I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right. Isaiah 45:19 NLT

What a way to start the day! This is just another way to be like my Father this week. Declaring bold promises! Coming into agreement with His Word of truth.

Did you know that there is nothing that has more power than the Words God has decreed? That’s right. And when you come into agreement with those words, it strikes a match that is seen as faith. It doesn’t mean that the enemy won’t try to blow that match out, he’s on it! But shelter that flame and don’t let it go out for in due season (that means when it’s Gods perfect time for optimal glory), you’ll see what you’re standing in faith for.

Father, measure the words of my mouth. Anything that tries to come out that is contrary to Your Words, Your will and Your ways, stop them at the gate. I will not speak against Your Word. I will not speak my feelings, the facts of my circumstances, the things I see in the natural. Your Word changes all of that! My words will not sound like the worlds words. My thoughts will not be like the worlds thoughts. Everything must bow to Your living Word of truth.

Thank you that as I seek You this morning, I will find You. You’re not hiding from me. I call Your name and You respond. Oh that fills me, thrills me, chills me. All hail King Jesus! We welcome You into our words, our ways. Change us into Your image and likeness that all men may be drawn to You.

After all, who can really see into a person’s heart and know his hidden impulses except for that person’s spirit? So it is with God. His thoughts and secrets are only fully understood by his Spirit, the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:11 TPT

What are you expecting God to do and how are you expecting that to manifest? What if God chooses to do it in a different way than you’re expecting it to happen?

I recently heard a story of a man who had traveled with his family to Turkey to do mission work. I’m sure you understand that that nation has been closed to Christianity and that if you’re discovered, you could be imprisoned or killed. I know this because I had a friend whose daughter traveled to do the same and we covered her in prayer as she followed the leading of the Spirit.

You’re going to hate me, but I don’t remember the persons name or details, all I remember of the story was this; After years and years of just being there, being friendly with the people, doing good deeds and when prompted, telling about Jesus, the man heard the Lord ask him, “Are you ready for the next step?” To which he quickly responded, “Yes!”

He was soon diagnosed with cancer and very quickly, died. I know, I said the same thing, “Are you kidding me?” Well, that’s not the end of the story. Soon after, a very influential government official who this missionary had befriended, made some instrumental changes which caused many people to come to Jesus.

Could God have done it a different way? Perhaps. But why should the Creator of the universe answer to us for the way he chooses to do things! You know what popped into my head? First a seed must fall into the ground and die before it yields fruit. Everything that’s needed for harvest lies in the seed.

That man was a seed in the hands of God. A yielded seed. Does it always work that way? Probably not. Every story in the old testament is different, showing that God’s ways are unique and varied, creative in the way He chooses to do things.

Who are we to question God? Who are we to know His mind or ways? Who are we to think that we’re exempt from persecution or unpleasantness? There’s a time for war, but there’s a time for peace as well, an unless you’re prompted to war, accept the peace of His presence and stay there, regardless of the way it ends.

He has a plan!

Sandy G

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:1-2

I realize some things are just hard to do. Getting up early to have time with the Lord may be a sacrifice, more so for some than others. I look forward to this time, but I’ve always been a morning person. However I remember watching my husband who is absolutely not a morning person, set his alarm on a vacation day so that he could walk in obedience to what the Lord was telling him to do, that my friend is true sacrifice.

Its easy to create bad habits, we do them daily, but good habits…..well then!

When I read Genesis 22 I saw a story of how one mans obedience effected future generations. Only one thing moves God; obedience. He may be asking you to do something small and insignificant, something no one will ever see or hear about, but it’s your willingness to obey that catches His attention.

How many times will you plug your ears to the voice that longs to bless you? The children of Israel did it for 40 years in the wilderness and it kept an entire generation from seeing the promise. What will it finally take to get you to obey?

Until your drive for more of His presence outweighs your selfishness, His blessings will elude your grasp. Obedience brings blessing. Time to search our hearts in His presence and make things right.

Striving to be better,

Sandy G

I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. Psalm 119:162

I’ve always loved to watch treasure hunter shows. Any kind. Those who search for lost treasure on ships buried deep in the oceans, or simple antique appraisers who give the value in the treasures brought to them. It’s amazing to me how something that looks so insignificant can be valued at such a large amount of money simply because of how rare it is and its condition.

