Esther 1-2, Isaiah 40:15-31, Philemon 1

What God said to me – Presidents can come in with executive orders and dictators can make sweeping changes, but remember they have no power or authority that I have not given them.  I can blow on them and they will wither and be carried away like a dandelion in the wind.  Keep this in mind when so many things are happening so quickly.  It is I who is in control and “I AM” using them to carry out My plans.  I sit above the circle of the earth and orchestrate My plans established before the foundations of the world.  Don’t panic or give up because the world seems bent on destruction.  You continue to pray and minister within your sphere of influence, encouraging those around you and pointing them to Me.  It should be a time of great anticipation as My plans come together so watch with great interest, pray without ceasing, and look for your blessed hope.

Nehemiah 12-13, Isaiah 40:1-17, Colossians 4

What God said to me – Have you ever noticed that when I gave spiritual gifts and callings that I called some to be apostles and preachers and evangelists and teachers, but not “pray-ers”.  That is because praying is not a spiritual gift – it is what every believer should be doing.  You may not be able to preach or teach, but you can pray.  You don’t have to possess a seminary degree to pray.  You don’t even have to be articulate to pray.  You just have to be My child.  As you spend time with Me and devote yourself to My word and to prayer, I’ll lay on your heart people and things to pray for and about.  When you don’t know what to pray or how to pray, My Spirit intercedes for you.  Prayer is a fulfilling adventure where you see Me at work and you get to participate in My plan.  As you pray, stay alert with an attitude of thanksgiving and I’ll open your eyes to see how “I AM” using prayer needs to work in people’s lives and draw them closer to Me.

Nehemiah 10-11, Isaiah 39, Colossians 2:13-23, 3

What God said to me – You worked hard you whole life and saved and invested so you could retire some day and enjoy the fruits of your labor and not worry about how you are going to get by.  Yet in spite of your best-efforts markets can crash, economies can fail, and unforeseen disasters can occur.  That’s life – stuff happens that you didn’t count on.  So, what are you to do?  Start by remembering that you are Mine and you have a future and a hope that are not of this world.  Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things.  Change your thinking from temporal to eternal – make your focus and your activities centered around things that will last.  Stay in My word and spend much time with Me so that your mind is constantly renewed and you don’t lose focus.  Whatever you do, do it for Me – for My approval – for My glory knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance that cannot be taken away.