“How long before dinner’s ready?”
“Twenty minutes left on the timer and it’s ready.”

Wouldn’t it be great if we could predict when an expected promise would show up? Like setting a timer on the oven. The alarm goes off and it’s finished! How long should we wait? Until we see it!

“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Jesus said this in Mark 11:24 just after He had cursed the fig tree because it wasn’t producing figs when He was hungry. The disciples were amazed at what they saw, but Jesus wasn’t. He expected it.

So according to this verse, I see three key components to manifestation: 1. ASK 2. BELIEVE 3. RECEIVE

Expect what you ask for, no doubting. Your words have power, my friend. The bible says that life and death is in the power of our words so we must use them right to reap the fruit. Don’t teeter totter on what you’re believing for, wondering which way it will go. BELIEVE that the things you say will come to pass, walk away and EXPECT the manifestation.

You don’t stand looking in the oven, waiting for the timer to go off. That’s the reason for the timer. You can go do other things because the timer is set to tell you when to take it out.

Don’t wonder how God will do it, when God will do it or where God will do it. Suffice it to say, God will do it! Keep your thoughts on the Word and continue doing what God has told you to do. Get excited! Rejoice! Put on your dancin shoes! God loves to give good gifts to his children, and you’re no exception.

Father, it’s a new day and I am confident that when the process is finished, I will receive what I’ve asked for in faith. In the meantime, I will rejoice in You and believe that what You said, You will do. I’ve got things to do in the process, so I ask that You’ll accompany me today. Open doors of opportunity to share Your great love with others. It’s all about You! Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. It’s in Jesus’ name-DING-It’s done!

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I feel in my spirit that there are so many discouraged people out there today. People who woke up with a bad case of the Monday blues. Perhaps you’re just ready to give up the good fight because the good fight just got nasty. You’re not alone in your battle.

The bible says that the battle isn’t ours, its Gods. I think the reason people quit is because they allow the pain of rejection to become their own. Remember, they’re not rejecting you, they’re rejecting the God in you and though He was rejected of men, He still went to the cross, paid the price, redeemed you back then came back and gave you authority over all the power of the enemy.

If it’s happened to you, welcome. Welcome to an elite troupe of overcomer’s, those who have learned where their help comes from. Take all that hurt, bitterness and resentment and give it to the Lord. He is your strength, He is your help. He is your deliverer.

Here’s something else that overcomer’s have learned; Pray for your attackers. Yeah, I know, makes no sense in the natural, but it sure brings victory in the supernatural. Only God can see the outcome of your battle. When you look to Him, get HIS instruction, you’ll win every time.

You are an overcomer!

Every Easter Sunday, thousands gather in churches throughout the world to hear the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. But that’s not what Jesus said to do! In Marks account of the gospel, chapter 16, Jesus had told them what to do and where to go do it-into all the world.

So we still sit in our comfortable churches, inviting people to come sit with us to hear about Jesus instead of going out to them where they’re at and living the true gospel of Jesus. What is the true gospel? It’s loving others as Christ loved us. It’s caring enough to heal the sick, cast out tormenting spirits, raise people from the dead. It’s the first place Jesus went, out where the people were.

“Go everywhere in the world. Tell the Good News to everyone. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. But those who do not believe will be judged guilty. And the people who believe will be able to do these things as proof: They will use my name to force demons out of people. They will speak in languages they never learned. If they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be hurt. They will lay their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Father, I’m sorry for letting you down, for not going and being who you created and called me to be. I’ve allowed it to be about me when clearly it’s about others. I’m trying to get it right, see if it will work for me before I go ‘try’ it out on someone else. You clearly showed us it’s better to give than to receive but here we sit with our hands held out saying, ‘gimme, gimme, gimme’, ‘me first! me first!’

Lord, this Easter, may it not be about baskets of candy and fun for our children, but may we take our children into the community and show them how to heal the sick and cast out demons, even to show them how to love like you. “Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me. And that thou bidst me come to thee. Oh Lamb of God I come. I come.” Amen

Ps 34:19 “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”

What a word for us this morning. God sees everything you’re going through, every lie spoken about you, every seemingly impossible situation.

He hears the lies the enemy is whispering in your ear, ‘You’ll never get a job! You’re gonna lose your house! Your God will never come through for you! Is there really a God? You’ll never get married!’

But know this, God says we WILL face troubles, probably more then our share, but the Lord comes to our rescue each and every time.

Wait for it, wait for it, He’s coming to the rescue, just in time. Just remember t get your eyes off your own problems and see what you can do for those around you. Do some ‘makes-no-sense’ kind of goodness to others then watch it come back to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-14

No. I don’t have my holidays mixed up! Yes. I know this is typically spoken during the time we celebrate Christ’s birth, not death and resurrection. But when I was thinking of this weekend being Easter, I thought, if He’d never been born, He would have never died.

It’s a simple truth, really. God had a plan, a very big plan, to buy us access to Him without the rituals of daily blood and sacrifice. A one time, ultimate sacrifice of His Son. To pull it off though, it involved a young girl named Mary, her betrothed, Joseph, her cousin Elizabeth and her husband, Zacharias….well, you can read it all for yourself beginning in chapter 1.

My point is, plans involve people, lots and lots of people. Finding the right combination of people to accomplish that plan takes a Master who sees all and knows all. A God with the highest perspective and access to hearts. Who knows just when to stir up the gifts He’s placed in them, to move to where He needs them to be and to passionately serve His purpose.

No wonder the angels were so geeked! They were excited to see the plan of God appear in the earth, to welcome back all the sons and daughters back to the throne room of God.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill to men.