Perhaps that’s why I love the Word of God so much. Each time I open the book, I find a plethora of rare jewels waiting for me to discover them. It brings to mind an old worship song, “Lord you are more precious than silver. Lord you are more costly than gold. Lord you are more beautiful then diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with you.”

What a precious gift we have in the living Word of God. Proverbs 3:8 says, it will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. It’s our guidance system, and peace to our storm. It’s the rock on which we can stand to keep from being carried away by the rush of water that surrounds us. If we choose to live by it, we are promised a long and satisfying life. It’s our living bread and consistently brings provision for everything we will ever face, everything we will ever need.

I’m thankful for Your Word, Lord. May I never treat it as common or ordinary. May I honor your Word, obey your Word and be a doer of your Word. May Your Word hold first and last place in my life. May it change me, wash me clean and give me a fresh start. May my heart be filled to overflowing with Your great and precious promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Have a Word day,

Sandy G

Hebrews 12:15 says, “Be careful that no one fails to get God’s grace. Be careful that no one loses their faith and becomes like a bitter weed growing among you. Someone like that can ruin your whole group.”

There have been times in my life when things did not work out as I’d planned. It’s times like this that I feel I may have missed it somehow. Then I remember this verse:

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

So don’t be short-sighted! Don’t become bitter or lose faith! God has your way all planned out and will work everything out to the very last detail. There’s nothing too hard, too big or anything that overwhelms Him. He’s always looking to bless you if you’ll keep your trust and hope in Him.

Everything I do, every step I take, every word I speak is merely ushering in the extremely good plans God has for me. Everything I learn is not wasted, God will use it somehow for His good.

I’m excited for you, my friend. Don’t allow yourself to become discouraged or bitter. Rejoice in the Lord and trust in Him because HE will bring it to pass.

Sandy G

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Are you struggling today with questions? Your questions matter. In fact, everything that is seen and unseen, known and unknown, dreams, goals, promises, all of it matters to God.

If it matters, then why does it take so long, you ask? If you could see what God has planned, you would trust that He also knows the perfect time for it to happen. I Samuel 1 tells us the story of Hannah who desperately wanted a child. When God finally opened her womb, she conceived Samuel the Prophet and gave him for the service of the Lord.

Sometimes what God is doing sets us up for something beyond our understanding. During your time of waiting for the promise to manifest, allow God to finish you. Yeah, just like making a fine garment, the finishing touches is what makes it beautiful.

25 years ago, I made my daughter, Stacy’s wedding dress. it was the hand sown pearls on that blasted bodice that took so much time. I didn’t think I’d ever get that done, but once it was all put together and fitted to her perfectly, it truly set the dress off beautifully.

God’s putting it all together for you as well, every pearl, every seam, every part of every promise and it will be a perfect fit to you. Wait for it. Be excited. For your day is almost here.

Sandy G

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

One of the definitions found for the word ‘mystery’ intrigued me this morning; any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation. Interesting! The mystery of ‘Christ in me’ is something only revealed by God to seekers.

As I was sharing this yesterday, God began to peel back the layers of this to me. Unless we believe He is in us, we will never see the manifested power of God displayed through us. We must believe that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, lives in us. That’s powerful.

Jesus said, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The word ‘follow’ denotes movement. If we’re not moving, signs can’t follow. Why aren’t we moving? What are we waiting on? God? He’s in us! He’s given us everything we will ever need and placed it in us. Healing? In us! Provision? In us! Power? In us!

It’s time to plug into the power in us and move out of our comfort zone, out of the 4 walls of the church building and truly believe He is in us! You may not have faith in you, but have faith in the God in you and MOVE! Signs and wonders will never follow people who are sitting still, observing others who are moving. Join the race! Come run with me!

“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” Isaiah 40:31 AMP

Such a great verse. I’m sure we’ve read it hundreds of times but catch this; if you want to change & renew your strength & power, you must expect, look for and hope in Him. This old song just popped into my head, “I expect a miracle, everyday! God will make a way, out of no way! Just believe and receive it, God will perform it today!”

When I’m called to dinner, I expect to eat. I come hungry, appetite intact and I never leave hungry when I get up. It’s like that when I come before the Lord each morning. He’s called me to breakfast with Him, I expect a great word, I look for it and I receive it.

What are you expecting this morning? Don’t leave till you get what you’ve come for. You may be on the road or sitting at your desk, perhaps walking through a store, but He’s as close as the mention of His name, Jesus. Call out to Him, whisper it softly, Jesus. When you call, He answers and shows you awesome things.

