Jeremiah 2:31-4:18, Colossians 1:1-17, Psalms 76:1-12, Proverbs 24:21-22

What God said to me – My apostle, Paul, consistently and purposefully prayed for other believers, both those he knew and had ministered to personally, and those he had only heard about.  Look at Paul’s prayer for these brothers and sisters in Christ – it was not just a “bless them and be with them prayer” – it was so much more.  He prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of My will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they could walk in a manner worthy of Me, to please Me in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in knowledge of Me; strengthened with all power according to My glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to Me, because I qualified them to share in My inheritance with you.  I rescued them from the domain of darkness and transferred them to the kingdom of My Son.  Learn from Paul – you must learn to pray for one another more than just superficially and for more than just their physical wellbeing – pray for their spiritual growth and maturity – pray for their eternity.

Jeremiah 1:1-2:30, Philippians 4, Psalms 75:1-10, Proverbs 24:17-20

What God said to me – High level athletes have long understood there is a relationship between physical performance and mental attitude.  Many professionals have a sports psychologist on staff to help them with the mental aspects of the game.  It is the same for you in your walk with Me.  When I told you not to be conformed to the world, I didn’t tell you to work harder and be more disciplined, I told you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Joy and peace in your walk begin in your heart and mind, not in your actions.  Paul told the Philippians to pray about everything rather than succumbing to anxiety and as they did this, My peace would guard their hearts and minds.  Sports psychologists give their clients exercises to practice to transform their attitudes and thinking.  There is such a thing as “stinkin thinkin” and if your focus is on bad things or ungodly things or what you can’t do, it will change the way you live and respond.  You must set your mind on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and of good repute and excellence.  It takes practice to consistently reject the bad thoughts and focus on the good.  If you purposely dwell on these things it will transform your life and you will experience joy and peace and contentment that surpasses all understanding.

Isaiah 66, Philippians 3:4-21, Psalms 74:1-23, Proverbs 24:15-16

What God said to me – With a new year you always find yourself deluged in weight loss ads on television and on your social media feeds.  If you have ever gone to one of their websites and gone through the evaluation quiz, they create a plan customized for you.  They usually ask if there is some future event that you want to look good for – it becomes your motivation to “stick” with the program.  Athletes also usually maintain their consistency and train and perform their best when they follow a plan and they keep their eye on the prize.  The same is true of My children.  Your life is not just a series of random events – it is a well thought out plan I have created just for you – to transform you into My image as you walk with Me.  When you learn to keep your eye on the prize of My upward call in Christ Jesus, you will find you quit waffling and backsliding in your walk as you press on in your daily walk.  I didn’t just save you “from” hell – I saved you “for” glory so press on.  Keep your eye on the “prize” – life with Me.