Matthew 8-10, Psalms 62

What God said to me – Being a Christian – walking with Me – is not about ritual and tradition – checking the boxes – I went to church this week – I gave my tithe – I read my Bible – I prayed – so I am all good!  Being a Christian – walking with Me – is all about relationship, not “doing”.  You can go to church and yet not worship.  You can give and yet not minister.  You can read your Bible and yet not hear from Me.  You can pray and yet not converse with Me.  “Now I lay me down to sleep” is not prayer, it’s recitation.  If you are not careful, it is easy to slip into this mindset.  Our relationship must be personal and not perfunctory if you are to grow and mature and deepen in your faith.  I didn’t choose you to be a puppet who does all the “right” things.  I chose you to be My child so we could have a relationship and a lifelong conversation that grows and deepens and matures.

Matthew 5-7, Psalms 61

What God said to me – When you become Mine, you become salt – the question is whether or not you will retain your “saltiness”.  You must walk with Me and stay close to Me in order to maintain your saltiness.  When you are salty, you make others around you thirst for Me, the Living Water.  This doesn’t just affect the lost, it also affects your brothers and sisters in Me.  It encourages them to walk more closely with Me.  It increases their thirst for My word and to do My will as they interact with you.  You don’t have to try to be salty – you just walk with Me, and you will be salty.  Is your life causing others to thirst for Me?

Matthew 1-4, Psalms 60

What God said to me – Immanuel – God with us.  This great truth is still true today.  “I AM” with you today and always.  Think about that – “I AM” with you.  You are Mine and I’ll never leave you.  The depth of that truth is more than you can ever understand but you can learn to walk in it day by day, moment by moment.  Constantly turn your thoughts toward Me.  Seek My direction with every person you encounter, every project you work on, every step you take.  Turn to Me and ask, “now what Lord”, “what do I do”, “what do I say”.  When something happens to hinder your schedule or cause you to change directions, turn to Me knowing that “I AM” with you and I will guide you through whatever it is.  “I AM” with you always – that doesn’t mean just for eternity – it means for this day – for this very moment.