Love you all, praying for you,
Are you asking God for something? Keep asking. Are you believing God for something? Keep believing. Do you need a miracle? Or just strength or wisdom or encouragement? Whether provision of some kind, or a complete change in your heart or mind – your character or DNA - that you so desperately need and it seems would be impossible… keep asking. Luke 18 – Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? God says – Keep Asking. Not keep asking – cause you’re doubting. Not keep asking, cause you’re complaining. Not keep asking, cause He might forget – He won’t. God is looking for faith – faith that believes, and faith that obeys. That's what faith is - believing and obeying (which proves the believing). Pray – believing that you will see it! And Pray – obeying fully in the meantime, in the waiting. When the Angel God sent - appeared to Daniel after 21 days – He said “…Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. (He was just delayed due to an enemy spirit that opposed him.) God is nothing like the unjust judge – He hears, He loves, He saves, He delivers. Make sure you are praying for what His heart is – what He directs you to pray – not for any selfish desires, that you would not ask amiss. But when you pray – what He leads you to pray – ask in faith, believing, and keep asking. You will see His answer, He will come through. Not in your time – that might have been yesterday, but in His time, the best time, the fullness of time. Ask Him if there is any faith of obeying still needed from you. Ask Him to stir your faith to believe – and keep asking. Whether for you, and the needs of your heart – or the needs of others – that you are standing with, interceding for, and believing for. Praying that you will keep asking. Your Deliverer is coming – your Help is helping you, your Support is supporting you. Praying that in your PiVAT Prayer List time (the prayers that God wants you to pray) – you would always begin by asking God - what’s on His heart? When you pray – when you keep asking, you could be asking for things that you desire, things for someone else – that they desire, but always begin by asking God what He desires? What’s on His heart today? and Holy Spirit – would you help me to pray. Start by praying in the Spirit – His perfect will – and the Holy Spirit will lead you to pray in the understanding. If the unrighteous judge will eventually answer – how much more will your loving Heavenly Father – give you the prayers to pray – and answer you and not delay. You can pray believing – because He is believable! You can pray believing because His Word is true, you can keep asking because He is faithful! He’s not ignoring you – He’s growing you! He’s answering already – He’s working where you don’t see yet, He’s fighting battles you don’t even know. He’s bringing victory in every way. Just keep asking, and keep believing, and you will keep seeing. It’s how faith becomes sight! Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you,
God always reminds us when we need it. His Word – isn’t just true – it’s timely. Proverbs 6:2 – If you’ve been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth... Your words will always - either entrap you or release you. They will cement bondage, or freedom. No matter what happens – the first choice you face is always words. Your words are always a choice. But we often forfeit the choice. We respond rather than choose. Our emotions can choose our words, not our spirit - or what's in our heart comes spilling out. A surrendered heart – begins with surrendered words. Be sure to put the right ones in - so the right ones come out. Sometimes it’s time to make a different choice – than what comes naturally. This passage is talking about the bondage of the curse of debt. When you bind yourself to someone else – your words have done it. Your words could contractually obligate you in bondage to someone else, or even in conversation to yourself - they will bind you to whatever you say. Though there is no contract – there might as well be. Just as your words bind you to the lender, your words can bind you to a future. Your words frame your life. They determine it’s limits or its limitlessness. Choose your words carefully and strategically. Think about what you say and what you are saying. Ask God what Words He wants for you – in this situation. Use your words to frame what you are thinking – don’t let your mind wander down a faithless path. Ask God what words He wants your frame to be. His Infinite words, eternal, truthful, limitless words. Overdose on God’s Word, His promise, His praise, His blessing. PRISM will help you! He’ll direct you right to just what you need. PRISM Topics will help you. Then... words of gratitude will always reap a harvest – just like words of complaint or doubt. That’s simply the law of sowing and reaping. Choose the words that release you – never that bind you. Ask Him, He’ll tell you. Then decide to release them, and you. Do it, don’t just think about it. Whatever challenge you now face - physical, spiritual, occupational, financial. Your words will trap you or release you. With your words – you cast your cares on Him – because He cares for you. With your words you move from inaction to action, from wrong action to right action. Even in the world – many have learned the simple lesson of not worrying about things you can’t control – like the weather, or the ref’s blown call, the lucky half-court shot that the other team just hit before halftime… And that is just a game. In life, it’s interesting to stop and actually think about – what you really have control over. Very little. You can’t control circumstances around you – what others do or what they say. You can’t even control your own performance or effort – even that is dependent on God’s grace to you. The only thing you can control is your obedience. And words launch obedience. You obey first with words – then actions. Praying that your thoughts won’t be hi-jacked by the challenges you face, the obstacles or the needs, and the emotions they elicit. Praying that you would recognize what you are facing – and the word choices presented by it. Praying that you will cast your cares on Him, and thank Him for His care for you… His love and His promise. That your Words will wait on Him, and respond instantly when He leads you forward. Praying that your words would always lead with gratitude. His grace is enough. His love is more than you can understand, and His plans for you are better than you can imagine! