So Much More

Day 65
Come to Me. I am the one who heals you. I am the one who gives you rest. I have created you. I know you down to your innermost being. I know your desires and I know your needs. I can meet your every need, better than you know how to ask me. My Spirit searches through your being, and knows you more intimately than you know yourself.

I am in you, and you are in Me. Let your spirit search Me out, and know me. I will bring completeness to your life, direction, peace, and courage to stand firm. Put on my armor and be filled with my Spirit. There is so much I want to do through you.

If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you [Exodus 15:26].

The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds [Jeremiah 17:9,10].

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him [2 Chronicles 16:9].

Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring [Hosea 6:3].

Refocus

Day 64
Do no focus on failure, but use it as a reminder to get refocused, moment by moment. I am doing a work in you and I am doing works in those around you. I take each person, one step at a time. Commit yourself to keeping in step, one foot in front of the other. Others fall in line as my spirit works in their hearts. You follow his lead, and keep in step. It is not too hard for you. I have shown you the way. I will instruct you. Don't "rack your brain to figure out what to do." That is not what I have called you to do. Listen to my voice and pay attention to my instruction. As you obey, my word becomes more clear.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work [2 Corinthians 9:8].

For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity [Proverbs 24:16].

All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come [John 16:1, 13].

Stand Firm

Day 63

Painted Rocks, North Carolina

You can do all things through Me. I give you the power -- it is available. Make your plans acording to what I have shown you, and I will direct your steps. You can get yourself so saturated with my word and truth that you will always have the right answer, know the right choices to make, and be able to do every good work I have prepared you for. It requires concentration, dedication, and being determined in your mind to never give up.

Keep on keeping on. Purpose at the start of each day to set your mind on Me, fix your eyes upon Jesus. Then when you start to seek Me you will see my provision. Keep on seeking Me through the day. My Spirit will remind you, enable you, guide you.

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength [Philippians 4:13].

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps [Proverbs 16:9].

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus [Philippians 3:13-14].

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain [1 Corinthians 15:58].

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come [2 Corinthians 1:20-22].

Look Up

Day 62

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! [Isaiah 55:6, 12]

Look to Me. I am in the midst of all things that encompass you. Like the eye of a storm, I am in the center and in control. I will give you peace. I will guide you.

Look to Me when you weigh and consider all the options that are available. Let my principles guide you. You will make the right choices when you ask for my direction. I will not allow you to be tossed about and confused, if you look to Me.

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever [Psalm 121].

First Thing First

Day 61
Now you see that I have given you everything you need. All things are mine, and I make available to you whatever you need. I freely give you all things. It is never your job to acquire material things. All of that is taken care of. It is your job to find out what I have assigned you, and walk it out in obedience.

The more time you spend in getting to know Me and my ways, the more clearly you will see what I am asking you to do each day. You were designed according to my purposes. The pieces of the puzzle will fit perfectly, and exactly in the right order, when you follow my instructions.

Know my principles. By carrying them in your heart you will know immediately when they are being violated and how to correct it. I give you the means at just the right time. Obey my principles, and all the wrinkles will get ironed out, and then the pieces will fit together.

You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both. If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?


What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.


Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes [Matthew 6:24-34, The Message]

He Knows

Day 60
It is much easier to persevere when your eyes are lifted up to the goal at the end of the race. Keep your eyes fixed on Me. Serving Me is not to the exclusion of everything else, but brings balance to all things in your life and wisdom to deal correctly with all things that cross your path.

Know that anything which comes as a surprise to you was already calculated into my formula for you, and all the provisions to handle it have been made. You can walk in unwavering faith, because you know Me, and you know that I see all things and prepare for all things to be of good use in the lives of my children.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account [Hebrews 4:13].

People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak" [Mark 7:37].

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us [Romans 8:32-37].

