In the book of Esther, chapter 2, we find that after the kings anger subsided, he sent out his servants who attended him to find beautiful, young virgins to be prepared to please King Ahasuerus.

As I was reading this beautiful story, I saw our King, Jesus, having lost the heart and obedience of his Queen, searching throughout the earth to find those with a pure heart, so they may be prepared to show off His power and glory.

It doesn’t matter their social standing, age or rank in life. He’s pulling them off the streets, from abusive homes, from prisons, the highways and byways of life because His own have made excuses and are just too busy with their life, dreams and goals in this world to do His bidding. He’s preparing a people who will set aside their agenda for His own, who will leave father and mother, sister and brother for the sake of the Kingdom.

Those whose hearts follow hard after Him will be those who gain access to the inner courts of the King. I want to be a part of that. Those who hesitate, the bible makes it abundantly clear, will not take part in the Kingdom of God but will be left behind.

What has your heart? Everyday I ask God to show me any area where there is the least bit of hesitation. It’s one thing to say, “I’ll go anywhere You send me!” It’s yet another to actually go. To be a part of a body of believers who smell bad, look bad, are too weird, speak in other tongues, and to be uncomfortable sitting next to, that’s exactly where I want to be. Some people wear their yuck on the outside, others on the inside.

Jesus, more than anything in this world, I need You. Without You, I’m lost. Wrap Yourself around me and take me. I’m Yours. Every bit of my yuck is Yours to beautify. I yield to all the extensive treatments for a night with You. May I lose myself and find You.

Sandy G

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 GNT

Isn’t it awesome that we have someone to call on? Someone who helps us when we need help? I had to stop a moment and thank Him for His mercy. Even when I’ve done something stupid, He still helps me. What a wonderful gift.

But as I read the next verse, I realized that He doesn’t do it for our sakes alone. No, He helps us so we can help others. I have to be honest, I never really looked at it that way. I was always thankful for the help, the deliverance He brought to me, but I never really thought that it’s to help others.

I began asking how I can do this? How do I ‘play it forward’? How can I take the help I received from God and gift it to someone else?

One way is that when God blesses me financially, to always try to find someone who needs help and give out of that to them. Another way is that when I am healed in my body, to lay hands on and pray for others that they too may be healed. Sharing out of our ‘help bank’ should be just one way we can invest in others around us.

Father, help me to help others just as You have helped me. Give me creative ideas, ways to be a blessing and show others the way to call out to You. You are my help in time of trouble and I’m grateful. Today, may I be aware of needs around me and sensitive and discerning to be a help to people you’ve placed in my path. In Jesus’ name and for Your glory. Amen

Sandy G

You love Him passionately, although you have not seen Him, but through believing in Him, you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. 1 Peter 1:8 TPT

I was sitting in prayer on Saturday, and I suddenly heard the Lord say that He was shifting the season I was in and giving me joy. And just like that, I felt joy bubble up inside me. I didn’t even realize it was a missing element in my soul, but I definitely felt the change in my heart.

So I want to take a moment to speak into you this morning. I envision a smile spreading across your face this very moment as God’s infectious joy touches you as well. As people encounter you, may that same joy infect others.

May the incredible joy of the Lord make your heart lighter and put a smile on your face that infects all those around you. May the serious season you’ve been in dissolve quickly as unspeakable joy consumes you today.

Sandy G

His destiny-plan for the earth stands sure. His forever-plan remains in place and will never fail. Psalms 33:11 TPT

From up here, I can see everything happening below me, but I am not affected by it. From where I sit, I see clearly that the possibilities are endless, the chaos has order, and the end of the storm is right there.

Come on up, there’s plenty of room. Gain Gods vantage point & place your trust in Him. His abilities far outweigh yours. O the peace I have knowing God is able.

Sandy G

 I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I sing praise to you before the gods. I face your holy Temple, bow down, and praise your name because of your constant love and faithfulness, because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme. You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me. All the kings in the world will praise you, Lord, because they have heard your promises. They will sing about what you have done and about your great glory. Even though you are so high above, you care for the lowly, and the proud cannot hide from you. When I am surrounded by troubles, you keep me safe. You oppose my angry enemies and save me by your power. You will do everything you have promised; Lord, your love is eternal. Complete the work that you have begun. Psalm 138 GNT

When you give thanks for your little, you invoke a powerful blessing from God. Remember the loaves and fishes. They were a snack, but when Jesus thanked the Father, it became a buffet for upwards of 20,000. Only God can multiply like that.

If He answered Jesus and multiplied lunch for the crowd, how much more will He hear you when you call on Him to take your little and make it much? If God put a desire to help others in your heart, He is well able to make it happen.

Let’s be thankful and see what happens.

Sandy G

“My thoughts,” says the Lord, “are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.

“My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat. So also will be the word that I speak—it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.” Isaiah 55:8-11 GNT

I just love that God’s thoughts are so different than ours. So many times I’ve heard the Lord speak to me, “You’re thinking too small.” It has challenged me to think larger, to stop putting limits on Him with my finite mind. There are more than one way to succeed. There are more than one way to prosper. There is the man made way, and there is the God made way.

I feel like He wants someone to know that He has very big plans for you. He just wants you to come to Him and He will show you things you weren’t aware of. If you believe that God has already planned for you to succeed, why wouldn’t you go to Him to start with?

