Isaiah 66, Philippians 3:4-21, Psalms 74:1-23, Proverbs 24:15-16

What God said to me – With a new year you always find yourself deluged in weight loss ads on television and on your social media feeds.  If you have ever gone to one of their websites and gone through the evaluation quiz, they create a plan customized for you.  They usually ask if there is some future event that you want to look good for – it becomes your motivation to “stick” with the program.  Athletes also usually maintain their consistency and train and perform their best when they follow a plan and they keep their eye on the prize.  The same is true of My children.  Your life is not just a series of random events – it is a well thought out plan I have created just for you – to transform you into My image as you walk with Me.  When you learn to keep your eye on the prize of My upward call in Christ Jesus, you will find you quit waffling and backsliding in your walk as you press on in your daily walk.  I didn’t just save you “from” hell – I saved you “for” glory so press on.  Keep your eye on the “prize” – life with Me.

Isaiah 62:6-65:25, Philippians 2:19-3:3, Psalms 73:1-28, Proverbs 24:13-14

What God said to me – If you are not careful you will find yourself slipping into temporal thinking and when you do it is easy to stumble in your walk with Me because you are taking your eyes off of Me and putting them on the things of the world.  The psalmist found himself close to stumbling when he began to look around himself and see evil people prospering and succeeding while he was struggling and he was envious of their lifestyles and successes and seemingly problem free life.  When he took his eyes off of Me, he was blinded to the truth.  It was not until he came to Me in worship that he began to correct his thinking and to see things from an eternal perspective.  It wasn’t until he quit looking at their present circumstances and looked at their end and looked at his present circumstances and what awaited him in glory with Me, that he was able to get his thinking straight.  Come into My presence and stay close so you don’t drift.  My nearness is for your good – “I AM” the strength of your heart and your portion forever – take refuge in Me.

Isaiah 60:1-52:5, Philippians 1:27-2:18, Psalms 72:1-20, Proverbs 24:11-12

What God said to me – If you ever stand in a crowded place for very long, whether it is at a ball game, or a concert, or even church, you will inevitably hear a lot of grumbling and complaining – it’s too hot – it’s too cold – why is it moving so slowly – I’m hungry – who’s blocking things up – they need a better system – they must not know what they are doing – and on and on.  So, what about you – how do you respond in those kinds of situations?  Do you find yourself joining in and piling on?  Typically, these situations are not life and death, they are mere inconveniences and how you handle them says volumes about your walk – are you walking in the Spirit or in the flesh?  By doing things without grumbling or disputing or complaining, you show how different My children are from the world.  You demonstrate your faith in Me that “I AM” at work in every situation, whether major or minor and your faith and trust shine as a light to the world.  In this tumultuous world there is so little peace and calm that your steadfast behavior in everyday situations is an encouragement and an example and a light in the darkness.  “I AM” at work in you in every situation you encounter so let the words of your mouth and the example you set reflect that truth.