Hosea 11-12, Proverbs 25:1-14, Matthew 6:19-34

What God said to me –Where is your focus?  Where is your treasure?  What do you think about when your mind wanders?  The answer to all of these questions is the same and it will tell you a lot about where you are spiritually and your relationship with Me.  Is the focus of your activity and thoughts to please Me and to minister as I direct or is it self-gratification and success.  I know you have to work and provide for your family and take care of yourself but even in these basic mundane things your focus should be on Me.  I should be the focus of your work – you should work to please Me and show good character and work ethic as a witness to others.  I should also be the focus of your down time, whatever the activity – that means you must guard your mind and heart in what you read or watch or do – that means that good character and fellowship and encouragement are more important than winning.  So, whatever you are doing, do all for My glory.

Hosea 9-10, Proverbs 24:17-34, Matthew 6:1-18

What God said to me – Each one of My children is different and I call each to different ministries and services and gift them with the talents and abilities to fulfill their callings.  But there are some things I expect of all My children.  Notice My instructions in My word – “when” you give – “when” you pray – “when” you fast.  Although each of you are different, there are some basic things I expect from all of My children – giving, praying, fasting – and when you do them in the way I instruct you, like a proud Father, I will reward you.  There is blessing in obedience, but My heart’s desire is for your obedience, not for the reward you will receive, but out of your love for Me and your desire to please Me.

Hosea 6-8, Proverbs 24:1-28, Matthew 5:27-48

What God said to me – If you want to understand the times in which you are living, keep your eyes on My people, Israel.  Yes, they are still My people – I will not reject them forever.  Just as Adam transgressed the covenant I made with him and I provided a Savior to restore mankind to Me, Israel transgressed the covenant I made with them, and I will draw them back to Me also.  “I AM” gathering them from the nations to which I have scattered them and restoring them to the land of promise.  I will restore the fortunes of My people, Israel, and establish them in their land forever.  So you, My child, are a part of My other people, My church.  Israel is your brother so pray for their total repentance and return to Me.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the return of My people, Israel, not just physically to the land, but spiritually to Me.

Hosea 3-4, Proverbs 23:17-35, Matthew 5:1-26

What God said to me – “ “I AM” the light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life.”  This is exactly why I also say of My children “you are the light of the world.”   You have Me living in you and when you walk with Me in obedience and holiness, My Light will shine through you for others to see.  They will see Me in you as you do the good works I direct you to do.  So, when you receive acknowledgment or credit or gratitude for the good works you have done, you must be careful to always redirect their praise to Me.  If you want to reach the lost for Me and make an impact for My kingdom then your good works should bring glory to Me, not to you.  All that you have and are and are able to do is because I have gifted you and enabled you and provided for you so glorify Me in your doing.

Hosea 1-2, Proverbs 23:1-18, Matthew 4

What God said to me – Everything you encounter in your life is for a reason.  Whether it’s good or bad, I use all things to work My purpose in your life and to move you to the places I want you to be, both physically and spiritually.  When John the Baptist was arrested, I used that “bad” thing to move My Son, Jesus, to Galilee.  Not only did that move fulfill prophecy – “In Galilee of the Gentiles the people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light” – it was also when He called many of His disciples, including His inner circle of Peter, James, and John and His ministry began in earnest.  So, whenever you encounter a dramatic change, whether its spiritual or physical or emotional – turn to Me and seek what “I AM” doing in your life.  Whether it’s good or bad, happy or sad, your response should be the same.  Come to Me, knowing “I AM” at work in you for your good and My glory.

1 Chronicles 29, Proverbs 22:14-29, Matthew 3

What God said to me – I called John the Baptist as a forerunner of My Son.  He was the fulfillment of the prophecy I gave through Isaiah to be “the voice crying in the wilderness to make ready for the way of the Lord.”  He preached to the people the need to repent because Messiah was coming and as they confessed their sin, he baptized them.  My Son, Jesus, came to him to be baptized even though He had no sin to confess or need for repentance.  He came out of obedience to My instruction.  Hs obedience became the sign that showed others He was Mine.  There are times when I call you to do things or go places that seem unnecessary, especially given all the demands of your daily lives and yet many times, I use those very things to show others that you are Mine and to minister to them.  So next time you are asked to go somewhere or do something you don’t want to do – stop and think – not about what it does for you, but about how I may be using it to encourage others and to give you the opportunity to show that you are Mine.

1 Chronicles 27-28, Proverbs 22:1-15, Matthew 2

What God said to me – David desired earnestly to build My temple for Me in Jerusalem, but I did not intend for him to build it.  I intended for his son, Solomon, to build it.  So, David  did all the preparation.  He stockpiled all the materials that would be necessary, organized all of the priests and workers, and prepared detailed plans at My instruction.  Then Solomon stepped up and did the actual building of the temple.  In the same way I know that you would love to share the gospel with someone and have them repent and pray to accept Me as their Savior and yet it rarely seems to happen.  However, I don’t want you to be discouraged.  Think of yourself as David, preparing and gathering all of the necessary materials and finalizing the plans so it is easy for someone else to step up and complete it.  Sometimes you act as David, sometimes as Solomon – both are important.  You be obedient to share as I call you to do and trust that “I AM” working.  In the end I will receive the glory and you will hear “well done.”

1 Chronicles 25-26, Proverbs 21:15-31, Matthew 1

What God said to me – You’ve heard it said that you can’t judge a book by its cover.  It’s even more true when it comes to people.  Appearances can be deceptive.  Look at Mary and Joseph.  By all appearances they were at the bottom of the societal totem pole – and yet they were actually royalty – descended from the great King David.  Not only that, but they were entrusted with the greatest treasure in all of history, My Son, and their faithful stewardship of that gift changed the world.  So, as you look at your own life don’t focus on your lack of position or ability or talent – remember Mary and Joseph.  Like them, when you became My child, you became royalty – the child of not just “a” king but of “the” King.  Like them you have been entrusted with the greatest treasure in all of history, My Son, and your faithful stewardship of Him can change the world.

1 Chronicles 23-24, Proverbs 21:1-16, Titus 3

What God said to me – As you look at the world around you it’s evident that it is on the verge of either imploding or exploding – imploding from the insurmountable debt or total moral decay or exploding from power hungry men bent on destruction no matter the cost to the world as a whole.  Personally, you have people you love going in that same direction as they reject Me and choose ungodliness as a way of life.  So, what are you to do – how are you to respond – how are you to live?  It starts with your focus – keep your eyes on Me, the author and finisher of your faith.  Keep your eyes on the hope that is coming.  Remember that you were once disobedient and foolish and yet I saved you.  So, for your lost or wayward friends and family pray that the eyes of their understanding would be opened and that My Spirit would convict them of sin and righteousness and judgment.  Whether it is individuals or the world as a whole, never forget that “I AM” in control and working out My plan in the time and manner that is perfect.  Trust Me.