For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace—for the same love he has for his Beloved One, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure! Ephesians 1:5-6 TPT

I kept reading this over and over again. Something about this passage stirred my spirit. It was like a beautiful symphony playing an undiscovered piece of music, hidden in an ancient place. Gods perfect plan.

It was always there from the very beginning, we just didn’t see the depth of it. We knew we were adopted by the Father because of what Jesus did, but did you know it was because He just wanted a way to release His unending, unconditional love to mankind. To show off His mercy and favor on us so that all would see how extravagant He is with His own.

Let’s personalize that as if He is speaking of you. YOU! It was always His plan to adopt you as His own so that He could show you off to the world. He wanted you to have His wisdom. Unearthly wisdom. To astound those around you. He wanted to make you privy to things the world can’t understand. He set you up to succeed just as a way to show you off.

This isn’t wisdom we can get any other way but by spending time in His presence, talking with Him, asking Him questions, allowing that Love to permeate our thinking and transform our world. That’s why He said to seek Him first. He wants us to come to Him. Not in a hurry, but wanting to be with Him more then anyone or anything else.

Oh Father, thank You for loving me so much. You have a plan for me and it’s unfolding. Demonstrate Your deep abiding love, mercy and favor upon me today. May it be as if I just got out of the ocean, soaked and dripping with it. May I bask in the light of Your love and may that love be evident. It’s in Jesus name I thank you, Amen.

Enjoying The Song,

Sandy G

Remember the song, “I can see clearly now the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way.” Well, there are times in life when the fog is so dense that you can’t see what’s 5 feet in front of you and it’s times like this that we must learn to rely on other senses. Today, I’m speaking about things that are not seen with our natural eyes nor heard with our natural ears. Things that only certain people seem to see and hear. Then I ran across what Jesus said in Matthew 13:11-15 Message Translation.

The disciples came up and asked, “Why do you tell stories?”

He replied, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it. I don’t want Isaiah’s forecast repeated all over again:

Your ears are open but you don’t hear a thing.
    Your eyes are awake but you don’t see a thing.
The people are blockheads!
They stick their fingers in their ears
    so they won’t have to listen;
They screw their eyes shut
    so they won’t have to look,
    so they won’t have to deal with me face-to-face
    and let me heal them.

There have been times when I read the Word and it’s like God speaks to me directly through what I read. When I try to encourage others with what God said to me, they look at me like ‘deer in the headlights’ and say, “That makes absolutely no sense to me at all!” For a season, I wondered if maybe I missed it, but I realized that not everyone wants to see. Not everyone even wants help. They just want to talk about their problems, even have people feel sorry for them.

I’ve always been open to God speaking to me. I remember conversations with God while sitting in an open field, pouring out my heart, my grief, things I had a hard time verbalizing. I was 15. It changed my life when I realized He was more than a big God sitting on His throne in Heaven. He was a God who hears and He still hears today. I will never be too busy to spend time in His presence, giving Him my worship and thanks, asking Him what I can do for Him today.

The only way you can encounter revelation and understanding is when you determine to spend time in His presence. Things you couldn’t see become clear. Answers that alluded you become obvious. When you make an effort to stop thinking on your problem and meditate on His promises, He shines a light directly on the path He wants you to take, than He leads you beside still waters and restores your soul. What a great and precious gift we have in His Word.

Today, as you try to navigate through the fog, take a moment and connect with your Heavenly Father who has the ability to lead you to the other side with deep revelation and insight. Don’t miss what could be the greatest adventure you’ve ever had simply because you’re too busy.

Father, I’m expecting to have fun today. Life is never dull when I’m on a journey that You’ve designed just for me. I will arise and shine as a light in this world where we walk together. May those who walk in darkness be drawn to Your great light. It’s in Jesus’ name, amen.

Creating Readiness Together,

Sandy G

You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.  It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. Ephesians 2:8-9 CEV

If your mortgage was paid in full, would you continue to make the payments? Of course not! More than likely, you’d throw a party to celebrate! Why? Because there is nothing more rewarding than paying off a large debt.

Well Jesus did just that for us. He paid off our entire debt, every sin we would ever commit, gone. Yet we continue to try to pay for the things that were purchased and gifted to us.

That verse says we are saved by faith. Faith in Gods ability to keep His Word to us, that is what has saved us from sin, sickness, poverty, pain and death. Salvation isn’t just about sin, it’s about so much more. It’s the ability to live a life free of all of those things, but that freedom is dependent on believing.

I believe we’ve believed the lie that, ‘nothing in life is free’, for far too long. I’ve listened to countless people tell me they just can’t get past that. But here’s the clincher; it’s free, you just have to receive it. Like winning the lottery takes you going to the office with the winning ticket to claim your winnings, you must come to Jesus, tell Him you believe and receive your forgiveness and everything else that His blood purchased for you. The difference is, you don’t have to pay for the ticket!

