2 Samuel 9-11, John 15, Psalms 119:49-64, Proverbs 16:1-3

What God said to me – Pruning fruit bearing plants is not just helpful, it is essential.  Pruning regulates growth, it increases yield, it maintains the health of the plant, and it increases the size and flavor of the fruit.  An unpruned plant often expends more energy growing tall and wide rather than producing fruit.  “I AM” the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser.  You who I have chosen to be Mine and are the branches that are to bear fruit.  My Father as the vinedresser prunes each branch so it will bear more and more fruit.  The tool He uses to prune the branches is the Word.  I told My disciples they were already pruned because of the word which I spoke to them.  In order to grow fruit, you must be in the word – it is not optional.  The word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness and to equip you for every good work.  When you find yourself floundering spiritually and you are not experiencing love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control which is the fruit of the Spirit, stop and check how much time you are spending in My word so you can be pruned and you can bear much fruit.  Quit expending so much energy on useless things and put your focus where it counts – on My word.

2 Samuel 7-8, John 14:15-31, Psalms 119:33-48, Proverbs 15:33

What God said to me – My word was written, not for My benefit, but for My children’s benefit.  I know My plans.  I know My purposes.  I know My law.  I didn’t write it for Me.  I wrote it specifically for My children – for you – for direction, for instruction, to record accounts of My past faithfulness and working and to lay out My plans for the world.  As you see prophesies fulfilled, your faith will grow, and you can have peace in the midst of all that is going on in the world.  My word contains all you need for life and godliness, and if that weren’t enough, I gave you My Spirit as a Helper and Teacher – He will teach you all things and bring to mind all that I said.  You cannot know Me apart from spending time in My word because it is where I reveal Myself to you.  My Spirit cannot bring to mind all that I said when you need it if you don’t know what things I said.  You learn those things through reading and studying My word.   Do you want to please Me and have My approval?  Then study My word so you can accurately handle it and walk in obedience.

2 Samuel 4-6, John 13:31-14:14, Psalms 119:17-32, Proverbs 15:31-32

What God said to me – After David finally became king of a united Israel, he established his stronghold in Jerusalem.  He understood that I was the one who established him as king and that I had exalted his kingdom for the sake of My people, Israel.  When the Philistines heard that David was now king, they came up to war against him.  David didn’t just assume that because I had made him king that he was to go into battle – he stopped and asked Me.  I told him to go into battle, and I would deliver the Philistines into his hand.  After the Philistines were defeated, they came up again to battle David.  Even though it was the same enemy, at same place, same circumstances, David didn’t just assume he should use the same tactics to get the same success.  He once again stopped and asked Me what to do – this time I told him rather than confronting them head on like last time, he was to circle around behind them and to listen for a certain sound before he attacked.  So many of My children lead defeated lives because they pray once and assume how “I AM” going to choose to act.  This walk with Me is not a one and done or an occasional checking in – it is a step by step, moment by moment relationship where you are constantly seeking My direction and then walking in obedience.