Philippians 3:12 ESV “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

That is reason enough to keep going after God. To spend time with him every morning, thinking on Him throughout the day and rejoicing in Him at night. My walk with God is mine alone. My search for Him is like a treasure hunter who gives all she has for that one prize.

You may observe my walk, but you’ll never make my walk your own. No, my friend, your own treasure awaits you. It lies hidden beneath the pages of Gods Word, waiting for your fingers to find, your eyes to see, your heart to understand.

How sad that some will never see. I’m sure it grieves the heart of Father that He has children who don’t want to know Him, don’t want to spend time with Him, don’t call out to Him. The only time they use His name is to curse, or as a by-word. They don’t know that His name is above all names. They don’t understand the power behind it nor the grace that comes with it.

I’ve been touched by that nail pierced hand! That blood He shed has covered me, kept me from harm and the evil plans of my enemies. I’ve felt His presence rush in to surround me when I mention His name, when I’m afraid or when I speak it in love. I may not be perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Jesus made me His own. You may not understand why I am the way I am. Don’t judge me, I’m just pressing deeper into my Fathers arms because that is where my treasure abides.

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. Acts 17:22-25

I love how Paul introduced the only living God to the men of Athens. He took their own admission, and turned into a vivid picture of Yahweh, the God who was, who is, and who is to come.

There was a time in our own nation, where most everyone had heard of God. They may not have had personal relationship with Him, but they were aware of Him, respected Him and reverentially feared Him. Today, I’m saddened that so many are unaware of this God we serve. It’s as if He’s faded into the shadows they’ve created by loving this world and all it has to offer.

If you’ve stumbled across this blog and have never been introduced, let me do so now. From before the beginning of time, God, the creator who created you in His image and likeness, did so for the sole purpose of having relationship with you. His desire was for you to carry on, ruling and reigning over evil as He made you to do.

He sent His Son, Jesus, to show you how much the Father loves you and longs to care for you. To show you what unconditional love looks like and how to offer forgiveness to those around you. You only need to believe on Jesus and you will be His. He’s given you His Spirit to live in you and show you the way to live.

Simply ask, “Jesus, I too want relationship with the Father who loves me. I believe You are the Unknown God who wants to make Himself known to me. Forgive me of all my sins. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may walk in greater wisdom and understanding of Your ways. I give You access to my life so that I may be a reflection of Your love in the earth and learn to be the person You created me to be. It’s in Jesus’ name I ask this. Amen”

Welcome to the Family,

Sandy G

Psalm 77:2-6 MSG: I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord: my life was an open wound that wouldn’t heal. When friends said, “Everything will turn out all right,” I didn’t believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head. I bow my head—then wring my hands.
I’m awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can’t even say what’s bothering me.
I go over the days one by one; I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.

Ever felt like that? Lay awake all night long, rehearsing the past, focusing on what you’ve done? Wondering why you feel alone, rejected, forsaken? Calling out to God for help only to hear your prayers return from the ceiling above you?

David did. Sometimes I wonder if he would have started this Psalm as he finished it, focusing on the God who delivers, who saves, who heals, if possibly his night would have gone a little differently. Verses 11-12 says, “Once again I’ll go over what God has done,
lay out on the table the ancient wonders;
I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished,
and give a long, loving look at your acts.”

Perhaps if we would begin our night by talking of his goodness and faithfulness, the many times he showed up and showed off. If we were to look back for just a little while the day we invited him into our lives. Remember when your life was a mess? He rescued you! Set you free from condemnation and reproached. You were judged guilty and sentenced to death, but he pardoned you and let you off from a life sentence. WOW! That alone makes me want to shout!

Lord, may we never forget that even in our ups and downs, our lack of trust, you never leave or forsake us. You comfort us and keep us in all our ways. You’re not a demanding God. You don’t force us to serve you. you let us choose. Help us to stop fretting and worrying and just surrender all our cares to you. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

From the beginning I revealed to you what would happen. These words came out of my mouth, and I made them known. Suddenly, I acted, and they happened. Isa 48:3.

Don’t think that God won’t do what He said He would. It’s only a matter of time before you see it. Distractions and discouragement will come and try to get you to quit but DON’T DO IT! Only those who finish the race receive the prize.

God doesn’t ever go back on His Word. It’s living, powerful and will come to pass. Suddenly!

Suddenly-healing will manifest!

Suddenly-peace will show up!

Suddenly-miracles will happen!

Don’t miss your sudden moment. Stay focused and in agreement with what has been spoken over your life. It’s all in God’s timing, not yours. Keep your head up. Watch and wait for it. God does not disappoint.

Sandy G

“God never changes his mind when he gives gifts or when he calls someone.” Rm 11:29 Gods Word

I watched a man over the years who had a call on his life but would not yield to the call. I asked him, “Why are you running from your call, Jonah? Did you not read your own story? You do know he got swallowed by a whale, right?”

