Jeremiah 42:1-44:23, 2 Timothy 2:1-21, Psalms 92:1-93:5, Proverbs 26:3-5

What God said to me – The date palm flourishes in the harsh environment of the desert.  It typically produces fruit for seventy-five to eighty years although some have been known to produce for a hundred years.  The Psalmist wrote, “the righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.  They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green.”  So many people view their most productive years as their mid-life before they retire, but for My children your most productive years spiritually can be your latter years if you are pursuing righteousness and walking with Me.  You can retire from your working career, but you never retire from walking with Me and serving as I direct.  You have more time than ever to seek Me and serve me so look for opportunities to engage and you will yield fruit in your old age and flourish like the palm tree.

Jeremiah 39-41, 2 Timothy 1, Psalms 90:1-91:16, Proverbs 26:1-2

What God said to me – Children don’t have a realistic sense of time – school seems to go on forever, summer is short, Christmas is an eternity away in their minds.  Some parents use an advent calendar to count the days as Christmas approaches and kids are “extra” good and “extra” aware as the day approaches.  The Psalmist cried out, “Do return, O Lord; how long will it be?”  His heart yearned for that day.  Unlike Christmas, you don’t know that day, but you can feel it approaching – you sense the time is drawing close.  Be like the child who is “extra” good and “extra” aware – spend more and more time with Me.  Let Me teach you how to number your days and set your priorities.  Even though time may seem to be dragging on for you as the world grows more chaotic and pulls further away from Me, for Me it is just the blink of an eye.  The day is set and rapidly approaching so set your heart and mind to walk in a manner worthy of your calling so you won’t be ashamed at My coming and you can present to Me a heart of wisdom.

Jeremiah 37-38, 1 Timothy 6, Psalms 89:38-52, Proverbs 25:28

What God said to me – There is one method of training dogs where every time they obey or accomplish a task they receive a treat.  They obey because they want the treat.  There is another method where when they obey, they are petted and praised.  They obey because they want to please their master.  So many of My children are like the dog and the treat – they think if they are “good” then I will bless them – they obey and follow Me for the “treat” not because they love Me and want to please Me.  So often they misconstrue My blessing on their lives to be financial success or career success or good health or good children when My true blessing is peace and joy and faith and hope no matter what your circumstances.  Godliness actually is a means of gain, just not material gain – it is spiritual.  Walking in obedience and seeking to please Me because you love Me brings joy and contentment because you trust that “I AM” at work for your good in every circumstance.