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Last night I was on the road to an evening appointment. And I just felt unsettled. Have you ever felt that way? Frustrated. Not exasperated, but just feeling off. Waiting on some things to be finished so I could then take the next step on them, but feeling I really could have done a better job in some other areas while waiting… and my mind was unsettled - and I was allowing it to affect my spirit. It was bothering me. And it was affecting my drive time. And God spoke in my spirit. "Praise the Word." It grabbed my attention. It was almost like the dog whisperer – that tv show where Cesar Milan uses those techniques to snap the dog out of it’s current state to another. And Praise God – I instantly obeyed. And that instant choice – completely lifted that unsettling off of me – almost like a cloud lifted. I reached for my Bible – and instantly asked God what chapter? And The Holy Spirit said Psalms Chapter 1. Of course – no better place to start than the beginning. Blessed is the man! And then God put in my heart what blessed is. Peace – Contentment – Prosperity – Abundance. That’s what He does – He blesses. Blessed – Every good thing you could ever imagine – and even more than that! That’s what blessed is. Peace – a complete settling of heart mind and soul. An assurance of God’s Good, and God’s working, and God’s favor - the exact opposite of unsettled. Contentment – not complacent – content. Being OK with where you are – mistakes and all – fully trusting that God is working in you, and working it out. You're ok with where you're at - but knowing that you won't stay there - God will lead you out, lead you on, lead you forward, lead you to better. Prosperity – not just more money to spend on your own pleasures – true prosperity – that you live in - whether you have extra money right now or not. And Abundance – the absolute fullness of good – in every area of life - the life that God gives. Every good thing you could ever imagine – and more. That’s blessed. That’s what God does. And as I’m Praising the Word – the former feeling instantly dissipated – completely gone. And God began to remind me of the purpose of Praise the Word – He takes you not only from the former state to a new one. But He has a purpose – something to accomplish in the Spirit and in your spirit - even within this specific Praise the Word time – that He’s called you to. He inhabits the praise of His people – so the Holy Spirit always takes over your Praise the Word. It starts with you – your choice – opening your mouth – even if you don’t feel like it – and He takes it from there. Blessed is the man who… God blesses you because He loves you, but He blesses those who… Every time I praise the Word – the Holy Spirit takes over – because God said He does… And then revelation starts to come – because every time the Holy Spirit speaks, including through your praise – your eyes are opened to the truth of His Word. The Holy Spirit always points to the Word – which is Jesus – and that word will always change you – for the better. Who walks not in the counsel of the wicked. I was challenged by whose counsel I walk by. Whose words do you follow? What you believe and therefore speak. And the most prevalent counsel of the wicked is in the area of money - the single greatest indicator of the heart. So thankful for God’s Truth and God’s Word - The more you Praise the Word – you’re really praising God. Jesus is just the human form of God’s Word (the Word in a human body) the more you grow to love His Word – the more it becomes how you think, and what you do. Blessed is the man who. When you’re the who – blessing will always come. God gives it – He brings it. Praying that you will come back to PRISM all day long - that nothing will unsettle you. But that you will be settled in Him – that His Word can dwell in you richly. So all of the true riches He has – He can pour out on you. Praying that the Holy Spirit will always alter your state when things try to come on you – not from Him. That you would Praise the Word – when He leads. That you would Pray the Word when He leads, so you can do the Word that He leads – so He can lead you in His Good! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word – it’s truth to live by. It’s success that is available for anyone who has ears to hear – and a heart to obey. Psalms 119:75 I know O LORD that your laws are righteous and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. If He’s your Heavenly Father, and He loves you, and if He’s faithful – He will afflict you if you forget his laws. His laws are righteous – (which means fully dependable for true success). Usually people don’t reject God’s laws – they neglect them. Few people say, "I refuse to obey your Word." Instead, it usually happens by default. Indirect choices, not direct decisions. You get too busy – but that’s a fallacy. It’s not that you’re too busy. It's what you choose as your priority. Ever notice that the busiest people are the ones that get the most done. That’s why if you want something done – ask a busy person - they know how to get things done. But other people are also busy, and they get nothing done. They are always getting ready to get ready, they never do anything. Most often, especially during a busy season, you don’t reject His Word, you neglect His Word. It becomes the first thing that slips, not the last thing to go. So it’s not in the front of your mind, it's not the sunglasses you use that affects the way you see things. So when you face something that His Word addresses, that His Word prescribes as the way to succeed in, you don’t recognize or notice. What you neglect, you fail to notice. So if you neglect, you reject. If His law isn’t on your mind, it’s not on your tongue, if it’s not on your tongue, it’s not in your heart, and if it’s not in your heart, it won’t come out of your mouth – something else will – other words, not His. And if it’s not on your mind, and tongue and heart – you