Love you all, praying for you,
One thing that always amazes me about God – He sees things so differently than I do. And He tells us things all the time – that are not what we would expect, different than we see. Psalms 119:131 – I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. David's mouth longed for God's commands, not just his ears. Isaiah 51:16 – I have put my words in your mouth, and covered you in the shadow of my hand. It didn't say I have put my words in your ears. He said - I have put my Words in your mouth - so they get to your heart! Words are for your mouth – not just your ears. Hear it, and put it in your mouth. Write it down, rehearse it, remember it – so you can do it! Commands are for your mouth – you don’t pant with your ears. It didn’t say strain with your hears, or lean into hear… it said my mouth longs for your commands, it’s a taste thing, a speaking thing not just a hearing thing. If God’s commands aren’t on your tongue – your mouth is empty, unemployed. It longs for His commands. Not just to hear them, but to speak them, to activate your mind and will, to fill your heart and commit yourself, to activate them in your life. Ears don’t activate, your mouth does. Because your mouth fills your heart, sets your mind, conforms your will, and initiates your action. That’s why David always said – “I will obey your Word.” It was in his mouth – so it was in his heart. It's how you get a heart after God - that will obey whatever He says. What’s on your tongue will fill your life. Ears to mouth to hands to feet. Have you ever noticed babies? Whatever they get their hands on – goes straight to their mouth. That’s what God created ears for – to hear and go straight to our mouth. So we speak His Word – into the atmosphere, into our faith, into our heart, into our mind and will, and into action, into our life and our DNA. Praying that you will review the PRISM Topic – Starter Verses – Verses to Start your Day. Words from God – that are designed to go from your ears – to your mouth - that will establish you - That will direct your thoughts and mind and heart and faith. Praying for you – that what God puts in your ear – will come out of your mouth. That you will choose His WORD always with your ears and mouth. So everything God tells you will be established by the words of your mouth. Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you,
What do you do with all your heart? All – means complete, all your heart, the whole thing, altogether, completely, entirely, as many as, every bit of it. What should you do with all your heart? All in, completely, consumed with, focused entirely on… Psalms 9:1 – I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart, I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your Name, O Most High. Psalms 86:12 – I will praise you, O LORD my God with all my heart, I will glorify your Name forever. For great is your love toward me. You have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Psalms 138:1 – I will praise you O LORD with all my heart. Praise – to worship with extended hands, make confession, give thanksgiving. Psalms 119:10 – I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you. KJV says, “With my whole heart I have sought you, let me not wander from your commands. That word, Seek darash <daw-rash> to tread or frequent. The place you hang out frequently, the place you always go, to follow, pursue or search, to seek or ask, to worship, to care for diligently. Seek - I keep coming back – to hang out with you, to ask you constantly… with all my heart. Psalms 119:57 – You are my portion O LORD, I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart be gracious to me according to your promise. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. KJV says I have intreated your favor with all my heart. Intreat – to be rubbed or worn – like pants with worn out knees from praying, a well worn path... To entreat (to make urgent prayer, earnest petition, pressing solicitation and supplication. Seek – keep coming back, with all your heart - to keep asking, to tarry, to stay, to remain in His presence to keep asking. Psalm 119:145 I will call with all my heart; answer me O LORD, and I will obey your decrees. I call out to you, save me and I will keep your statutes. Proverbs 4:4 – he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Lay hold – retain – tamak <taw-mak’> to obtain, keep fast, retain, maintain, sustain, hold up, follow close behind, alongside...) keep walking in and walking with – His commands - with all your heart – completely, entirely. I Samuel 12:24 – But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart – consider what great things he has done for you! Serve – to come under the authority of – to do the bidding of… fulfill His plans for you - with all your heart. Jesus said – Mark 12:30 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love - affection and obedience. Love is obey. Jesus did it completely, and he said if you love me, you will obey my commands. Just as I obeyed my Father’s commands. Praying that you will Praise Him with all your heart, that you will Seek Him with all your heart, that you will know His plans for you, that will you lay hold of His Word - with all your heart. That PRISM will be your ever miss habit - that you would know it, speak it, do it, continuously with all your heart. That you will serve Him with all your heart, come under His authority, let Him make the plans for you - that you will love Him with all your heart – with all your affection and all your obedience. So that his heart becomes your heart – so that His plans become your plans, so that His joy becomes your joy. 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,
