2 Kings 3:1-4:17, Acts 14:8-28, Psalms 140:1-13, Proverbs 17:22

What God said to me – After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in World War II, James Doolittle led a group of pilots in a raid to bomb Japan.  When he recruited the pilots, he didn’t sugarcoat their mission or pull any punches.  He told them they were going to take off from an aircraft carrier, fly to Japan, and bomb it.  Then they were going to have to ditch their aircraft into the ocean or crash land in China because there was not enough fuel to return.  All of the pilots joined knowing the odds of survival were slim, but the mission was worth the risk.  My disciples are also on a difficult mission.  I have never sugarcoated what that means.  There are preachers who preach that you can live your best life now and have health, wealth, and prosperity.  However, I said in this world you will have tribulation.  Paul encouraged the people who came to Me to continue in the faith, but that they would face many tribulations.  Following Me is not easy – you may not have health, wealth, and prosperity, but you can have love, joy, and peace.  In this world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.

2 Kings 1-2, Acts 13:42-14:7, Psalms 139:1-24, Proverbs 17:19-21

What God said to me – When a storm is coming the very air around you changes.  It feels “heavy” and everything feels damp and sticky.  You are living in a time where the atmosphere of society is changing – you can sense a storm coming because there is a feeling of heaviness all around.  It’s like battle lines are being drawn and people are choosing sides – good vs evil – life vs death – positive vs negative.  However, people are choosing based on party lines or platforms or ideology or personality.  There is a battle coming but the choice of sides for My children is not right or left or conservative or liberal – it is are you going to follow Me wholeheartedly or compromise with My enemy.  Joshua once told the nation of Israel, “choose you this day who you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  You must daily choose to follow Me no matter what or you’ll find yourself slipping and compromising with My enemy.  Choose you “this” day who you will serve.

1 Kings 22, Acts 13:16-41, Psalms 138:1-8, Proverbs 17:17-18

What God said to me – “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but it is the truth.  Walking after Me is not easy, but it is as you go through the difficulties I place before you that you are transformed into My image.  These are the places where you learn faith and trust and patience and tolerance and understanding and kindness.  These are the places where you turn to Me and learn to depend on Me.  These are the places where you desperately seek Me and cry out to Me.  These are the places you struggle through and come out on the other side looking like Me so you can turn and minister to others who are struggling also.