won’t do it. You’ll stray from his laws, His principles, His instructions for success. So… in faithfulness He will afflict you. If He didn’t, He wouldn’t be faithful. He’ll let affliction come – so you don’t neglect, and you don’t reject. To not neglect, His Word has to get a prime time slot in your schedule, a priority. If it is, His Word will be on your mind, and on your tongue, it will be in your heart – and you will do it! And every time you do it, what God does will increase, your testimony will increase – and you will become more likely to do it again. Obedience and Joy are momentum generators. Then God in His faithfulness - won’t have to afflict you - He will accelerate you! Praying that your PIVAT before dinner – directs your PRISM time in His Word – at the times He has for you. Take a PRISM Topic with you! So your mind and tongue and heart and hands and feet are full of His Word – so His faithfulness will always accelerate you. He can’t wait to do it. He’s more excited about His plans for your day and your life than you are! He knows what He’s planning – you don’t. He’s excited – He’s waiting for you at every next destination of your obedience! Praying that you will always run to Him. It’s where the joy is! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word, it doesn’t just give principles, it gives reasons, and how to’s. It gives cause and effect. It gives instruction for results. It reveals the character and nature of God – the Creator and the Sustainer of every living thing! Psalms 119:76 - May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. God’s deep, deep love for you; His tender-hearted mercy and compassion, His kindness that stoops down to help you - and make you great; that makes Him engage His infinite power in your situation for your benefit; the things He does on your behalf – just because He loves you. They are so many, and they are all a comfort. Every time you see the demonstration of His love – it's a comfort to you. That’s why PiVAT is so important – it focuses you not just on His plans for you – which are so very good, it focuses you on recounting your testimony – what His loving kindness did on your behalf. His comfort – not just solace, not just salve, not just a pain remover – but a hope giver, a restorer, a strengthener, and a propeller. But also knowing that His love, His tender loving-kindness towards you never fails, it doesn’t wane, it doesn’t run short, or run out. He doesn’t forget, or neglect, He never gets distracted from showing you kindness, by other things… His loving kindness for you is a constant – it never lessens – it only continues and increases. It’s His promise to those who serve Him – who come under His authority - not the authority of other things, persons or ideas. Those who run to Him for help, not other people, or things, or trying to figure it all out in their own strength. The fact that His love is unfailing because He promised, and I am always living proof – gives me comfort. Not just condolence, but confidence. His unfailing love for you comes alongside you to strengthen you. His Holy Spirit is proof of His unfailing love – in case the thousands of examples in your life wouldn’t be sufficient. Because His love for you is unfailing – you can look forward, not backward, you can look to the future – you’re set free from the past. David knew - when God's compassion comes, you live! Not just survive, but thrive! Not just survive but succeed. To live in Him is not just life, it is abundant life – life more abundantly, more and more. It doesn’t matter what situation you are in. His compassions never fail, His mercies for you are new every morning – His faithfulness at night. And what draws His compassions? what attracts His loving kindness? "for your law is my delight." That word for - is a connector word - it reveals cause and effect relationship between things. By reason of, because of. You clearly cannot do anything to earn His unfailing love - it's unfailing. But David said "God - may your compassions come to me - for (because) I delight in your Word. God’s Word was his delight - his greatest desire - and the greatest influence in his life, it molded him. (David never missed PRISM – he came back to it, he meditated on it, he focused on God’s Word and committed himself with his mouth to obey it. It’s what made him a servant, a man after God’s own heart – it’s what made him do what God wanted him to do. It’s what gives you the abundant life that draws God’s unfailing love to you. His love does not fail – no matter what you do. Lost sheep still get pursued. But those who love His Word, and obey immediately – don’t just get pursued, they get propelled. I’d rather be propelled than pursued. Pursued means He’s coming after you – praise God. But propelled means He’s right with you, He's right behind you, He's directing you, leading you, guiding you, helping you! Praying that your PRISM is attracting more of His compassion, praying that your PIVAT is positioning you for it, and that your Daily Call is helping you recognize it – and overcoming you in it. Praying that His Word is your delight so your life can be the abundant life - that He died so you could live! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Have you ever thought of this question? If you could do one thing well, what would it be? Someone once said – if you want to be successful (they meant wealthy), find something to do, do it well, and then do it over and over again. That was the Henry Ford principle. If wealth is your goal – get used to disappointment. God said whoever loves money, never has money enough. He said you can’t love God and money… But if you could do one thing well, what would it be? There is really only one answer to this question - above any other.... Obey. If you could do one thing well in life – learn to obey! and then do it over and over again. Why? Three clear reasons. #1) That’s what Jesus did. If there was one thing that Jesus did, and did well – it was obey. He said He did nothing other than what His Heavenly Father wanted him to do. He humbled himself, and became obedient, even to death on a cross (Philippians 4:8). That's why God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the Name above every name. #2) That's