The Secret Narrow Path of Abundance

(Follow the Shepherd)

Day 59
If you focus on Me you will never be disappointed, even about your circumstances. I am He who sustains inner joy and peace regardless of the situation. Do not react to your circumstances out of your emotions. Respond out of your spirit to my voice. You will hear it because you know Me. You know my character enough to discern my leading.

I am infinite. You can never use up my resources. My well never runs dry, and my mercies are new every morning. Keep my words before you. They are a road map, through every terrain and territory you will pass through. You have all that you need.

As you understand my instruction, make it your priority to obey it. This will keep you on the narrow way, and you will avoid every thorn and pitfall. If your gaze is fixed on Me, it will be easy to obey and it will bring you peace like you have never known, the more you do so.

If I have given you my Son, I have given you all things, and you can walk in security, nowing that I am in control and that you lack nothing.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength [Philippians 4:12-13].

The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep [John 10:3,4,9-11].

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [Romans 8:31-32].

Open Heaven

Day 58
Commit your ways to me. That is a conscious effort, all day long. If you feel you have no guidance, call to me, and focus your mind on what I have spoken to you in the past. Meditate on my word, and it will lead you to the answers. There is no mystical infusion of spiritual truth by osmosis. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I am the source, and my word has every answer, but you must know it to own it. I may intervene supernaturally, but you are to work out your salvation by making it your utmost priority to know Me and my ways. The formula: Spend time with Me and learn my word. Then walk it out. When you know the way, it is so easy. That is when all the floodgates can be opened and my Spirit can flow through your life, to purify you and to be living water to those you touch.

Tennessee Sunset
by Dad Weber

If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none [Deuteronomy 28:9, 12].

He changes a wilderness into a pool of water and a dry land into springs of water [Psalm 107:35].

Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert [Isaiah 35:6].

Fresh Flow

Day 57
I love you. That's why I died for you. And I rose from the dead, conquering death once and for all. And so I give you power to live as I lived, with the constant life-giving flow of God's omnipotent Spirit through your life.

Your thought processes, your attitudes, your decision-making process, your motivation, and thus your actions, will be led by the flow of my Spirit into you. I am not stagnant,and I will not become stale. I bring newness of life continually. Do not stop the flow or clog up the channel by allowing your thoughts to be controlled by human emotions or by the influence of anything that does not come from God as its source. The only way to become Christlike is to be Christ-minded, by willfully fixing your mind on Christ and his word. It's a simple formula, but sometimes it seems as difficult to find as a needle in a haystack, because you let your mind be clouded and cluttered by all the cares of life in this world.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you [Romans 8:11].

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life [Romans 6:5].

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him" [Lamentations 3:21-24].

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first [Hebrews 3:1, 14].

Be Planted

William Burchfield Park

Day 56
Give your heart to Me, with all of its passions and desires, for I have made you passionate and emotional, and I can fill every need of your heart, to a point that exceeds all of your expectations. Do not look to the world or the people of the world to meet any of your needs. I am the One who meets your needs. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.

Thus says the Lord, "Cursed is the one who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord. For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant."

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. He will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit [Jeremiah 17:5-8].

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are always before me [Isaiah 49:16].

Build from Vision

Day 55
Form good habits by building good molds to be filled. From my word come the building materials, the resources to use to lay down a mold over your foundation, which is your connection to Me, the Lord Jesus Christ. Lay down the boards one at a time, conforming your will by deciding to follow and then doing it. Make conscious efforts all day long to communicate with Me. Seek Me and listen to Me.

Then when you hear, lay another piece of the mold by acting in obedience. You are never on your own. I am guiding you, but you must allow yourself to be led, or you will miss it.

Keep laying down pieces of the molds. When I see that a mold is complete, in just the form I want it, I will begin to pour in the cement, which conforms and transforms your spirit and soul to my spirit and my ways.

Toronto

This is a slow process. Sometimes we have to tear up bad parts of the mold you have been building. Be careful to lay them according to my blueprint, my word that you know. Each act of obedience is another board laid in the mold.

