Jeremiah 1:1-2:30, Philippians 4, Psalms 75:1-10, Proverbs 24:17-20

What God said to me – High level athletes have long understood there is a relationship between physical performance and mental attitude.  Many professionals have a sports psychologist on staff to help them with the mental aspects of the game.  It is the same for you in your walk with Me.  When I told you not to be conformed to the world, I didn’t tell you to work harder and be more disciplined, I told you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Joy and peace in your walk begin in your heart and mind, not in your actions.  Paul told the Philippians to pray about everything rather than succumbing to anxiety and as they did this, My peace would guard their hearts and minds.  Sports psychologists give their clients exercises to practice to transform their attitudes and thinking.  There is such a thing as “stinkin thinkin” and if your focus is on bad things or ungodly things or what you can’t do, it will change the way you live and respond.  You must set your mind on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and of good repute and excellence.  It takes practice to consistently reject the bad thoughts and focus on the good.  If you purposely dwell on these things it will transform your life and you will experience joy and peace and contentment that surpasses all understanding.

Isaiah 66, Philippians 3:4-21, Psalms 74:1-23, Proverbs 24:15-16

What God said to me – With a new year you always find yourself deluged in weight loss ads on television and on your social media feeds.  If you have ever gone to one of their websites and gone through the evaluation quiz, they create a plan customized for you.  They usually ask if there is some future event that you want to look good for – it becomes your motivation to “stick” with the program.  Athletes also usually maintain their consistency and train and perform their best when they follow a plan and they keep their eye on the prize.  The same is true of My children.  Your life is not just a series of random events – it is a well thought out plan I have created just for you – to transform you into My image as you walk with Me.  When you learn to keep your eye on the prize of My upward call in Christ Jesus, you will find you quit waffling and backsliding in your walk as you press on in your daily walk.  I didn’t just save you “from” hell – I saved you “for” glory so press on.  Keep your eye on the “prize” – life with Me.

Isaiah 62:6-65:25, Philippians 2:19-3:3, Psalms 73:1-28, Proverbs 24:13-14

What God said to me – If you are not careful you will find yourself slipping into temporal thinking and when you do it is easy to stumble in your walk with Me because you are taking your eyes off of Me and putting them on the things of the world.  The psalmist found himself close to stumbling when he began to look around himself and see evil people prospering and succeeding while he was struggling and he was envious of their lifestyles and successes and seemingly problem free life.  When he took his eyes off of Me, he was blinded to the truth.  It was not until he came to Me in worship that he began to correct his thinking and to see things from an eternal perspective.  It wasn’t until he quit looking at their present circumstances and looked at their end and looked at his present circumstances and what awaited him in glory with Me, that he was able to get his thinking straight.  Come into My presence and stay close so you don’t drift.  My nearness is for your good – “I AM” the strength of your heart and your portion forever – take refuge in Me.