what David did. That's why God called him - 'a man after my own heart.' - He will do everything I want him to do. (Acts 13:22). And #3) To fulfill the purpose you were created for - the wonderful plans that He has for you, for your life - to prosper you, not to harm you - to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11) You have to obey! Or you won’t know what they are, so how could you walk in them? Love is obey. Jesus said clearly – if you love me you will obey what I command. He said His commands are not burdensome. He said his yoke is easy and His burden is light. He has grace just waiting for you when you obey! Unmerited Favor and Divine Power! So how do you get really good at obeying? Understand your life is time, thoughts, and money. Understand testimony is how you overcome. Have you done PiVAT for the Week? Getting His plans for you for this week? And which of those plans – He has assigned you for today? If you obey this week, you’ll obey this month, if you obey this month, you can obey this year, and if you obey this year, you will next year too. It's the only way you’ll obey for life – and walk in the wonderful plans He has for you. If you haven’t done PiVAT Weekly yet, just do it now. It doesn’t matter if the week has already started, is half-way through, or there’s only one or two days left. Do PiVAT Weekly! Just Ask Him – He will tell you His plans for you. He longs for you to obey – so He can bring you to the Good he has stored up for you. Have you don’t PiVAT before dinner for today? If not, just do it now. Why is PiVAT before dinner the most important habit of your life? It’s the habit of seeking Him for His plans for you. It's the habit that will most help you obey. He promised the Holy Spirit would tell you things to come. If you ask Him for His plans for you for tomorrow, not only will He tell you, but it will remind you what He told you to do for the rest of the day! So you can be sure to do it completely. It will have you recount what He has already done today, what He did and what He revealed! It may bring you back to PRISM one more time before going to bed – where He can reveal His Heart, His love for you – and the How To – of what He told you to do. It will help you recount the testimony – that you will overcome with on your Daily Call in the morning. And if you don’t have a Daily Call right now. Just find someone to give a testimony to. Why not overcome right now? (Revelations 12:11) And ask God who He wants you to invite to a Three-Day Challenge. Praying for you – that the One Thing you get really good at – above everything else. That you get really, really good at obeying. That's where the joy is! There’s a joy that come with it – like no other. It’s how you walk in the amazing life that He has waiting for you. It’s how He fulfills His purpose in you - you do what He says. And what He has for you - is Good! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Have you ever wondered what people did before Nyquil? I haven’t checked Nyquil sales – but I suspect a lot of people are Nyquil addicts. They can’t sleep, so they take Nyquil. The problem with taking Nyqil – just like sucking your thumb… There’s nothing really wrong with sucking your thumb. God’s Word never says "thou shalt not suck your thumb." But if you suck your thumb, you’ll probably do it again, and before you know it – you can’t fall asleep without sucking your thumb. Have you every tried to break a thumb sucking habit? (in your child, not you - your already an adult!) It’s quite a challenge. Breaking a Passe habit is not easy. I’ve heard people cut off the end a little more each day – and it doesn’t work as well - they lose interest. Others just throw it out - these hard core parents – “Passe went away” and the poor kid goes cold turkey. But it’s hard. Not all habits are helpful. Hopefully you aren’t dependent on Nyquil, or a passe. But there are some things that would really help. What did they do before Nyquil? They counted sheep. Many of you aren’t old enough to remember – but that was the prescribed method. Apparently it worked, eventually you got tired of counting and went to sleep. There are some things God tells us to do - like Shepherds... All habits aren’t helpful, but some are foundational. They transfer DNA, they establish your success. God tells us some of these. John Maxwell said “You are what you do daily.” To a certain extent he’s right. Have you checked your habits recently? God has two things for you to do - things He wants you to do every day, and things He wants you to do today. Praying that you will check in with Him - it might be a good time for a habit check. Are the habits you currently follow – the habits He has chosen for you? The ones He told you to do? Which ones did He reveal are obsolete? Have you asked Him? Maybe it’s time to get rid of the passe. You don’t really need that Nyquil, maybe you just think you do. What habits does He want you to continue. Is there a habit whose time has ended? Is there a habit He wants you to begin? Is there a habit He wants you to do a little differently in this season? Just ask Him - He'll tell you what He has for you to do every day? So you become what He wants you to become? What He wants to accomplish in you. And He'll tell you what to do today – what He wants to accomplish through you? Praying that God might lead you to review again PRISM Topic – Habits. It’s good to be reminded every once in a while. So your habits are His habits for you - so you depend on Him – not anything else. Praying that God might lead you to a habit review. Praying that once you know the daily habits He has for you in this season, that He may even lead you to track them. The truth is what we measure we do better... what we track, we just do more consistently. See PiVAT Progress – a simple help for habits. Praying that PiVAT before dinner is your never – miss. It’s how you get His plans for you for today – the every day things, and the today thing. So your Habit is Jesus and what He wants you to do, not passe’s or Nyquil - so you can get to the Good He has for you! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you
