Then the Lord spoke his word to Elijah: “Get up, go to Zarephath (which belongs to Sidon), and stay there. I’ve commanded a widow there to feed you.”

He got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the town’s entrance, a widow was gathering wood. He called to her, “Please bring me a drink of water.” As she was going to get it, he called to her again, “Please bring me a piece of bread too.”

She said, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord your God lives, I didn’t bake any bread. I have one handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I’m gathering wood. I’m going to prepare something for myself and my son so that we can eat it and then die.”

Then Elijah told her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home, and do as you’ve said. But first make a small loaf and bring it to me. Then prepare something for yourself and your son. This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Until the Lord sends rain on the land, the jar of flour will never be empty and the jug will always contain oil.”

She did what Elijah had told her. So she, Elijah, and her family had food for a long time. The jar of flour never became empty, and the jug always contained olive oil, as the Lord had promised through Elijah. 1 Kings 17:8-16 GW

I cannot read this story without wondering how she felt, the widow. The water was easy, she went directly to quench his thirst. But when he asked for a piece of bread too, that was just too much. Her response was a cry of desperation that God had heard long before she said those words to the prophet.

Why is it God always asks from us the things that are hard to give. Our last bit of coin, our last bit of food, a boys two piece fish dinner? Is it that He’s had a plan to provide all along?

We share a room in our home to supplement our income. It’s been a season of drought as no one has rented for some time. Things have been tight and the struggle is real. I’m sure everyone can relate. With the costs going up and the income staying the same, there have been things we’ve just done without so that we can pay our bills on time.

I recently lowered my rates just so I could get something to help and got a hit. A woman showed up with a friend who was from out of state and down for the week. I gladly showed her the room and how to unlock the electronic locks. She asked if she could take a shower and I told her where the towels were.

It was obvious from the black eye she sported that something had happened. When I saw her on Sunday morning, I asked if she was in trouble and needed to talk, I was always available, she didn’t need to be afraid, she was in a safe place. Monday morning, instead of staying in my office, I heard the Lord nudge me to the dining room table. 10 minutes later she came out of her room, I fixed her breakfast and led into a loving relationship with Jesus.

I shared what I had and the day after she left I got a booking at full price for 8 days. God always wants to bless us, but He expects us to give first where we can.

Sandy G

In the morning, O LORD, hear my voice. In the morning I lay my needs in front of you, and I wait. Psalm 5:3 GW

When I read this verse, I thought of the past few weeks when I did just this. I had a need, a desperate need, and I came before the Lord just as David did. I lay it all down in front of Him for the sake of His covenant promises that He made with me. His Words, not mine. Promises of provision, of healing, of help in time of trouble.

And I waited. Trying not to pick up those needs I had placed in front of Him. It’s what I typically do though. If I don’t see God moving fast enough, I try to figure out what I can do. Do you do that?

But those who allow the process to work itself out, those who trust in the Lord with their whole heart and don’t lean on their own wisdom, but acknowledge that He is well able to keep what is committed to Him, those are the ones He rewards.

You don’t need to look for another job, just look to Him. If He wants to bless you with a better job, He will lead you down that path. Just trust Him.

You don’t need to constantly wonder how He’s going to do it, letting those scenarios constantly loop through your mind. Place them there before Him and wait.

Don’t just wait drumming your fingers on the table. Don’t just wait stressing and worrying about what’s taking so long. Worship while waiting. Exalt Him as the God He is, ever faithful, always watching over you, your children and your grandchildren. Tell Him you’re thankful for His always keeping His Word to you.

When the answer comes, it will be doubly good because you waited well.

Sandy G

Shout happily to God, all the earth! Make music to praise the glory of His name. Make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awe-inspiring are Your deeds! Your power is so great that Your enemies will cringe in front of You. The whole earth will worship You. It will make music to praise You. It will make music to praise Your name.” Psalm 66:1-4 GW

Friday’s deserve a shout! It’s typically the last day of the work week, and it’s especially sweet when it’s a payday week. But although I worship and praise God everyday, Friday is my shout day.

This is what this morning held: HEY FATHER! I’M GIVING YOU A SHOUT OUT, LETTING YOU KNOW HOW THANKFUL I AM. I COULDN’T HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THIS WEEK WITHOUT YOU. IT’S EXCITING TO SERVE YOU, TO BE AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO WORK THROUGH. MAY YOUR PRESENCE CHASE AFTER ME INTO THE WEEKEND SO I WILL BE FRESH AND NEW WHEN MONDAY RETURNS.

I made up a corny sounding song which I sang to Him. I giggled when I sang it and I think I heard Him giggle too. He loves it when I do that. Not for anyone but Him. Ever catch a glimpse of someone looking weird while driving down the road? That’s someone who no longer cares what the world thinks.

Go ahead! Lose yourself on purpose and give a shout out to the Father.

Sandy G

Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1

If you’ve read this story, you’ll be familiar with the fact that God didn’t give Abram a map to guide him to the land He was sending him to. No, God said to get up and go to a place I will show you. God requires our action first, before we get His reaction.

God is a motion sensitive God. When we move, He moves. When we seek Him, we find Him. When we give, its given back to us. When we raise our hands and praise Him, He responds by coming into our midst. That’s why they sent singers into battle first, because they knew it would evoke the presence of God and assure the victory.

He expects us to do what He asks. Go figure! Just like we expect our children to do what we ask when we ask. We tend to get frustrated when they don’t. It’s a wonder He doesn’t get frustrated with us! We need to move it, move it!

And when we’re still, we get His direction. Don’t move without it!

Oh Astounding God, if I stand, you’re there. When I’m asleep, You watch over me. When I move, You direct my steps. Is anything too hard for You?

