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SandstreamsThe Fruit of LoveDay 12 of Hearts
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
God’s love teaches us to value the souls of our fellow man and to dread everything hurtful to his purity and peace.
1 John 1:9-11 The person who says that he is in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. The person who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no reason for him to stumble. But the person who...2023-02-1202 minSandstreamsThe Fruit of the Spirit in My HeartDay 11 of Hearts
Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.When we believe in Jesus as our personal Savior, He abides in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in...2023-02-1101 minSandstreamsThe Meditation of My HeartDay 10 of Hearts
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the mediation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.
David begins this psalm declaring glory to God for His revelations of the heavens day and night. They proclaim His wisdom, power, and goodness proven by the counter-changing of day and night so that all who witness it are left without excuse. The heavens and all they contain constantly glorify Him, from the sun’s rising and setting in the day to the moon and stars following their path in...2023-02-1002 minSandstreamsPeace Shall Keep Your HeartDay 9 of Hearts
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I want to address you today as Paul does in verse 1 of Philippians 4: Dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown – stand fast in the Lord! Take these words to your heart and know they were meant for you.
Now go to verse 6 and realize that you can be anxious for nothing because (verse 7) the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Grasp th...2023-02-0902 minSandstreamsHis Thoughts of MePsalm 73:252023-02-0801 minSandstreamsLight of my HeartDay 8 of Hearts
2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus the Messiah. But we have this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power comes from God and not from us. In every way we are troubled but not crushed, frustrated but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed.
As light was the beginning of the first creation, so in the new creation, the li...2023-02-0802 minSandstreamsHis Word – My Heart’s TreasureDay 7 of Hearts
Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God: yes, Your law is within my heart.Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.Psalm 34:8-10 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger...2023-02-0701 minSandstreamsA Yielded HeartDay 6 of Hearts
Ezekiel 36:26-27I’m going to give you a new heart, and I’m going to give you a new spirit within all of your deepest parts. I’ll remove that rock-hard heart of yours and replace it with one that’s sensitive to Me. I’ll place my spirit within you, empowering you to live according to my regulations and to keep my just decrees.
I desire to have faith that overcomes “the will of the flesh” which dwells within me, whose workings make it painfully manifest in my inward conflict with the carnal min...2023-02-0602 minSandstreamsMy Whole HeartDay 5 of Hearts
Psalm 9:1I will praise Thee O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works.
I always feel like I’m on the edge of something, either the edge of being good or bad, the edge of understanding something but never getting it, the edge of figuring out a mystery but then not being allowed to know the truth. And then I feel far from understanding what God is doing with me – if anything. There is a fear that He may have no more use for me at this stag...2023-02-0501 minSandstreamsThe Strength of My HeartDay 4
Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
Psalm 73 is a testimony of Asaph grieving over the prosperity of the wicked. As he struggles with his anger towards this injustice, he cries out to God for understanding and finds victory over his envy as he begins to understand God’s purpose.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon complains that all life is va...2023-02-0401 minSandstreamsA Pure HeartPsalm 51:10 God, create a pure heart in me, and renew a right spirit within me.
In this Psalm, David sees now more than ever what an unclean heart he had and sadly laments it; but he sees it is not in his own power to amend it and therefore begs God would create in him a clean heart. He feels change is necessary and searches for the promise of God to that purpose and asks Him for it. David knew his sin grieved the Holy Spirit and provoked Him to withdraw. This he dreaded more than anything...2023-02-0302 minSandstreamsHe Heals the BrokenheartedDay 2 of Hearts
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at...2023-02-0202 minSandstreams28 Days of Heart
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Heart
According to the Bible, the heart is the center of spiritual activity and all the operations of human life. It is the core of our being and “the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) From the heart comes grief, desires, joy...2023-02-0102 minSandstreamsThe Fine Art of Enjoying LifeEcclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work nor device nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither you go.
Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.
These verses speak for themselves and I’m sure, as you read them, they spoke to you where you are right now. Set about proving your faith, glorify God and serve Him. In this world there is much corruption and st...2023-01-2900 minSandstreamsA Consuming FireThere are two questions that must be answered.
What stirs our cold, unresponsive hearts into a holy fire?
What causes the heart to burn with a passion for God?
There is this burning fire in my heart. It is bound up in my bones, I grow weary of trying to hold it in, and I cannot do it. (Jeremiah 20:9)
Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29) whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28)
1 Peter 1:5-9 Through faith you are being protected by God’s powe...2023-01-2402 minSandstreamsThe Strength of My HeartPsalm 73:25Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
In Psalm 73, the psalmist is plagued and chastened daily with his temptation of envy and discontent but shows how faith and grace prevail. As he thinks through his painful provocations he realizes the presence of God is with him and that he is being held and guided by Him. He is then quickened to cleave the closer to God...2023-01-1901 minSandstreamsA Yearning HeartRomans 5:8God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
The human heart yearns. As infants, it yearns for sustenance and security. As children, affirmation and discipline; as teens, understanding and positive communication and as adults, unconditional love and commitment. But when these abstract feelings and emotions are denied, the heart begins to yearn for perfect love and becomes aware that other humans can’t provide the needs they yearn for.