On Thursday and Friday the NFL as it does every year – hosted The NFL Draft – which has become an annual tradition on a Thursday in April. Weeks of anticipation – Who will be drafted Number One? Who will be the surprise pick, who will rise, and who will fall, giving a fortunate team - an absolute steal! The drama and delight of this event gives people hope. You can get a Tom Brady in the 6th round. Some have been through the fire – like an Aaron Rogers who inexplicably slipped multiple spots to fall to the Packers – as a backup to Brett Farve. Not understanding why he was so upset… and now many years later – in an ultimate irony – the shoe gets absolutely switched to the other foot – with the Packers again choosing a quarterback when you're the man... And you finally get to feel first hand – what your predecessor was feeling. Who would have thunk that would ever happen? There is such human drama captured in this tradition. Dreams fulfilled, dreams dashed, or delayed. Why does this event capture such attention? (Other than the fact this year – it’s the only sporting event in the entire world for the last 2 months… other than that…) what so captures the attention of the NFL Draft. Because, when it comes down to it. We just want to be chosen. It’s one of the deepest human needs. Pick me! Do you remember when you were little – you just didn’t want to be the last one picked. And you felt sorry for the kid who was, but equally glad it wasn’t you. Sometimes those scars can last a lifetime. We just want to be chosen. Here is what God says. “I choose you.” You have been chosen! By God himself - The One who Said Let there be light, The One who is I AM that I AM. God chooses people that others reject - His draft picks aren't what anyone would expect. He doesn't just look at performance, He sees potential. Because He doesn’t look on the outward appearance, He looks on the heart. When Samuel picked the tallest and strongest and the handsomest… God said – that little kid – in the field with the sheep – the humble one, the hard working one, the worshipping one - not the tallest or fastest or strongest... that’s my draft pick. Psalms 105:5-6 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the decisions he has made, you his servants, O offspring of Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones. John 6:44 - No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. John 15:16 – You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. I Corinthians 1:27 - But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world, and the despised things, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are. So that no one can boast before God. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. At the end of the draft – all the teams get rated on their draft performance... who got the best draft this year? Jesus team – probably would be ranked last. Not an A+ or even a B+ rating. But His team is the team that wins the Superbowl of Life and all of eternity. He picked you! You got drafted! He choose you – just the way you are, incomplete, a little beat up, not a perfect track record – but someone whom He will make into a Superbowl Champion. The Superbowl of all superbowls. Eternity with Him. So if He chose you, what do you choose? We get to choose humility, and His wisdom. We get to choose to lay down our life – for His life for us. These draft picks – some of them get millions – but in exchange – they give up their life. They go to practice when the coach says practice, they arrive at the bus or the airport when the coach says it’s time to be there. Walk through's, early morning workouts... That’s what draft picks do – they do what the coach and the owner want them to. They do it for money – but you do it for eternity - far more than just money. What does the NFL mean “Not For Long” A Jerry Rice, or Emmett Smith, or Tom Brady are the rare exception – most are in and out of the league in 3-5 years. But God has picked you for eternity.! It’s not just a business – He loves you – He has picked you forever. And your body will not wear out – He is making you new in your spirit every morning. He chose you – you get to choose Him! His Presence in Worship, His plans for you through PiVAT, His Word for you – what you need for this day and this moment through PRISM. You aren’t just a Packer, Or a Patriot, or Chief, or Giant, or 49er for a few short years. You are on His Team for all of eternity. He picked you on His team forever, you will never be traded! You will never retire – you are a crucial part of The Team that wins forever – with a Savior that loves you - forever! Praying that you will always choose Him, like He chose you. