Love you all, praying for you,
One of my favorite sports figures is Connor MacGregor – the UFC fighter. I just really like him. He’s imperfect. He’s made some mistakes. He knows where he's from and who he represents, he's been knocked down, and he's gotten back up. He's a marketing genius, he’s famous for his pre-game hype – some would say arrogance. But I view it a little differently. He reminds me of David in a lot of ways. Sometimes God gives us real world parallels of spiritual truths. Connor is famous for predicting the results of fights – "I’ll knock him out in the third round" - even his Irish accent adds to the show. Is it pride and arrogance? He says he respects other fighters - anyone with the guts to get in the cage - it just doesn't seem like it leading up to the fight. The gamesmanship of pre-fight verbal jousting that I guess the industry feels is required to sell fights - isn't really my style - God said let another praise you and not your own mouth. But what He says in a way is a wonderful picture and demonstration of faith – the evidence of things not seen. He is just saying what he believes. He just believes in himself, not God. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s because his faith is in himself - his work ethic, his skill, his preparation, his confidence. But our faith is in the One True God, the Maker of Heaven and earth. The One whose word is true, whose promise is sure, who's undefeated! What looked like Jesus’ defeat on the cross – was really him taking the belt for all time! His victory for all of us – for all eternity. Connor in a way reminds me of David. David had a little pre-fight game himself. I Samuel 17:45 – David said to Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. (Knockout in the third round). Quite a pre-fight press conference... Was David cocky, or confident? He just spoke the truth, what he believed - what he knew to be true. He prophesied. That’s what faith does, it says out loud what is coming after. Your faith comes by PRISM - His Word. Praying that PiVAT and PRISM will be your priority - PiVAT is your work ethic, and PRISM is your belief system - the confidence you need to win. God is your trainer, and your enemy is always wanting to defeat you. PiVAT before dinner gives you God’s plans for you for tomorrow. Walk in them – it’s the training camp that you need. God is the best trainer. He accentuates your strengths, He improves your weaknesses, He adds new skills to your arsenal, and He leads you at the perfect pace – to perform your best on fight day. PRISM is your head game – the mental aspect so vital to win fights. Your body can be ready but if your head isn’t right you can’t win. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. PiVAT has you doing – what PRISM has you hearing. Praying that you will in camp – every day. God is the best trainer ever, better than Muhammad Ali’s trainer, better than Rocky Balboa’s trainer. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, His Word is true, He loves you, He created you, He is fulfilling His purpose for you, and you can trust him. A couple other things – I really like about Connor MacGregor. He takes all comers – he’s not afraid to go up in weight class. Kind of like David – a flyweight, taking on a super heavy weight - Goliath was a big dude... It’s not the size or height that matters, it’s the heart and the skill. Another thing i like about Connor, he has some interesting quotes. “The skills pay the bills.” I really love quotes – they are always an opportunity to use your sunglasses, the shades of Scripture. Praying that you will always wear your Word of God Sunglasses – to view and discern everything you hear. I like quotes because they capture belief, they reflect value system, and reveal character in a person. Your favorite quotes say a lot about you. Praying that you will always sift the words you hear and the quotes you hear – through God’s Eternal Word of truth. The skills pay the bills. That actually is Scripture. "Show me a man skilled in his work, he will stand before kings, he will not stand before obscure men." David defeated Goliath by the power and will of God. He defeated Goliath by his belief in God’s Word – or he would have never tried. It was time in God's Word - that ensured the belief was there when the time came. PRISM is so important for you - not just for you for today, but for a day that is coming soon. David had to overcome the doubters – the faith stealers, the belief blockers, "You can never beat that guy – you’re just a boy and his has been a fighting man from his youth." God will and power, David’s belief, David’s own words, and David’s skill. All those hours stuck in the fields with the sheep. He wasn’t complaining, he was preparing! He was getting really good at that sling shot – little knowing one day he would kill a giant. Praying that you will know what skills God has assigned you to develop. Maybe a different language, maybe a technical ability, an instrument for worship, a creative pursuit, or maybe an industry or marketplace expertise. The best second job is to do a better at your first job. Praying that you will understand God’s PiVAT for you. Evenings and weekends are for rest, but also for developing the skills that you can’t hone during work or school hours. Skills that God wants you to develop – so He can use you for Goliaths in the future. Don’t despise the small beginnings. Don’t get tired of target practice. It won’t be straw bales forever. God will use the skills that He has prompted in you – and has given you the ability to develop. And while you are diligent at your skill – be diligent at His Word – it's where the faith comes from. It not only builds your faith to run out to face Goliaths - it establishes the words out of your mouth that will defeat him. Praying that PRISM in God’s Word – will be your sunglasses to view what people say, and even more… the foundation of what you say. So you will do – everything He wants you to do – because your heart is after His. Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you,