I am revealing to you a vision of what the final project will look like. You cannot see it all at once, or you would be overwhelmed and lose sight of the task at hand. Keep building your molds, one board at a time, with the vision of my revelation in your eye.

For he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered {2 Chronicles 14:7].

And it will be said, "Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstacle out of the way of my people" Isaiah 57:14].

"As I have watched over them to pull up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," declares the Lord [Jeremiah 31:28].

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified [Acts 20:32].

Microscopic to Massive

Day 54
Persevere in small things, taking every thought captive and submitting it to Me. I have made provision for every area of life. I have missed no details. I am the God of intricate design, and I have fashioned everything in detail, from the microscopic to the massive, majestic oceans and the vast expanse of the universe and beyond. There is not one detail unknown to Me. Do you think that I can forget you, or anything that is of concern to you, my child, and the one for whom I sacrificed my own Son and created a world to live in?

It is from Me that life, wisdom, love, joy, and peace flow, not from any of your efforts. Your purpose and function is to know Me, the Creator, and to reflect my glory. Respond to Me in faith, confidence, surrender, conformity to my ways, and obedience in all things. My way is the opposite of what the flesh wants to do. Get to know my ways, and you will always recognize the ways of the flesh, so that you may put it to death and be more than a conqueror over the ways of sin and death. My word to you is life.

Blue Mountains - Jamaica

I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things [Isaiah 45:5-7].

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by myself and spreading out the earth all alone" [Isaiah 44:24].

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin [1 Peter 4:1].

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit [1 Peter 3:18].

Do You Know What to Do?

Ferguson Park - Okemos, Michigan

Day 53
To know my word is to know Me and my ways. Become acquainted with all my ways; then you will know how to walk in them. You will know what Jesus would do in any situation, because you will know Me. My ways are not your ways. That is why you must study them, to learn them. I have revealed myself to you so that you can teach my ways to others.

When you see Me as I am, then you can be like Me by reflecting my glory. Then others can see Me. This is the purpose of your life: to know Me and glorify Me. Be faithful to be my witness to others. I love them as I do you.

You need only to fulfill the responsibility I have set before you. You are not accountable for how others react to what I tell you to do. Keep on track with what I have told you and keep in line with what you know you should do. You obey, and my Spirit will use my word to turn the hearts of others. Do not determine your own steps and your courses of action by how you feel or by how others respond to you. You must follow my ways. My Spirit will compel you, and you will not falter or fail when you obey Me in faith, believing.

I will meditate on your precepts and regard your ways. I will delight in your instructions; I will not forget your word [Psalm 119:15-16].

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [Romans 15:5-6].

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it [Deuteronomy 30:14].

It's Who You Know

Day 52
The more of my word you get stored in your heart, the more your heart will be changed. From desires to attitudes to speech and actions, you will reflect my glory, and my will will be accomplished in your life. It is Me that you must stay connected to, not your own ideas or goals. Let my word, which reveals my character, dwell richly in you. It is life and it holds all the keys to unlock the answer to every question. You must know it, or you will lack answers, and sometimes you will take the long way around, because you do not know my word. It will never stop being the most important thing you do -- to know my word and to know Me.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit [2 Corinthians 3:18].

Open my eyes, that I may see wonderful things in your law. Give me understanding, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart [Psalm 119:18, 34].

With all my heart I have sought you;
Do not let me wander from your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against you [Psalm 119:10-11].

Burden-Bearer

Day 51
Lay your burdens down. I can carry all your burdens. When you try to juggle too many bundles, you cannot stay focused on the task at hand. One important focus is to keep getting my word into your heart.

Commit your way to Me and give it thought. Take each step in faith. You have the resources. Commit it to Me, and follow through. I have prepared your heart, and I am preparing the way before you. There is little time, and there is much to be accomplished. Your mission field lies before you. I have chosen you for specific tasks, and I have made you ready.

