Numbers 8-10, Psalms 30

What God said to me – Moses was My friend.  I spoke to him often.  I gave him My Law – I gave him the pattern for the tabernacle – I gave him instructions regarding My people.  He was a godly man who knew Me intimately yet when a group of men came to him with a request regarding the observation of Passover, he didn’t respond with a “yes that sounds okay to me”  or an “absolutely not, this is what God already said about Passover”.  He said, “wait and I will listen to what the Lord will command concerning you”.  He didn’t go with his “gut” – he didn’t give his opinion – he came to Me to seek My direction.  So, how do you respond when you encounter various circumstances or questions or requests?  Do you go with your “gut” reaction or what seems right or do you prayerfully seek My guidance and instructions about how you should respond or what you should do?  Don’t forget that I live within you – most things you encounter don’t require days of prayer and fasting – a quick conversation with Me and an acknowledgment that you need My direction is all it takes.  This is what this lifelong conversation is about and what it means to live and to depend upon Me moment by moment.

Numbers 4-7, Psalms 29

What God said to me – Consecrated to Me – that is what I want from you.  You belong to Me.  I have a plan for you that includes ministry to Me as well as to other believers.  I will direct you and gift you to accomplish all that I call you to do.  Look around . . . look up . . . see what “I AM’ doing and you’ll begin to understand My plan for you.  I have blessed you and I will keep you.  Look toward Me – “I AM” looking toward you.  My face always shines on you but unless you look to Me, you will miss it.  You have My full attention – do I have yours?

Numbers 1-3, Psalms 28

What God said to me – I have a carefully laid out plan . . . a design and place for each one of My children.  I gave Moses specific instructions regarding the place of each one of the tribes around the tabernacle.  There is no place that is “better” than another.  I put each one in place for a reason.  It is the same for you – look to Me to find your place.  I will direct you.  You are important and valuable to Me.  I have redeemed you as one of My own.  No one becomes My child without a price . . . redemption has a cost. Mercy has a great price.  Just as I took the Levites in place of the firstborn Israelites, I took My Son’s blood in place of yours.  You are redeemed.  You are forever Mine.

Hebrews 11-13, Psalms 27

What God said to me – When you read in my word about people of great faith you see people who were conquerors and who saw great miracles – that’s where you like to put your focus – you like “happy” endings.  However, while you see some people healed or resurrected  in scripture, you also see others who were tortured and who suffered greatly – some who walked through the Red Sea on dry land yet others who were scourged and imprisoned.  It begs the age-old question – “why do bad things happen to good people” or “why do I allow My children to suffer”?  You must remember that you are more than conquerors – I have promised you a future hope so you must learn to take your eyes off of your circumstances and keep your eyes fixed on that hope.  Cling to My sovereignty and My plan for you which is always for your good and for My glory.  You must learn to set everything else aside so you can run the race set before you by fixing your eyes on Me, the Author and the Perfecter of your faith.

Hebrews 7-10, Psalms 26

What God said to me – You can know Me.  Don’t ever doubt that.  I make Myself known to you because I want you to know Me.  I put My laws in your mind and I write them on your heart, and I teach them to you.  I live in you and walk with you and talk with you.  I want you to know Me as deeply and intimately as I already know you.  This is like any relationship – the more time you spend with Me, the better you come to know Me.  The difference is that “I AM” always with you, but you don’t act like it.  “I AM” with you but you’re not spending time with Me.  You do your “stuff” you need to do and come to Me when you have time to fit Me in.  Instead, talk to Me as you’re doing your “stuff” and seek My help and advice.  You’ll come to know Me in new and deeper ways.

Hebrews 4-6, Psalms 25

What God said to me – Have you ever seen a small child having a fit and yelling at their parent, “you are not listening to me”?  What they are really saying is “you are not giving me what I want”.  That is the way immature children respond – many of My children are that way – they think that “I AM not hearing them because they are not getting what they want.  “I AM” not some “sugar daddy” who spoils you to your heart’s content.  “I AM” not a magician who pulls your requests out of some hat because you said the magic word or some genie who grants your wishes when you rub the lamp just right.  “I AM” your Father who always, only does what is best for you. My own Son, Jesus, prayed with loud tears to Me because He knew I was able to save Him from death and I heard His prayers – I always hear the prayers of My children.  You know the rest of the story – I didn’t save Him from death but He trusted Me enough to accept My answer to His prayers even when it wasn’t answered in the way He wanted – do you trust Me like that?

Hebrews 1-3, Psalms 24

What God said to me – They say that everything changes – nothing stays the same – people change – circumstances change – societal morals change – even mountains erode over time.  However, despite how things seem, it’s not true – I never change.  “I AM” the same yesterday, today, and forever.  My word is unalterable.  In a world that is constantly shifting you must cling to this truth for it is your anchor so you can hold firm and stand for Me.  I have chosen you to be salt and light in an ever changing, fickle world.  Those who don’t cling to Me and My word are in danger of being swept away in the rip tide of the enemy.  So, hold fast to Me and My word and encourage one another.  I know it’s difficult now but there is a day of rest coming.  Hold on!

