2 Samuel 13, John 17, Psalms 119:81-96, Proverbs 16:6-7

What God said to me – The song “Little Is Much When God Is In It” expresses a truth you need to embrace.  You don’t have to be talented or charismatic or even particularly successful to please Me and to be used by Me if you are submitted to be used by Me where I call you.  Back in the 1800s I called Adoniram Judson to serve as a missionary in Burma.  He served faithfully despite great personal loss and hardship.  After ten years he had a church with eighteen believers, hardly a success in the eyes of the world.  Yet today there are four million Christians in that country.  My own Son, Jesus, had twelve disciples, one of whom betrayed Him, and a small number of others who truly believed and yet He was able to save all those I called to Him then and since and the eleven remaining disciples changed the world by their sacrifice and faithful service.  You might not think you have an expansive or extensive ministry but continue to serve faithfully where I have put you because you have no idea the far-reaching effects.  If I can turn Adoniram Judson’s eighteen and Jesus’ eleven disciples into millions, I can use you too.  Remain steadfast and continue to serve – I will do the rest.

2 Samuel 12, John 16, Psalms 119:65-80, Proverbs 16:4-5

What God said to me – Have you ever said, “if I only knew then what I know now”?  As they say, “hindsight is twenty-twenty”.  However, there are some lessons that can only be learned in hardship and difficulty and trial and error and even failure.  In the movie, Top Gun, it was repeated over and over never to leave your wingman, yet Maverick in his cockiness and self-reliance always thought he knew better and would take off on his own at a perceived opportunity.  It was only after tragedy and difficulty and failure that he finally learned the lesson and was able to follow through.  The disciples told My Son, Jesus, that they finally understood what He was telling them and believed, but He admonished them that a time was coming soon that they would all scatter when facing what He told them was coming.  Peter told Him that he would die for Him, but in the midst of it, he denied Him.  The good news is that they all came back and were stronger and more faithful than ever because they learned some hard-won truths and those lessons enabled them to stand strong later.  So, don’t waste time regretting your past failures on “what ifs” or “I wish”.  Learn from those things and walk in steadfastness and faithfulness now.  In this world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.

2 Samuel 9-11, John 15, Psalms 119:49-64, Proverbs 16:1-3

What God said to me – Pruning fruit bearing plants is not just helpful, it is essential.  Pruning regulates growth, it increases yield, it maintains the health of the plant, and it increases the size and flavor of the fruit.  An unpruned plant often expends more energy growing tall and wide rather than producing fruit.  “I AM” the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser.  You who I have chosen to be Mine and are the branches that are to bear fruit.  My Father as the vinedresser prunes each branch so it will bear more and more fruit.  The tool He uses to prune the branches is the Word.  I told My disciples they were already pruned because of the word which I spoke to them.  In order to grow fruit, you must be in the word – it is not optional.  The word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness and to equip you for every good work.  When you find yourself floundering spiritually and you are not experiencing love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control which is the fruit of the Spirit, stop and check how much time you are spending in My word so you can be pruned and you can bear much fruit.  Quit expending so much energy on useless things and put your focus where it counts – on My word.