Jeremiah 14:11-16:15, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-3:13, Psalms 80:1-19, Proverbs 25:1-5

What God said to me – You live in a temporal world where the focus is on the physical – the here and now.  The problem with that is that I have created you as eternal beings and everything that happens in your life is part of My plan to accomplish My purpose and to prepare you for eternity.  Most people want a peaceful, prosperous, wonderful life but with few exceptions, that is not where you dig in and grow spiritually – it is usually the opposite – in the difficult and trying times you cling to Me and grow stronger in your faith.  When tough times come for yourself or those you love, your first inclination is to cry out to Me to get out of them.  When the people of Israel were in the midst of judgment I told My prophet, Jeremiah, not to pray for their welfare because I was using their circumstances to cleanse and refine them and to draw them back to Me.  Paul told the Thessalonians that he knew he was destined for affliction and persecution.  He understood I was using these things to grow him and to grow the spread of the gospel as he moved from place to place because of it.  Rather than focusing your prayers on the temporal – on situations – learn to focus on the eternal – pray that you would be established in holiness – pray that you would know Me in all My fullness – pray that you would be without blame and unashamed at My coming.

Jeremiah 12:1-14:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8, Psalms 79:1-13, Proverbs 24:30-31

What God said to me – Judgment is coming but there are many who will be surprised by it.  They claim to know Me but their actions deny their claims.  “I AM” near to their lips but far from their hearts and minds.  They talk a good game justifying their sin by saying I made them that way.  They say that “I AM” a God of love who would never deny anyone acceptance or love or happiness.  They do not know Me or My word.  “I AM” holy and I demand holiness in My children.  I gave My own Son to make My children holy and righteous and acceptable to Me.  I know you – I see you – I will make you holy as you walk with Me.  Don’t just talk the talk – walk the walk.  This is how I transform your life.  This is how I sanctify you.  This is how the Spirit that is in you is working out your salvation in your life for all to see.

Jeremiah 10-11, Colossians 3:18-4:18, Psalms 78:56-72, Proverbs 24:28-29

What God said to me – When you are learning a new sport the coach has you do certain motions over and over because the practice of repetitive motion builds “muscle memory” so it begins to feel natural without ever having to think about it.  The same is true of your prayer life.  I have told you to pray without ceasing and like any new activity, at first it seems awkward and even impossible.  However, as you consciously practice and continue in it at some point it becomes a natural part of your walk – you see a guy changing a flat tire on the side of the road so you pray for his safety – you see a lady struggling with an unruly toddler in the store so you pray for her patience.  There are endless possibilities of things you can pray about during the day, you just need to stay alert and begin to pray.  Pray with an attitude of thanksgiving – just look around as you go through your day and like a child begin to thank Me for the things you see all around you.  As you devote yourself to the practice of prayer it will soon become second nature to you and you will find yourself constantly aware of My presence so this lifelong conversation of ours becomes a walk, a way of life, and not just a moment of time each day.