Job 31-33, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalms 43:1-5, Proverbs 22:8-9

What God said to me – Have you ever looked into a mirror and felt like your mom or dad was looking back at you because you look so much like them?  People begin to say, “the older you get the more you look like your mother” or “you sound just like your father”, or “that’s just like something your mom would say”, or “that’s just like something your dad would do”.  It is only natural that you look and sound and act like the people who bore you or raised you or who you spend the most time with.  In the same way My children should begin to look and act and sound like Me as they spend more and more time with Me.  The next step after I saved you was to begin to sanctify you and to transform you into My image.  As you spend more and more time in My word it should transform the way you talk – your speech should be filled with grace, and no unwholesome word should come out of your mouth.  Your countenance should be one of joy and peace.  Your actions should be full of mercy and kindness and generosity.  The more time you spend with Me walking in love and obedience, the more you will look like Me.  Do you?

Job 28-30, 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, Psalms 42:1-11, Proverbs 22:7

What God said to me – When you are at a barbeque the smell of meat roasting is wonderful if you love steaks or ribs or chicken but to the vegan or vegetarian it is offensive – it depends on who they are if they like the smell or not and there is nothing you can do to make it palatable short of not cooking or changing the menu.  The same is true of your life as you interact with unbelievers.  My children have a sweet aroma because of Christ in their lives.  While your aroma is pleasing to Me and to other believers, to non-believers it is offensive.  My Son was a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense for those who refused to believe and as you walk with Me and begin to look more like Him, your aroma will be offensive to unbelievers unless you change the message to make it more palatable.  You must be faithful to My word and choose daily to walk so that the sweet aroma of Christ permeates your life for it is a soothing aroma that is acceptable to Me.

Job 23-27, 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11, Psalms 41:1-13, Proverbs 22:5-6

What God said to me – Have you ever spent a small fortune on Christmas gifts for the kids and after all the gifts were opened they ended up playing with the boxes?  You spent so much time and money searching for and buying the “perfect” gifts and in the end, it seemed like such a waste.  The things you thought were so important were soon forgotten or broken or discarded but the times playing and laughing and sharing you’ll remember forever.  It’s the difference between focusing on the temporal or on the eternal in your daily life.  One of the things about walking consistently with Me and seeking Me earnestly is that I direct you to things that have an eternal impact.  I change the way you pray as you seek My will to be done in people’s lives.  I change the way you spend money as you surrender all to Me and give as I direct.  I make the things you do and the ministries you participate in have a lasting impact as you walk in obedience as I direct.  Keep your eyes on Me and you will keep your focus on things that make an impact for eternity.