Deuteronomy 16-17, Luke 9:7-27, Psalms 72:1-20, Proverbs 12:8-9

What God said to me – Have you ever called and called your kids or grandkids, but they don’t answer, and when you see them, they tell you their phone was dead because they forgot to charge it?  Phones don’t automatically charge and to be able to communicate with them, you have to purposefully stop and take the time to charge them.  Moses told Israel that when they had a king, he was to write for himself a copy of the law and keep it with him, but he was also to read it all the days of his life so he would learn to fear Me and observe all of its words.  Like an uncharged phone, My word can’t affect your life if you don’t take the time to stop and read it.  My word is where I reveal Myself to you – where you learn My character – where your faith grows as you see My faithfulness to My people.  My word is where I teach you how you are to live a holy life, and I use it to reprove you and rebuke you when you are wrong and lead you to repentance.  You cannot walk with Me in a manner worthy of your calling apart from My word so devote yourself to it all the days of your life.

Deuteronomy 13-15, Luke 8:40-9:6, Psalms 71:1-24, Proverbs 12:5-7

What God said to me – Do you know someone who is a fellow believer who is constantly going through trials and difficulties and yet they continue to walk with Me and praise Me?  It’s such a great testimony and a marvel to behold.  It encourages you and rebukes you at the same time when you realize how much you complain at the little things you encounter.  Now think about your own life – where do you run when things get difficult and you encounter various trials and tribulations?  Is your first response to go to family and friends for help or to doctors or lawyers or do you run to Me for refuge and comfort and direction and help?  Friends and family or professionals are great resources, but “I AM” your hope and your rock and your source of true comfort and wise counsel.  Learn to come to Me as the first and not as the last resort.  Take refuge in Me and I will be a rock of habitation to which you can continually come, and I will never tire of you coming or run out of resources to help you.  Your testimony will be a marvel to others as they see your trust and faith in Me in all you are going through.

Deuteronomy 11-12, Luke 8:22-39, Psalms 70:1-5, Proverbs 12:4

What God said to me – Have you ever gone somewhere with someone and they didn’t use a map or GPS because they “knew” where they were going, but you got lost on the way?  I warned Israel not to do what they were doing if they wanted to get to the place of rest and inheritance I was giving them.  What was it they were doing that was leading them astray?  Every man was doing what was right in his own eyes.  The problem was that everyone had their own idea of what was right – they all thought they knew where to go without a “map or GPS”, so they were lost.  Today’s society is like that – we’re told to follow our “heart” or to live our “truth”.  What you don’t understand is that your heart is desperately deceitful and sick, so if you follow it, you will be lost and off track.  I alone can change a heart.  I alone can lead you in the paths of righteousness.  You must learn to follow Me step by step if you want to get to that place of peace and rest.  “I AM” the way, the truth, and the life.