So I will wait in Your presence until I’m clear in Your direction and move till You show me where to stop.

Sandy G

But the Lord will be the Savior of all who love Him. Even in their time of trouble, God will live in them as strength. Because of their faith in Him, their daily portion will be a Father’s help and deliverance from evil. This is true for all who turn to hide themselves in Him! Psalm 37:39-40 TPT

I’m thankful that the Lord is my Savior. He is my strength in my time of weakness and in times of trouble, I can run and take refuge in Him.

When I feel I’m a target for the enemy and feel his arrows whizzing by my head, I can call out to God, “Father, hide me!” and just as quick as that, I feel myself being pulled aside in the shelter of a Rock, hidden from persistent pursuit of evil forces. I see them pass by, but they are no longer a threat to my safety and peace.

Turn aside today. Sit with Father and allow His arms to hold you in what you’re facing today. Whatever you need Him to be, He is. Healer. Provider. Deliverer. Strength. Help. Call out to Him, “Here I am, I need You to be that for me.”

He is.

Sandy G

“The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” James 5:16b AMPC

That word, earnest is defined as serious and zealous in intention, purpose, or effort; showing depth or sincerity of feeling; seriously important, demanding or receiving serious attention.

Did you also know that if you are a believer, you are made righteous not by what you do, but because of what Christ did. You are in right standing with God because of the sacrifice Jesus made for you.

So I like to say it like this; Because I’m in right standing with my Father, when I pray intentional prayers with passion and zeal, I know my prayers are powerful and effective. Because the Spirit of God lives within me, He bears witness and intensifies the words that come out of my mouth and causes those things that I say to come to pass.

I can only pray passionately when I believe in what I’m praying. I believe the Word of God, so when I pray the Word, I know it’s still as alive and powerful as when it was first spoken. I can count on God to keep His Word because He cannot and will not ever lie.

Never think for a moment God doesn’t listen to the cries of His people. He hears & answers.
Your prayers are heard! Don’t quit now!!!

How well God must like you—you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats, you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings, you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls. Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust—Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. God charts the road you take. The road they take leads to nowhere. Psalm 1 Message

The wicked are windblown dust. They are blown by every small breeze that comes along. Their life has no purpose other than self made goals and plans. They seem to pursue whatever suits their fancy at any given moment.

But God loves you and charts the road you take. Remember that as you walk out your day. Psalm 37:23 says it like this; The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.

When you delight yourself in the Lord and feast at His table, He watches over you and the steps you take. You need not fear for He is with you.

Be Blessed,

Sandy G

And David said to Saul, “May no one’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!” But Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight him; for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior since his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock, I went out after it and attacked it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I grabbed it by its mane and struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.” 1 Samuel 17:32-36

David was a shepherd tending sheep when his father sent him to take food to his brothers. When he heard Goliath taunting the army of God, he was appalled. He knew who God was and what God was able to do. Gods people had been in battle for so long, they forgot who God was to them. They listened to the enemy day after day after day until it messed with their mind and created fear in them.

David went through a whole lot of stuff before he sat on the throne, but he never lost sight of who God was in him and for him. He worshipped until He slipped behind the veil and sat in His sanctuary. He found the key to the throne room was in His worship.

If you want David’s passion, you must know God deeply. If you want Davids record of conquests, you must first seek God for direction before making decisions. If you want wealth like David, you must prepare to give to God first with your money. David wasn’t moved by his surroundings, he was only moved by God. He heard God speak because he practiced communion with Him. Pay the price, have the life!

Sandy G

Jesus said to her, “Believe Me, woman, that a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. But a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:21‭-‬24

I talked yesterday about the importance of worship in your daily routine. I hope you’re doing it and that you notice a difference. Even if you don’t, do not give up. The end of these verses say it so well, God is a spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

It’s not a public thing, it’s a private thing. When you don’t do it to be heard by others, you do it simply to be known by Him. It’s personal and precious to your Father when you drop off everything and just sit with your head on His lap and love on Him. Keep doing it until you experience that. It’s life-changing.

Besides, you can’t fool God. He knows your heart better than you do and He is able to take what is broken and put it back together again. He’s good that way!

“Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love him in return and will reveal myself to him.” John 14:21

Sandy G

Everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6 NASB

I was reminded this morning of the importance of what we use our breath for.  Obviously breathing is super important. If we didn’t breathe, we’d be dead. But each and everyday, I hear people wasting that precious commodity on griping and complaining, talking fear and frustration instead of being thankful and praising God.

The things we spend time listening to consumes our thoughts and words. It’s those very things which determines our direction and outcomes. But what if we could change all that by making simple adjustments? Are you interested? If you are, keep reading.

David wrote, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord my strength and my redeemer.” He knew the importance of meditating and listening to right things, so much so that he made it his prayer.

I’m not saying we won’t slip up and be consumed by the turbulence going on around us, but what if we got up every morning and put on some worship music and entered His courts with praise? What would that shift in our lives, our homes and our families?

Sometimes in our attempts to be ‘spiritual’ we lose the simplicity of access to His presence. It’s not in doing more, but doing the right things.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courtyards with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Psalm 100:4 NASB

You can pass through His open gates with the password of praise. Come right into His presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to Him and affectionately bless His beautiful name! Psalm 100:4 TPT

Try doing this for a month and see what happens. Put on some worship music that makes declarations. I played one this morning that was entitled, I Will Not Fear. When I finished, my spirit soared as I once again elevated His name above lack, poverty, sickness and disease. His name over my children, my grandchildren, my family and friends. There is no other name higher than the name of Jesus.

Don’t waste your breath talking like the world does, put your faith in God. He is indeed bigger than all of that.

Sandy G