Ezekiel 44-45, Isaiah 19, Hebrews 13

What God said to me – It’s hard to be on the outside looking in.  It’s human nature to want to be accepted as part of the group – to be one of the “cool kids” and yet walking with Me and taking a stand for My word and holiness will usually alienate you from the rest of the crowd.  My death by crucifixion was considered dishonorable so it was done outside the city.  You shouldn’t be surprised that those who are Mine and publicly identify with Me are also put outside and bear My same reproach.  Society justifies their sin by saying times have changed and there are new ways of thinking and doing that are no longer considered sinful in this modern enlightened age.  Yet I say that “I AM” the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Sin is still sin and no amount of “enlightenment” will change that.  You will be rejected and reproached and vilified when you take a stand for Me and a godly lifestyle, but you will find a place of acceptance in that city that is to come.  Encourage one another with this truth.

Ezekiel 42-43, Isaiah 18, Hebrews 12

What God said to me – It’s easy to feel alone when you are in the midst of a trial or feel like you are under constant attack by the enemy and that no one has ever experienced all that you are having to endure or to feel like there is no way you can make it through.  So, what are you to do?  How do you continue on and move forward?  You start by remembering.  Remember all the times I have been faithful to provide and care for you in the past.  Look at the stories of Old and New Testament believers who suffered greatly and yet endured and prevailed.  Then look to My Son – He endured the horrible circumstance of his betrayal and trial and death on the cross by focusing on the joy His faithfulness would bring.  His focus was not on His present suffering and shame, but on the hope and joy that would come as He endured.  So, when you are in the midst of suffering and difficulty, look to Me, trusting that while weeping may last for a night, there is joy coming in the morning.

Ezekiel 41, Isaiah 17, Hebrews 11:17-40

What God said to me – So many of My children get down on themselves when their prayers are not answered the way they want.  They berate themselves for their lack of faith thinking “if I’d only had more faith then . . . “ – fill in the blank – they would have been healed – they would have gotten that job – and on and on.  But faith is not a genie’s lamp that when you rub it just right, you’ll get what you want.  Moses had it all as the son of Pharoah’s daughter and yet he had the faith to realize that losing everything to walk with Me and serve Me was of far greater benefit than all of the riches of Egypt.  His faith didn’t get him riches and praise from men, but his faith allowed him to walk in a manner worthy of his calling and to please Me.  When you look at the list of those who walked with Me, some had their dead loved ones resurrected, but some were tortured – some escaped the edge of the sword, but some were put to death by the sword – some escaped the mouths of lions, but others were sawn in two.  The thing they all had in common was that they believed Me and trusted that I had a plan I was carrying out that was for their good and My glory.  What about you?