Ezekiel 16, Isaiah 1, Matthew 27:35-66

What God said to me – True faith is believing without seeing.  It is believing in who “I AM” – My character – My holiness – not on what I do for you.  Look at those who were present at My crucifixion – because they didn’t understand what was happening, they yelled for Me to come down off the cross and save Myself and then they would believe.  But if I had done what they asked, their faith would have been in a sinner who chose his own will over that of God the Father.  Your faith must be in Me, trusting that no matter what is happening in your life that “I AM” always good, that “I AM” always sovereign, that I love you unconditionally.  This is what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.  Even when everything seems to be falling apart and you can’t see or understand what “I AM” doing, you can know that it is for your good and My glory.

Ezekiel 14-15, Song of Solomon 8, Matthew 27:1-44

What God said to me – There are people you know or who you’ve heard of that you believe are so vile or so anti-god that you think they will never be saved.  So, you avoid them as much as possible or put them out of your life totally.  But you are not Me and you don’t know who I’ve chosen or who I’ve called.  Don’t cut people out of your life of sphere of influence so you don’t have to deal with them, and you can have some peace unless I direct you to do so.  Look at the two thieves on the cross who were crucified next to My Son, Jesus.  They were both robbers and had committed crimes vile enough to be executed.  They both hurled insulting words at My Son as He was dying and yet in the midst of this awful situation, one suddenly opened his eyes and realized the truth and cried out for forgiveness and redemption and was saved.  So, no matter who you encounter in your life, be kind and show My love and pray for them.  You never know which “thief” you may be encountering – the one who will die in his sin or the one who will turn and repent and be saved.

Ezekiel 12-13, Song of Solomon 7, Matthew 26:31-75

What God said to me – I have told you that this time alone with Me is the time where I prepare you and teach you and give you direction so you must be diligent to set it aside and seek Me.  Look at the example of My Son, Jesus, and His disciples.  The night before He was to be arrested My Son knew what was coming because He knew My word and He had spent much time with Me allowing Me to explain it.  So how did He spend His time?  He went to the garden to pray and seek My will and the strength to submit to it and then He walked into the most difficult situation of His life at peace, knowing I was with Him.  Look at the example of His disciples.  That same night they would face one of the most difficult situations of their lives.  So how did they spend their time?  They went to the garden to pray and fell asleep.  The time I intended to use to strengthen them and to prepare them for what was coming, they slept through, so they walked into the most difficult situation of their lives in fear and then scattered.  This time is important.  Wake up and seek Me.