Jeremiah 13-14, Psalms 144, 1 Corinthians 1

What God said to me – No one can boast before Me.  Even the smartest person cannot compare to My wisdom and knowledge.  Even the most attractive person pales when compared to the beauty of My holiness.  You cannot even boast that you are Mine because you would never have come to Me had I not first loved you and called you to be Mine.  It is by My doing that you are in Christ Jesus and not by anything you did.  The world belittles My children as foolish and ignorant when in reality, the opposite is true.  The world has universities and think tanks which spout forth all kinds of foolishness about how to save the world.  However the reality is that righteousness and sanctification and redemption and wisdom are only found in My Son, Jesus Christ, and He is the source of salvation.  That is the only thing worth bragging about.

Jeremiah 11-12, Psalms 143, John 21

What God said to me – My plan for each of My children is the same, but also different.  It is the same in that I have gifted each one and given them an area of ministry to serve Me.  It is the same in that I work in each one’s life to conform them into My image and to sanctify them.  But My plan for each one is also different in that the gifts and the calling of each one are not the same, but customized for them so they can best serve and glorify Me.  It is different in that although the goal is the same – to conform each one into My image – the means are different.  When I told Peter that he was going to suffer and die for Me he asked, “what about John”?  Don’t fall into that trap of asking why am I suffering but they are not or why are they healthy but I am not or why is their family doing well but mine is struggling.  I have a plan for each one of My children that is for their good and My glory and I use the means necessary in each one’s life to accomplish that – so look to yourself and trust that My plan is perfect for you.

Jeremiah 9-10, Psalms 142, John 20

What God said to me – I delight in exercising mercy, justice, and righteousness on earth.  People love to hear about My exercising mercy and justice until they realize that the way I exercise mercy and justice is integrally tied to righteousness.  Righteousness – My righteousness – is the plumb line by which everything else is measured.  Although people don’t think of it this way, even My judgment is tied to My mercy and justice.  I show mercy in judgment because I use it to give people who have resisted all of My other efforts to draw them and give them an opportunity to repent and turn to Me.  I show mercy in judgment because I punish sin and evil and bring justice and redemption to My faithful children.  So take comfort that “I AM” faithful to carry out My plan, including judgment, for your good and My glory.