1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17, Romans 1:1-17, Psalms 9:13-20, Proverbs 19 :4-5

What God said to me – Too often today people choose the church they attend based on what they “get” out of it – do they like the music – is the preacher “good” – is the facility comfortable.  However, the church is My body and one of its purposes is to build one another up so that every believer matures in their faith as a believer and grow in their faith as they use their gifts to minister to each other.  Paul wrote to the church in Rome of his desire to come to them not just to impart some spiritual gift to them so they could be established, but so that they could encourage him and minister to him, each of them by the other’s faith.  So, when you are praying about where you should go to church, don’t just look at what you get out of it or how much you enjoy it, but look for how you fit into the body – how you can use your spiritual gifts to minister and to build up the body.  It is not about you – it is about Me so find where you can worship and also build up My body so that “I AM” glorified.

1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18, Acts 28, Psalms 9:1-12, Proverbs 19:1-3

What God said to me – The definition of an opportunity is a set of circumstances that make it possible to do something.  Opportunities can come out of “good” circumstances or “bad” circumstances; however, you have to take advantage of the opportunity when it is presented or that opportunity may never come your way again.  Look at Paul – on his way to be tried in Rome, he was shipwrecked on the island of Malta and had to stay there until another ship was available and the weather permitted leaving.  In spite of this “bad” circumstance, Paul took advantage of his situation and used the opportunity to share the gospel and to minister to a group of people he never would have encountered except for his “bad” circumstance.  Conversely, other believers were able to come to Paul on the journey and use it as an opportunity to minister to him and to encourage him so he could face the trials ahead.  Remember I have a plan for your life that uses all circumstances, “good” and “bad” for your good and My glory so begin to look at them as opportunities to minister to others or to allow others to minister to you.

1 Chronicles 9-10, Acts 27:21-44, Psalms 8:1-9, Proverbs 18:23-24

What God said to me – You have observed an ant hill with thousands of ants scurrying about going through their routines to gather food and while you may be amazed watching them, you never give the individual ants a thought or intervene in some way to see that one survives and is provided for.  Now look about at the splendor and majesty and expanse of all creation – consider all of My works.  As you think about the vastness of the universe and the sheer numbers of the stars and planets and animals and plants, it will make you feel small and insignificant.  Yet in all of creation, I take thought of you – I care for you – I chose you – I made you my child – I created a plan just for your life.  Unlike your disregard of the ants you observe, I see each one of My children and not only do I see you, I seek you out to fellowship with you and to reveal Myself to you.  Think about this – meditate on this and you will fall on your face in worship and cry out, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is You name in all the earth.”