Ezra 3:1-4:23, 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4, Psalms 28:1-9, Proverbs 20:24-25

What God said to me – I have told you over and over again that “I AM” carrying out My plan for the world and for your life for your good and for My glory.  I not only use My children and My word and godly things to do this, but I also use ungodly and rebellious people.  I used rebellious and ungodly to bring about your very salvation.  Think about this – ungodly, fleshly, rebellious people cannot understand My ways or My wisdom and even though it seems counterintuitive, this is a good thing for you – if they had understood that My Son, Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among them, they would not have crucified Him and had He not been crucified, you never could have been saved.  Unregenerated men have no capability of understanding Me or My ways because they do not have My Spirit within them, so spiritual things are foolishness to them.  Remember this as you share, as you take a stand for what is right, and as you try to navigate an ungodly society.  Bathe everything in prayer, trusting that I will work all things for your good and for My glory.

Ezra 1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, Psalms 27:7-14, Proverbs 20:22-23

What God said to me – Over a hundred years before he was born and years before Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon and My temple destroyed, I prophesied that Cyrus would be king and I would call him to rebuild My temple in Jerusalem and allow My people to return home.  All of this was recorded in My word for your benefit so you could see and understand that I have a plan that “I AM” carrying out for the world in general, but especially for My people.  This applies to you too – although My plans for your life may not have been prophesied and recorded in scripture long ago, they have been established none the less.  My plans for you are for a future and a hope – for your good and My glory because I called you to be My child for My purpose.  I have gifted you and placed you within My body to minister and to build up one another.  Just as Esther was made queen at the opportune time and Cyrus came to power exactly when I planned, I have placed you to minister and to serve for such a time as this.

2 Chronicles 35-36, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Psalms 27:1-6, Proverbs 20:20-21

What God said to me – You live in an age of corruption.  Sin and ungodliness are exploding and judgment is coming.  It is inevitable.  However, don’t be frightened or dismayed because in every time of judgment I have kept for Myself a faithful remnant who I prepared and enabled to stand – Noah and his family – Elijah and the seven thousand who refused to bow to Baal – Daniel – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah – Ezekiel – thousands of others who remain unnamed but who were faithful to stand.  Before Judah went into captivity in Babylon, I established a king, Josiah, who was the last king who did what was right in My sight.  He restored My house, discovered My lost word, and led the people in revival and recommitment to My covenant.  Judgment was not averted, but Josiah’s faithfulness helped those like Daniel who went into captivity to stand strong and to trust Me in the midst of it.  In these last days, I’m calling out My people to be a faithful remnant and to stand strong on My word.  Whether it is teaching or preaching or just sharing as I lead, be committed to reaching others so that in that day you will faithfully stand.