2 Chronicles 31, Ecclesiastes 7, Matthew 20

What God said to me – Have you ever taken a test that you failed miserably because you blew it off and didn’t take the time to prepare or study beforehand?  You knew the test was coming but there were so many other things you enjoyed and wanted to do that you put it off until it was too late.  I have told you that in your life you will have tribulation – trials will come!  So, what are you doing to prepare – to study so you are ready?  That is what this time is for – to teach you – to train you – to prepare you.  You’ve heard people say that they don’t like to hear sermons or to study about patience because then God let’s all these bad things happen to teach them to be patient.  But in reality, it’s the opposite – because I know there are things coming in your future that will be difficult to endure, I preemptively teach you what My word says so you will be prepared for what I know you are going to encounter.  I shared with My disciples about My betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection to prepare them – so they wouldn’t be surprised or frightened and yet they faltered.  So, learn from their failure – take this time with Me seriously.  Listen, not just with your ears, but with your heart and mind.  Be alert for opportunities to practice what I teach you so you are prepared for whatever you may encounter.

2 Chronicles 30, Ecclesiastes 6, Matthew 19

What God said to me – When Hezekiah became king of Judah, it had been almost two hundred years since My people had come together in mass to worship Me and to celebrate Passover the way I had instructed them to do.  The nation of Israel had split and many in the Northern Kingdom had been taken captive by the king of Assyria as My judgment on them for forsaking Me.  But Hezekiah had a heart to do what was right in My sight, so he sent messengers all over Judah and also to the people who had escaped captivity and were still in Israel to come and celebrate Passover and to return to Me.  Unfortunately, most of the people in Israel refused to repent and return to Me and the messengers were mocked and laughed at and scorned.  Nevertheless, there were a few – a few men who were willing to humble themselves and return to Me.  You are living in a similar society – one that has gone far from Me and forsaken Me.  “I AM” sending you among them to call them to repent and return to Me but be prepared for a similar response.  You will mostly be mocked and laughed at and scorned and your message rejected.  Nevertheless, there are a few who will respond to the call, so you be faithful to share.  Time is running short.

2 Chronicles 29, Ecclesiastes 5, Matthew 18:15-35

What God said to me – Everyone has something to say.  They want everyone to hear what they have to say and think and why they think it and what they know and why their way is the best and on and on.  Yet I admonish you in My word to be quick to hear and slow to speak.  You goal in your relationships should be to build one another up and to encourage one another and to meet needs as I reveal them to you.  You can’t do that by always talking – you need to listen also.  I mean really “listen” – not just with your ears, but with your heart and with your spirit.  When you do that, you will find that in their ranting, or babbling, or bragging, you’ll begin to sense a need or an area they need ministering to begin to become apparent and then you can seek My guidance as to how you should proceed.  Even in your relationship with Me, you should draw near to listen and not just to speak.  This is a lifelong conversation, not a monologue.  Listening to what I have to say is where you will experience peace and joy and learn who I truly am.