This Daily Huddle is longer than usual. I pray God will draw your heart to stay with me. Sometimes God’s Word is so direct. These are not always comfortable – but they are so important. We've been teaching God's financial principles to others - for over twenty-five years. But God revealed something recently that may be the most important verse in the Bible - about money. Psalms 119:72 - The laws from your mouth are more precious to me than silver or gold. What does that really mean? When I was a kid, I thought that meant ‘I would rather read the Bible than have money.” Which I knew I wasn’t quite there yet… But once you have lived a few years – you’ve seen money come and go. What’s the use of having money if you can’t keep it. And God’s Word is so true – money has a way of taking wings and flying off to the sky like an eagle. Or what’s the use of having money if trouble comes with it. More than one lotto winner wished they never won the lottery. Not only is the love of money the root of all evil, it can also be the root of a lot of disappointment. God Word says “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth and He adds no trouble to it.” But David is talking about something deeper here… As usual – there are secrets hidden beneath the words. David is saying not only would he rather have God’s Word than money, he was saying at every point that he must choose… He chooses the direction of God’s Word – and he rejects the direction of money. Matthew 6:24 – No one can serve two masters. He will either love the one and hate the other, or will be devoted to one and despise the other, you cannot serve God and money. It’s One or the other. You will either serve God or you will serve money – you cannot serve both. You can’t love both – you can’t live under the authority of both. That’s what serve means. When money says, “Why would you do that? That doesn’t make sense?” You say – “God’s Word says… and it doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not. The Word from His mouth is more precious to me than silver or gold.” When money says – “but you’d incur a penalty.” You say, God Word says… and it doesn’t matter if it means I lose money or not.” When money says “The interest of debt is less than the interest of this investment.” You say, “God’s Word says… and it doesn’t matter if I lose out on a profit or not.” That’s how you know His Word is more precious to you than silver or gold.” When you obey what God’s Word says, and reject what money says – and all those who follow after it. When money says, “Why would you pay rent? You’re just throwing your money away?” You say, “God’s Word says… do not become a slave of the lender – you were already purchased at a very high price.” It's His money not mine, If God wants to “waste” his money on rent – that’s His call not mine. But I will obey His Word - because the words from His mouth are more precious to me – than silver or gold. If He says do not become a slave of men (1 Corinthians 7:23) the lender (Proverbs 22:7) - then I will obey His Word – because His Word is more precious to me than silver or gold.” But how will you ever… get a house? How will you ever get an education? How will you ever get a car, how will you ever get a TV or furniture for your house? Notice how it’s already becoming more easy to discern… that’s money talking. That is not my call to make, that’s not my decision. And since when do I have to understand how – before I obey now? Abraham didn’t… He would have never left Ur of the Chaldees for a land that God would show Him, neither would he have offered his son as a sacrifice – if he had to first understand fully – before obeying immediately. Faith doesn’t always understand right now – but it will. There will be many times where you will have to decide… to choose… between what money says, and what God says. You cannot serve both – you cannot come under the authority of – both. Better to make the decision now – rather than be in the throws of it then. What does God say? And what do you say? Say it now – and you’ll say it then. People, even well-meaning people (like relatives and friends – and those who have a book to sell, or investments to sell you…) will always say what money says – not often what God says. But to come under the authority of God, you need to leave the authority of money. You cannot serve (come under the authority of) God and money. You will obey one or you will obey the other. You will live according to what One says, or you will live according to the other. You will hold on to one, and place little value on the other. It doesn’t matter what the reason is… or what money says. If God says tithe, I tithe. If God says give, I give; if God says, let no debt remain outstanding, then like the gazelle in Proverbs 6, let no sleep come to my eyes until I plead my case with my neighbor – I do not rest until I have obeyed. Till every debt is paid. When God says Do not strike hands in pledge, I do not strike hands in pledge, not for myself or anybody else. I do not come under the authority of another - that God says is a curse. What is debt? Debt is – buying today – what God has not given you the money for yet. Some of you already are disagreeing with what is being said. It’s not that you want to disagree with the Word of God, or the words spoken, it’s that you know you want something or may want something that God has not given you the money for yet, and it’s making you uncomfortable. Money says – there is an easy fix for that, it’s called “easy payments.” 