“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT

Oh my, does this not describe the world we live in today? I pray that none of us fall into this category, but may we remain focused on what God has called us to; a life of godliness, faith and trust in Him. May we appear different from the world, so much so that there is not a doubt we are Christians.

I’ve met people like that. The Spirit of God leapt in me and I knew they were believers. They had separated themselves from the things of the world, choosing heaven as their destination. What a beautiful example of coming apart and living unto the Lord.

How about you? Can people tell who you belong to? Is there such a strong family resemblance that one look confirms it? When they listen to your conversation, does it reflect the worlds opinions and ways, or does it ooze the love and joy of Jesus?

Father, once again I declare that I am Yours alone. My heart is set on loving You, trusting You and being only Yours. When the lure of the world becomes a temptation,You will keep me for my eyes are on You and You watch over me day and night. There is no room for second place with You. You have asked and I said yes. Beautiful Savior! Precious Redeemer! You have bought me but set me free. I will follow You all the days of my life and dwell in Your house forever. Amen

[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 AMPC

I see 3 key things in these verses that will allow these results to manifest in our lives. The first is; believes in. We must believe that there is a God and that He’s able to do what He says he will do. There are a lot of folk who believe there’s a God, but it’s only a casual acquaintance, not a deep and meaningful relationship. Once we’ve experienced WHO God is, we’ll want to get better acquainted with Him.

Secondly, we must trust and rely on the Lord. This is the part where we put it out there. Dictionary.com says this about trust; the obligation or responsibility imposed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed. We give God the authority in our lives to do what He said He would do. We become His responsibility. It’s not unlike the vows we exchange on our wedding day to love, honor and respect, to be responsible for the needs of each other. (Now THAT will preach!)

Finally, our hope and confidence remains steadfastly in our God. You’ve heard the saying, ‘seeing is believing’? Our confidence says, ‘I don’t need to see or feel Him to know He’s real’! The more we know Him, the more we trust Him. We don’t run after another lover because we know there is no better lover. We know what it feels like to be lost and than found. We owe Him our lives because He gave His own for us. We know Him so we trust Him completely.

When we look and see a stable, secure and fruitful life, we know they possess these qualities. They’re always cheerful regardless of the winds that toss them about. They may be going through a drought, but they remain a blessing to others, always having a word of encouragement, going out of their way to show love and mercy. These are those who know God, trust God and remain confident in His ways and abilities. These are the people you want in your life.

Father, may people not have to go far or look long to find someone who believes, trusts and hopes in You. May they see it in the way I walk, talk and the grace and mercy I show. May I reflect You in all I do today. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Believing, Trusting & Hoping,

Sandy G

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

Dictionary.com shows a tower of strength as a person who can be relied on for support, aid, or comfort, especially in times of difficulty. I don’t know about you, but that’s how I view this verse. When trouble comes, which it does often, He is who I run to because it’s His presence, that offers safety and peace in the midst of stress and pressure.

How comforting to know that His very name does all that. I can call on Him and He answers me and shows me things I didn’t know. Simple things. Silly things. Things that you wouldn’t think I should bother the Great God about, but hey, He said I have not because I don’t ask so ask I do!

There was a time when the clock on my car had to be manually changed. Twice a year when the time changed, I would attempt to correct the time on my car to no avail. I had done it before, shoot, I had owned the car for 7 years so that’s a total of 14 times I’d done it. I knew there was something I was missing, but I just couldn’t remember. I even broke down and looked in the manual but it left me more confused than before I tried. So on my way to prayer that morning, I heard the Spirit say, ‘Turn on your radio! Now try.’ and it worked. I simply had to stop striving and listen.

Now that may sound silly to you, but God cares about everything that concerns me. He’s my hero, my strong tower, my place of safety I can run to anytime. There is nothing to large or small that He doesn’t want to be involved in with me. Where I’m weak, He is strong. When I don’t know, He knows. How thrilling to know that I have relationship with such a Mighty God.

Father, I love that you want relationship with me. Real relationship. Not surface stuff, but real stuff, the stuff lives are made of. Day to day, sharing everything good and bad, growing deeper in love with you. I’m so glad you adopted me as your daughter and are so patient with me. I ask you for wisdom in everything I do today. It’s in Jesus’ name. Amen

Always Asking,

Sandy G

Rise up worshipping warriors and decree healing to the bruised and broken, strength to the weary, peace to those in turmoil. The enemy is real but victory belongs to the King.

Let us arise and declare the power of our Lord. Let us speak life and not death, blessing and not cursing. He is our place of safety, we trust in Him. He will certainly save us from hidden traps and from deadly sickness, He will cover us with His wings. Under the feathers of His wings we will find safety.

He is faithful. He will keep me safe with His shield and I will run to Him as a tower of strength. I won’t be afraid of the terrors that come during the night, and I won’t fear the arrows that come during the day. I won’t have to fear sickness that attacks in the darkness nor will I have to fear any plague that destroys at noon. A thousand may fall dead at my side and ten thousand may fall near my right hand but NO harm will come to me or my family. I will see with my own eyes how God punishes the sinful people but that is not me.

