Zechariah 14, Isaiah 65, Revelation 19

What od said to me – “I AM” the word who was in the beginning.  My name is called “The Word of God” so you can see how important My word is in the life of My children.  There are many who say they are My children who never pick up My word – never read it or study it or meditate on it or pray it.  You cannot truly know Me apart from My word because it is where I reveal Myself in depth.  It is where you learn My character.  It is where you learn My plan.  It is what I use to convict you and correct you and teach you what it means to walk in godliness and how to please Me.  “I AM” the Word of God and the Bread of Life.  Those who neglect My word are quite literally starving spiritually because you cannot grow and mature apart from it.  Time in My word should be one of the essential routines of your daily life so you can walk in a manner worthy of your calling.  You say you love Me – then come spend time with Me in My word.

Zechariah 12-13, Isaiah 64, Revelation 18

What God said to me – Zechariah prophesied of a day when Israel would be under attack and the clans of Judah would say, “a strong support for us are the inhabitants of Jerusalem through the Lord of hosts, their God.”  In time of trouble, can people say that about you?  When tragedy happens or natural disasters or illness or someone loses their job or any number of things that happen in life, do your neighbors and friends and co-workers and family know they can count on your help and support and prayers because you are My child.  Your relationship with Me should not be a secret or come as a surprise to anyone who knows you.  They should know because of the way you love and act and speak that you are Mine because you talk openly about our relationship and how you try to please Me in your daily walk.  Ministering to others and meeting needs as you encounter them should be a natural part of your walk with Me.

Zechariah 10-11, Isaiah 63, Revelation 17

What God said to me – What is it that you value – things, people, health, Me?  How do you measure value?  You’ve heard stories about someone who got a valuable coin in their change from a store or who bought a frame at a garage sale only to find a valuable painting hidden in it, so the price that was paid is not necessarily what determines value.  How valuable would antivenom be if a poisonous snake bit you?  When you were lost and destined for eternity away from Me, I shed My blood on the cross to save you – I gave it as a gift – totally free to you – and yet although it was freely given, its value is priceless to those who accepted My gift.  It’s unheard of in the world today for someone you don’t know to randomly give you something priceless just because they chose to – to single you out and give it to you.  But that’s exactly what I did because you are valuable to Me.  You are so valuable to Me as My child that I long for and delight in spending time with you.  Can you grasp that – Me – King of Kings and Lord of Lords wants to spend time with you.

Zechariah 8-9, Isaiah 62, Revelation 16

What God said to me – You are on the verge of My final judgment where I will pour out My wrath.  I will judge Israel and cause them to return to Me and I will judge the world for its sin.  It’s going to be a horrible time, but it will be followed by a wonderful time of peace and joy as I set up My kingdom on earth.  People will be able to sit in the streets and visit and watch their children play.  They will all worship Me and will say to one another, “let us go at once and entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts.”  You, however, as My child don’t have to wait for that day.  “I AM” your King now.  “I AM” your Lord now.  “I AM” your Savior now.  You don’t have to go anywhere to seek My favor because I live in you and eagerly await your attention.  I long for the times when you slow down and put aside all of the distractions of your life and turn to Me for fellowship and guidance.  Don’t think your time with Me is for some time in the distant future.  It is now – come to Me.

Zechariah 6-7, Isaiah 61, Revelation 15

What God said to me – Are you “religious” or “spiritual” in your approach to Me?  You would think they were the same thing, but they are not.  During the time Israel was in captivity in Babylon a group of men came to Zechariah to find out how they could gain My favor.  During their years in captivity, they had continued to fast and mourn at the appropriate times as dictated by their “religion”.  The problem is that they weren’t fasting to find Me, they were fasting to get something from Me.  That is religion – to do something for Me in exchange for something I would do for you.  However, a relationship with me is not transactional – it is not quid pro quo.  There is nothing you can do to compel Me to save you or bless you.  My grace is freely given to My children.  Your relationship with Me is to be spiritual not religious.  I desire your fellowship and obedience out of love and not out of obligation.  Quit trying to please Me to get something from Me but try to please Me because you want to be in My presence and strengthen our relationship.

2 Chronicles 36, Ecclesiastes 12, Matthew 23:1-28

What God said to me – The scribes and Pharisees seemed to everyone who saw them to have it all together.  Publicly they seemed to be great servants of Mine – always saying and doing the right thing.  Their lives and their service seemed perfect and yet they were hypocrites.  Their private lives were nothing like the show they put on publicly.  Their thoughts and their motives were self-centered and ungodly and the things they said and did that seemed to be in service of Me were done to gain the praise of people and not Me.  Their hypocritical service did more damage than good and actually blocked people from me rather than drawing them.  People don’t want or need to see someone perfect – they need to see someone genuine – someone who is open about their struggles and how I enable them to overcome or how I forgive them when they fail.  False displays of perfection only serve to discourage people who realize they have no hope of being perfect.  Strive to be genuine in your walk so the people I bring across your path will be drawn to the God who helps you and forgives you and transforms you.

2 Chronicles 26-27, Ecclesiastes 3, Matthew 16:24-28 to 17

What God said to me – “I AM” a forgiving Father and “I AM” faithful to forgive My children and to cleanse them when they come to Me and repent and confess their sin.  However, while all sin is bad, there are some sins that have long term consequences and that will affect your life and witness as long as you live, even though I have forgiven you.  Look at King Uzziah.  He was a king in Judah who was strong and successful, and he did what was right in My sight.  But when he became so strong, he also became so proud in his heart that he publicly acted corruptly and violated My house and My law.  As a result, I struck him with leprosy in judgment and the consequences changed his whole life.  As a leper, he could no longer come into My house or even live among others side by side.  He was still king, but he lived in isolation.  So, learn from Uzziah’s story.  Walk with Me in humility and gratitude so that you don’t blatantly sin and be separated from others.  Blatant sin hinders your witness to them because they can’t separate who you are from what you’ve done, even when you have repented.  Walk in a manner worthy of you calling.  Be holy as “I AM” holy.

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.