The angel told me to give Zerubbabel this message from the Lord: “You will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by my spirit. Obstacles as great as mountains will disappear before you. You will rebuild the Temple, and as you put the last stone in place, the people will shout, ‘Beautiful, beautiful!’” Zechariah 4:6-7 GNT
I have this personalized and placed on my mirror. I read it like this; “Sandy, you will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by My Spirit. Obstacles as great as mountains will disappear before you. Sandy, you will rebuild the Temple, and as you put the last stone in place, the people will shout, ‘Beautiful, beautiful!'”
Whatever you’re facing may look too big for you, but remember this, this is not your battle, it’s Gods. If He said you will win, then there’s nothing that can stop you! If He said you’re healed, there’s nothing to keep it from you. If He said He’s your provider, go about your business because He’s got this!
God loves being your hero! People might think you’re crazy, that’s ok. They didn’t think Zerubbabel would finish rebuilding the temple, but he did. Against all odds and so much opposition! You will go from ‘nobody’ to ‘somebody’ when you believe and trust in God.
And the crowds marveled with amazement, astounded over the things they were witnessing with their own eyes! The lame were walking, the mute were speaking, the crippled were made well, and the blind could see. For three days everyone celebrated the miracles as they exalted and praised the God of Israel! Matthew 15:31 TPT
Can you imagine following Jesus from place to place, watching as those blind eyes were open, the deaf hearing and lame walking? But He did, didn’t He?!
And that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me. It lives in you as well. The same power that Jesus tapped into is available to us as well.
Here is what I have discovered; God is no respecter of persons. What He did for others, He will do for you and me. If He open the blind eyes then, He will open blind eyes now. There is no doubt in my mind or in my heart about that.
I do not pretend to know the mind of God or His plans or purposes. Those are all His! He has things in store for us that we cannot even imagine. We foolishly waste our time trying to figure all that out. His view encompasses a much greater span than I have.
But this I do know, He is a Covenant keeping God. I say it to myself everyday. The blood of Jesus didn’t just save, heal and deliver that day, but everyday since. It doesn’t go out of style. It keeps on working!
Tomorrow I take my youngest daughter for an injection in her eye. On Wednesday, she goes for emergency surgery just to save the vision in her one remaining seeing eye. I’m not angry that God didn’t do it the way I expected. I’m focused on His voice and casting the care of it on Him.
I am watching as her confidence in God boosts my own. She is believing for a financial miracle as well as a healing miracle. So many have lavished love on her, and I’ve watched her be affected by that love in such a positive way.
You see, I’ve come to realize that God has a plan for all these things I’ve been through over the past two and a half years. It is to grow my trust in Him to such a level that it cannot be shaken. I’ve never thought myself to be like Job, but I know that if he gave Job back more than he lost, he will do the same for us. He’s just that kind of God!
I entitled this, The Blind See, but it’s not just physical blindness that needs to be fixed. It’s spiritual blindness in the hearts of His people. He’s crying out to us, “Open your eyes! See me for who I am. I love you with an everlasting love and that will never change. Stop trying to figure everything out and trust me!”
For those who are interested in donating, here are some ways that you can do that. Cashap $SassyMcfrass or Venmo @Shannon_Gregory (last 4 digits of ph# 7609) or through my paypal memagregory@yahoo.com
So don’t be impatient for Yahweh to act; keep moving forward steadily in his ways, and he will exalt you to possess the land. You’ll watch with your own eyes and see the wicked lose everything. Psalm 37:34
Now that’s a tough one to swallow. I’m not sure how you are in the patience category, but way down there on the tatum pole. The reward sounds great though, if we can just stay focused.
I was laying in bed trying to problem solve an unexpected need when I thought, well Sandy, if you can’t figure it out, perhaps you should put it in Gods hands. He seems to know a whole lot more than you do. He can figure it out.
So when I saw this verse, I realized that my job is to keep moving forward. Steadily in His ways, not my own. He sees things differently. His perspective has amazing clarity. That’s all I need to know. Keep moving. Focus on Him. Walk on, Gregory!
I have a bank account—He owns all the banks. I eat beef—He owns all the cattle. Perspective.
Who knew that a simple change of position, stepping behind and following instead of leading, would bring me to a place of receiving instead of striving.
Listen, my radiant one—if you ever lose sight of me, just follow in my footsteps where I lead my lovers. Come with your burdens and cares. Come to the place near the sanctuary of my shepherds. Song of Songs 1:8 TPT Bible
There are several reasons I love this verse, but the one I’d like to focus on this morning is that if we lose sight of Him on our journey, all we need do is look for His footsteps and follow them till we catch up with Him once more. Isn’t that a comforting thought?
Distractions happen. Keeping your eyes on the prize isn’t always easy when so much is happening around you. We’ve all been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, wore it out and bought another. That’s just life, right? But to know that at any point, we can pick up His steps and walk on, that’s encouraging.
