Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:7-9 NKJV

This morning I want to focus on verse 9 in what I like to call the ‘And’ verse. Paul is telling the church at Galatia a whole lot of good stuff, but the meaning is this, regardless of what others choose to do, you do what is right and keep doing it. Don’t be discouraged or downhearted when you see the wicked keep doing wickedness and seem to live prosperous and content. We have something they do not….peace. And the knowledge that if we continue doing right, we will reap a harvest, whether it’s tough going or not.

It’s easy for your faith to wane and not realize it. How so? Let me try to explain and maybe you’ll understand.

I went to the beach with my friends a couple weeks ago. The waves were huge! I thought how fun! I love huge waves. Jumping over them and having them bump into you and over your head. We were laughing and having a good time. Suddenly I felt exhausted. I didn’t realize how tired I was until I got back to the beach and sat down in my chair. My legs almost gave out.

Life can be that way sometimes. When you’re currently beaten on every side and you don’t realize how tired you are. You just keep going because you have to. There’s no one else to take over for you. God sends people to encourage you, but you do it because you must.

You don’t realize how tired you are until the end of one battle comes with another right on its tail. But you have to stay up because there’s no one else to fight it. You don’t even have time to call your prayer team cause decisions have to be made in the moment.

Spouse, children, finances, property and it repeats in various forms until you want to curl into a ball and roll away. Hey, I’m not a quitter, but lately, it’s been super tempting. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. In fact many people I personally know have been under similar circumstances.

Plant your seed of faith in the fertilizer of your circumstances and pray for rain. Don’t give up on your promises just because it’s been a longer season than normal. You will reap your harvest if you don’t give up.

I pray for you today that strength burst forth into your seed. I pray that you be lifted up in your faith. I asked that the heavenly father give you a sign in your season that your Harvest is on the way. It’s in Jesus name and for his glory I pray. Amen

Sandy G

The sinful people of Zion are trembling with fright. They say, “God’s judgment is like a fire that burns forever. Can any of us survive a fire like that?” You can survive if you say and do what is right. Don’t use your power to cheat the poor and don’t accept bribes. Don’t join with those who plan to commit murder or to do other evil things. Then you will be safe; you will be as secure as if in a strong fortress. You will have food to eat and water to drink.

This should be handed to every person running for Senate or Congress as a reminder of what God thinks those who use their power for evil and not good. Hey, I didn’t say it, God did, and I agree wholeheartedly.

Learning to do what is right in any situation or position in life that you hold, is often a challenge. Be it as a manager, owner, or even a mother or father, those are positions of leadership and power and we should not walk in those positions and treat those under our leadership poorly. It’s an honor to be those things, but only if you do right in that position.

With every admonition God gives, there is a flip side or a blessing. If you do evil, you’ll get this. If you do good, you’ll get this. Like most parents, we warn our children by telling them what will happen if they choose the wrong choice. Those lessons follow us through life and allow us to make right choices every day.

So in this case God says, “Then you will be safe; you will be as secure as if in a strong fortress. You will have food to eat and water to drink.” Those are not small things in the days and times we currently live in. Being safe. Having enough to eat and drink. You’ll see it happening around you but the Father has called you ‘SAFE’.

Join me in saying, “Thank You Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You Lord, for making me whole. Thank You Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

Sandy G

O LORD, be gracious to us; We have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, Our salvation also in the time of trouble. Isaiah 33:3

Be pleasantly kind, benevolent and courteous to us. That is my prayer this morning and every morning. I’ve waited. Impatiently, patiently for so so long! It almost feels as if you’re not listening, or perhaps you’re busy with your many other children. But I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere. Still waiting.

Be the arm I lean on every morning. When I’m tired and feel I can’t go on, may I reach for you and find you there, steady, strong and ready to hold me up. When I look in the mirror and ready myself for the day, may I see your reflection behind me, smiling lovingly at me.

Be my salvation. Protect me from harm, risk, loss or destruction as I go about my day. In the times when I don’t see the dangers, watch over me. May I not fall into a trap and be wounded. May my foot follow in your footsteps for you indeed know the way.

Trouble may be ever near, but you are nearer still. Don’t let the voices of those around me drown out the whisper in my heart. That place is yours, forever and always.

Your Daughter,

Sandy G

Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. Genesis 37:5

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” Genesis 41:15

These two verses are about Joseph. One is a very young Joseph who overshared his dream with those who didn’t appreciate his gift. The other was for the purpose God had for him to interpret dreams. One man, two seasons. Joseph had to go through the first verse to get to the second verse.

Do you see that? Our lives are all about lessons. Lessons are to teach us how to dream and who to listen to for the interpretation of that dream. If you share your dream with those who don’t appreciate where God is leading you, you’ll only end up hated and persecuted all the more for it.

Keep your dream hidden where only God can see it and He will show you the truth of it when He’s ready. It’s exciting to see visions and dreams, and of course we want to share them. It’s our nature. But the important ones, the ones you know are from God for you, hold onto them and in the right season, He will show you the purpose for them.

2ndly, don’t ever give up on your dream. Regardless of age or social status, one touch of favor from God is all you need to succeed. There are ways you haven’t thought of yet, but they’re in there. All you have to do is spend time in the presence of God until you hear Him clearly speak, then get off your butt and do it!

Races aren’t run sitting on the couch and God can’t direct your steps if you’re not stepping. Don’t allow fear to freeze frame your faith. Allow God to set you up where He wants and don’t look at the unknown and freak. God’s already been there waiting.

Sandy G

Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him. Psalm 34:8 TPT

Have you ever enjoyed a meal so much that you just had to take the leftovers with you? That was my thought when visiting with the Lord this morning. It was so good, I just wanted to take Him along with me to to taste again and again.