90 days same as cash. Better to have a mortgage than rent, you need that education to get the job you want. The 1st is zero percent truth, all lie. 90 days is not the same as cash. The second is zero truth, 100% lie. God never called rent a curse, nor groceries or utilities, but He did say debt was a curse. An education for the job (part truth, but the implication is false. The implication is – “without debt, you can’t get an education therefor without debt, you couldn't get the job. That is 100% false. God has done it before – many, many times. When God says, the borrower is slave to the lender Proverbs 22:7. When God says You were bought at a price, do not become slaves of men, (I Cor 7:23) When God says you should have no debt except love (Romans 13:8) I don’t borrow. I don’t become intwined with, subservient to – another. I already belong to someone. I reject becoming a slave to any other except Jesus Christ who purchased me at a very high price. When God says let no debt remain but the debt to love – the only monthly payments I will ever make, are those love payments. It doesn’t matter what money says, it doesn’t matter what makes sense, it doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing, even my pastor and my church, it doesn’t matter how much “money I would save” or how much money I could earn… the Word of the LORD is more precious to me than silver or gold. When God calls debt a curse, I choose to be blessed, and my children and their children after me. When God says the wicked borrow – I will not borrow. When God says the wicked borrow – AND the wicked do not repay. I will not let money say to me “the wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous borrow and make their payments on time.” That’s what money says, but it is not what God’s Word says, not in this verse, not in any other verse in the entire Bible. The Word says the wicked borrow – that’s what the wicked do. And… the wicked borrow and don’t repay. ‘Cause sometimes when you borrow – things happen! Circumstances change – what you assumed would continue - didn’t continue. That’s why God says do not become slaves of men, don't borrow! Your very bed could be snatched from under you. That’s what the wicked do. God says the righteous don’t borrow and repay – the righteous – don’t borrow! The righteous lend. They don’t borrow – so they never “not repay.” They don’t borrow that’s why they lend. How do they have money to lend? They don’t borrow - they don’t have to repay. They pay their savings – they do not pay another master. That’s why they have money to lend. And then God says, “Lend without interest – to anyone who asks you.” And “lend expecting nothing in return.” “Give to the poor.” The righteous have money to give – because they didn’t borrow and always have to pay. They save, so they can give and give hilariously. And as they give – more will be given to them – God’s Word says this unmistakeably. The reason the devil wants you to borrow – is so money is your master, so you become a slave to the lender, so there’s no money to give! And if those who give receive (God promised), you can’t receive, because you have little or nothing to give - you owe. You’re giving it all to the lender. Give and it will be given to you… good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap – for with the measure you use – it will be measured to you! The devil wants to steal your ‘measure’ with debt – with slavery. Give and it will be given to you. Borrow and it will be taken from you (your good measure, pressed down and shaken together will you pour into another masters lap – that’s how the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. Those who act wickedly store up for someone else. But what if they are more wicked than me? First, don’t assume. Second - what is that got to do with you? Even if they are – this is what God says Ecclesiastes 2:26 – To the person who pleases him (obeying God’s Word pleases him, not obeying it does not), God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness (they’re not in debt, they’re wise, that’s why they’re happy), but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases Him (who obeys what He says). God says He gives the wicked the task of storing up money that He will give over to the righteous. When you borrow – when you choose what God calls a curse – when you violate what He said, “Do Not Do…” the devil steals your measure… your measure to give is small. There’s not much left to give. You give to the lender, not to the poor, or to the LORD. So you get nothing in return. Debt always leaves less to give - that means there is less that you will receive. Your measure of giving is small, so small will be the measure you receive. You want to hear a crazy verse? Proverbs 19:17 – He who gives to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done. Think about that! Not just be kind to the poor – this is talking about giving! Don’t just say ‘be warm and well fed – how can the love of God be in you.’ (James 2:16) This is talking about giving money to the poor. God says it’s a loan to Him. He obligates himself to repay you. When you obey God’s Word – and refuse to be bound to another master, the measure you use to give can be big, and therefore so is the measure you receive. The devil wants you bound to another master, slave to the lender – so he can not only steal your freedom, and keep you under the curse, but he can also steal the blessing that giving would have given back to you – because your measure is small. So… is the law from His mouth more precious to you than silver or gold? Or does your love of silver and gold supersede your love of God? Which one will you serve? Whose authority will you come under under? Which one will you obey? Supersede – literally to set above – to make void, inefficacious or useless by a superior power, coming in the place of – to replace in power, authority, effectiveness, acceptance, or use, by another person or thing. To set aside the old statute with a new one. Every time money talks it’s always trying to get you to set aside with God says. God says you will serve me, or money – you can’t obey both. The ugly truth is this. If you obey what God says – you love God more than money. If you do not obey what God says (money talks a good game and it has many people parroting what money says – financial advisors, people in your church, your friends, well meaning people, even in your family). But if you do not obey what God says about money – you love money more than you love God. Praying that you will take God at His word, and no matter what money says – you will choose what God says. That you will make up your mind right now – so you don’t get sucked into the temptation that will come. That His Word and His laws, His commands and His instructions would always be more precious to you than silver or gold. That you would always be free to give hilariously so that your life will overflow with the fruit of the blessing He gives. Have you ever heard someone praise God for the curse? I’ve been in churches where they stood up to praise God for the good interest rate they got. Praising