2 Samuel 1:1-2:11, John 12:20-50, Psalms 118:19-29, Proverbs 15:27-28

What God said to me – Everybody has an opinion whether it is about politics or religion or sports or how to raise kids – anything you can think of or say – somebody else will have an opinion about it.  The thing is, opinions are only as good as what you are basing them on so if you have bad information or certain biases, your opinion is flawed.  When My Son, Jesus, told the Jews He had to be lifted up, they argued that He couldn’t be the Christ because the Christ would remain forever.  So, if He was going to be crucified, He couldn’t be the Christ.  Their opinion was flawed because they based it on part of My word and not on My entire counsel.  You need to diligently study My entire word, so you have an understanding of doctrine in context.  Entire denominations have been built on partial truths taken out of context of My word as a whole.  When Jesus met the two men on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection, He began with Moses and went through the Prophets to explain the things concerning Himself – He used all of My word to teach the truth and how it fit together.   If you want to be a workman who can accurately handle the Word of truth, you must diligently study it all.

1 Samuel 29-31, John 11:55-12:19, Psalms 118:1-18, Proverbs 15:24-26

What God said to me – In the movie National Treasure, Ben Gates spends his life looking for a hidden treasure and all he has is  a clue from an ancestor – “the secret lies with Charlotte”.  He figures out that Charlotte was a ship lost in the Artic and on the ship, he finds a carved ivory pipe.  Still baffled, he follows one clue after another and goes from one frustration to another not having a full understanding.  In the finale of the movie he finally finds a hole in the subterranean wall that is shaped like the pipe he found on the Charlotte.  He inserts the pipe and it finally clicks and the wall is opened and the treasure is revealed.  In My Son, Jesus’s life, he fulfilled scripture after scripture.  His disciples walked with Him through it all and even though they knew the scriptures, they didn’t understand it at first.  It wasn’t until later when He was glorified that it all “clicked” and they remembered the things written about Him and saw how He fulfilled the prophesies.  One of the reasons My children neglect My word is because they don’t understand it at first – it is not always easy and may require diligence and perseverance and time and meditation and wrestling with it over and over to gain a full understanding of the deeper truths.  Don’t give up – continue reading and studying and one day it will all “click” and you’ll be rewarded with understanding that will deepen our relationship.  Don’t give up.

1 Samuel 26-28, John 11:1-54, Psalms 117:1-2, Proverbs 15:22-23

What God said to me – My Son, Jesus, prayed continually.  He made sure He took time away from everything to hear from Me and to spend time with Me, not just seeking direction, but in fellowship with Me, sharing His love and His gratitude and His worship.  This lifelong conversation we have is modeled after His relationship with Me, so make sure you do not neglect this time.  When Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick, He didn’t go immediately, but He followed My instructions and waited.  He trusted My plan and understood that I can use even the most difficult circumstances to glorify My name and demonstrate My faithfulness.  When He arrived at the grave with Mary and Martha and their grieving friends, He didn’t just tell them He was praying for them – He actually prayed for them, then and there – as the saying goes, “in front of God and everybody”.  Look to His example and learn to be bold.  Don’t just tell people that you are praying for them and move on but pray for them then and there – let them hear it and I’ll use it to deepen your relationships and broaden your opportunities for ministry.