There is something you really should have in troubled times, in unusual times, unprecedented times, in times of change or uncertainty. What is that thing? The Word of God. The Book that has outlasted tyrants, demagogues, plagues, famines, nations, kingdoms and civilizations. The words of the One who created the heavens and earth. The One who created you and loves you – whose commands remain immovable for generations despite the unbelief of the foolish, and every attempt to alter it or eradicate it. His Word stands forever. It is truth and light to those who will receive it. There is an interesting verse which tells of what God did for David. When pursued by a jealous Saul who wanted to kill him, many joined with David before he became king. One group was especially notable. I Chronicles 12:22 - Day after day more men joined David until he had a great army, like the army of God. These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, according to the word of the LORD. From Judah, carrying shield and spear – 6800 armed for battle… verse 30 - from Ephraim, brave warriors famous in their own clans – 20,800… verse 32 – from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what the people of God should do. What a valuable gift that God gave for David. 20,000 warriors are great, but 200 chiefs and their kinsmen – who understood what God’s people should do… that is more valuable than warriors. In unusual times – in shifting times – it is vital to know what the people of God should do. It will be different than what most people do. If there ever was a time for PRISM – getting insight, understanding, revelation, and instruction... uncertain times are the time. If there ever was a time for PiVAT – being absolutely sure that you are doing what God is telling you to do - for this day and this hour. Now is the time. Proverbs 22:3 – a prudent man foresees the evil, and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and suffer the consequence. Proverbs 27:12 – is the exact same verse. Prudent – not a word often used in this generation. It has an undesirable connotation perhaps because it sounds like prudish. But prudent and prudish – are two different things. Prudish – excessively proper – often with the perception of being prideful or condescending. But prudent – is a foundational characteristic of the wise. Cautious; circumspect; practically wise; careful of consequence, cautious not to act quickly or foolishly. Circumspect: Prudent; watchful on all sides; examining carefully all the circumstances that may affect a determination. Proverbs 14:8 – The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. Proverbs 19:2 – Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good – and whoever makes haste with his feet misses the way. Prudent doesn’t follow the crowd, nor does it follow natural instinct. When many voices are talking, and public opinion swings one way and then the other. Those who seek the LORD – hold their peace, and obey in the first thing. In changing, perilous or unprecedented times, wisdom becomes increasingly valuable – far more than toilet paper. Men of Issachar who understood the times. Men of Issachar understand the times. They seek the LORD – that’s how know what to do. They seek and provide Godly counsel. They are not hasty and miss the way. Praying that you will do four things in seasons of pause or change. First – Fully obey with Time, Thoughts, Money and Testimony. Don’t eat dinner without doing PiVAT first – Get God's plans for you! If you are working or off tomorrow – God has plans for your day. They are good – He wants you to walk in His Ways, which will always include – PRISM – His Word. 4C’s Daily – if you’re not faithful with the little thing (money) discerning His will for you in a few dollars and cents – how will you discern, understand – and walk in the obedience that unstable times require. God’s wisdom and true riches are always found in His presence. And don’t neglect your Daily Call – why would you forfeit the testimony that insures you overcome! Second – Stand and See – Don’t fear what others fear, don’t run from one shelter to another. Stand and see. Exodus 14:13 – And Moses said unto the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show you today… I Samuel 12:16 – Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. 2 Chronicles 12:17 – You will not need to fight in this battle,: set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem, do not fear, and do not be dismayed… Third – Give not take. Love – always be ready to help and serve. Those who love give. Their trust is in the LORD, not in what they can hoard. And finally – Ask – Ask God what opportunity He has brought in this situation. Men of Issachar - look for the opportunity that is in the heart of God for this season... not for personal gain - but kingdom gain. Under persecution the church in Jerusalem took the good news of Jesus throughout the world. What opportunity has God brought about in this situation (whatever you are in) that God wants to use – to give hope and joy to others? What does He want start in you, or establish in you, or develop in you? And How does He want you to serve others? These are opportunities that only men of Issachar understand. Praying that you will be men of Issachar – who not only understood what they should do – but what the people of God should do. The ones who know God’s heart – are the ones closest to Him. That is more important than anything. