Jeremiah 44:24-47:7, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17, Psalms 94:1-23, Proverbs 26: 6-8

What God said to me – Paul told Timothy that in the last days difficult times would come – people would become so full of themselves and so rebellious to Me they would be ensnared by the devil and held captive by him to do his will.  You can see it happening in real time every day on the news.  So, how are you as My child to live as you encounter these things?  What should you do?  To begin with you must not be quarrelsome.  No one responds well to angry confrontation even when presented with the truth.  You must learn to respond with kindness even to those who are angry and hateful.  Be patient when you are wronged, understanding that they have been ensnared by the devil and apart from My Spirit they are not capable of understanding the truth.  You must learn to accurately handle My word so you are equipped and able to gently correct those who are in opposition – most won’t respond, but some may come to the knowledge of the truth.

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23, 2 Timothy 2:1-21, Psalms 92:1-93:5, Proverbs 26:3-5

What God said to me – The date palm flourishes in the harsh environment of the desert.  It typically produces fruit for seventy-five to eighty years although some have been known to produce for a hundred years.  The Psalmist wrote, “the righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.  They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green.”  So many people view their most productive years as their mid-life before they retire, but for My children your most productive years spiritually can be your latter years if you are pursuing righteousness and walking with Me.  You can retire from your working career, but you never retire from walking with Me and serving as I direct.  You have more time than ever to seek Me and serve me so look for opportunities to engage and you will yield fruit in your old age and flourish like the palm tree.

Jeremiah 39-41, 2 Timothy 1, Psalms 90:1-91:16, Proverbs 26:1-2

What God said to me – Children don’t have a realistic sense of time – school seems to go on forever, summer is short, Christmas is an eternity away in their minds.  Some parents use an advent calendar to count the days as Christmas approaches and kids are “extra” good and “extra” aware as the day approaches.  The Psalmist cried out, “Do return, O Lord; how long will it be?”  His heart yearned for that day.  Unlike Christmas, you don’t know that day, but you can feel it approaching – you sense the time is drawing close.  Be like the child who is “extra” good and “extra” aware – spend more and more time with Me.  Let Me teach you how to number your days and set your priorities.  Even though time may seem to be dragging on for you as the world grows more chaotic and pulls further away from Me, for Me it is just the blink of an eye.  The day is set and rapidly approaching so set your heart and mind to walk in a manner worthy of your calling so you won’t be ashamed at My coming and you can present to Me a heart of wisdom.