Exodus 5:22-7:25, Matthew 18:21-19:12, Psalms 23:1-6, Proverbs 5:22-23

What God said to me – When the people of Israel were in captivity in Egypt and I sent Moses to lead them out of captivity and into the promised land, they didn’t listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.  They were so focused on their present circumstances that they missed the promises I made them which would have given them hope and peace and the strength to hang on until their faith became sight.  I promised that I would deliver them from bondage.  I promised that I would redeem them with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.  I promised that I would take them for My people, and I would be their God.  I promised that I would bring them into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  I told them My name – “I AM”.  There will be times in your life where like Israel, you will find yourself in desperate circumstances.  But don’t be like Israel and be so focused on the circumstances that you miss My promises because you’ll miss out on the peace and joy that comes with trusting Me to fulfill them.  Never forget that for My children I work all things for your good and for My glory.  Cling to that promise and wait for Me to work on your behalf.

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.