What a beautiful gift! I’m so thankful for the grace of God, His undeserved, unmerited favor. Everyday, I shake my head in wonder at the life I get to live because He gave His Son to buy me back from slavery to sin. I live free because He made me free.

Forever Grateful,

Sandy G

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

What a beautiful passage to speak out over yourself today. Gods promise of peace regardless of what you face. Not the worlds peace, but the peace of God. If you’ve never experienced that peace, you’re missing out on the very best He has for you.

I love verse 7 in the amplified bible; And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

It will garrison and mount guard over my heart and mind. Wow! That word ‘garrison’ means a body of troops stationed in a fortified place. Can you see that now? God sends His angels to surround you and keep you in all your ways. There are more with you then those against you.

Thank you Father that You’ve sent your angels to guard and protect my peace. I will not by any means allow the enemy to steal what is mine. I rest in Your ability to fight my battles for me. You are more then enough! Now I rejoice in Your victory! I rejoice in the blood of Jesus that was shed for me. It saved me from sickness, disease, poverty and strife! I lay my head on Your shoulder and rest in the peace You gave me.

Come Rest With Me,

Sandy G

Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ Joshua 1:11

If you’re planning a trip, you must first decide on a date, purchase your ticket, make arrangements for lodging, than pack a bag and you’re on your way. Each step is significant in the process. If any one step is missed, it could spell disaster!

In the same light, God has chosen a date for you to possess your promise. You’ll only get the instructions when you spend time in His presence, reading His Word and worshiping before Him. When He speaks, have faith that each step you take will bring you closer to the land He’s promised. He is faithful to lead if you’ll but follow.

If you never prepare, you’ll never possess. Have you been listening? What is the Lord telling you to do? Your simple obedience to His still small voice, will pave the way for you to possess your promise. What Joshua learned was that he could trust the voice that led him. He listened and obeyed and when he did, everything fell into place.

I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 CEV

Possessing My Promise,

Sandy G

“Just as Joseph had the dream that God had given him, he also had to overcome many things to see those dreams come to pass. In a moment he inherited a kingdom. When the fullness of time comes for our dreams, God is faithful to see that they come to pass. Our faithfulness, commitment, and uncompromising heart is required to inherit the fullness of what God has for each of us. In order to inherit a promise, we must have a dream with the accompanying grace to overcome in the seasons of life that are packaged with these dreams.” John Belt.

This was something I read from 2009 that deeply touched my spirit. As I read it again this morning, I decided that perhaps I’m not the only one who needed to hear these words again.

We need the grace of God to overcome what comes with the package of our dreams. It’s nice to have a promise, a word, a vision or dream, but what prepares us, will be the trials and tribulations we’ve had to go through once the dream was given.

You can’t give birth without labor and you can’t take a trip by virtual reality, it’s just not the same. But I will say this, the journey you’re on won’t get any shorter by you whining about it. Jesus said these words, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT.

You have choices to make on your way to your promise; keep your peace and joy or be at war with yourself. Stop fighting for what you deserve and rest in His ability to get you to the finish line. You will get there eventually, but when you arrive there, you’ll have everything in you that you need to accomplish that dream.

I choose peace. The peace of God that passes understanding will guard my heart and mind. He will keep me in perfect peace when my mind is focused on him. So it’s all about my focus. Guess I’ll snuggle up under the ever capable arms of my Father and allow Him to lead and direct my steps, confident of this; His love, grace and mercy will be enough.

Keep Dreaming,

Sandy G

But look at his people. Others have defeated them and have stolen from them. The young men are afraid. They are locked in prisons. People have taken advantage of them, and there is no one to protect them. Others take their money, and there is no one to say, “Give it back!” Isaiah 42:22 ERV

As I read this verse this morning, I was reminded of how important and valuable our words are, not just for ourselves, but for others. We were created as speaking spirits, those who would declare the Word of the Lord, yet seldom do I hear people willing to do just that. Instead, we are told to keep quiet, that mere words won’t make a difference.

Oh contrare! David went so far as to pray, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord, my strength and redeemer.” Our words are our weapon. In time of battle, David told Goliath he would kill him and cut off his head, and he did! At a time of loss, David asked God, “Should I pursue them?” and God replied, “Pursue and recover all!” and he did.

I believe that God positioned us in various communities, neighborhoods and cities so that we would use His words and say, “Give it back! Give back the souls that are lost and deceived! Give back the money stolen! Give back the houses and lands!” We’ve become lax in our speaking over sphere’s of influence. We’ve been convinced by the enemy that our words are useless, that what we say doesn’t come to pass.