His Word is sure. It’s been released to hit the target right in the bullseye. Enjoy watching God drop the pieces together while you simply trust Him.

Sandy G

My heart explodes with praise to you! Now and forever my heart bows in worship to you, my King and my God! Every day I will lift up my praise to your name with praises that will last throughout eternity. Lord, you are great and worthy of the highest praise! For there is no end to the discovery of the greatness that surrounds you. Generation after generation will declare more of your greatness and declare more of your glory. Your magnificent splendor and the miracles of your majesty are my constant meditation. Your awe-inspiring acts of power have everyone talking! I’m telling people everywhere about your excellent greatness! Our hearts bubble over as we celebrate the fame of your marvelous beauty, bringing bliss to our hearts. We shout with ecstatic joy over your breakthrough for us. You’re kind and tenderhearted to those who don’t deserve it and very patient with people who fail you. Your love is like a flooding river overflowing its banks with kindness. God, everyone sees your goodness, for your tender love is blended into everything you do. Everything you have made will praise you, fulfilling its purpose. And all your godly ones will be found bowing before you. They will tell the world of the lavish splendor of your kingdom and preach about your limitless power. They will demonstrate for all to see your miracles of might and reveal the glorious majesty of your kingdom. You are the Lord who reigns over your never-ending kingdom through all the ages of time and eternity! You are faithful to fulfill every promise you’ve made. You manifest yourself as kindness in all you do. Weak and feeble ones you will sustain. Those bent over with burdens of shame you will lift up. You have captured our attention and the eyes of all look to you. You give what they hunger for at just the right time. When you open your generous hand, it’s full of blessings, satisfying the longings of every living thing. You are fair and righteous in everything you do, and your love is wrapped into all your works. You draw near to those who call out to you, listening closely, especially when their hearts are true. Every godly one receives even more than what they ask for. For you hear what their hearts really long for, and you bring them your saving strength. God, you watch carefully over all your devoted lovers like a bodyguard, but you will destroy the ungodly. I will praise you, Lord! Let everyone everywhere join me in praising the beautiful Lord of holiness from now through eternity! Psalms 145:1-21 TPT

It’s a big read this morning. I tried to choose a verse or two but there was just so much that when I finished reading, my heart was about to burst open and spill out all the pent up worship I’d been holding in.

I hope you feel the same. I hope this causes the godly, those who adore their Father, those who trust Him in the deepest and darkest times, to explode their praise.

Think of the impact that would have. The power of corporate worship done individually around the world. Standing in kitchens, kneeling by beds, riding in cars, right where they are. The deep surrender of worship.

My friends, for a few moments, lift up your worship. Read this Psalm aloud to the Lord if you can’t think of what to say. Close out the world and allow Him first place once more.

All glory, honor, and dominion to You, King of kings and Lord of lords. You’re always watching and listening to us. You are worthy of our love and our worship.

Sandy G

Love. We all search for it in relationships, in things, in money. The word love is used so loosely that I believe it’s become lost in the bywords of our society. ‘I love that outfit!’ ‘Love that new store!’ ‘Love those shoes!’

Ephesians 3:19 says that the love of God surpasses knowledge. We will never understand it, but we are partakers of it. That’s like drinking water, not sure how it came to be there, but we do enjoy it when we’re thirsty. I believe God wants us hungry for His love. I Corinthians 14:1a says, “Let love be your highest goal,”

So this morning, I pour out my love to you Lord in the only way I know how. I will lavish songs of love, words of love, my eyes squeezed shut as I think of you and the great love you have for me. My heart is overwhelmed by the many memories of your goodness. My hopeful, watchful eye of faith anticipates the goodness you will show me today, tomorrow and in days to come.

I drink from your cup of love and it quenches my parched soul. I cannot come away from this time with you and not be changed. Love really does cover and I am clothed with your love.

Sandy G

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25

If you find yourself focused on external things, you’re feeding a dead horse. It doesn’t benefit you or cause you to grow when you’re focused on the natural. If you disagree, keep feeding your body and let it do what it wants.

But when you lose yourself in Him, focus on His Word and His commands to you, then you tap into a well that satisfies you, enables you to grow spiritually and you’re more alive then you’ve ever been before.

You will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart. You will only find your life when you lose it in Him.

Come find Him with me.

Sandy G

I will stand at my guard post. I will station myself on the wall. I will watch to see what he will say to me and what answer I will get to my complaint. Then the Lord answered me, “Write the vision. Make it clear on tablets so that anyone can read it quickly. The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late.” Habakkuk 2:1-3 GWT

Each part of this spoke to me this morning. First was a call to stand at your guard post. Well, this is my post. Each morning, I come before the Lord, and we talk, me to Him, Him to me. I wait before the Lord because He always has something to say to me.

The second part was that when He speaks, write it down so you can go back and read it. Sometimes it’s not for now, but for an appointed time or season. Sometimes, it’s for someone else and not for me at all.

And third was that God says it will certainly happen. It won’t be late, but it may be delayed. The why is not important, but be assured that it will happen.

What has God spoken to you that you knew was for you? Just because you haven’t seen it yet, don’t give up on the promises of God. He’s never wrong, and He’s never late! Remember this: God doesn’t wear a watch. I’m pretty sure that would make Him us and not the Great I Am. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!

Sandy G