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Some verses are just paradigm shifters. In fact in God’s Word – there are more than a few like that. That’s one thing I love about God’s Word – it doesn’t just give good advice, It shifts the entire paradigm of your thinking. Like going from 2D to 3D, like black and white to color television (most of you don’t remember those days), like reading the book – to seeing the movie. Perhaps the greatest paradigm shift is God’s Way or man’s way. It is what sent Jesus to the cross - us always wanting to do things our way, instead of His. All we like sheep have gone astray - we have turned (every one of us) to our own way, and the LORD (God) has laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all. It is the only way to live in eternity with God in heaven – forever... to receive the Son that God sent to live a life you couldn’t live, so he could die in your place – to cover the penalty your sin required. That is a paradigm shift. It’s not what you did – you couldn’t earn it. It’s what He did. He covered it for you. God’s Way and man’s way – beginning with Salvation through Jesus Christ – is the first and greatest paradigm shift. But once you are made new in Christ – you are still faced with this choice every day - in every decision you face. Let Him lead? Do it His Way? Or do this my way. Matthew 4:3 – The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." In every temptation – it’s always an invitation to do things your way – a different way, than God’s Way. To do what you want to do, rather than what God wants you to do - temporary pleasure over eternal reward. The devil tempted Jesus to do what? take things into his own hands, rather than follow God's plan. Jesus said many times, He did only what His Father in Heaven told him to do, or say, or go. Until at the end – when facing the cross, His heart remained, "not my will but yours be done." The enemy's temptations of Jesus – were always to do something different than what His Father told Him to do. Temptation is always like that - trying to get you to do what your flesh (your physical body, your human nature) wants to do, instead of what God said, or has chosen for you. That’s why PiVAT before dinner and PRISM throughout the day– are temptation repellent. When you are consumed with what God said to you, (PRISM) and what God said to you to do today (PiVAT) It helps prevent temptation - you can overcome it! Every time you obey – you become more committed to His Way. PiVAT and PRISM teach you His way. Jesus answer was immediate… “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus said physical bread is not important - spiritual bread is. If you live on that - God will make sure you have all the physical bread you need. That’s another reason why PRISM - those five things you can do every day in God's Word – is so important. The more you live in God's Word – the more you live in Him. His truth sinks deeper and deeper into your spirit, your mind and heart – so when the tempter comes to you – you instantly mentally separate – between what you just heard the tempter say – and what you know God says. It's called discernment. Every time you are tempted, it’s always your enemy trying to get you to do or say or think something different than what God says which is always love and always truth. Praying that PiVAT before dinner – has you always getting His plans for you for today. They lead you to the Good that He has for you. Walking in His plans always brings joy - there's nothing like it. You see what God does every day! Praying that PRISM – is your default all day long. Coming back to His Word – not only confirms His plans for you… it establishes your heart and sets your mind – so that when temptation comes - that invitation to anything different than what God said – you will overcome it every time – just like Jesus did. With the Word that comes from the mouth of God. Praying that your walk today – is His plans for you. So that you are doing what He has planned, and you are speaking what He said – so when the tempter comes – you will be so full of the Word of truth – that no other word would ever affect you, sway you, deter you or delay you. Because His Word alone is your love and your life! It's where the victory is - and it's where the joy is! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Have you ever had someone at work who was a knowledge expert – but didn’t share? You had to keep going to them as they spoon fed their area of expertise in hopes of keeping people dependent on them, rather than multiplying it in others which would mean the whole organization would be lifted – including them! I just love that the Bible is not that way. It not only fully shares the expertise, whether Jesus, or Samuel, or Paul, or David – David also breaks down exactly how to replicate what He was – a man after God’s own heart. Psalms 119:97 - “Oh, how I love your law, I meditate on it all day long.” He loves it because He is chewing on it all day! He loves it because he meditates on it, and he meditates on it because he loves it. The more you meditate on God’s Word, the more you will love it, and the more you love it, the more you will meditate on it. Not a bad thing to love - the mind of God – the author and holder of all success. Verse 98 – Your commands make me wiser than my enemies for they are ever with me. Not only does meditate on the Word make you love it, it makes you wiser than your enemy. What does that mean? Meditate – it simply means – repeat it over and over - in your mind and on your tongue. Say it, and say it. Verse 99 - I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. People come to teachers because they are looking for the next big thing, the latest phrase or quote, they hope to get something new, a new thought a new pearl of wisdom. But benefit #3 of meditating on God’s Word beyond loving it, and getting more wisdom, you have more insight (a view from the inside) than those everybody listens to or goes to see. You skip the middleman and get it right from the source! This is the first half of the Super Bowl Championship. 1st Half – Meditate on His Word – you then love it which perpetuates your meditating on it. Next, you’re wiser than your enemy – which means you know how to succeed in the midst of attack! Third you have more insight – an insider’s perspective, more than those preachers, motivational speakers, self-help gurus or Ted Talk experts that go viral. You already have that – and you even see things they don’t see, or haven’t seen yet. You’re getting what no-one has thought of yet - directly from your Heavenly Father. So PRISM – Meditate on His Word – you’ll love it, you’ve be wiser, and with more insight! But Super Bowls Champions have to be Champions in the Second Half – not just the first. “I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. David starts by sharing the top three benefits of the first half - the 1st key to success – Meditating on His Word, and the first benefit (loving it) is the secret to perpetual motion, it turns into not the egg but the goose that keeps laying golden eggs. If you love it, you will never stop meditating on it - it’s perpetual. So wisdom over the enemy, and insight over viral sensations – is perpetual also! But now in the Second Half – where games are won or lost – David inextricably links – meditate from the first half – and obey for the second half. His Word is - so you obey it. Loving comes from Meditating, but understanding comes from obeying. Understanding, “Know-How” that which makes elders, elders - those who have done this for a minute. Understanding becomes a part of your life experience, even more so than your elders – because of your ‘response time’ from meditating to obeying. Your ‘time to obey’ measurement. Years ago in the development world it was 'time to market' that was make or break to success. Ideation that created competitive advantage meant nothing if your time to market was slow. Competitors by then would beat you to product availability and already have a market-share advantage before your product or solution ‘hit the shelves.’ The key to success in life significance, in purpose fulfillment in your generation is not 'time to market,' but time to obedience! How long does it take you to obey what the Holy Spirit reveals – either from PiVAT – His plans for you today, or PRISM – His Word for you today so you can succeed in what He has told you to do. Do you saddle your donkey first thing in the morning – like Abraham, or do you falter between two opinions like the perverse generation of Elijah? The key to David’s understanding - walking in the success God had for Him - was Meditate (to love God’s Word, and gain wisdom and insight – combined with – very short “time to obedience.” The second step to second-half success – Verse 101 “I have kept my feet from every evil path that I might obey your word. Just like loving it – keeps you meditating on it, so keeping your feet from wrong paths, keeps your "time to obedience" short. The golden goose of Meditate on the Word – is loving it, which puts meditate in a perpetual loop. But the golden goose of the Second Half – Obedience – is keeping your feet from every evil path. Like King Julian – he did warn you about the feet. Your hands never get dirty if your feet are in the right place. Don’t do down the street near her corner at twilight, and if she comes into where you are, know when to run. Leave your jacket behind if you have to! Short “Time to obedience” is perpetuated by your feet in the right place at the right time. Know God’s PiVAT for you in this hour – don’t skip your PiVAT before dinner! That’s where you get the plans you need to succeed, so you know where your feet are supposed to be this hour, and where they’re not. Verse 102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. When you do PRISM asking the Holy Spirit what PRISM to do today, and for His revelations, not your opinions of His Word, or your limited mental assessment… He reveals and confirms His PiVAT for you for today, and you don’t disobey in action because obedience results in Him teaching you more. Verse 103 – How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey in my mouth. This is hearers and doers. Hearing God’s Word – is like seeing something that looks good, but obeying God’s Word – is how you taste it and see how good it is! The more you PRISM: Meditate on His Word, and PiVAT obey what He tells you specifically to do today, you