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth. Knowing Him intimately is the only way to walk daily in the love of God.

Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit. I choose to focus on You because You are Love. The more I surrender myself to Love, the more like Love I become. My goal today is Your goal for me always, that I may so consumed with Love that there is no room left in me to do anything else. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Empowering Love

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Lamp Trimmer

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Did you know that there was actually a position called ‘Lamp Trimmer’? According to Wikipedia, a Lamp Trimmer was a specialist position aboard a ship who was in charge of  keeping the lamps filled with oil and trimming the wick which drew the oil from the reservoir so that the flame would be clean and bright.

You can still have a flame without trimming the wick, the thing is, if the wick isn’t properly trimmed, the flame that’s created will be full of smoke and give off a dim and cloudy light. There are actual instructions on how to properly trim a wick to give off optimal light. Back in the days before electricity was harnessed to give us a different kind of light, this art was taught and handed down generationally.

You may be asking me why I’m going on about the art of lamp trimming? I’m glad you asked, because since I posted yesterday, I can’t seem to get it out of my head. Matthew 25:7 says, So all the girls got up and trimmed their lamps. Well, based on reading the above, they didn’t just light their lamps, they trimmed the wick for optimal light and filled the base with oil so that it would burn for hours.

Why should you have to trim the wick each time you light it? Because even the wind can effect the way the wick burns. After adverse conditions, the wick must be trimmed so that when it’s lit again, it will give optimal light.

My friends, dealing with adverse reactions to circumstances in our lives, things that undermine our trust in God, things that cause our faith or flame to waiver, must be dealt with daily. To allow the light of Gods Word to shine through our lives, we must allow the oil of the Holy Spirit to bring us into ALL truth, not just a part of it.

Hebrews 4:12 says;  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In The Passion Translation it reads; For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, and it pierces more sharply than a two-edged sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Oh Lord, trim me today. May nothing cloud my flame. May I be full of Your oil, trimmed and ready to light the way so that others may find You and experience the light of Your presence. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.