Numbers 11 :24-13 :33, Mark 14 :22-52, Psalms 52 :1-9, Proverbs 11 :1-2

What God said to me – What is courage?  Television and movies portray it as having no fear – rushing headlong into danger without a thought or care.  After the people of Israel left Egypt, they journeyed through the wilderness toward the promised land.  When they were close, Moses sent twelve spies to go into the land.  Their purpose was not to decide whether or not to go in, it was to assess the situation so they could make plans.  Ten of the spies decided it was too dangerous – there were too many giants – the people were too fierce.  However, Caleb and Joshua were willing to go in spite of the great adversaries because it was My plan – My gift to them and they trusted Me.  They were courageous, but they based their courage on Me and My promises and not on themselves or their abilities.  When My Son, Jesus, was facing arrest and torture and crucifixion He spent the night praying.  He asked for this cup to be removed, but not His will, but Mine be done – then He went to the cross.  He faced it courageously because He trusted My plan.  When you trust My sovereignty, you can act with courage no matter what you face because your courage is based on your trust in Me and not in the outcome.

Numbers 10 :1-11 :23, Mark 14 :1-21, Psalms 51 :1-19, , Proverbs 10 :31-32

What God said to me – Have you ever been to a kid’s birthday party where the kids sang “Happy Birthday” as fast as they could – they didn’t really mean the words; they just did what they thought they had to do to get cake.  Most of the time when people say a prayer before a meal it is not to entreat Me or to thank Me, it is a rote recitation so they can get to the meal.  The Jews for the most part got to the point where their focus was on the ritual of burnt offerings and sacrifices rather than on Me – they went through the motions.  David, however, understood that his sin was against Me and that the sacrifices I required was a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart rather than physical sacrifices.  My Son, Jesus, made it clear that the greatest commandments were to love Me with all of your heart and mind and soul and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself and that to do this was greater than sacrifice.  So how are you doing?  Has your church attendance or Bible reading or prayer time become rituals you go through because you are “supposed” to like the burnt offerings and sacrifices of the Jews or do you come eagerly to be with Me in fellowship

Numbers 8-9, Mark 13 :14-37, Psalms 50 :1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30

What God said to me – Have you ever watched a baseball game where a runner got picked off because he was “asleep”?  He was tagged out because he wasn’t alert – he stepped off the bag but didn’t pay attention to where the ball was or who had it , and although he had a base coach who would tell him when to go or when to stay, he wasn’t watching him.  When the nation of Israel was traveling through the wilderness after I brought them out of Egypt, I was with them as a cloud by day and a fire by night.  When the cloud or fire stopped, they camped and when they lifted, they decamped and continued the journey.  They never knew when it would be, so they always had to be ready to stay or to go and they always had to keep their eyes on Me.  I have promised My people that I would return for them.  Although I haven’t told you the exact time, I gave you prophesies and signs about the last days and told you to stay alert and watchful so you would be ready.  You must be diligent to walk in a manner worthy of your calling and all the more as you see they day approaching.  It won’t be much longer – stay alert – be ready.