Obey my instruction. Be sure that you spend time with Me. Stay in my word. Follow my leading in each step, and don't turn from it.

Trust me for results. My word will accomplish what I sent it forth to do. Your job is to make it available and clear, to set it before the eyes and ears and hearts of those I have given you to minister to. It is a great responsibility, but I have made you greater than the task. I will do what I have promised.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation [Psalm 68:19].

Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established [Proverbs 16:3].

Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday [Psalm 37:5-6].

Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go [Joshua 1:7].

Look and Listen

Michigan State University

Day 50
Be looking for Me all day long. I am your constant companion, and my Holy Spirit is your guide. Look to Me for counsel. When you don't know the way, I will show you. Make constant communication with Me a habit. I desire to share many things with you. This is your most intimate relationship. It will become your lifeblood.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you [Psalm 32:8].

I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on his own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify me, for He will take of mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that He takes of mine and will disclose it to you [John 16:12-15].

The secret of the Lord is for those who fear him, and He will make them know his covenant [Psalm 25:14].

Ready for Launch?

St. Lucia

Day 49
True gratification and fulfillment of your deepest emotional longings will come only as you surrender your thoughts, motives and desires to Me, and as you yield your will in obedience to what I ask you to do.

This is a daily discipline. When your eyes are on Me and your goal is to become one with my purposes, no task is too burdensome, but a light load that brings about ultimate joy, peace and righteousness. Take every thought captive. Make this the daily, continual exercise of your spirit. Discipline yourself to step out in faith to do it. My plans will unfold before you. I am ready, and I have prepared for whatever will come.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart [Psalm 37:4].

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light [Matthew 11:29-30].

The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due time. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing [Psalm 145:14-16].

Power under Pressure

Day 48
I am the one who holds you up. I am always present in times of pressure. I will make my plans, my purposes and my priorities known to you. I will make you fly like an eagle through mountain passes that you cannot navigate alone. I am the one who makes the way for you, and I am the one who gives every provision for the journey.

Nothing of your own power or of your own making will help carry you through. You must learn to be attentive to my voice, to keep your eyes focused straight ahead on Me, and to keep your heart diligently, intent on doing my will, which is revealed to you by my Spirit. It will not always be what you want to do, but your present pleasure is not always of concern, and it is never my first concern.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though earthquakes come and the mountains crumble and fall into the heart of the sea [Psalm 46:1-2].

You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself [Exodus 19:4].

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil [Proverbs 3:5-7 NLT].

Stay on Course

Day 47
My eyes are always upon you, to keep you from being snared and from stumbling. Lock your eyes onto Me, and trust only Me. Set your hope in Me, on things above, and meditate on my word, and you will be conformed to my image. My ways are ever before you, and it is not hard to follow them, if you know them. My principles will become your way of life, and nothing will be able to lead you astray. You can be sure and confident.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry [Psalm 34:15].

You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways [Psalm 119:1-7, The Message].

For you have delivered my soul from death, indeed my feet from stumbling so that I may walk before God in the light of the living [Psalm 56:13].

Children of Light

Day 46
I have called you out of darkness into light. You will be light to other people. Let your light shine. The truth is in you. As my word and my Spirit transform you, it will become more natural to speak out and to bring my word to others. I have great plans for you and your family. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the springs of life. Be diligent to do what you know is right.


I will never leave you hanging, not knowing what to do. If you can't see the answer, ask Me, and keep seeking Me, until you see it. Be diligent in everything that is right, and eliminate things that are of no value.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light [1 Peter 2:9].

Let your light shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven [Matthew 5:16].

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life [Proverbs 4:23].

Pure and Simple

Day 45
You will be ready for anything when you learn to rest in Me. Wait, listen, watch, pray, rest. Those who wait upon Me will renew their strength. Wait on Me each day and plan your day according to the priorities I give you. Keep things simple and eliminate busy work. Stick to the task at hand, and don't go after anything that does not pertain to the priorities.