Moses responded at the ripe old age of 80 to the call of the Lord. He stood before Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go!” He didn’t do it just once or twice, but he did it until the people of God were set free. What would happen if we all stood in our cities and said those words on a daily basis, “Let my people go!” or even, “Give it all back! Everything stolen, return it in Jesus’ name!” Guess we won’t ever know until we rise up and do it.

Daily Declaring!

Sandy G

The confidence of my calling enables me to overcome every difficulty without shame, for I have an intimate revelation of this God. And my faith in him convinces me that he is more than able to keep all that I’ve placed in his hands safe and secure until the fullness of his appearing. 2 Timothy 1:12 TPT

Do you know what I love most about the Word? It’s applicable in so many ways and to so many seasons of our lives. It speaks in context in it’s intended purpose, but it also ministers in a very personal way. Just as an antibiotic may help with an infection in my toe, it also can be used to treat pneumonia. So the Word works in different ways for different things as needed.

Recently, someone made me aware of one of my many flaws and I lay in bed thinking about it. I began down the road of regret, which took me in the pit of despair, and as I sank deeper I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Perhaps you should see a counselor.” I smiled at that because He is my counselor and I felt Him smile as well at the recognition.

He began to minister to me by asking me if I remembered the movie, The Shack. He brought back to my mind the scene where Holy Spirit took Mac through his garden made up of all bad things that had happened over the course of his life. As he walked through his garden, it looked like a huge chaotic mess, but as the camera panned out to an arial view, it was the most beautiful garden ever. A masterpiece that only God can create.

I won’t go into all the Holy Spirit said to me, but here’s one little tidbit that may help you when your mind gets carried away. Leave it in His hands, He knows what to do with what looks like a giant heap of dung in your life. Those things make the best fertilizer. Out of those things bloom the most beautiful gardens.

I don’t have to carry shame or condemnation for what happened in my life. I have a deep revelation of God and what He is able to make out of all that. If He can remove the very stain of sin from my life, He is more than able to use what was meant to destroy me and use it for His good.

You see, it’s not just the good parts of me God wants to use, it’s the bad things too. I feel it’s my job to try and work on things and erase them from my life, when only God can do that. No other counselor can do what He can. When I focus on the problem, it becomes bigger than I can manage. But when I surrender it to Him, He will deal with it in His own time. It will not overwhelm me if I leave it in His hands.

In the mean time, my faith in His ability will keep me from going where I wasn’t meant to travel. I will stay in His presence and trust His timing to use the things I’ve been through to be stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

Safe and Secure,

Sandy G

Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Philippians 3:12 AMP

Never judge others based on your opinion of what happened. It could just be that they were going through something you were unaware of and their ‘leaving’ was simply them curling up in a corner trying to survive. Rather, take a moment and ask God what He would have you do.

For some reason, it’s easier to believe the worst about someone then to stand in the gap and intercede. But even when you don’t know the cause or reason, taking it to God is the only way to go. We get offended so easily when in reality, it was never about you in the first place. Whatever you do, get off the self pity bus, stop talking to everyone else about it and shift into compassion and love.

Until God reveals it to you (which He may never do), just keep praying for them, keep encouraging others to do the same and keep smiling and pressing forward. Remember that what you do to others is heaped back onto you. Stop the madness and press toward Jesus, it’s the only place you’ll find peace and that is worth it all.

Forgive and Live,

Sandy G

The Lord gave me this answer: “Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance.  Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.  And this is the message: ‘Those who are evil will not survive, but those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God.’” Habakkuk 2:2-4 GNT

I heard the Lord whisper to my spirit this morning, “Look around you, what do you see?” I sensed He wasn’t speaking about what I see in the natural, but what I see in His realm, the Spirit realm. I had to take a moment to make that shift, because what is happening around me can be overwhelming.

Alright Lord, show me what You see so that I can agree with Your Word today. Your Word is infallible. Once it leaves Your mouth, it works until it has completed the thing You sent it to do. Regardless of what is before me, it will conform to Your Great Name and submit to the sound of Your voice.

Because You live in me, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in me. Therefore, my agreement with Your Word holds the same power. May those who do evil in Your sight and have hardened their heart to Your Word not survive. Today I agree with what You spoke all those years ago, the righteous will live because they are faithful to You. They will live and not die and declare the works of their God.

You will loose us from our oppressors and set us on the path You have chosen for us. We will bring good news to the nations and the traps the enemy has set for us, they will consume them. I call for the wealth of the wicked into our bank accounts so that we may accomplish all that You would have us do in the earth. I declare supernatural debt cancellation for Your righteous ones. That no weapon formed against them would prosper and every tongue that rises in judgement against them you would put it down. It’s our heritage, Your covenant promise to us.

I praise Your great name today. You are our Provider, Protector, Deliverer and King. There is no one in all the earth that compares to You. We give You all the Glory, Honor and Praise in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen

Rejoicing in Victory,

Sandy G