“He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

There are a couple of things that this verse tells me. First it says that the work is continual, ongoing, basically until Jesus returns again. Secondly, it says that God is the one who begins it and finishes it.

The thing that God began in me, He alone is faithful to complete it. I may look like a hopeless case, but you should have seem me before He got ahold of me.

When I look back over my life, I’m reminded of a sculptor working on an image. It takes lots of time and patience as he gently carves away small amounts of unwanted or un-needed material. What I didn’t expect is that as the piece is finished, it looks nothing like me, but more like Him.

Psalms 51:16-17 MSG says, “Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you, I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.”

Father, as I walk this out today, may my offering be a sweet incense to you. Thank you for being so patient with me. For creating in me a clean heart and renewing a right spirit in me. Don’t ever stop working on me! I want to resemble you more and more everyday, in every way.

He’s Not Done Yet,

Sandy G

Ever have a large pile of yarn that got tangled? You can sit for hours trying to untangle the mess and someone else comes in, picks up one piece and pulls and the whole thing straightens out. Maddening, isn’t it?

Stress and strain can do us in, but another’s perspective can change everything. You may be staring at a pile of bills that you don’t know how you’re going to pay. Perhaps a doctors report that looks hopeless or a pink slip that says your job ends on Friday. Whatever you’re facing, God wants you to step away into His arms and see it through His eyes.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” Hebrews 10:35 NLT

How much time do we waste trying to figure out things we weren’t meant to? God wants us to rest in His ability, not our own. I wonder how much further we’d be if we’d learn that simple act of pausing to adjust our thinking?

Can’t you see that God is standing next to us with outstretched arms waiting to carry our load. Let’s not insist on carrying it alone anymore. Turn to Him, place it all in His hands and say this, “I will rest in you until you tell me what to do with it. I will not come out of this place of rest.”

Do you feel the weight shift from you to Him? Ephesians 3:20 NLT says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Today, I’ll let You take care of me!

Sandy G

Everyone look! Come and see the breathtaking wonders of Our God. For He brings both ruin and Revival. He’s the one who makes conflicts and throughout the Earth, breaking and burning every weapon of War. Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. Here He stands! The commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in His presence-Psalm 46:8-11 Passion Translation

Instead of looking at what’s happening in the natural world around us, freaking out with this new statistic or that piece of information. Let’s start looking at who is truly in control. God.

“Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all nations, and I am exalted throughout the wole earth.”

Intstructions for today are as follows; God is in control so let Him work His plan. He doesn’t need your permission or approval. He doesn’t need your wisdom or your counsel. He is well able to do exceedingly and abundantly, above and beyond anything, yes anything, you could come close to thinking or imagining.

In and of Himself, He is enough. He wants to partner with you if you can trust in Him and get out of your own thoughts long enough to listen and obey Him. Stop trying to figure it all out. Put your hand in His hand and let Him lead, because there can only be one leader in this dance.

Sandy G

“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34-35

What exactly is a command? It’s definately not a suggestion! When I’m ordered to do something at work, I don’t sit and think about it, reason it out or even try to sneak out of doing it. No, I know that if I want to continue working at this job, I need to get up and do it.

And maybe it’s just me, but when I do anything, I do it the best I can. Quality, as if I were doing it for myself. How would I like it done? What do I think of it? If I wouldn’t pay my hard earned money for it, I’m surely not going to try to sell it to someone else!

I have three observations regarding this command:

1. Nothing in these verses says to love yourself.
2. There are few true followers of Jesus from what I see
3. Jesus loved EVERYONE-even those who hated Him.

Love isn’t a feeling, a mood, a memory or even romance. Love is a choice-feelings sometimes follow, sometimes not. If we are commanded to love, it should rise up out of us from the seed planted by our Father, for He is Love. Anything else is a mere imitation of the real thing. That’s not quality, and I won’t have it, neither should you.

When we begin to do as we were commanded, we can expect things to change.

Let’s Do It!

Sandy G

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20-21a

Have you truly thought about the endless abilities inside of you right now? His Spirit in you. Just pause with me and think of the magnitude of that. Limitless. Unending. Un-defeatable. Things thought impossible are now possible to you. What was unattainable is within your reach.