You can’t walk too far away that He can’t be reached. The mere mention of His Name brings Him into any situation you may face. Jesus. Say it and watch Him rush in.
Today in your current situation, call Him. Call His name, Jesus. Let His presence still the raging sea and transform your current waves to still water. You can bring all your burdens and cares and lay them before you. He cares for you.
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 amp
When you purchase a home, you’re given a key to that house. How silly would it be for you to tell everyone you own the house but never open the door and move in? What good is a home if you don’t live there?
Jesus gave us the keys to the Kingdom but we don’t use the keys to unlock the gate and live Kingdom lives. We talk about it, but we live outside the gate, pointing our fingers, ‘This is my eternal home. This is where I’m gonna live someday!’
It’s time to begin reading the Word and believing what we read. Lets bind up sickness and disease and loose healing. Lets bind up poverty and loose increase. Lets not pray it once, and say it just doesn’t work for me! Lets use the power given and contend for what is rightfully ours. Lets bind the strong man everyday. Lets worship and give thanks for the Kingdom thats within us!
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit up into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. After a fast of forty days and nights he was very hungry. Matthew 4:1 Phillips
Well, I imagine He was hungry. Not only hungry, but pretty weak as well. 40 days? I’d be hungry after a day! How about you?
Have you ever been led to a wilderness in a weakened condition to be tested? Think about it. What kinds of hurdles and obstacles have you had to jump over on your journey? Have you ever gone through something and heard a voice say, “God doesn’t care about you! He doesn’t keep His promises. Maybe for others, but not for you. He’s not going to heal you. You say, ‘I will live and not die and declare the works of the Lord’, but will you?”
That’s being tempted to walk away from what you know deep down in your heart is truth. Even those of us who have walked with God for a long time have faced these ‘temptations’ to let go and fall away. To allow the darkness to consume you simply because you don’t see a way out.
Jesus told us we’d go through trials. He said we’d face hard times but He also said, “Be of good cheer, I’ve overcome the world!” Regardless of where you are, He’s with you. Regardless of what you face, you’re not alone.
Look what happened at the end of the temptation; Then the devil let him alone, and the angels came to him and took care of him. (verse 11) You can look forward to that at the end of what you’re going through, He’ll send His angels to minister to you because God won’t do anything less for you.
Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to becontent (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. Philippians 4:11 Amplified
Have you ever quoted this verse to yourself or someone else with the intent of conveying that ‘you just need to be happy where you are’? I have. But that word is interpreted quite differently here. It’s actually referring to your state of mind while going through something.
Paul said it’s a journey, a lesson learned, a process that goes beyond just satisfied. It’s not allowing the situation you face to shake you, it’s allowing your trust in God to keep you in place of peace that is so deep, it covers all the surrounding turmoil.
So my thoughts on this today are simple; I must not be disturbed or disquieted. Even when the rough waves of the water threaten to zap me of strength to stand against their onslaught, I stand not in my own peace, but His. I trust in the Lord with all my heart, leaning not on my own understanding, but in His. He’s my Father, He loves me, where He leads me will place me where He needs me most.
Then I heard what sounded like a crowd, like the sound of a roaring waterfall, like loud peals of thunder. I heard them say, “Praise God! For the Lord, our Almighty God, is King! Let us rejoice and be glad; let us praise his greatness! For the time has come for the wedding of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself for it. She has been given clean shining linen to wear.” (The linen is the good deeds of God’s people.) Revelation 19:6-8
I’ve stood at the edge of Niagara Falls watching the water fall and hearing the mighty roar of it’s falling. I’ve stood in a stadium, listening as the crowd roared and cheered when the concert ended, wanting more. But my friend, imagine that amplified a kazillion times when all of heaven cheers at the announcement, “My Son is getting Married today! His bride is ready!”
Many of us are waiting, hoping, wondering, longing to hear those words. Are we ready? Truly ready? Or is that what He’s waiting for, a bride who is ready, spotless and white, occupying until He comes. Are you speaking His Word, doing good deeds, righteous deeds for others?
I have a dear friend who is getting married today in a private ceremony. I’ve watched her this past year as she’s prepared herself for her love. I’ve also met her betrothed and I can tell you, he’s definitely a keeper! But when I spoke with her on Monday, she voiced her hearts cry to me which should be all of ours, that this relationship not come between her and Jesus. She said she would rather walk away then allow that to happen.
That stirred me and I’ve thought about those words all week and echo that; may I have the courage to step away from anyone or thing that would try to separate me from the love of Jesus. There can be no substitute, no hinderances as we continue to run our race toward the finish line. If those around us aren’t cheering us on, if they’re trying to keep us in their comfort zone, convince us we should take a break or rest, we must walk away and continue the race without them.