Leviticus 25-27, Proverbs 17:15-28

What God said to me – Just as silver and gold are put through the fire to purify and to test them, so I will test your heart.  My testing is never to hurt you, but to purify you . . . to allow the dross to come to the surface so it can be removed.  Don’t ever think in your pride that you have made it, for at that point, you will surely fall.  Don’t stop seeking Me and listening to My instructions or you will stray from the path I intended and one day you will look up in shame at how far away you’ve gone.  Heed My warning and stay close.  Don’t be discouraged by the dross that is surfacing.  It just means that you are in the process of being purified.  Remove it and move on with Me for My path leads to life and godliness.  Listen to My words and accept My instruction and in the end you will be wise.

Leviticus 22-24, Proverbs 17:1-14

What God said to me – Did your parents ever say to you or when your children questioned you as to why they should do something, you replied, “because I said so”?  Your response is usually out of irritation or frustration because as your child, they should honor your requests and obey your instructions.  When I spoke to Moses and gave him various instructions for My people as to things they should or should not so to honor Me with their lives, I often ended the instructions with “”I AM” the Lord your God.”  That should have been enough – because “I said so” yet they continually turned away from Me and did what they wanted.  Now look at your own life – do you do as I say or do you go your own way too?  I said to think on things that are right and pure and lovely – how’s your thought life?  I said let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth – what’s your speech like?  I said to be holy because “I AM” holy – what’s your lifestyle like?  “I AM” the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19-21, Proverbs 16:17-33

What God said to me – “I AM” the Lord your God.  “I AM” the one who makes you holy.  I set you apart . . . set you apart as Mine.  You belong to Me.  You are not your own.  Consecrate yourself and be holy.  I have given you all you need for life and godliness.  As you look at My Law, don’t focus on the impossibility of it . . . look at the grace . . . look at the mercy given to you so you might be holy and acceptable to Me.  You can’t make yourself holy.  The Law can’t make you holy.  Consecrate yourself to Me . . . follow Me . . . stay close to My side and I will make you holy.  “I AM” the Lord.

Leviticus 15-18, Proverbs 16:1-16

What God said to me – Holiness is not easy . . . you can see from all the requirements of the Law that it is virtually impossible apart from Me.  “I AM” the one who can make you holy – the only one.  The only way for you to be holy as I require is for Me to make you holy.  As you walk through the world day by day, there is so much uncleanness – one touch and you are unclean too, often without ever realizing it.  Let Me cleanse you often with the washing of the water of the Word.  Stay close to Me so I can show you those things that are holy or common, clean or unclean.  Listen to Me – I love you and don’t want our lifelong conversation interrupted by sin.

Leviticus 12-14, Proverbs 15:18-33

What God said to me – The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.  Think about your life . . . about where you are going . . . about what kind of person you want to be.  Do you want to honor Me with your life?  Then you must give thoughts to your steps.  You must turn to Me and let Me guide you.  You must determine to purposefully follow Me.  You must purposefully let go of those things which keep you from being wholly devoted to Me.  Whether it’s thoughts or activities or entertainment or job or friends . . . whatever it is – you must be willing to let go of anything that impedes your walk with Me and embrace those things which please Me.  The prayer of the upright pleases Me, and I love those who pursue righteousness.  Come after Me with your whole heart.  Be wholly devoted to Me.

May 26

Leviticus 9-11, Proverbs 15:1-17

What God said to me – The church today – those who claim to be My children are in many ways no different from everyone else in the world.  They act the same – they dress the same – they talk the same.  My people are blending into a profane, ungodly, corrupt world without a second thought.  You, however, must be different if you truly want to please Me with your life.  “I AM” the Lord your God and you must consecrate yourselves each day so you walk in holiness.  You must conduct yourself in such a way that people around you see a distinction between the holy and the profane and between the clean and the unclean.  You be holy for “I AM” holy.  Live in such a way that you reflect Me to those you encounter and let there be no question that you are Mine.

Leviticus 5-8, Proverbs 14:19-35

What God said to me – Sacrifice is an integral part of walking with Me.  It is at the very center of our relationship.  Don’t ever forget that it was My Son’s sacrifice that allowed you and I to have this relationship – because He made peace between us, we are able to fellowship.  I love the fellowship we now share but never forget the price it took.  Value this time . . . it cost a great deal . . . the highest price.  Make our time a priority – the most valuable thing in your life.  There is nothing in your life that costs more.  Treat our time together as what it is – precious.

Leviticus 1-4, Proverbs 14:1-18

What God said to me – The world says, “go with your gut” and “follow your heart”.  However, My word says that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.  My word says that man’s heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.  This is why you must pray about everything and seek Me continually.  This time is where you learn My voice as you seek Me and spend time in My word.  There is an old hymn that says, “Savior like a shepherd lead me”.  Remember, “I AM” the Good Shepherd and I will lead you in the paths of righteousness.  Even in the small things learn to pause and seek My direction.  My way may not always be the easiest way, but it is always the best way for you.

Exodus 38-40, Proverbs 8

What God said to me – Just look at the detail I gave for My tabernacle.  Everything just so – nothing too small for My attention.  I had a specific plan and instruction for every part of My tabernacle – nothing was too small to be overlooked.  You are My tabernacle.  Every part of you is by My design, My plan – down to the smallest detail.  I care about everything in your life – if it affects you, know “I AM” involved.  I have a plan.  Every piece fits together in that plan.  Trust Me – don’t fret over details.  It’s My plan and I know how it will work.