Joshua 3-4, Luke 14:7-35, Psalms 80:1-19, Proverbs 12:27-28

What God said to me – Gyms are crowded in January, but by February, they have emptied out because people don’t follow through on their New Year’s resolutions.  They made a head determination, but their heart was not changed.  Israel was like that – when they finally got to cross the Jordan and go into the promised land, they were gung-ho.  I stopped the flow of the river, and they crossed on dry land.  I had them gather twelve stones and set up a memorial to use as a witness to their descendants of how they crossed triumphantly on dry land.  However, a generation later most people were doing what was right in their own eyes and not following Me.  They made a head determination to follow Me, but their heart was not changed.  What about you?  How many times have you determined to have a quiet time every day and a regular prayer time only to fall away when you got too lazy to take time or too busy for Me.  This time is not about a head commitment – it is about the heart.  It is not about a routine to be carried out.  It is about a relationship to be built.

Deuteronomy 34, Joshua 1-2, Luke 13:22-14:6, Psalms 79:1-13, Proverbs 12 :26

What God said to me – In the movies or on TV, Christians are typically portrayed as weak, namby-pamby people with no backbone and in reality, the opposite is true.  Following Me and living for Me and taking a stand for what is right and good and holy in an ungodly world is not easy.  Following Me is not easy and yet it will get even more difficult as society continues to degenerate and My return approaches.  When Joshua was going to lead My people into the promised land, I told him over and over again to be strong and courageous.  Strength and courage would be necessary to face the difficulties and battles they would encounter, but their reward would be great as I fulfilled My word and brought them into the promised land.  In your walk with Me, you also must be strong and courageous.  You will face many difficulties and battles as the enemy stirs up society to reject Me and My ways completely.  As you stand strong and courageous in steadfastness following Me, I promise your reward will be great when I return and establish My kingdom.  “I AM” coming soon – be strong and courageous.

Deuteronomy 33, Luke 13:1-21, Psalms 78:15-72, Proverbs 12:25

What God said to me – You may not have any knowledge about plants, but if you saw a tree with apples on it, then you would be able to identify it as an apple tree.  If you saw a tree with lemons on it, you would be able to identify it as a lemon tree.  Fruit is an obvious identifier of a fruit tree.  Like fruit trees, My children should be easily identifiable by the fruit in their lives.  The fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control should be visible signs that identify you as My child.  As you walk by the Spirit, the fruit will begin to grow and be evident.  It is a moment by moment, step by step surrender of your selfish, fleshly desires and an acceptance of My sovereignty in leading you in every area of your life.  In the parable, the tree that never bore fruit was cut down and burned because it was useless.  Are you bearing any fruit in your life that would identify you as one of Mine?