God for a nice slavemaster when you choose to be enslaved, that’s not a praise – that’s an hallucination. What are you thinking? The reason people use debt is so they can buy things now, that God didn’t give the money to buy right now. They can’t afford it. But when money talks – it changes even the definition of words. Afford it means do you have the money? But money says – it’s not do you have the money, can you afford the payments. That’s money talking – that’s slavery talking. Do you think that thing that you traded the curse for – especially before the first payment comes due – is not enjoyable? Top down – wind in your hair – stepping on the gas – chicks looking as you drive by. Or all the kids fit in the van – it’s got cup holders everywhere and the video screen behind every seat. Yes those first few weeks are enjoyable – until the payment comes due. Until the first two years go by and after 3 days you realized it didn’t make you happier than you were before, that new smell has faded, there’s cheerios or Kool Aid in ever crevice of those leather seats, and now the car repair bills are coming, but the car payment doesn’t stop…When you still owe more to the bank than you can sell it for on Let Go… Do you praise God for the new car payment? The car is nice – but it’s a curse. That new smell wears off… and when they come get it – you could even believe God was supposed to provide for your needs – that He was supposed to make your payments – as you serve another. God is not obligated to make payments on what He told you never to do… on what He warned you not to do. You can praise him all you want. And you may never get repossessed… but you will never know what God could have done. You didn’t wait on Him. Not only did you sacrifice freedom, you sacrificed His best, His blessing, you’ll never know what He had planned - you sacrificed your testimony! Did God do that? Praise God I got a 5% interest rate from 5/3 Bank. That’s the current rate – what are you talking about? Every slave gets that rate. To quote Steve Harvey – “That’s not a testimony – that’s a store policy.” How is that a laughable testimony? Why would you praise God? You should praise the bank – they did it. God told you not to – but you listened to what money says. “No, God told me to do this… we really needed something, and we got a great deal.” That’s money talking, everyone’s heard it a million times. So you’re saying that God told you to do something – completely opposite of what He directly said in His Word? That’s what Money says, it’s not what God says. Along with the curse, along with the lost testimony, you also lose what God really had for you. It was even bigger – and far less expensive – it was definitely better - if you only had waited on the LORD for one more week, or one month - or just a year. You may have found what you really need is something way bigger and better – and God had it for you – but instead you’re stuck with those payments. You're stuck with what you chose, stuck with the curse… but that blessing will go to someone else. And the next loss? – If you choose the curse once, so will your kids one day. When you choose the curse once, it’s easier the second time and every time after that. Just because you take someone to church (in that car God didn’t give you the money for yet – but the bank did…) doesn’t mean that person wouldn’t have come. That you couldn’t have taken that person to church in your old car – or even on the bus… Or that God couldn’t have gotten them to church in someone else’s car. And finally – what does that curse decision - do to your example? God said we are to be an example to others. Paul said – follow me, as I follow Christ. If you don’t obey His Word – they can’t follow you as you follow Christ… cause you don’t follow Christ - you follow money. But they will follow you – right into that curse. Your kids, your grandkids, your friends, your parishoners. If nothing else. Refuse the curse – to keep someone else from following you into that ditch. I’d rather have a testimony that only God could do – I want a laughable testimony. Not a testimony of the bank - that any bank in town could do. People will always justify themselves with the lie they disobeyed to. Well God is using this car (payment). That means nothing – God can use anything… but He doesn’t have anything for you – He has the best. But you have to wait on Him, and you have to obey – or you’ll never know. Well I could never have done this if I hadn’t taken that curse, I could never have become this if I hadn’t… How do you know that? You don’t. That’s money talking again. All you know is what you chose – that God said is a curse, when God said – I have better. So one day you will tell your kids – do as I say, not as I do. Doesn’t ring as true. Your kids will do what you do. How can you disciple others in obedience – when you choose what God says is the result of disobedience – the final curtain of a long list of curses. The curse of debt – Deuteronomy 28. Whatever God has planned for you – He will provide for. It might take a little work, it might take a little longer – but God said He would provide. And He doesn’t need the bank to give you a loan. He owns everything in that bank – and they’re trying to charge you interest for your Dad’s money? Praying that you will decide now. That you will pre-decide – to be Content with what you have. More money doesn’t mean more happiness, or more success, or more ministry. Debt bought things don’t mean ministry is better. New car or house or building doesn’t mean more success or more ministry. It means more of the same. If you do it – so will they. You could enslave all those around you – when God wanted you to call them to freedom. Or… you could reject what money says. You could give them hope that God could provide the very best in His fullness of time. You could give them the resolve to wait on the LORD – just like you - because they are seeing you do it! They’re seeing you wait on Him, they’re curious to see how God will bless your obedience. They might just say - I’m going to obey like them, what God said – no matter what! That’s the kind of example that will have people walking in laughable testimony. It’s what will have people walking in freedom and blessing, not bondage and curse. So what is more precious to you? Is the law from His mouth more precious to you? Or is silver and gold? Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Just a simple reminder today. What a difference between God’s wisdom, and not God’s wisdom. God knows everything you need or want or desire. And His desires for you are way better than yours! Proverbs 22:4 - Humility and the Fear of the LORD bring wealth, honor and life. Two things - that bring three. What if you were humble? What if you loved God’s Word and fully obeyed Him… and you preferred others above yourself… your were humble... What if you learned the fear of the LORD? You turned from evil… you trembled in His presence, you fully obeyed, you said nothing harmful, you sought peace and pursued it… What if you had wealth? What if the LORD was your portion, complete provision – enough to eat and more than enough to give - hilariously! What if you had honor? The honor of God through your life… the honor that comes from being associated with the wonderfully good things that God is doing – the joy and fruit of obedience… And what if you had life? Health, strength, vitality, energy, a constant expectation of good, a continuing anticipation of continued blessing, walking in the abundance of a life of obedience that God pours out his favor on! God said you can have this. It’s what He has for you. Humble yourself before God – choose His presence and His Word above other things and obey. And before others – humble yourself - listen, hear them, seek to understand before being understood, and prefer them and their well-being over yourself and your well-being. Ask God to teach you the fear of the LORD. That the Holy Spirit will help you turn from evil, choose His presence – you’ll tremble there. Choose His Word – PRISM will help you. Get his plans for you each day - so you can obey them! PiVAT will help you. Obey every day! Seek peace not differences, and keep pursuing it. And God says – everything you thought you wanted – and even more – I will pour out for you. Wealth – not for you – for my purpose – for you for others. Honor – my honor which bestows honor on you. And Life – abundantly – to the full, more than you could imagine! That’s what God gives. It’s what He has for you! Praying that you'll do those two - that bring those three. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Have you ever been attacked falsely, unfairly, unjustly? Psalms 119:69 - Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. What do you do when you face enemies, adversity from people – those who don’t even know you, or those who know you well who have turned on you, betrayed you, turned against you? What do you do when people spread lies about you – with malicious intent, to take you down, ruin or destroy you? What should you do? If you haven’t experienced this yet, you will. The issue isn’t them, not even the damage their lies could cause. This is a heart issue. It’s always a heart issue. What’s in your heart? What does your heart focus on? Always focus on humility first. And humility always starts with humility before God – a deep, 100% commitment to obey not matter what God says. Then humility towards others – thinking of them higher than yourself. Second, in every criticism, whether from those who are for you or against you, even in slander… is there any shred of truth? Criticism whether well meaning, or ill willed, if there is a part of truth to it, even a small part, don’t waste the opportunity. Ignore the delivery – look for the truth, look for the silver lining. After humility before God, committing to obey, and humility before others – believe the best and where there is no best, pray for them – even your enemies – Ask God if there is anything to be learned in their criticism – anything that I could change to be more effective? Whether I did everything right or not… Then, what should your heart’s focus be during times of trial, when the arrogant spread lies, and accuse you falsely? Most people focus their heart on defending themselves. Trying to fight against it, right the wrong, counter the misperception, vindicate themselves. But God says, “Let me do that. Vindication is mine says the LORD. Let another defend you, God will raise them up. God says an undeserved curse does not come to rest on the righteous. You… be righteous. #1) Focus your heart on His precepts and keep them fully. Be sure you are fully obeying. #2) Pray for them. Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, and #3) Forgive them. The time may come when they come back and seek your forgiveness. All the trouble and pain and heartache they caused you – now they want to you alleviate their feelings of guilt. What will you do then? What will you do now? Will you let the root of bitterness in? If you do, it is bent on destroying you. Or will you forgive them? Forgive them now. Better to do it now, and you’ll be ready then. Even if they never apologize, or admit their own corruption, worse than the damage of the lies they told, could be your response. Your response could affect you far more than the lies. When facing false accusation, slander and persecution. Put your Trust in the LORD, He delivers those who call on His Name. Learn like David to encourage yourself in the LORD. Ask forgiveness of Him and others where needed. Press In to His Word! PRISM will help! Now is not the time to pursue anything else, it’s time to press into Him – keep His precepts with all your heart. Increase your time in His Word – fully obey everything He reveals, even if it has nothing to do with correcting this injustice. You just obey, God will handle the rest. Praying that you will always focus on His Word, His Wisdom, His Promise - that you will fully obey. That you will put your trust in God. He is your Defender – you don’t have to. He’s your Deliver – there is no one more powerful than Him. And He's your Father - He loves you - He is fully aware of what is going on - He knew it was coming before it happened, before you even heard about it. He will use even this for His glory and your good. This is an opportunity to obey - and to trust. Not easy, that's why He gives you the grace for it. Love you all, dad |
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