So when you’re facing thoughts of hopelessness and discouragement, look up toward the God who has a bigger plan than you could ever imagine. You’re a small part of that. Find your place, walk in your peace and the goodwill the Father has in store for those who love Him.

Sandy G

I have so much to be thankful for. Sometimes I get so busy that I forget, but this morning I’m reminded to be thankful, so thats what I’ll do.

Psalm 100 says to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Serve Him with gladness. Come before Him with singing and praise. So this morning, I’m going to do just that!

I’m thankful for a job, roof over my head, food in my cupboards. I’m thankful for a husband who loves me, daughters who’ve become friends, a ‘son’ who’s honorable and grandchildren who are just plain fun.

I’m thankful for great pastors who are here to serve God, not please man. I’m thankful for the affect their ministry has had on my life. They have encouraged me to go after God.

Most of all, I’m thankful for the blood of Jesus that was shed for me so I could stand forgiven before a holy God, right smack dab in the middle of His righteousness. I’m thankful that with that shed blood, it brought everything I have or will ever need in life.

I’m thankful that He walks with me and talks with me. I’m thankful for the opportunity to type these words and to bring before Him a sacrifice of praise each and everyday.

I’m thankful that when I say the name of Jesus, demons tremble and flee. There’s power in that name. Turmoil is chased away by the peace that rushes in.

I’m thankful for you who took the time to read this. I hope you will make a log of your own thankfulness and give God some Glory today! And may the peace of God that passes all understanding guard your heart and your mind. May you know that he lives inside of you and brings everything that you need today and everyday. In Jesus name, Amen

 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Matthew 24:36

If the Son doesn’t know and He’s one with the Father, why are you wasting time trying to figure out when whatever you’re going through will end? His instructions were to occupy till He comes, not try to figure out what, where, when and how.

The Syrians made life hell for God’s people. They were starving, persecuted and it went on far too long. So long that Gideon hid in the wine press to thresh wheat so his family could eat. (Judges 6) And the angel of the Lord came to Gideon and called him a “mighty man of valor”. Why? Because as long as Gideon was focused on the bad going on around him, He’d never hear the instructions for deliverance of His people.

It’s so important that we don’t lose hope or give up on life because of what we see happening around us. Can things get worse before Jesus returns? Absolutely! Stop focusing on that and live your life in the now. Be the light you were created to be. God will take care of you, you take care to listen and obey.

And stop negotiating with God! He’s not a car salesman where you can talk down the price. You can’t get a better deal then the promise that He’ll never leave you or forsake you. Keep listening. Keep following. In due season, you’ll reap if you don’t faint.

Have a great Monday,

Sandy G

It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another.
Proverbs 27:17 TPT

I was thinking, what exactly is meant by this? Suddenly I saw a knife with a nick in the blade and as it was placed on the grinding stone, it slowing disappeared. When finished, it looked as though it had never been there, sharp and shiny as new.

All of the people God has placed in my life at different seasons have done this for me. Some have rubbed me the wrong way, but it turned out to be the right way, I just expecting something other than what God had planned for me.

How often have I complained about this person or that person? It was only in reflection have I saw the way God used them to hone my listening skills, my speech patterns, my writing and yes, even my patience. And just when I think I’m sharp enough, in swoops another one to shave off a nick I didn’t see was there.

I’m thankful for the friends God has placed in my life. I maybe wasn’t at the time, but I am now. If you’re a current friend of mine, don’t take this as an invitation to start grinding on me. I might bite your head off or possibly shove you into a dark room, but don’t give up on me.

Looking Sharper by the Day,

Sandy G

Have you ever been in the middle of a situation that looked so impossible and had been going on for so long it consumed you? The pressure of people depending on you to feed them, provide for them. Add to that years of promises that hadn’t come to pass. Such was the state we find the King of Israel in after the Syrians had held the city captive for 7 years.

You’ll find the story in 2 Kings 7 how the people were so consumed how things were with themselves that they hadn’t even realized their enemies had fled. God used 4 unlikely lepers to pronounce freedom to the city and in one day everything that could change, overwhelmingly changed. One day you’re eating donkey heads, the next day filet minion.

Who does that? God! He, the master planner has a plan. Its such a big plan that your mind can’t wrap around it. It’s a plan that people will be talking about forever. Now if that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will.

He’s the same God who delivered the 3 Hebrew children from the blazing furnace, the same God who sent His son, Jesus to buy us back so we could fellowship with Him. If He’d do it for them, He’ll do it for you.

For one tiny moment, get your eyes off your problem and worship the God who has your turnaround moment on His mind.

Rejoicing with you,

Sandy G

“Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied: I’m about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise, lay your foundations with sapphires, construct your towers with rubies, your gates with jewels, and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God for their teacher—what a mentor for your children! You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble—nothing to fear! far from terror—it won’t even come close! If anyone attacks you, don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them, and if any should attack, nothing will come of it. I create the blacksmith who fires up his forge and makes a weapon designed to kill. I also create the destroyer-but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God’s servants can expect. I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.” God’s Decree. Isaiah 54:11-17 Msg

Too often we forget that we are God’s servants and we can expect this for ourselves. We think it was written for the Jews centuries ago. We forget that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We’ve been adopted, grafted in to the vine, His own special people, sons and daughters of the Most High God.

Now go back and read those verses again and put your name in it. Make it personal, because it is. It’s God’s decree to you, his child. (Add the names of your children and grandchildren here) will have God for their teacher-what a mentor for them. How can they fail in life when He leads them into all truth. Walt and I are built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble-nothing to fear! far from terror, it won’t even come close to us. Any attack on us, our children, grandchildren, our bodies or our finances is NOT of God. You are a good God and want the best for us. Our hope is in You and we trust and rely on You.’

We are remnant, His remnant people. He will always take care of His own.