I’m not sure he ever answered the call of God but I know this, God is not the one responsible to make things happen in your life until you are willing to obey that call. The prophet Samuel was a mere boy when He heard the voice of God. He finally said, ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening!” Look how God used him to speak to kings.

Gods gift or call on your life is waiting for your answer. You don’t have to finish school or be perfect, God will perfect the thing in your life He has need of. If Jesus would come back tomorrow, would He find faith in the earth?

You never know what your words will do if you simply yield to that call.

Sandy G

You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you’re still one body. It’s exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 Message

I love how this is written. It simplifies what changed in me when I surrendered my life to Jesus and became a part of the family of God. He gathered me into Himself and gave purpose and meaning to my life. No longer just another human being wandering aimlessly in life, but a part of a family much bigger than anything imaginable.

My own spirit, which kept me alive and breathing, has become one with His Spirit and now we live together in my own body, making a difference in the world around us. He has taken the small gifts I had and boosted them in order to fulfill His purpose in the earth. I understand what Paul meant when he said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

We are a gift to this world because His Spirit is in us. For no other reason but that alone, we should be jumping for joy as to the purpose He gave us to live here. Laying down our own desires, hopes and dreams, knowing that His are far greater than anything we could ever imagine.

Stay focused on Him,

Sandy G

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

Walt regularly asks me, “Do I show you that I love you enough?” It’s his way of making sure my needs are always met, that I know I’m a priority in his life. There have been times that we’ve been so busy with other things that we’ve neglected each other in some way and I’ve always answered him honestly.

When I read this passage above, it reminded me of how we should ask this same question honestly of ourselves. Father, do I show you I love you enough? Are you always a priority with me? Have I allowed the cares of this life and the busyness of the world to shift my attention? If so, I’m sorry. I will try to be more diligent in making sure you have my full attention.

You, oh Lord are the source of love and all of my devotion is for you. You daily watch over me, hiding me with protection against my enemies. Sometimes I’m oblivious to what goes on around me, but you, Lord are a shield to me, my glory, the protecter of my heart.

Just like when Walt and I are at the grocery store and I’m focused on something else, he holds me back from being run over by another shoppers cart. I’m so glad he pays attention for me. Oh how You love me! Thank you for the man you’ve given me that shows me in tangible ways the great depths of your love. Bless him today in every way, spirit, soul and body. Strengthen and lift him to a high place. Reward him for his deep love.

Always Amazed,

Sandy G

Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
    scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
    set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
    give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
    shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
    or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
    put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
    so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
    and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
    I’ll let loose with your praise. Psalm 51:7-15 Message

This is my prayer today, that God would unbutton my closed lips. I just want my worship to bring pleasure to Him. Can you see Father God looking down, bending His ear to you as you worship? I can! I see Him jump up and do the happy dance.

There’s nothing like watching your children sing, dance and worship. I’m pretty sure God feels the same way when He sees us.

If you’re finding it hard to let loose and worship, let me help you for a brief moment. He took you at your worst and turned your life around. He wiped away all of your sin and set your feet to dancing. He loves you and there’s absolutely nothing you can do to change that.

Father, unbutton our tongues so that You may enjoy all of our worship today. May you find pleasure in us today.

Sandy G

But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.” Matthew 21:21-22 Message

Kingdom life is meant for each and every one of us. But to live in this Kingdom, we must study Jesus’ example, His way of doing and being. He never apologized for being a Son of the King. He knew who He was and what His purpose was.

His purpose is our purpose–to do the will of the Father who sent us. Yes, He sent us into all the world to show the world what Kingdom living looks like. Signs, wonders and miracles follow us as they did Jesus. You, my dear friend, are called to a life you haven’t even begun to live.

Wouldn’t you love to triumph over huge obstacles. You can! Say it and don’t doubt and it’s a done deal.

Know you are His and no other’s, than place your complete trust in His ability to finish what He started in you.

Until Next Week,

Sandy G

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

I looked this up on dictionary.com and discovered something about the word, still:

1. remaining in place or at rest; motionless or stillness; to stand still.

2. free from sound or noise, as a place or persons; silent; to keep still about a matter.

I think I need to practice this ‘be still’ thing. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t mean, stay busy and distracted until something happens. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t mean listen to the news or keep the music loud. No, that word means that regardless of what happens in the natural, remain at rest and know that He is God.

I’ve found that when things around me become very big and scary, I must pull back, remind myself that God is bigger than this mountain I face, and I exalt or make bigger who He is in the nations and in the earth!

In fact, I usually start singing the old song written by G. Jensen:

Bigger than all my problems
Bigger than all my fears
God is bigger than any mountain
That I can or cannot see
Bigger than all my questions
Bigger than anything
God is bigger than any mountain
That I can or cannot see.

Once you establish that God is bigger, it’s easier to be still, resting in the knowledge that there isn’t anything God can’t do.

Sandy G