Joshua 11-12, Luke 17:11-37, Psalms 84:1-12, Proverbs 13:5-6

What God said to me – You are living in a time where a sense of entitlement is the norm, and few people take time to express their gratitude or thankfulness for anything.  Children tear through their birthday or Christmas gifts without any acknowledgement to the giver.  You send a baby or wedding shower gift, and you are left to wonder if they ever received it because you hear nothing in return.  When My Son, in His mercy healed ten lepers, only one returned to express gratitude.  What about you?  Do you take for granted the things people do for you as something to be “expected” because you are their parent or child or friend?  My Apostle Paul was constantly giving thanks for people he encountered in his ministry – not just for the things they did for him, but because their faithfulness was an answer to his prayer and brought glory to Me.  All that you are and have is because of My grace and mercy upon you.  Come into My presence with thanksgiving and into My courts with praise. Do you want to closer to Me – express your gratitude.  Do you want to minister and deepen your relationship with others – express your gratitude.  Look around you and find opportunities to express gratitude and thankfulness.

Joshua 10, Luke 16:19-17:10, Psalms 83:1-18, Proverbs 13:4

What God said to me – Have you ever known someone who volunteered to work in a ministry at church or for a charity and they got upset because no one even acknowledged them?  It makes you wonder exactly why they volunteered – was it for what they could get out of it or because it would make them look “good” or was it because I called them to minister?  While thanks and acknowledgment or recognition are nice, they should never be the basis for your service – if they are, then you will quit when you feel slighted.  In today’s self-aggrandizing, self-centered society, it is rare to find anyone with a servant heart.  I came as a servant, and I have called you to be a servant also.  You are never more like Me than when you are serving and ministering to someone else.  So, look for needs you can meet and for opportunities to help and to minister and to do good with no expectation other than to help others and to please Me.

Joshua 7:16-9:27, Luke 16:1-18, Psalms 82:1-8, Proverbs 13:2-3

What God said to me – There have always been scammers and charlatans trying to deceive people or to cheat them, even more so in this digital age you live in.  You get a text out of the blue that there is a great, high-paying job, and they found your information online and you’re perfect for it or you get an email thanking you for your purchase with and invoice for hundreds of dollars that you can use PayPal to remit.  Similarly, the enemy is active and trying to deceive My people into falling into outright sin or to discourage them because they fell for it.  You must be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.  Israel fell for a deception of the enemy because they didn’t seek Me or seek My counsel, so they believed a lie.  To avoid being destroyed, the Gibeonites pretended to have come from a far land.  They tricked Joshua and Israel into making peace with them, so they made a covenant.  Israel’s momentary lapse ended up being a thorn in their side.  That’s why a moment-by-moment interaction and dependance on Me is so important.  That’s why you must pray about everything – especially when you get a sense that something is just not quite right.  “I AM” at work guiding you step by step – follow Me.