then experience the Good He has for you, and His Word becomes sweeter. Verse 104 - I gain understanding from your precepts, therefore I hate every wrong path. Obeying brings understanding – Actual Experience in the practice and blessing of obedience. If you meditate and obey - a complete game - a full 60 minute Super Bowl Championship effort… Many teams played like Superbowl Champs for the first half but didn’t in the second half. If your time to obedience is quick, and you keep your feet from every evil path, if you're busy doing this hour what God told you in PiVAT to do, then His Words become sweeter. Your experience with Him and success in His ways – gets so strong that you even begin to hate every wrong path. Not only does His Word and His Ways taste sweeter, He gives you a distaste for what used to control you and shame you. Champions Meditate on His Word – so they love it – and perpetually come back to it, that’s how they are wise and have more insight. And Champions obey – their ‘time to obedience’ is ever-shortening, they keep their feet from evil – because they do only what He revealed for them in this hour. That’s why His Word and Ways taste sweeter. They come to understand His plans by walking in them, and what used to control them, has become distasteful. It’s how they perpetually walk in His wisdom and His ways – their mind is transformed – their time is surrendered, and their testimony is sure. Praying that every day you will live like Super Bowl Champions - a full sixty minutes... Meditating on His Word continually, and Obeying instantly – so you increase a taste for His Word and His Ways. They’re not just good for you – they lead you to the Good that He has planned for you! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
There is an old hymn… On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. It is interesting to see how fragile societies and economies really are. What we assume will last forever – will not. Some people – a vast majority may not be affected by a threat, or even concerned with it – but the ripple effect it causes can impact everyone. Psalms 11:2 – When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. God’s Word speaks clearly - about these times, and all times. Proverbs 22:3 – The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. A word to the wise. Proverbs 21:20 – The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Proverbs 11:26 – People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who sells in time of need. Notice hoarding is different from storing, the difference is motive. Hoarding is storing with self-centered purpose. Here is God's instruction to you. Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Psalms 91:1 – Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. Surely He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you… Psalms 91:9 – If you say, “the LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. So if you find yourself in unprecedented times. What should you do? #1 - Know who is on His throne. #2 Ask God to reveal what prudent is – not panic #3 Live with the Most High – PiVAT and PRISM are more important now. It’s how you live with the most High - His thoughts, His plans. Are you more concerned with His plans and His Presence? or your survival strategy? What is your refuge - that which consumes you - what you turn to first. Don’t let your natural mind be consumed with survival – rather than consumed with His presence. #4 What do you say? And what do you do? PiVAT and PRISM – His plans for you and His thoughts for you. Don’t neglect them now, increase them. There’s a difference between panic and presence. Between survival mode, and thrive-al mode. Even in the desert, you can be refreshed. Even in uncertainty – you can be certain. He sits on the throne. Do PRISM – He will guard your mind – speak it out loud. Do PiVAT – let Him lead you in his plan, not yours. And He will be your refuge and strength – and an ever present help in every storm. He has victory for you! You live with the Most High. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Have you ever considered how you read God’s Word? Some people read God’s word in two buckets – I know this because it can be me if I’m not careful. Two buckets - the bucket I’m in – the “good people bucket.” And the bad people bucket – “the bucket all those people are in.” Proverbs 12:3 – a man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. What is established? Continued success, permanence of belief, action, and subsequent results. If a man cannot be established through wickedness - what is wickedness? “Not what God said.” Whether thoughts different from God’s thoughts, words different from God’s Word, or actions different than what God assigned for you for this day and hour. Wickedness is basically your way instead of His. Notice how uncomfortable it is getting – when we use the word “your” in this evaluation? Even though it’s used in a general sense, it makes two bucket thinkers uncomfortable. What do you mean 'your…' do you mean that’s me? No, not saying that... we’re just talking about the man in this verse, it could be anybody of whom God says "a man cannot be established through wickedness" (anything that God didn’t say, or direct…) No one can be established – through ‘other than what God said.’ That never establishes you. (But couldn’t you say them instead? – not ‘your.’ It couldn’t possibly apply to me!) “Well, sometimes it’s good to consider that you or I might not always be in the bucket we think. A person isn’t in the good bucket because they prefer thinking of themselves in that bucket… God’s word encourages us to have the spiritual honesty to examine ourselves. I John 3:7 – Dear children, let no one deceive you, the one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. Righteous is right standing and right doing. If wickedness (not what God said) cannot establish you, then if you are doing – 'not what God said...' not His plans for you… than you cannot be established – (become permanent in success) Which means you are “unestablished" - not continuing in success. When you’re unestablished – you’re floundering, off-purpose, out of rhythm, unestablished… not succeeding permanently… squandering time and thought and effort opportunity. You just feel off – or even worse, you’re so off – you don’t even feel it anymore. Scary place. Righteous is right standing and right doing. Right standing... without believing in Jesus Christ, and committing your life – to Him and His Ways for you – you can’t be in the 'right standing' of Righteous. So no matter how many 'right doing's' you do, it doesn’t change your stripes. But once you are in right standing – in relationship with a Holy God – only made possible through the sinless life, and sacrificial death in your place - of Jesus Christ alone… then the “right doing” that comes from choosing what He said to you – and what He assigned to you… keeps you from ever being uprooted. Uprooted - from established to un-established. So wickedness – anything other than God’s Way for you – can never make you continuedly successful, and believing in Jesus and following His plans for you – means you can never become un-established – (uprooted from the continued success that His Word and His Plans – bring in your life. Praying that you will get always get His plans for each day through PIVAT before dinner. That you would get His Word for you today – through your PRISM time with Him. Praying that you will always overcome with someone every day. And about those two buckets. There really are two buckets. God’s Way and man’s way. It’s just unwise to assume which one you’re always in - either one or the other... You might miss what God through His Holy Spirit – may be trying to reveal to you. That’s part of humility – not presuming, but giving the Holy Spirit the opportunity to convict you when you need to change buckets, and to confirm you when your ways are His plans for you. His mercy never ends, and His grace is more than enough! That means even if you were in the wrong bucket for a while – even for months or years – His mercy and grace are enough to establish you from here! He loves you – that’s why He’s always after you – so He can lead you in the good things He has planned! Love you all dad Love you all, praying for you,
Do you remember when you were a child, the first time you saw a display of domino's as an exhibit? Ever- expanding rows of dominos about an inch apart twisting and winding in complex patterns just waiting for the moment of truth when someone will… tip the first domino. In an instant a wave of crashing dominos cascading across the room - the energy of each one overcoming the inertia of the next until it seems like the entire room is on fire. Testimony is exactly like that. Testimony – the telling of His Story – the amazing things that God does. Not only the plans that He has imagined and set in place – but the action after action that displays His breathtaking power and His intricate design. Have you ever been in a soccer or football stadium and heard a voice say… “Someone start the wave!” The power of motion almost like the ocean engulfing a hundred thousand – seducing the attention and imagination of the fans – to the point where they temporarily completely forget about the game... the actions on the field belittled by the earthquake in the stands. But waves, just like dominos never happen... until that first domino is tipped... until someone who cares more about the possibilities, than his own decorum, composure, or reputation... catapults into a full sprint in front of the crowd, impervious to the face-saving attempt of his poor girlfriend with her head now hiding behind her hands... His arms now frantically waving – calling and pleading, imploring his fellow spectators – to participate in the grand performance. You see, no one will wave – unless someone beside them waves first… and no one will wave first unless someone decides to start it! So what tips the first domino? In life – in the ridiculously and unimaginably blessed life that God has designed for you – the first domino tip – is simply - obedience. PiVAT before dinner - so whatever plans God reveals to you for tomorrow, or to finish strong in today... whether, speaking or saying, or giving, or serving - you forget about comfort or composure - and become enamored and compelled by the possibilities! Someone has to be the first one to obey. It's not just for your benefit - it will affect those around you! Have you ever started the wave? Have you ever tipped the first domino? If you do PiVAT before dinner every night, and before the week begins – your sense and clarity of His voice will grow stronger and stronger. Every little step of obedience – brings joy, but also it brings you to the next instruction, and then the next. And if you are on a Daily Call with another, who is fully obeying like you do – fulfilling God’s design for you... as you walk two by two (just like He commanded) the testimony