Ezekiel 41, Isaiah 17, Hebrews 11:17-40

What God said to me – So many of My children get down on themselves when their prayers are not answered the way they want.  They berate themselves for their lack of faith thinking “if I’d only had more faith then . . . “ – fill in the blank – they would have been healed – they would have gotten that job – and on and on.  But faith is not a genie’s lamp that when you rub it just right, you’ll get what you want.  Moses had it all as the son of Pharoah’s daughter and yet he had the faith to realize that losing everything to walk with Me and serve Me was of far greater benefit than all of the riches of Egypt.  His faith didn’t get him riches and praise from men, but his faith allowed him to walk in a manner worthy of his calling and to please Me.  When you look at the list of those who walked with Me, some had their dead loved ones resurrected, but some were tortured – some escaped the edge of the sword, but some were put to death by the sword – some escaped the mouths of lions, but others were sawn in two.  The thing they all had in common was that they believed Me and trusted that I had a plan I was carrying out that was for their good and My glory.  What about you?

Ezekiel 40, Isaiah 16, Hebrews 10:35-39, 11:1-23

What God said to me – Without faith it is impossible to please Me.  The only way to salvation is through faith so what exactly is faith?  Faith is a conviction that even when you can’t see it or understand it, you know it’s true.  Faith is the assurance of things hoped for where hope is an “expectation”, not a “wish”.  Hope in Me and My promises is a sure thing, a confident expectation.  The world says, like the old song, “nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could.”  But faith knows that I spoke all things into existence.  Faith is simply believing and expecting that “I AM” who I say “I AM”, that I did what I said I would do, and that I will continue to do what I say I will do.  Faith is one of the main reasons you can experience peace in any circumstance.  Faith is why you can know that “I AM” working all things for your good because you love Me and are called according to My purpose.

Ezekiel 38-39, Isaiah 15, Hebrews 10:12-39

What God said to me – As you look at the things occurring in Israel and around the world, I know you sense the imminence of My return.  Society as a whole can feel the tension and suspense and people are already worn out by all that is happening.  But those who are Mine should be invigorated knowing that the end is getting close and their hope is about to be fulfilled.  Spend this time drawing near to Me for strength and encouragement in the midst of the chaos of the world.  Spend this time drawing near to other believers for strength and encouragement even more as you see the day drawing near.  Now is not the time to coast in your spiritual walk but think about how to stimulate each other to love and good deeds.  Press on toward the mark so that you can endure until that day.  I take pleasure in those who run the race with endurance, and I look forward to the joyous day you will receive what was promised.