Father, I want to be ready, spotless and pure, running toward You! My heart longs for and follows hard after You! You alone are worthy to receive glory and honor and praise. I love You immensely. I long for You deeply.
Today as I reach up my hands to touch Your finger tips, may I feel You envelop me with Your arms, holding me close to You. May I feel Your heart beat as You breathe on my neck giving me strength to finish well.
You are more real to me then anything I could see or feel in my natural realm. I do love You. You will return for me and that is enough for now. I will wait and in my waiting, I will be faithful to You and Your Word. I will listen closely when You speak and be quick to move as You lead.
A person may have many ideas concerning God’s plan for his life, but only the designs of God’s purpose will succeed in the end. Proverbs 19:21 TPT
Again I’m blown away by the plans God has for me and how many times I’ve seen Him answer prayers. I can look back over my past and tell you stories that would blow your mind. I’m sure you have seen the same things. I’d love to hear about them!
This morning I’ll share something very recent in hopes you’ll be encouraged. Many of you are aware that I rent a room on and off a commonly used site. I’ve been doing it for over two years and have met some pretty amazing people. Some of them have remained a part of our lives and visit often. It’s such a blessing!
About a week ago, I had a woman book with me for a week. She happened to arrive on the evening we were hosting our church’s connect group so I reached out to her, giving her a heads up that we would probably be having about 10 people there and she was welcome to join us. She responded that she had previous plans, but would never be scared away by a church event. Well, that was positive.
I briefly was able to welcome her to our home that evening and as we spoke, I instantly liked her. I don’t normally do this, but was overcome with the urge to hug her, so I did, and she hugged me back. The next day, I went to work thinking, I really like her. She’s my kind of people and I couldn’t wait to get to know a little bit about her.
So the next evening, I was able to talk with her a little bit more and asked a little more about her. She mentioned she worked for a landscaper and at one time, had her own small landscaping business. She said she noticed we were working on the small courtyard attached to her room and would love to help us, stating she loved doing things like that.
What she didn’t know was this; I had a vision when we first bought the house of taking out the window and putting in a door going out into the side yard. I wanted to fence it in, put in pavers and lights to create a tropical retreat for our guests. Well, I had saved up the money, had the doors done and the fencing done, all that remained was the pavers.
Due to an unexpected surgery 6 weeks earlier, I couldn’t lift anything at all, so I was very frustrated that I couldn’t finish the project that was so close to completion. I was able to hang the lights, spray painted the small table and chairs and cleaned up the area. I even had a friend donate a good share of the pavers, but I could only look at them and wonder who I could get to come and finish it for me. I was willing to pay, but I couldn’t find anyone who knew how and I didn’t want to spend $1000 on a landscaper to do it.
I remember saying, “Lord, you’re going to have to work this out. I don’t want to be frustrated anymore.”
For 3 free nights, she’s finished my courtyard for me. I cried. Especially when I realized just what God did to arrange this. She’d just recently sold her house and needed a place to stay until she could find a place to rent. When I told her our steps are ordered by the Lord and He delights in the plans He has for us, she said her daughter had just told her the same thing.
I told her my story and that she was an answered prayer, a gift from God, she cried. We never know who God will send or the purpose for their visit, but we’re alway prepared to open our home and hearts, to encourage and be ready to build friendships and love as Jesus does.
I know this is a long story, but thanks for reading it. God still has plans and we’re right in the middle of it.
God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Don’t send me away from you. Don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy that comes from being saved by you. Give me a spirit that obeys you. That will keep me going, Then I will teach your ways to those who commit lawless acts and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:10-13 NIRV
This has been my prayer since I was 15 and surrendered my life to Christ. Pure heart, faithful spirit and please oh please, don’t send me away or leave me. I remember praying this one morning to hear the Lord whisper, “I could never leave you! Since my Spirit is in you, when I leave, you’re coming with me.” I stopped praying that part of the prayer, but the rest, well it’s still my desire.
The next part is what we should do daily; remembering what it was like when we first learned of forgiveness and grace. Being thankful. Going over the goodness God has poured into our lives. Then the big one: Give me a spirit that obeys you, that keeps me going. An obedient heart with a tenacious spirit.
I don’t ever want to miss an opportunity, an open door or a chance to affect a life for God. A constant reminder that my life is not my own. Sometimes it thinks it is, but I have to constantly remind myself, no, flesh! You are free because of someones sacrifice and that someone was Jesus. A love that big deserves more then I have to give so I give it all.
Someday, I will stand before Him, wrap my arms around Him, hug Him hard and fall at His feet and kiss them. I will scream out, “HOLY”, “WORTHY”, “THANK YOU!” and begin again. How I long for that day. The eternal ‘Friday’! Never to have to labor again.
remnantposts by sandy gregory 