I think that is what made David such a successful King and warrior. He didn’t just need God on occasion. He didn’t just call on God when there was trouble. David spoke of His goodness and called on Him early in the morning and all day long. David realized that no matter what the course of his life, he needed God.

I need you Father! It was never your plan that I become independent of you. I need you as a wife & mom, as a teacher & worshipper, as a friend & encourager. In balancing my checkbook and my life, I need you. I’ll take you everywhere I go and enjoy the fellowship with you. Like sun shining through the darkness, I will partake of you again and again.

Sandy G

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 NASB2020

We’ve all got the same Father but we each have a different and unique relationship with Him. Why is that? Because of our varied personalities and giftings.

My dad died when I was young but I’m not fatherless. That would have been the time I went to an alone place and learned to talk with my heavenly Father. Would I have taken that direction if my dad hadn’t died? I don’t know but God does. My mom modeled that to me. I saw her spend hours on her knees, crying out, grieving, pouring out her heart before her Father.

If she hadn’t been in that position, would she have married an evangelist/construction worker, stepped out in faith to move to Haiti, start an orphanage and a clinic, raise 2 generations of children and sow into them as she did us? Doubtful. Others may have done it differently, but she did it out of conversations with her Father.

We each have experienced multiple seasons of stress, shifting and pain. Growth is accompanied with change. With that comes new coverings because what used to fit, doesn’t fit anymore. What fits me may not fit you. God has designed a specific garment for you to wear and He intends for you to wear it well.

I may be a mother, but I’m a different mother to each of my daughters because they are both different and have different needs. I can no more expect anything different from my heavenly Father, who knows me by name and loves me for who I am. God isn’t cookie cutter either. He will always be who I need Him to be for me.

Be happy with who you are and where you are, but don’t get so comfortable there that you won’t allow God to move you along to a new place in this new season. It’s not about you, your comfort or happiness. It’s about Him, His Kingdom and His plans. Just keep your eyes on Him and let Him lead you in the path He’s prepared for you.

Sandy G

Each day as I get up in the morning and dress for my day, I have choices to make. Greater than should I wear the blue shirt or the brown one is: What will our mindset be?

Will I keep my mind on Jesus and the amazing things He’s done for me or will I focus on all of my woes and problems. Will I look for opportunities to show His love or will I focus on how horribly selfish everyone else is.

The other day I shared this verse found in Isaiah 26:3. It says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” That’s what I’m going for this Friday. I want His peace so I will trust in him. Perfect peace-nothing missing or broken!

My heart is set on You, Lord. It’s set on listening to Your voice and obeying Your whispers. You lead me into all truth and my heart trusts in You.

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9

Those things you’ve been through, the hard things, the things you questioned and asked, “Why?” Yes those things! The sleepless nights, the sense of brokenness, loneliness and loss. Those are the ‘former’ things.

But did you notice He said, “they have come to pass,”? They are now in the past. That also means they were ordered, necessary, part of a plan that you had no clue was a set up to the new things God is declaring over you today.

And not only that, but BEFORE they happen, He will tell you of them. Did you read that? BEFORE they happen, He will tell YOU.

I say to you my wounded friend, those who have been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders-LET IT GO! God created you for purpose-HIS!!! Surrender your load. Take off your old clothes and but on your new ones. His righteousness. His plan is to bless you, but you’re so focused on what you’ve lost that you can’t see that you’re standing right smack dab in the middle of the most wonderful things yet.

Father, give us new eyes! Let hope arise in the hearts of Your children as we begin to worship You today and praise you for the past, but rejoice in our future. You always had a plan, and even when we were too self absorbed to see it, it was there all the time. We love You Lord and give You the glory for this new road we’re on, because it leads to You. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB

When I was young, I used to have these two verses on a small glass engraved picture that hung on a chain in my bedroom. I guess even way back then, the Lord knew I’d need this. I’ve been writing a lot about trust lately. Perhaps you’re tired of hearing it, but I seriously need reminding.

It seems like our family has been hit by one storm after another, after another and they keep on coming. It reminds me a bit of a hurricane, where the wind comes in waves, beating everything it comes in contact with. The strong winds circle around, impacting the area until the storm passes. Sometimes it causes extreme damage, sometimes just a little.

Living in Florida, we’ve seen many a hurricane. Just a couple years after we moved down, we had 5 go through our state. It was quite the year, for sure. But one thing I learned is to listen to the Holy Spirit, not the weather station. If you listen with a calm spirit, you will hear clearly whether to stay or go, avoiding panic and anxiety.

That’s what the 2nd part of that verse says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.” How do you do that? By saying, God, you’re bigger than any storm or wind. You created them and they are subject to your Word.

In times of stress, I stop and acknowledge that He will make clear the direction I should take and I trust that direction. I may ‘feel’ like I should go right, but if He says go left, I’ll obey. There is always a reason. I may want one thing, but if He directs me toward another, there’s a reason and I will trust Him.

I hope you stay rooted to the peace of His presence and allow Him to do what only He can do.

Sandy G

“Your lives light up the world. For how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place?  Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light!  Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works  will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 TPT

Sometimes I let the real me shine for just a moment and in doing so, I must be so bright that I blind people by my pure awesomeness. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have never had a problem speaking truth, even if it’s not what they would do.

You will never hear me in any way speak against those in authority over me, be it public office or my job. However, if it clearly goes against Biblical truth, I’m not afraid of losing popularity or going against public opinion.

My children and grandchildren will not be confused in what I believe is right and wrong. Even my adopted daughters know that I will always love them but will not tolerate or candy coat the Word to make it fit their lifestyle.

There is peace and freedom in embracing Gods’ commands and I intend to stand up for my rights as a Christian to not bow down just because everyone else does.

I love each one of you! That is all.

Sandy G