becomes contagious. And the more that obedience is inspired, the more God can do in response which means the more the testimony that will result – can point all glory to the One who designed the exhibit of your life - and is calling others to His grand design of theirs! Praying that you are always tipping the first domino. You may never know the stadium of spectators just waiting to participate. So they can become not a spectator but a part of something far bigger than themselves. You’ll see what God does, and when you see what He does… when you almost can’t believe it - you'll begin to say - like Grandma says about what God just did - “Not surprising, but amazing!” Praying that you will always obey… whatever He tells you to pray, or say, or give or do today. When you tip that first domino - testimony will always follow… It could even start a wave! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word – It isn’t empty – it’s full, it’s powerful, it brings results, it’s timely – because The Holy Spirit will bring you what you need at the perfect time - if you are in it. Psalms 119:97 – O how I love your law, I meditate on it all day long. You commands make me wiser than my enemies for they are ever with me. Do you love His Word? Do you meditate on it all day long? How often do you come back to PRISM? To M: Meditate on the Word? Every time you come back to PRISM today, you are loving His law, His Word, Him! His commands – for your success, for your victory and overcoming! Every time you love His Word – you love Him, Jesus the Word… That’s how His commands are ever with you. As much as you come back to them – they are with you. Partly with you – sometimes with you – or ever with you. Only if they are ever with you are you wiser than your enemies. If you don’t have His Word ever with you, always in front of you, on your tongue, in your heart, front of mind… you won’t be wiser than your enemies. They will be wiser than you, more shrewd then you – having an affect on you. You don’t really have enemies – you have an enemy who just uses people against you. But if you are wiser than your enemy – if God’s Word is ever with you – if you come back to it again and again – it’s ever with you – you are wiser than your enemy. And when you are wiser than your enemy, your enemy is defeated – by the Word. And your enemy has no affect on you. That’s what God’s Word does – it raises you above the affect of the enemy. The enemy is powerless against you. They may still be there, but they aren’t overcoming you. You have overcome them by the blood of the lamb and the Word. The Word of God, which is the word of your testimony – and then the faithfulness of God which you will see, and will become the word of your testimony. Is His law the love of your life? His Word – Jesus? Or is something else what you come back to all day long. Some people come back to fear all day long, or doubt, or complaining, or worldly pleasures. Do you come back to PRISM all day long? Are His commands ever with you? always with you? always on your lips, on your tongue, in your mouth, in your mind, in your heart? Then you love Him, then you’re getting wiser, and then you have a testimony that overcomes the enemy. Praying for you that your PRISM will be so powerful today – and every day. That like David – when afflicted – you will meditate on His precepts, not your situation, or the unfairness, but on His precepts. That you will walk fully in the presence of God, and the wisdom of God for you in this situation, in this trial, or in this season of blessing. That you will first choose to come back to PRISM all day long – so His Word is ever with you – so you learn to love it. Praying that His Word and His presence - is the love of your life. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
In a recent Daily Huddle – we spoke of two things that always go together. Humility and Wisdom. We spoke of commonly associated things, like Batman and Robin, or Laverne and Shirley, or peanut butter and jelly. A lot of these are easily recognized, but some are not. Some things must go together – we just don’t realize it. Psalms 119:93 – I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. It is God’s precepts which have preserved his life, that’s why David never wants to forget them. Funny thing about never forget. It’s one thing you cannot do, or not do. It just happens or not – based on what else you do. You cannot take an action to forget – you can only take other actions that occupy you so you eventually forget. One mention and you haven’t forgotten it anymore. Equally you cannot take an action to never forget - you can only take an action to always remember. One mention of what you want to never forget is just in this moment. You might have forgotten it for weeks, and are just remembering now. Do you want to be preserved in your life? – always saved, sustained, with flavor added? Then never forget His precepts – it’s by them that your life is preserved. His precepts, His Word, His commands to you - your PIVAT for today, and His commands to everyone - your PRISM time in his eternal Word - His principles and practices. To never forget you must always remember. That’s the only action you can take – to never forget. Forget happens automatically and eventually, always remember does not. Forget will happen – when you least expect it, when you most need it… Always remember will not – unless you do what will have you always remember. So what should you always do, so you never forget? David said