The Lord is the one who keeps me safe. So I will let the Most High God be like a home to me, then no harm will come to me. No terrible plague will come near my home. The Lord will command His angels to take good care of me, they will lift me up in their hands so I won’t trip over anything in my path today. I will walk all over lions and cobras and will crush mighty lions and poisonous snakes. Take that, Devil!

The Lord says, “I will save the one who loves me. I will keep her safe because she trusts in me. She will call out to me and I will answer her. I will be with her in times of trouble. I will save and honor her. I will give her a long and full life. I will save her. (Psalm 91 personalized)

Walking in Covenant

Sandy G

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, like a two-mouthed sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts. Hebrews 4:12 Passion Translation

Have you ever tried to read something and felt like you couldn’t relate? Perhaps it’s because it just wasn’t relevant for you right then. Here’s what I’ve discovered over the years; it may not be for you at all but rather for someone else you meet today or tomorrow or yonder in your future.

It’s kinda like algebra. When you’re learning it, it makes absolutely no sense at all (at least not to me!). But if you’ve ever set up an Excel spreadsheet, many of those (a+e=x) equations that drove you nuts make more sense when you learn to apply them.

Application matters. If you’re unfamiliar with a hammer and someone hands you one, it can be puzzling. But when they give you a nail and show you how to use it, that hammer becomes an invaluable tool in your belt to build and tear down.

That’s what happens when you spend time in the Word of God. Some of it may not seem relevant until you need it and suddenly, it pops into your head and you realize the importance of having that weapon in your arsenal of faith. Why? Because His Word is living and powerful. That means when you come into agreement with it, speak it out, it’s activated and begins to work in your life, your situation. Even when you don’t see it, it’s working. Even when you don’t feel it, it’s working.

So as you read the Word this morning and your mind wants to wander because what you’re reading doesn’t really fit your situation, store it in your heart for when the opportunity rises and you need it the most. Not only will it become relevant, but He will show you the multiple layers hidden in that Word and how to apply it to areas that you never thought of.

Verses you learned as a child are still hidden inside of you. Verses taught to you as a teen, they’re still in there. Verses you read last year, last month or yesterday, still waiting to be spoken over your life, your marriage, your job and your future. They’re waiting to be released over your finances and over your wayward children. It’s alive and powerful and will never stop working until it’s completed the task it was sent to do.

Releasing The Word,

Sandy G

“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.” Philippians 3:12 ESV

Christ has made me His own. That is reason enough to keep pursuing relationship with 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, 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. They don’t understand the power behind His name, nor the grace that comes with it.

When they need something from God, they seek after someone who has access to God. Like the children of Israel, they could have talked with God themselves, but only wanted to hear about Him from Moses. They’re after the gift but not the Gift Giver.

I’ve been touched by that nail pierced hand! That blood He shed has redeemed 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 and speak His name, peace and safety is my reward.

I may not be perfect, but I continue to press on to make Him mine, because Jesus made me His own. You may not understand why I am the way I am, or why my perspective is what it is, but please don’t judge me, I’m just pressing deeper into my Fathers arms because that is where my treasure abides.

Father, my Father. Oh that men would know You! You said that I would find You when I seek You with all my heart. The only way to access You is through Your Son, Jesus. He made the way, all I have to do is follow. Each day brings deeper intimacy and great revelation of Your plans for me. I leave another piece of me as an offering this morning. That here in my heart, you would find room. Come inhabit my worship. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Happy Treasure Hunting,

Sandy G

Always I will lift up my soul into your presence, Yahweh. Be there for me, my God, for I keep trusting in you. Don’t allow my foes to gloat over me or the shame of defeat to overtake me. Could anyone be disgraced when he has entwined his heart with yours? But my foes will all be defeated and ashamed when they harm the innocent. Direct me, Yahweh, throughout my journey so I can experience your plans for my life. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you.  Escort me into your truth; take me by the hand and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation; I have wrapped my heart into yours all day long! Psalm 25:1-5 TPT

Psalm 25 is one I read almost daily. I love how it begins, “Always I will lift up my soul into your presence, Yahweh. Be there for me, my God, for I keep trusting in you.” I believe it’s so important for me as a daughter of the King, to lift my soul, because that is where my emotions lie, and we all know how fickle they can be. When my emotions become touched by the presence of God, everything changes. My highs and lows are balanced and yielded to Him so that I can complete the assignments of my day.

“Direct me, Yahweh, throughout my journey so I can experience your plans for my life. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you. Escort me into your truth; take me by the hand and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation; I have wrapped my heart into yours all day long!”