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Are you too old? Are you too young? What does 'too' mean? It could mean also (along with) Can I come too? It could mean, excess, (that’s too much ice cream), or it could mean – an irreversible preventative factor… Are you too old? Too young? Are you too short? too tall? too fat? too skinny? Are you too disadvantaged? too uneducated? too ugly? too small? Who told you that? It wasn’t the One who made you, it wasn’t the One who decides, it wasn’t the One who is the way the truth and the life? One of the devil’s favorite words… too. And here’s his favorite of all - too late. It’s too late, you’ve made too many mistakes, you’ve made that same bad choice one time too many. God can’t forgive you now, God can’t use you now. It’s too late for that dream, it’s too late for that marriage, or that child, or that career, or that skill or ability. It’s too late now. You’ve lost your chance, that ship has come and gone... Some dreams die, because God wants to raise them to life in His way and His timing. Some dreams die because God let them – so He can give you the best one. The one that He has for you. It might be too early, but it’s not too late. It’s not to late to repent (to think differently – about that sin or attitude or belief that is not from God), it’s not too late to turn, it’s not to late to obey, and it’s not to late to try. It’s not too late to say you’re sorry, it’s not too late to make things right. It’s not to late to believe God’s promise. It’s not to late to start a habit. It's not too late to do the first thing - right now! It’s not too late for steady plodding. Whether you’re five or fifteen, twenty-five, thirty-five, forty-five or eighty-five. It might be too early, Some things God says – it’s not time for quite yet, I’ve got some things to work in you before you are ready for that - but it’s not too late. Do you know what He wants you to do right now? It’s never to early to repent and turn, and if you’re breathing, it’s not too late. It’s not too late to change. It’s not too late to begin again. Here’s what God says about too. Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time, I will return to you, according to the time of life and Sarah will have a son. She’s 99 years old – Is there anything too hard for God? That’s what impossible is – “too hard.” Luke 18:27 – But Jesus replied, “The things that are impossible with man, are possible with God. He’s the God of the impossible! He’s the God of the too hard! He’s the God of the too late, and the too big, and the too strong. Psalms 18:17 - He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like you! who delivers the poor from him that is too strong for him… Jeremiah 32:27 – Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 29:11 – God has plans for you - for your good - to prosper you. They don’t stop at a certain age, or after one too many mistakes. They don't start until later on... some time... some day... His plans for you to walk in will bring you to good – beyond what you can imagine. You can start right now, or start again right now. To walk in them, you must know what they are, the only way is to ask Him. Praying that you will spend some time today with the One in whom nothing is too hard! Sunday is a perfect day, but even if Sunday has past, or there are only one or two days left this week - Do PiVAT Weekly! It’s not to late to ask God for His plans for you for this week, or for this day – and walk in them. He will tell you what He has for you and the perfect time. And what you thought was too hard, you will begin to see. What you thought was too late – He will bring to pass. What you thought you were not able to – you will see the God who is able! Praying that you will never give words to a lie. That thought you’re too old, or young, or small, or it’s too late. That’s just the devil trying to make you believe something. It doesn’t apply to you – unless you say it and repeat it and believe it. Here's what the truth is. Your God’s too big, your God’s too strong, your God’s too faithful, and your God loves you. He has good stored up for you – just waiting for you to obey – starting right now! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I love God’s Word – it’s so direct. Proverbs 20:4 – A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. There are three things to do. What God wants you to do every day, what God wants you to do today, and what God wants for you to do in this season. What season is it? Like the men of Issachar who understood the times and knew what the people of God should do. Have you asked God what season is it? If you have a pause – is it time to rest? Or time to invest? There is always a reason not to do something - even several reasons. There is always a reason not to try, not to start, not to do it quite yet… why it wouldn’t work, why I’m not the best one to, why it would probably be better to do it later. The best time to invest was 10 years ago… quite often - the best time is now. There is never a better time than right now. Be careful, never do something unless the LORD directs you – but be sure you ask Him? Is now the time? What would you have me do in this season? If you plant every seed God has for you to plant in planting season - then you will reap every harvest He was for you in harvest season. Isaiah 49:8 – This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you. Today is that day! Ask Him, and He will answer, Ask Him, and He will help you. He is just waiting for you to ask and then work with all your heart – on what He puts your hand to do. Work for six days and rest on the seventh. Praying that you will know what season it is. That you will ask God – and invest your energy, your diligence, and your joy – in what He puts your hand to do. He has good for you. The reasons why you shouldn’t or why you should wait – are immaterial. To reap a harvest – God wants you to sow seed – in season. Praying that you will ask God... What season is it? What do you want for me sow? Praying you will begin… today. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love how God’s Word unfolds. The deeper you go, the more life you find. Psalms 119:143 – Trouble and stress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight, your statutes are forever right, give me understanding that I may live. Trouble has come upon me, but not in me. Stress has come upon me, but not in me. On the inside, I’m in Christ – so I’m in peace, not stress. On the inside, I’m in Christ, so I’m in freedom, not trouble. I’m in truth not doubt. I’m in life, not fear. Why? Because Your commands are my delight. I delight to hear your commands and I delight to do them. Because I see the results they bring. Command – a charge, an instruction from one in authority over you. To bid, to order, to direct, to charge implying authority and power to control and to require obedience. His commands – bring delight to my spirit. I love hearing them so I can do them! Your statutes are forever right. The righteousness of your testimonies. That means - the right, equity, and prosperity (righteousness) of your testimonies - that which is shared by eyewitnesses and recorders. This is talking about coming to a belief of what was commanded supported by testimony. "His testimonies" an eyewitness that recorded their own attesting to the truth and fruit of the command. Testimony – the declaration of a witness – so the mind counts it as evidence. Give me understanding – biyn <bene> to separate mentally, distinguish, understand – to have just and adequate ideas of. Understand means to comprehend, to know, to have the same ideas as the person who speaks. To come to the same conclusion and belief. Give me understanding of your commands and precepts. “God – let me think the same way you do." Understanding is the full alignment of the mind – with the right-ness, the righteousness of His Word. So it produces in you full compliance every time! Everything David prays for is what God gives, and wants to give you. It’s why it’s recorded – this is part of God's testimonies – David is the witness, the recorder – the testimony of His Word. To delight in His commands means enjoyment, to be pleased with – the good that brings joy. That I may live – not only be saved and preserved, but quickened, revived – to come back to - the fullness of life that God has! Give me understanding that I may live – David is saying if you can help me think like you do – my life will be abundantly full – not just living but thriving. Praying that God’s commands – His charge to you – will become your delight. Praying that His testimonies – those who witnessed and recorded – will become evidence to you. That God will give you the grace to align your thoughts with his, your belief with what He declared. That PRISM those five things you can do in God's Word every day. Will transform your mind to the mind of Christ – that you will have understanding! That PiVAT - God's Plans for you - will have you obeying like Jesus, like David. That your Daily Call will be your overcoming! just like He commanded you. That you PiVAT Small Group – will be the gathering that provokes and inspires you to obey what He tells you to do - so you walk in all the good that He has promised you, that He has planned for you – that He has stored up for you! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Praise God for His Word. He tells us what will come, and what to do. Temptation will come, but what you do – can cut it off, or invite it back. James 4:7 – Resist the devil and He will flee from you. This is a promise from God. The devil comes to tempt you. He wants to steal, kill, and destroy. Temptation is just an invitation to believe something other than what God said - to do something other than what God told you to do, or do something that will disappoint or displease God. It will separate you from Him, it will always leads to death - do not be fooled. The devil will try to steal your peace, steal your joy, cause you to fear or doubt, he will try to enslave you with lust or greed or pride, anything that he can - to keep you from the path that God has for you. Temptation always keeps you from moving forward. The devil wants you going backward. You’ve been there, you’ve done that, you’re not going back! So what is the devil trying to tempt you with today? God said this is how you deal with the devil and temptation – Resist him, and he will flee from you. That’s a promise from God. But if you don’t, he won’t. If you don’t resist the devil – he won’t flee. He will keep hanging around – crouching at your door, desiring to sift you like wheat, so he can rule over you again. God said Resist Him, And after you resist him, Go on your way! Move your feet. Whatever the devil says is a lie. That thing won’t make you happy, whatever it is you are tempted to do. He promises pleasure but it’s just for a moment – it is a façade, it leads to death – separation from your relationship with God, and eventually physical death. How many wives have left their husbands for a better man, or husbands left their wife for a better woman, only to find out (studies prove it) that they are at the same level of happiness or unhappiness that they were before. The devil promises you a whole warehouse of fireworks to sell at the 4th of July – you’ll be rich! Only to find out when you walk in the warehouse – that there is no warehouse! There are no fireworks at all – just a two-by-fours bracing up a false store front and dirt behind it. When it comes to the devil - most people do not resist him – they entertain him. They entertain the thought. God calls this perverse – to think different – than what God said – to turn it over in your mind until you go back to the contrary. God hates it! Perverse lips – say something different than what God says. Watch what you say - don't let your words give credence to a lie. The devil will always bring these opportunities. These invitations to do other than what God said, to say other than what God said. If you don’t resist him, he will just keep coming – because he knows you will eventually fall – it’s just a matter of time. Jesus did the opposite. Jesus resisted him. The temptations Jesus faced were just like us – but far beyond what we will ever face – and the devil waited for his weakest moment. There will be times when you are tempted beyond your physical ability to resist. That’s where the WORD of God is the only strength to overcome – and it will crush the devil under your feet. Satan tempted Jesus far worse than you or I will ever be tempted. The devil offered him another way – than the brutal suffering He knew His Heavenly Father needed for Him to endure – for our salvation, for our hope, so we could be given the power to resist temptation. The devil gave him the easy way out… But Jesus said, ‘It is written, It is written, It is written. And the devil left him, just like God promised. If you resist the devil – he will flee. God promised. He will look for a more opportune time. But there will be none! The more you resist, the stronger you get, the more you obey the stronger you get, and the more you are in God’s Word – overcoming with you testimony with a friend on your Daily Call – walking two by two - the stronger you will get. The more you gather together with other obeyers - in you PiVAT Small Group - the stronger you get. That’s why PRISM is so important. It’s the Word of God that you resist the enemy with. I Cor 10:13 - “No temptation you face is greater than what others have already faced before you.” God said He will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He said but when you are tempted He will always provide a way out. Titus 2:12 – He gives you GRACE to say "No" to ungodly passions and lusts, and anything else that is less than His best for you. His GRACE for you to say no – is infinitely more powerful than this temptation! Take it! Use it! Choose It! Galatians 5:16 - Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts (or the desires) of the flesh (your old nature – controlled by sin, the desire for worldly things). There are some practical ways to walk in the Spirit. Job 31:1 - I made a covenant with his eyes. Proverbs 4:25 - Let your eyes look forward, fix your gaze straight ahead. Look where you are going, where God told you to go, not looking around at everything around you. Genesis 39:12 - Joseph ran! If there’s a place where you are prone to sin. Never go there again. Do not go down the road near her house. Some people and situations, some jobs are not the environment for you. Some books are not for you to read – man’s wisdom, man's ways – the pride of life… Some things are not for you to watch. Some friendships or relationships are not for you. You will never resist the devil if you stay there. The devil and temptation is like the alligator in the pond at the golf course. When it comes out of the water, some people keep looking at it while slowing backing away. That’s fine, but that won’t cut it… Get in the golf cart and MOVE ON to the next hole! That’s why PiVAT and PRISM and your Daily Call are so important – to resist the devil – and walk in the path God has chosen for you. No distractions, no delays. His WORD – is critical – it’s what you resist with… PRISM has to be your habit. You might not need it right now, but you will. It’s gotta be in you! The first thing out of your mouth! The first thing the devil wants to do is separate you from God’s Word. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life. The Bible says - Jesus is the WORD of God made flesh – God’s Word in human form – that lived among us. If you neglect His Word, you won’t know the right way, you won’t be able to discern truth (it’s what resists the devil), and you won’t know life! Temptation entertained, always leads to death. It’s why PiVAT before dinner is so important. What has God told you to do today? – in this hour? - Right now? Then get going! Do it! Stop looking at alligators. And your Daily Call – God said You overcome by the blood of the lamb and the Word of your testimony. (Revelations 12:11) The more you are in His Word, the more you obey, the more you overcome with your testimony – the stronger you are, temptation becomes of no effect, you are too busy walking in the joy of doing what God told you at the time He said! The joy that His Presence and obedience brings. That’s something worth Praising Him for! The devil is a liar, don’t let him steal your peace, steal your contentment, or your focus or your diligence. Get to doing what God has for you in his hour! It’s where the joy is – it’s how you get to all the GOOD that God has stored up for you. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
Proverbs 22:1 – A good name is more desirable than great riches, to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. What do you desire more than money? What occupies your thoughts and attention, and effort, and desires, more than money - or the things that money can buy or provide? People seek after money – all their effort and desire is focused on what will get them more money – so they can pay their bills, buy more stuff, enjoy more things, with those who also have money - the good life – or so it is presumed to be. God says different. A good name is more desirable, more valuable than money. To be esteemed by God – is more important than money. A good name – reputation, character; that which is commonly said about a person, what they are known for – what they are known by - what they will be remembered for. A good name - humility, obedience, and kindness – that is a good name. Jesus was known for humility (leaving his Throne for a manger) His obedience – even to death on a cross, and His kindness. "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" was his message. It’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. If a good name is better, more valuable, more to be desired than having more money. Do we seek a good name more? or do we seek money more? Do we seek humility, obedience, and kindness more? – or more money more? To be esteemed is more valuable, worth more – than money. Esteemed – valued; estimated; highly valued or prized on account of worth; thought (of); held in opinion. To be esteemed by God – is more valuable than money. Do you seek to be 'thought highly of' by God? He clear values everyone – that’s why he died for them, but to be valued, 'thought highly of' by your Heavenly Father… He said of David, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do. He said of Job – have you seen my servant Job? There is none like him on earth, a complete and upright man, one that fears God and turns from evil. That’s what God values, and esteems highly. Enoch walked faithfully with God; (NLT says – walked in close fellowship with God), then he was no more, because God took him. He said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But not with my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face… If being esteemed by God is far more valuable than riches, do I desire a walk with God – to be with Him, in His presence, to fear Him and fully obey Him? Do I put as much energy and desire and effort in that – as I do seeking to get, earn and save money? If you are esteemed by God, you will have a good name. Not all those esteemed by men are esteemed by God, but if you are esteemed by God – if your heart is after His heart – you will be esteemed by men in the end. Praying that you will hear his voice, know his plans, overcome daily like he commands, join with others as he commands, and give an account with his money – so you can obey with it. So money won’t be your desire, but to be esteemed by God, and have a good name among men. Praying that you will grow in humility, obedience and kindness. That God will be pleased, that others will be drawn, and that God will fulfill everything He wants to do in you. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you
