Exodus 4:1-5:21, Matthew 18:1-20, Psalms 22:19-31, Proverbs 5:15-21

What God said to me – What would you think if you heard someone say they weren’t going to the gym before they lost weight and got in better shape because they didn’t want the people there of make fun of them or think badly of them.  It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?  Yet people approach their relationship with Me that way.  What they don’t realize is that I don’t call perfect people to salvation or to ministry.  I call people as they are, where they are, I just don’t allow them to stay as they are, where they are.  I transform them as they repent and walk with Me in obedience.  There are so many accounts in My word about flawed, sinful people I called and used to accomplish My plan.  Look at Moses – he was a murderer, insecure, doubtful – he broke My covenant by not circumcising his son.  But as he humbly obeyed and allowed Me to work in his life, I used him to save a people and establish the nation from which the Savior of the world would come.  Even those who are already My children delay repenting of sin and returning to Me when they have fallen away.  You don’t need to fix yourself before you come to Me or return to Me.  You need to repent and allow Me to transform you – this time together is part of that process.

Exodus 2:11-3:22, Matthew 17:10-27, Psalms 22:1-18, Proverbs 5:7-14

What God said to me – You’ve heard of selective hearing where someone hears only the part of what you say but not the rest and later you say, “but I told you.” We’ve all done it or experienced it.  Whether it’s because of busyness  or self-centeredness or just lack of attention doesn’t matter – it happens, and you can miss important information or details.  The disciples were like that.  I told them  that I was going to be delivered into the hands of men and they would kill Me, but that I would be raised on the third day.  What was their response?  They were deeply grieved.  They focused on the part where I would be delivered up and killed and not on the part where I would be resurrected and because of it they missed the joy they could have experienced then and the peace they could have had during My trial and execution.  Instead, they experienced grief and fear.  So, as you experience difficulty and trials, keep your focus on My whole word – don’t focus on the present experience, but on My promises.  I will never leave you or forsake you – I will work all things for your good because you are Mine.  “I AM” faithful and true.

Genesis 50, Exodus 1:1-2:10, Matthew 16:13-17:9, Psalms 21:1-13, Proverbs 5:1-6

What God said to me – Have you ever watched a movie with a convoluted plot that was difficult to follow but at the end there was a surprise plot twist where you finally understood, and all the pieces fell into place?  My word was like that with the disciples.  After Peter stated unequivocally that I was the Christ, the Son of the living God, I began to teach the disciples about how I was going to Jerusalem to suffer and be killed and be raised on the third day, but they didn’t really understand what it all meant until later.  Peter even tried to refute what I told him.  After the resurrection, all of the pieces fell into place, and they understood what I had been telling them and what scripture had actually prophesied.  There will be times when you read and study My word that you don’t get it – you just can’t understand.  But don’t get discouraged or disregard it.  Keep studying and meditating on it and seeking illumination from My Spirit.  There will come a time when it will all click, and you’ll understand.  There are some truths that take time and patience and diligence so keep digging and asking the Helper to teach you and give you wisdom and understanding.  In the process I will knit your heart to Mine and give you a love and hunger for My word.