And that is what life is all about, being one with the Father, our hearts intertwined, His will becoming my will and mine continually surrendered to Him. Being escorted into His will displays a picture of the Spirit leading us into a place we’ve never been before. In my minds eye, I see a vivid rendering of my daddy walking me down the isle, giving my hand to Walt in our own union. A lifetime of learning as much about each other as we’re yielded and submitted to learn. To wrap my heart into His all day long.

Thats enough to get my heart excited as I begin my day trusting God today and everyday. There is nothing that happens that He’s not aware of. He leads and directs every step I take and He always and forever, keeps His Word. I cannot possibly hold onto what I have. I must lay them all down and grab hold of His hand if where He is, is truly where I want to be.

If you’re facing something you can’t understand, and nothing around you makes any sense at all, stop and hand it over to God because He knows what to do with it all. Your situation, it won’t change until you do. Do you see your problem? Put it in your hands and lift it up to God, a sacrificial offering. Tell Him, “I surrender all of it to you. My finances, my children, my spouse, my job, my health, my fears and my failures. I cannot handle what I wasn’t meant to. I release it to You and I praise and worship You for You’re well able to take what I’ve committed to You and use if all for Your glory. It’s in Jesus’ mighty matchless name, Amen.”

Worshipping With You,

Sandy G

And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them, but will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. Isaiah 10:20

God will always have a remnant. To understand this, we must evaluate what the word remnant means. It’s something that remains when all else is cut away. As the Lord explained to me a long while ago, it’s a people He has separated for Himself. Those who have remained faithful, followed His commands, commune with Him and love Him with their whole hearts. Those who would gladly lay down their own lives for Him.

You would think with everything He has done for us, there would be many more. It’s not that He only wants a few. Oh no! He is constantly calling, wooing us back out of the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches into His glorious Light. The world has been a great vacuum to so many. They are lost in the darkness and desperately long for someone who will show them the way back to the Father.

God has a remnant. Those who have been hidden with deep purpose in their hearts. They’re not interested in what this world offers. They can’t be bought off because Jesus Christ has already paid their debt and they owe Him their very life. They are a rare breed of warriors. They carry not a physical sword, but the Sword of the Spirit, the very Word of God. They recognize and give credence to the Author and Finisher of their Faith.

They are everywhere, waiting for instructions. They have fine tuned their hearing so that they only listen to His voice and are ever ready. They look for opportunity to demonstrate the Love they are known for. They are literally the hands and mouthpiece of their Maker. They possess the faith of God and refuse to doubt, even when things don’t happen as they imagined. They understand that His Word will never come back to Him without accomplishing what it was intended to do. His Word in their mouth will do the same.

If this resonates with your spirit or stirs you to your very core, you are remnant. Very soon, the body of Christ will be called up for service. Are you ready? There will be no more time for preparation. Every one of us will be called out for a unique purpose and we must be ready at a moments notice. Do not be weary. Don’t be caught sleeping on your watch. Be filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit and allow His power to manifest in and through you. It’s been a long time of preparation for a very quick work, but we are ready.

I Am Remnant,

Sandy G

Jesus speaking, “And here is the basis for their judgment: The Light of God has now come into the world, but the hearts of people love their darkness more than the Light, because they want the darkness to conceal their evil.  So the wicked hate the Light and try to hide from it, for their lives are fully exposed in the Light.  But those who love the truth will come out into the Light and welcome its exposure, for the Light will reveal that their fruitful works were produced by God.” John 3:19-21 TPT

So the wicked hate the Light, that sure does explain a lot, doesn’t it?! I’ve always wondered why rats and roaches scurry freely in the dark, but the minute you flip on the light, they run into the darkness. I’m pretty sure it’s because they came from the pit of hell, and should return there!

But those who love the truth….they come out into the Light and welcome the exposure. Later in John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am light to the world and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.”

This morning as I sit in the light of my office, I find myself under a much larger Light, examining myself. What lies hidden in me that needs to be exposed to Him so I can live in complete freedom of darkness that threatens and tries to extinguish my light? Is there anything that would cause the fruit I bear to become rotten or bitter to others? I know that my sins are blotted out, but I long to lay in the light of His presence and feel the warmth of touch upon things that haven’t yet seen the light of day.

God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways–the path that brings me back to you. Psalm 139:23-24 TPT

You see, I believe that’s what made David a man after Gods’ own heart. He allowed the Light to shine on every area of His heart. He had relationship with the Light. He communed with Him, sang to Him, wrote to Him. He knew there was nothing He could hide from the all knowing, all seeing eyes of His Friend, God.

I long for that kind of relationship. A Friend that sticks closer than a brother. One who knows everything about me yet still loves me. Who doesn’t knock me up side the head when I’m stupid, but smiles, wraps His loving arms around me and draws me into the Light. Not to blind me, but to free me.

Basking in His Light,

Sandy G

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. Psalm 77:2-6 MSG

Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever just lay awake all night long, rehearsing the past, focusing on what you’ve done? Wondering why you feel alone, rejected, forsaken? Do you find yourself 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 in our past. 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 reproach. 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.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G