I will be your guide. You must wait on Me. Lean heavily, and then do what I give you the leading, the grace and the power to do.

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go" [Isaiah 48:17].

Then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober [1 Thessalonians 5:6].

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ [1 Peter 1:13].

Feed the Hungry

Woman feeding birds
Madrid 2007 - by Josh Tracy
fingerprintimages.net

Day 44
My word stands forever. Believe it. Rely on it. You can be sure, because you have a firm foundation. Keep your feet planted on the solid rock and you will not be moved. You can be bold to share my truth -- It is life. I am the life-giver, and I will give life to others through you, as you care for them.

I will instruct you. Each day I tuck into your spirit the fuel and resources required for that day. If you don't use them, they are wasted. Watch and pray, and be alert so as not to waste opportunities for Me to work through you.

You can provoke people's thoughts to be awakened to Me. Challenges await you every day. Watch for the opportunity and be ready to speak truth and act in kindness. Be bold and courageous, and speak the truth in love. You don't need a lot of study books or programs. My word is the book, and my Spirit is the program. I will prepare people's hearts, and I will lead them, but you must feed them. The people you care about are my sheep, not yours. I have entrusted you to feed and nurture them, a simple challenge every day, with the food of my word. Trust Me and obey. I have built your relationships. Now I am building my word into them.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever [Isaiah 40:8].

Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise -- making the most of your time, because the days are evil [Ephesians 5:15-16].

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you truly love Me?" Peter was hurt because He asked him a third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep" [John 21:17].

Saturation Point

The Grand River

Day 43
My word has the power, not your word. My word will go forth and produce fruit. Any truth from my word--even paraphrased--will work in lives and bring results. The more you saturate yourself with my word and truth, the more your responses to all things and all people will be correct and will yield fruit, which is the building up of my kingdom. I have given the provision; you must appropriate and use it.

This must be done by maintaining constant communication with Me, along with obedience to my leading. I have set everything in place, and I will orchestrate how it all plays out.

Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus [1 Thessalonians 5:17-18].

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will my word be which goes forth from my mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it [Isaiah 55:10-11].

Undistracted

The Grand River (Through the Trees)

Day 42
Persevere and do not be frustrated or distracted. By your will, let my Spirit control your emotions. Commit your way to Me. You don't have to understand all that this means, but only set your will and determine to keep it set.

Discipline does not always mean a time schedule. Sometimes it means just sticking to what is good and not allowing what is not so good to infiltrate--keeping on track and not compromising--constantly, decidedly, purposing to listen to and follow Me.

For the Lord God helps me;
Therefore, I am not disgraced;
Therefore, I have set my face like flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed [Isaiah 50:7].

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [Philippians 1:9-11].

Who's in Charge?

Pike's Peak -- Through the Window

Day 41
You need to know that I am as real to you in the midst of a hectic day as I am in the quiet morning times. Allow what I have placed within you to flow through, in spite of emotions. My Spirit is sronger than your feelings--let Him rule, and do not be swayed to the right or the left. Just be available, and I will keep filling you.

Looking Back the Other Way

I will make you keenly aware of things you must take action on through the day. I will also show you the things you need to forget about. Disciplining yourself to do only what is needed will bring you peace and energy. Persevere in what you know is right, and don't allow yourself to be distracted. I will help you to plan ahead to be organized, but also to allow time for the important things that can't be planned, but require your undivided attention. I will make you sensitive to what is really important.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me; you will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand will save me. The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of your hands [Psalm 138:7-8].

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for he gives to his beloved even in their sleep [Psalm 127:1-2].

For the ways of a person are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all your paths [Proverbs 5:2].

Channel God

Lake Ontario, Toronto

Day 40
My word goes forth through your life as you are walking with Me. It's not a matter of you straining your mind to recall and apply appropriate information; it's a matter of My Spirit flowing through you. A river flows directly from its source, and the channel never works to push it through. The channel must be (1) cleared of obstacles and (2) full of the water of the river. John 7:37-38: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.

