Ezra 5-6, Isaiah 31, 2 Corinthians 11:30-33, 12

What God said to me – Change is never easy but total transformation is difficult – almost impossible.  Yet that is what I have called you to do – be transformed.  This is what “I AM” working in you to do each day – step by step.  You know how difficult it is when you’ve had a golf lesson, and the pro totally changed your swing.  It’s so hard not to revert back to you old swing when you’re in the middle of a round.  Sometimes you feel stuck in the middle because you can’t get back to your old familiar swing, but you can’t execute the new one.  It’s frustrating.  I know you feel the same frustration in your spiritual life.  You’ve grown enough in your walk that when you fall back into your old familiar lifestyle, it’s uncomfortable and yet you feel like you’re falling short in your new one.  Just like you trust the pro and the process for improving your golf game, trust Me and the process for your transformation.  Spiritual growth takes practice also.  That is what this time is about.  Never forget – My grace is sufficient so trust Me and keep going.

Ezra 3-4, Isaiah 30, 2 Corinthians 11

What God said to me – After being in captivity for seventy years, I moved in the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to issue a proclamation to all of My people so they could return home to Israel and to rebuild My temple in Jerusalem.  My people returned to a land that had been devastated and destroyed and where other people had moved in.  They were terrified of the people of the land – but notice the first thing they did – they built an altar and worshipped Me.  Remember this example when you are facing various challenges and difficulties.  Don’t start by planning how you can overcome or by building up your protections or strategizing the steps you need to take to be successful.  Start by stopping – still your fears and wild imaginations by turning to Me.  Turn your focus to Me and worship.  When you do this, you’ll find yourself calming down.  As you experience My peace then you can seek My help and directions as to how you should proceed.  The starting place should always be worship.

Ezra 1-2, Isaiah 29, 2 Corinthians 10

What God said to me – People look around at all that is going on in the world and wonder where “I AM” or if I actually exist.  They can’t imagine that in all of the upheaval and turmoil that “I AM” in control, and yet “I AM”.  Sin has brought about all of the disaster and chaos you see, but “I AM” at work in spite of it – “I AM” at work in the midst of it – “I AM” at work because of it so I can save My people and bring them safely home to Me.  Look at King Cyrus of Persia.  My people had been in captivity of Babylon for seventy long years as punishment and judgment for turning away from Me.  Just as the seventy years that were prophesied as My plan were coming to an end, the Med-Persians defeated Babylon.  I stirred up within Cyrus’s spirit the desire to rebuild My temple in Jerusalem, so he let My people return for that purpose and even gave them the supplies to do it.  You should be encouraged by this story as you look at what is going on globally because “I AM” still at work moving in the lives of world leaders so they fulfill My long-established plans.  “I AM” sovereign.