Judges 21, Ruth 1, John 4:4-42, Psalms 105:1-15, Proverbs 14:25

What God said to me – Have you ever been around someone who is all gloom and doom, always negative – they get a big promotion, but all they do is complain about having more responsibility – someone treats them to an ice cream cone and they gripe because it melts too fast – it’s always too hot or too cold or too windy or too dark or too something.  You know how weary and tiresome it is to be around someone like that, who is always complaining and never expressing gratitude or joy.  Now think about Me and how My children respond to Me in the various circumstances of life in which they find themselves.  I have promised to work all things for good to those who love Me and who are called according to My purpose, so what does it say about your faith and spiritual maturity when you gripe and complain.  Look at the story of Naomi – she went through great tragedies and trials in losing her husband and sons.  When she returned home and the people greeted her by name, she said “don’t call me Naomi, call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.  I went out full, but the Lord brought me back empty.”  She didn’t acknowledge the precious treasure I gave her in the daughter-in-law, Ruth, who was loyal and kind and took care of her.  She was so consumed by her sorrow and loss that she couldn’t see the blessing in front of her.  When life gets difficult – and it will – you must learn to take your focus off of your circumstances and look to Me – trust My sovereignty – trust My plan – trust My promise – I will work all things for your good and for My glory.

Judges 19-20, John 3:22-4:3, Psalms 104:24-35, Proverbs 14:22-24

What God said to me – True humility is rare now days.  Society says, “look out for number one” or “you deserve the best” or “you’re perfect the way you are.”  There is even a new term called the “humblebrag” where you brag about an accomplishment while at the same time saying, “aw shucks, I don’t even think I’m that good.”  My children are to put on hearts of compassion and kindness and humility.  So, what is humility?  It is not abasing or belittling yourself – it is an accurate assessment of who you are in the light of who “I AM” – it is a realization that all you are and have and do is because of My grace and mercy at work in your life and that apart from Me, you are nothing.  It is not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought to think.  As John the Baptist said, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”  You must humble yourself under My mighty hand and walk in a manner worthy of your calling and there will come a time when you will be exalted as a precious child of the King.

Judges 17-18, John 3:1-21, Psalms 104:1-23, Proverbs 14:20-21

What God said to me – There is a story in My word of a man named Micah who had two hundred pieces of silver from his mother made into a household idol.  He even hired his own personal priest to tend to him.  Some men from Dan came and stole his idol.  He pursued them and confronted them saying, “You have taken away my god which I made.”  It sounds silly doesn’t it – how can it be a god if a man made it and how can someone steal a god?  Most people today are too “sophisticated” to actually bow down to an idol that someone made.  However, people today are just like the people of Israel – they had no king, so they did what was right in their own eyes.  People may not craft idols today, but they do what is right in their own eyes – they make themselves god, living their “truth”.  “I AM” the way, the truth and the life.  You cannot come to Me or live for Me apart from My truth.  Unlike Israel in the time of the judges, as My child, you have a King – Me.  If you want to please Me you must do what is right in My eyes, not yours.