Yes, there is much to be done. First comes the attitude of heart, then the commitment of will, then the faith to obey and the discipline to step forward--faithfully. I give the faith, and you step out in faithfulness, which is obedience to my word, born of my Spirit. It is a wellspring of life.

I have designed you to work in this way. It will never be too much for you. If it seems to much, you are out of faith in some form, and you must seek Me purely.

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do no turn to the right or the left; turn your foot from evil [Proverbs 4:23-27].

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God [Matthew 5:8.

Do You Know the Way?

Day 39
You hear my voice. You know the way, for I am the way. It is easy for you to follow when you make the commitment daily. It means constantly fixing your gaze on Me. I will draw you to Myself when you fix your eyes on Me. I have all the answers. I am in full control.

As you spend time with Me, you will learn the answers as you are transformed by my Spirit. The war that wages is to keep people from relationship with Me. You must discipline yourself. There is nothing more important. When you succeed in this, then we can continue on in fellowship, and I have great and mighty things to show you. It's up to you to be committed to Me; I AM committed to you.

The path of the righteous is level. O upright One, You make the ways of the righteous smooth. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for You; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for You in the night. In the morning, my spirit longs for You. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness [Isaiah 26:7-9].

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings [1 Peter 5:8-9].

Follow-Through

Lake Odessa, Michigan

Day 38
You will find peace in the fact that you don't need to guess or struggle to figure out my plans for you. I designed the blueprint, and you must trust Me to see it through.

I have let you see things for your own growth. You are responsible for using the knowledge I have entrusted you with. No one else can answer to Me for you, for the knowledge I have given you. Turn your attention and place your energies into following Me. I am teaching you my ways. Listen and obey them, and I will make your paths straight.

You make the paths level by not being distracted by other people, things, or circumstances. There will be times when you can't get from point A to point B without going through the swamp. Hang onto Me, and I will take you through.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope" [Jeremiah 29:11].

Let people regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust be found trustworthy. I care very little if I am examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent; the one who examines me is the Lord [1 Corinthians 4:1-4].

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior [Isaiah 43:2-3a NLT].

Do You Understand?

Day 37
You cannot understand my ways, but you know my voice. Follow Me. Listen to Me. The time is short. There is much to be accomplished. You know this, but I have the plan, for I can see the end from the beginning.

Commit all your ways to Me. Discipline, like any quality I desire, comes little by little. I will give you victory. Hold to my promises. Keep them before you. Be true to my word. It is power for you. The answers do not always come all at once. I will give you enough for each day. It is so important that you persevere in first seeking Me, then obeying Me. It must become your habit--your walk. We are near the beginning. There is a long, long way to go. That is good. It is in my hand. Your focus is the next step, and I supply the light and the resources.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me [John 10:27].

Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the sky. Abaddon and Death say, "With our ears we have heard a report of it."

God understands its way, and He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he imparted weight to the wind and meted out the waters by measure, when He set a limit for the rain and a course for the thunderbolt, then He saw it and declared it; He esablished it and also searched it out. And to man He said, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" [Job 28:20-28].

Extra-Ordinary Power

Day 36
Be at my disposal -- I am here for you. Let not your heart be troubled -- Focus on Me. I give you wisdom. Learn to seek me diligently, not just for big things. Problems can cause you to turn your eyes onto Me, but then don't turn away from Me. I remain the same, and I give you power all through the day. Learn to use it. Learn to rely on Me. In your own strength you accomplish nothing. Wait upon Me and be ready to do my will. You lean on Me; I direct your paths. I will provide all the resources to go ahead in this way. It is not too hard if you lean on Me.

Baby's Breath

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me [John 14:1].

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? [Jeremiah 32:27).

I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run you will not stumble [Proverbs 4:11-12].