When a sorrowing broken heart hears of a God who will love them unconditionally, no ma...2023-01-1802 minSandstreamsHis Thoughts of MePsalm 139:17-18
How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
God’s thoughts concerning us and our welfare are profound, as cannot be known. It is impossible to realize how many mercies we have received from Him.
therefore
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me...2023-01-1701 minSandstreamsThe WordJohn 1:1-5 In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And the light shines in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.
In these verses, John calls the Son of God “The Word.” Just as we explain what we are thinking in our minds to others, The Son of God was sent...2023-01-1502 minSandstreamsFind Your Faith
Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
Feelings deceive. Only God’s Word is firm and unchanging. Live by your own faith not someone else’s. Look as long and as hard as necessary to see truth with your own eyes. Let evidence from the Word decide your judgment.
Those who would learn the things of God and be assured of them must know His Word, for it is D...2023-01-1301 minSandstreamsPour Out Your HeartLamentations 2:19 Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord! Lift up your hands toward Him…
The waves of turmoil and torment are great, but He has provided a way. Think of Jesus calming the storm, or of Him walking on water to calm His disciples, of Peter walking on water to meet him and then sinking but…Jesus reaches out and holds him up.I will be Peter today, and when I start to sink – I will look up to Jesus and know He will save me.
Pour out your heart...2023-01-1202 minSandstreamsInto a Safe HavenPsalm 107:28-30 When they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, the Lord brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm and its waves quieted down. So, they rejoiced that the waves became quiet, and He led them to their desired haven.
Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makes me dwell in safety.
Those with anxious hearts experience terrors and distress of conscience and pass through deep scenes of trouble on their Christian path. In answer to their cries, the Lord turns their...2023-01-1101 minSandstreamsLet Endurance Have its Full EffectJames 1:4 You must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
God uses complex relationships and suffering to accomplish significant and meaningful growth. In Psalm 23 we learn that the way to joy is through sorrow and the way to growth passes through barrenness. The way to green pastures is through dark valleys.
So, during hard times and trials, instead of asking “why is this happening to me?” ask “how is God using this in my life?”
1 Peter 1:6 says You greatly rejoice in this, even though you have...2023-01-1001 minSandstreamsBringing Anger to a Fruitful End1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I’m reading a book called “Getting Past What You’ll Never Get Over” by John Westfall. In the chapter on Anger he says:
“When the unfairness of life, the meanness of people, the pain of rejection, or the shock of tragedy threatens to overwhelm us, anger is God’s gift for self-preservation. It can help us stand up and step forward toward our good future. But unconfessed, it can undermine ou...2023-01-0901 minSandstreamsFaith Overcomes1 John 5:4
Because everyone who is born from God has overcome the world, our Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
I desire to have this Faith that overcomes “the will of the flesh” which dwells within me; whose workings make it painfully manifest in my inward conflict with the carnal mind (the mind of the flesh)I desire victory over the flesh working within me, the profanity and sin and treachery working all around me. Victory can only come by Faith – by believing God in what He has said as to “things to come.”2023-01-0702 minSandstreamsPearl of Great Price
Matthew 13:45-46
Life can be a long, arduous path to hell and back so many times.But now, what I want more than anything is to find rest. Rest spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I want to need nothing more than the love of God and to be filled with His Holy Spirit constantly.
There is a parable in Matthew 13 which speaks of a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he found a precious pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46) What is this Pearl...2023-01-0502 minSandstreamsBeauty from AshesIsaiah 61:3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He might be glorified.
I’ve been concerned about a besetting sin that plagues me most days: the desire for constant affirmation and self-worth. I look for these things in the wrong places – – outward beauty, physical performance, and mental focus – but it is not satisfying. There is always someone...2023-01-0402 minSandstreamsBeauty from AshesIsaiah 61:32023-01-0302 minSandstreamsHis Grace is Sufficient2 Corinthians 12:9And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee. My strength is made perfect in weakness.
I will happily boast about my weaknesses so God’s power may rest upon me.
I ask myself often, “What are you doing for Christ’s-sake?”
I cook, clean, and do all the seemingly menial tasks of being a wife and mother. Spiritually, I pray! and I pray and pray and pray. Because just as I sensed an urgent need in my days as a young mother to find the Lord, I now fe...2023-01-0303 minSandstreamsHis Grace is Sufficient2 Corinthians 12:92023-01-0303 minSandstreamsA Path of LIfePsalm 16:11Thou wilt show me the path of life. In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.
Knowing God makes an incredible difference in our responses to challenging situations; the choices I have made do not fit with what would be expected in our day; in fact, they might even be called insane. But many years ago, I gave Jesus my life and asked Him to let it be consecrated for Him. (Psalm 16:11) I don’t choose my path; He does. I don’t choose my own just...2023-01-0203 minSandstreamsA New Year
2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
If I am a new creature in Christ – what does that look like?If we look back to the previous verses, 14 through 16, we see that Paul tells us that all believers have died with Christ and no longer live for themselves. Our lives are no longer worldly; they are now spiritual. That “death” is the old sinful nature which was nailed to the cross with Christ, buried and raised up wit...2023-01-0103 min
SandstreamsFinding Joy Part 2
Move beyond painful struggles and find peace
Strive for a life with no regrets and be strong.
2022-10-2804 min
SandstreamsFind JoyAlways Keep your eyes on the Lord, for He is right there with you so that you will not be shaken. Acts 2:252022-10-2805 min