Psalms 119:134 - Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts. Praise God. When David asks for things – we know the answer. We know who God is – He is the Redeemer – what David says he needs redeemed from - Jesus redeemed you from that! David’s life in many ways was the natural demonstration of our spiritual life. David’s enemies were army’s and foreign kings. Our enemies aren’t people or armies, they are spiritual. God said we don’t battle against flesh and blood but principalities and powers - our adversary is the enemy of our soul. We are battling an old sin nature that wants to fear and doubt, and do things our own way – instead of God’s way. Praise God we’ve been redeemed from that… and the enemy who tries to come against us in our minds and spirit. Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts. Redeemed from oppression of mind, redeemed to – obedience. Redeeming is for doing - obeying what He has for you! What oppresses you? What keeps you from obeying? Rarely do you not obey God, because someone has you in a headlock, or an arm bar. You can be incarcerated and still obey God. What oppression keeps you from the obeying – that you were redeemed for? Fear and False-belief. What could keep you from obeying what God told you? Fear of man, what people might thing of me if I do that, or say that. They might laugh at me, unfriend me, spread lies about me, they might think I’m preachy or self-righteous, or If I share freedom from sin, I might be accused of being intolerant. I might lose them as a friend, they might not invite me to things anymore, or I might lose my job, or lose money, or lose opportunity. Fear of man will always prevent you from obeying what God says. Fear of man is oppression – as much as a head-lock or an arm-bar is. Acts 4:19 – But Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right before God to listen to you, rather than God, you decide. But we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard. They came out of the oppression – and they walked in what they were redeemed for. The other oppression is mis-belief. Anything that man says – that is different or opposite of what God says – is oppression – false belief can oppress you. I can’t say anything – God wants me not to judge – but they are going to hell, don’t you care? Mis-belief... God said don't pass judgment on people, but do make righteous judgments about sin. You can’t share freedom from sin, without judging between good and evil - recognizing what sin is. So Jesus can set you free! That doesn’t mean you go around accusing every sinner, it’s God’s kindness that lead us to repentance. But if you will never stand for truth, or speak the truth in love, that’s not love – that’s being silenced by the oppression of man – either direct threat, or indirect pressure – that incorrect belief. Praise God. PRISM in His Word – and PiVAT – in His plans for you - helps you recognize the oppression of man - that He set you free from, and walk in the obedience we were redeemed to. He gives us grace to speak the truth in love. Just give your testimony. They can argue your theology – but not your testimony. We are free to trust, to believe, to rejoice, to live in the goodness and fullness that He redeemed us for. PRISM – those five things you can do in God’s Word – is the oppression lifter. It’s how you walk out of what you were redeemed from, and into what you were redeemed for. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. In recent years you have started hearing the phrase - "speak your own truth." That doesn’t even pass the logic test. Everyone has their own truth - is a lie – one of those mis-beliefs - that man is trying to oppress you with. Mis-belief - the oppression of man. If everyone has their own truth, than there is no truth – just subjectivity. Jesus said – I am the way the truth and the life. That means - God’s Word is the way the truth and the life. God establishes truth, not man – no matter what man says to try to oppress you. Every person's truth is just their opinion or experience. They will want to put their truth on you, but you have been redeemed, bought back - Praise God His Word – will break any oppression of man. You can be free. Freedom always starts in your mind and in your heart. God’s Word is true. Praise God you can trust Him, His Word is always true, it’s always good, and following His Plans for you will always bring joy. His ways are freedom! Those who disagree aren’t the enemy. Just love them, show the kindness of Jesus - people know if your heart is for their best interest. Kindness is more powerful than confrontation. Give your testimony, and help them discover theirs. God loves them and is trying to draw them. Ask God for wisdom on how to love them like He does. And praise God for Freedom – He is the source of all freedom. There is no freedom apart from Jesus Christ. Our nation is founded on it. Freedom from sin is the most fundamental freedom there is. It's freedom from tyranny in the spirit - the devil usurping God's truth. Praying you will know what you are redeemed from, and walk in what you are redeemed for. That the joy of the LORD will be your strength. That His Word – will transform your mind with His truth. Love you all, dad |
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