His life was preserved, saved, sustained, and filled with flavor – because he always remembered God’s precepts – His principles and practices. Because he read them, and he did them! Always – every day. PiVAT before dinner is more important than anything in your life. Without PiVAT - you might do PRISM, you might not. But with PiVAT – you’ll always do PRISM. God will always tell you the time He has assigned for it. God's plan for you will always include His Word – the strength, faith, wisdom, encouragement and hope that you need! PiVAT is a change of direction – from man’s way to God’s Way. But it’s really a change of ownership – from your plan for you - to God’s plan for you. If you do – He will tell you the time set aside for His Word – and PRISM will happen! – He will show you those things you need for today! The Holy Spirit will bring them to mind, so you can always do them, and never forget. If you don’t know what God has assigned to you, and what time He has assigned it to… you can never do it. If you're not doing it always - you can't 'never forget.' Praying that you will get really good at the always remember – the only way to never forget. That your PiVAT before dinner becomes so clear, that your PRISM - those five things you can do in God's Word - done at the times God tells you – becomes so full of His voice – His direction – His love and His favor - so you never forget, so He can preserve your life every day - saving you, sustaining you, and bringing flavor so you always taste and see - how Good He is and how Good are His plans He can't wait to show you! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Ever notice some things are always together? Tom & Jerry, Simon and Garfunkel, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Batman and Robin, Ernie and Bert – Dumb and Dumber. Some things always come in pairs. You rarely find one without the other. God tells us these 'always togethers' – some big ones. Important. Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Pride and Disgrace - they are never far apart. You can’t have one without the other. Pride: the absence of humility, arrogance, presumption, an inordinate self-esteem, an unreasonable opinion of one’s own superiority in talent, beauty, wealth or accomplishment, rank or office, which often manifests in aloofness, and often in contempt of others. Disgrace is not good - really not good. Disgrace is more than lost reputation. Grace is Divine Favor and Divine Power – both of which are undeserved. But disgrace is not just ungrace… ungrace would be the absence of grace. But disgrace is worse… not just grace-missing, its the opposite of grace. Not just grace missing, or absent, but God’s power working against you! Ungrace is dormant, Disgrace is active… the power of your success is now keeping you from it – ensuring that your efforts are vain pursuits, an exercise in futility. God opposes the proud, but give grace to the humble. Better to be humble. Not only do humility and wisdom go together, Humility and Grace come as a pair as well. People rarely seek pride, it just comes to them. Humility doesn’t come to you, it’s unnatural, it requires you to seek it, to choose it, to have it in mind, and motive and priority of pursuit. Humility starts with surrender to God – obeying no matter what He says. Recognizing that He is higher than you, His Word is true, and your opinions are not... what other people say, or what culture says – is not. Praying that you will review the PRISM Topic - Humility, and the PRISM Topic - Humble to get God's Word on this important truth. Step #1 of humility is surrender to God’s Word, His decisions, and His commands - both for you specifically and for everyone. PiVAT before dinner is your first humility choice - a choice to habitually demonstrate humility every day... Seeking His plans for you with a pre-determined mind and heart to obey. PiVAT is always a choice to be humble. PRISM is a choosing, a seeking of humility. To prioritize what God says, His thoughts, His ways. When you choose humility - Grace always comes with it, Wisdom always comes with it. Don’t seek the thing, seek the thing that brings the thing. Pride – you have to guard yourself against it. It will come if you are not careful, vigilant. Humility – you don't, it won’t come unless you seek it – you have to choose it, value it. Step #2 of Humility is considering others more important than you, not you more important than them. Not your ideas or words or opinions more important than theirs. The first demonstration of this? Listen. Seek to understand them, before seeking for them to understand you. Humility is the beginning of wisdom, it's the opposite of pride. Praying that you'll choose humility with PiVAT before dinner every day. It's how you know even what to obey, and what He's planned for you so you can walk in the Good He has planned. Praying that you will choose humility with PRISM every day - getting the mind and heart of God... so you learn how to think like He thinks, so you can do what He has created you to do - today. Praying that you will always choose humility. It’s what Jesus did, he humbled Himself – and it started everything! Praying that you will practice Humility – so grace can come with it, so wisdom can come with it. So disgrace is removed, and pride can never come - because it can't find you. It can’t – because you’re seeking Humility which cancels pride – and welcomes Grace! Love you all, dad |
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