Father, for those who are weary, strengthen them. For those who hungry, feed them. For those who come wanting, meet every need. I am made strong when I sit in Your presence. You help me focus and accomplish twice as much as I would have if I just went on my way. You are my God and the strength of my life. I worship You and give You all the praise, the glory and honor in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great weekend!

Sandy G

You know the soil of your heart is right when you wake up at 4am with a word burning in your spirit. I know the Word is alive and powerful, but seriously? 4am? Couldn’t it have waited to wake me at 5:30 when the alarm went off? Guess the Lord really wanted me to get this.

So I was thinking that being pregnant with promise is like being pregnant with a child. You don’t know the day or the hour, but you know when your time is close. The doctor can give you your ‘estimated due date’ but we ALL know how right doctors can be (dripping with sarcasm). I was 2 weeks overdue and they had to induce me with with my first child, but none-the-less, deliver her I did!

Well, the Lord began to show me the similarities between sowing the Word on good soil and being pregnant with child. Both start with a seed. Both grow unseen. Your chances of conceiving decrease greatly when there is no intercourse or if you’re taking birth control.

Once conceived, so many consider they have a choice to carry or abort. The process of growing is uncomfortable and delivery is very painful, but when you hold the promise in your arms, the rewards will blow you away.

I have so much seed growing in me that I feel I could explode, and sometimes I do. I do it by watching for opportunities to encourage or speak into others. There are times when I’m talking and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon me and I began to prophesy. Perhaps not in the traditional sense, but in the office I’ve been appointed to. That’s what happens when the Word becomes big in each of us, it spill over into the lives of others and begin to allow the Lord to speak through you.

Where are you in the sowing and reaping process? Do you daily have intimate intercourse with the Lord, speaking of His goodness, grace and love? Have you prepared yourself for the oil He longs to pour into you so that you may be full to overflow into the world? Or do you keep Him at arms length, taking your birth control pills so that you don’t go all extreme and appear more like ‘those’ kind of Christians that are fanatical about their walk with the Lord.

Today I challenge you to read Mark 4:14-22 Amplified version yourself and find out what your soil looks like. Be prepared for life to change in a big way. Once you become a seed sower, your harvest will increase big time.

Get a glimpse of harvest,

Sandy G

Faith doesn’t ignore the storm. It sees through the storm. Pastor Howard Bass

As night fell, the boat was in the middle of the lake and Jesus was alone on land. The wind was against the disciples and he could see that they were straining at the oars, trying to make headway. When it was almost morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the surface of the water, and he started to pass by them. When they all saw him walking on the waves, they thought he was a ghost and screamed out in terror. But he said to them at once, “Don’t yield to fear. Have courage. It’s really me—I Am.” Mark 6:47-50 TPT

This past Sunday, our pastor whose name is listed above, spoke on this passage and there was so much he unwrapped. I won’t even try to get into it, but if you’d like to listen, please feel free to go to https://youtu.be/77CcWIKvrSk to listen.

First thing I observed was that Jesus had directed them to go to the other side of the lake while he went to pray. As soon as they got into the boat in obedience, we find the wind was contrary. These strong fishermen were having a very hard time going where Jesus told them to go. Why? Was it because they were doing something wrong? Was it because their timing was off? No. Absolutely not!

Yet we find the same thing happens so often to us. We hear the Lord give us specific instructions and we do it, but find that every kind of opposition comes against us, causing us to question whether or not we heard from God correctly or not. I’m finding that if I find opposition, chances are I’m heading in the right direction.

Can I just share a personal thought here? I don’t believe life with God was ever designed to be easy. I don’t believe that ‘faith’ is something that once developed is never challenged. It’s pressure that creates trust and gives us flexibility to move. If life was all fluff and stuff, we’d never grow up to figure things out. If the Holy Spirit wasn’t living inside of us, we’d never have access to the wisdom we need to make it through the storm to the other side.

Second thing I see is, that Jesus didn’t ignore the storm, He saw it, but chose to change it by walking on the water and stepping into the boat. He had reasons for doing things the way He did. Remember that He chose the disciples to teach them to be like Him. He showed them another way to do what He said. He taught them how action and words can change things, but He also showed them the destruction fear can cause.

His response to that fear is something I need to remember every I face a scary situation, hear a scary report or find myself in panic mode: “Don’t yield to fear. Have courage. It’s really me—I Am.”

We Can Do This,

Sandy G