Thats right! Pinch yourself! I’m not trying to make this bigger than it truly is. Just as this verse so aptly says it; His Spirit deeply and gently within us. Why? Why has He placed His Spirit in us? Here’s my personal take on it:

1. My personal and constant reminder of the Fathers love
2. With Him, I’m never alone
3. He’s my personal mentor in everything (I so need Him!)
4. Constant access to Gods wisdom (AGAIN!)
5. He show’s me Gods secrets
6. I’m filled with power
7. I can pray perfect prayers in His language

That’s only my personal 7, but there is so much more to God. Everything insurmountable I face-He’s bigger then that! Every accusation-He’s bigger then that! With Him, I can do the impossible. With Him, I can love the unloveable. With Him, I have hope.

Now that you’ve read this, you have a choice to make. You can either believe that the God in you is bigger than the things you face, or that the things you face are bigger then the God in you. Whichever way you choose will impact your life and the lives of everyone around you.

Father, thank You for Your Spirit! You said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Me.” So I’ve done my best to lift you today. To explain just how awesome and wonderful You are and that You’re not somewhere far away, but deep in us, everyday, to be everything we need. A very present help in time of trouble. I believe! I believe You are able and willing to use me and I give You permission to do impossible things through me today. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

I Samuel 17:45 ERV; David said to the Philistine, “You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him.

“You have said bad things about Him.” David was just a young boy when he said these words to a giant, a man who had caused all of Israel to freak out for quite some time. But David knew the power of His God, mighty to save and deliver. How did he learn these things about God? In a valley while tending sheep.

Perhaps you’re in a valley tending sheep right now. This is the time when you learn to lean into the mighty power of God to deliver, save and keep. This is the time when you learn who God is and what He’s capable of. There may be a battle you’re about to face that will test your loyalty to God and what you know about Him. When you face your giant, remember what you learned in the valley. He’s as loyal to you as you are to Him! He’s always got your back.

He didn’t say you would never go through hard places, but He did say He’d be with you. He never said there would be no battles, but He did say He would fight them for you. This might be the day when you face your enemy and say with a loud voice, “You can mock me, but you cannot mock my God and get away with it. He is well able to deliver you into my hand!”

Now, go choose your stone and when you throw it, it will not miss it’s mark.

Thank You Lord for reminding me again of the lessons learned in the valley with sheep. I’ve stepped in some sheep poop, but you cleaned me up. You gave me strength to stand when all I wanted to do was sit and sulk. You stood between me and those who spoke against me, because you saw something they didn’t. I am forever grateful that the life you gave me is for You alone. It’s with all my love I thank You. Amen

God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge. You’re a proven help in time of trouble–more than enough and always available when I need you. So we will never fear, even if every structural support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and chasing them into the sea. For the raging war of storming winds and crashing waves cannot erode our trust in you. Pause in His presence. Psalm 46:1-3 TPT

This morning, I heard the word, ‘Safe’ strong in my spirit and pondered on it for a few minutes. Suddenly a memory came floating up from a very distant past when all of us cousins and siblings would play hide & seek in Grandma and Grandpas’ huge yard. The goal was to run to the designated place and yell ‘safe’ before being tagged by the person who was currently ‘it’.

God is my designated safe place. He’s the unshakable and consistant place I can run to where nothing can tag me and call out that I’m ‘it’.

I believe that’s what David had discovered. But even in his initial discovery, he was constantly exploring new roads of trust, deeper seas of safety.

David had a history of trusting in God. He knew God in ways that could only come through a lifetime of God proving Himself faithful. He had the realization that God is always God, regardless of what we think or imagine, and He will always exceed our expectations.

So today, I encourage you to focus on the ‘Safe’ place, His arms wrapping around you and keeping you close to the center of His heart. It’s hidden there that you’ll be able to rest from intimidation, fear and negative reports. He longs to be that and more to you. Your ever present help in time of trouble.

You’re Safe,

Sandy G

Psalm 96—Sing God a brand-new song!
Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship God!

Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!

For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.
His furious beauty puts the other gods to shame;
Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.

God made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.

Bravo, God, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!

Get out the message—God Rules!
He put the world on a firm foundation;
He treats everyone fair and square.

Let’s hear it from Sky,
With Earth joining in,
And a huge round of applause from Sea.

Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,
Animals, come dance,
Put every tree of the forest in the choir—

An extravaganza before God as he comes,
As he comes to set everything right on earth,
Set everything right, treat everyone fair.

Don’t ever downplay your past. It’s only a compilation of the most beautiful song of your future. You may be in the middle of something horrible and can’t see how Gods gonna use this but trust me, He has a plan.

Don’t allow the enemy to steal your song. Just one more note. One more word and your song will be complete.

Sing, mighty child of God! Sing from your pain! Sing from your failure! Sing with passion for a tender loving God. Your song gets more beautiful with the deep meaning it holds for you and when you sing it, it’s going to touch more lives then you can imagine. Sing!

I’m Singing With You,

Sandy G

Isaiah 43:18-19; So don’t remember what happened in earlier times. Don’t think about what happened a long time ago, 19 because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert, and rivers will flow through that dry land.

Ruts are graves with the ends knocked out. I know, random thought, right? When habits and patterns become something we have to maintain, perhaps it’s time to bring on some change.

Some personalities love routine, others HATE it! Whatever it is in your life that you’re tired of, or perhaps IT’s just tired, spruce it up. I know when I grow tired of the livingroom, I move the furniture around. Sometimes I paint the walls, add new pillows, change around the pictures.

There are times I have devotions at a park, at the beach, in the courtyard, but if your devotion time is becoming the same ole thing and you’re not getting fresh revelation, something as simple as going to a different room, turning off the lights, sitting in the dark and pouring out your love onto the Lord will add variety.

Bottom line-don’t be stuck or afraid of change! God is a God who is alive. He never tires of spending time with you. Even a simple, “Good Morning, Father!” brings his presence in like a flood. Always have pen and paper ready to write down the smallest of impressions. Write a love song or poem to the Lord. Express yourself! If you can’t express it to the Lord, how are you going to express the Lord to others.

Lord, help us not to stay in a place where you no longer are. When you move, let us move with you. We are yours and yours alone. Our life would be empty and boring without the joy we find in following after you. May we see others through your eyes! May we be burdened for the lost and always remember your widows and orphans. Bless Israel oh Lord, the people you love. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

It’s better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. Strategic planning is the key to warfare to win, you need a lot of good counsel. Proverbs 24:5-6 Message

Can I get a big AMEN to that? Wisdom is so lacking in today’s society. Seems everyone has an opinion, but few have the wisdom God gives and the ability to implement it. I’ve encountered extremely educated people who typically have learned from other educated people and simply pass on their strong beliefs and opinions. But things change when you encounter the wisdom of God. It’s no longer about opinion, but about His way of being and doing.

I love reading about when Solomon became king of Israel and built a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant and gave a great sacrifice and worshipped God (2 Chronicles 1). That night God appeared to Solomon. God said, “What do you want from me? Ask.”

Solomon answered, “You were extravagantly generous with David my father, and now you have made me king in his place. Establish, God, the words you spoke to my father, for you’ve given me a staggering task, ruling this mob of people. Yes, give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people—for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?” (verses 8-10)

God answered Solomon, “This is what has come out of your heart: You didn’t grasp for money, wealth, fame, and the doom of your enemies; you didn’t even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could govern well my people over whom I’ve made you king. Because of this, you get what you asked for—wisdom and knowledge. And I’m presenting you the rest as a bonus—money, wealth, and fame beyond anything the kings before or after you had or will have.” (verses 11-12)

It seems that sacrificial worship captures God’s attention. I’ve found that worship is a choice, not affected by feelings or circumstances. It’s the ability to recognize that only He deserves all of the glory, honor and praise, regardless of my surroundings or what my natural state of affairs dictates to me. It’s not determined by music or atmosphere, it simply is. I don’t have to be in a room full of musicians or anointed worshippers, I simply step into His presence and acknowledge Him as Lord.

Worthy. He simply is. No other God but Him. Matchless. No one else can compare. Sovereign. Holy. Faithful, strong and mighty.

Just typing these words sweeps me into His Throne Room. As I give Him my complete attention, He lavishes His attention on me and I’m utterly lit up with His great Glory and Grace.

Did I get off topic here? Hmmmm, I don’t think so. I think I’ll just sit and bask awhile.

Sandy G