2 Chronicles 21-23, Romans 11:13-36, Psalms 22:1-18, Proverbs 20:7

What God said to me – You may not have been in a war or experienced actual combat, but you’ve seen enough war movies to know that you don’t just walk nonchalantly into a firefight – you need armor – you need protection – you need weapons.  Yet as a Christian you do it every day with no thought or preparation – Whether you like it or not or even realize it or not, when you became My child you entered a war – a spiritual war with an enemy who is out to destroy you if he can or render you helpless or ineffective.  I have given you everything you need for life and godliness starting with putting My Spirit within you when I saved you.  I have given you a complete suit of armor as well as the shield of faith.  So, start each day by putting on your armor and picking up your shield and taking up your weapon which is the sword of the Spirit, My word.  Like any good soldier you’ve got to learn the ins and outs of your weapon and how to use it effectively.  That’s what this time is for – it is training – it is learning – it is practice so you can become proficient.  Don’t neglect this time.

2 Chronicles 19-20, Romans 10:14-11:12, Psalms 21:1-13, Proverbs 20:4-6

What God said to me – There is an old television show called “Undercover Boss” where the owner of a large company goes undercover in disguise and works in various areas of his business to evaluate his employees and the effectiveness of processes.  He usually finds some employees who are great and hard workers and others who are lazy and ineffective.  They are always surprised and sometimes embarrassed when he reveals his true identity to them.  When Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, appointed judges, he said to them, “consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man, but for the Lord who is with you when you render judgment,”  This is true for you as My child so do all you do as if you were doing it for Me or to Me because “I AM” always with you  When you truly live this way you will find yourself automatically walking in a manner worthy of your calling because you are always seeking to please Me and to honor Me.

2 Chronicles 17-18, Romans 9:25-10:13, Psalms 20:1-9, Proverbs 20:2-3

What God said to me – The Jews prided themselves on being the sons of Abraham and yet they continually tried to earn their righteousness before Me by following the Law even though they knew I declared Abraham righteous because he believed Me and not because he obeyed Me.  They had it backwards – obedience doesn’t lead to belief – belief leads to obedience.  So many people think that they can be saved by being “obedient” – by doing “good”.  They may go to church regularly or even teach a Sunday School class – they are good neighbors and take care of their family and give to charity and don’t cuss or smoke and on and on, but it is all them – it is works, not faith.  They are seeking to establish their own righteousness rather than subjecting themselves to Me.  For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is My gift, not because of works so you can’t boast about it.  It is all of Me – I gift you the faith necessary to believe and then declare you righteous because of that belief.