Hosea 3-4, Proverbs 23:17-35, Matthew 5:1-26

What God said to me – “ “I AM” the light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life.”  This is exactly why I also say of My children “you are the light of the world.”   You have Me living in you and when you walk with Me in obedience and holiness, My Light will shine through you for others to see.  They will see Me in you as you do the good works I direct you to do.  So, when you receive acknowledgment or credit or gratitude for the good works you have done, you must be careful to always redirect their praise to Me.  If you want to reach the lost for Me and make an impact for My kingdom then your good works should bring glory to Me, not to you.  All that you have and are and are able to do is because I have gifted you and enabled you and provided for you so glorify Me in your doing.

Hosea 1-2, Proverbs 23:1-18, Matthew 4

What God said to me – Everything you encounter in your life is for a reason.  Whether it’s good or bad, I use all things to work My purpose in your life and to move you to the places I want you to be, both physically and spiritually.  When John the Baptist was arrested, I used that “bad” thing to move My Son, Jesus, to Galilee.  Not only did that move fulfill prophecy – “In Galilee of the Gentiles the people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light” – it was also when He called many of His disciples, including His inner circle of Peter, James, and John and His ministry began in earnest.  So, whenever you encounter a dramatic change, whether its spiritual or physical or emotional – turn to Me and seek what “I AM” doing in your life.  Whether it’s good or bad, happy or sad, your response should be the same.  Come to Me, knowing “I AM” at work in you for your good and My glory.

1 Chronicles 29, Proverbs 22:14-29, Matthew 3

What God said to me – I called John the Baptist as a forerunner of My Son.  He was the fulfillment of the prophecy I gave through Isaiah to be “the voice crying in the wilderness to make ready for the way of the Lord.”  He preached to the people the need to repent because Messiah was coming and as they confessed their sin, he baptized them.  My Son, Jesus, came to him to be baptized even though He had no sin to confess or need for repentance.  He came out of obedience to My instruction.  Hs obedience became the sign that showed others He was Mine.  There are times when I call you to do things or go places that seem unnecessary, especially given all the demands of your daily lives and yet many times, I use those very things to show others that you are Mine and to minister to them.  So next time you are asked to go somewhere or do something you don’t want to do – stop and think – not about what it does for you, but about how I may be using it to encourage others and to give you the opportunity to show that you are Mine.