Love you all, praying for you.
Praying that you would really know the best question ever. What do you need most from God today? Praying that you would ask it of yourself by asking God to reveal it to you– during PiVAT before dinner every day. Praying that God would lead you to also ask this best question ever - to at least one other person every day. It will open doors for the Holy Spirit to minister to others through you - like none other! It will help you share your faith – share your testimony – and help them discover theirs! It will open the door for the Holy Spirit to pray through you – the very words of truth and love that God has for them today – in this perfect moment. Here is another question God may prompt you to ask yourself. What is the number one thing – that is keeping you from fully obeying? That’s actually a really important question. Have you ever felt a little off? That you weren’t quite in the sweet spot of fully and completely living the way God is calling you to live? Not fully there yet, or a little off? Usually there is a source; a cause; a reason. Often it’s a habit that has started to form, crept in, or a wrong choice you made. Maybe something you used to do regularly, but have neglected to maintain, or something you’ve started to do that is not what God told you to do, or that has become “out of proportion.” Can I share something I’ve always hated. People talking about a balanced life. Being in balance. Sounds so average – so mediocre – to me… so boring. Sometimes God has you do things – that are not in balance. Like taking a day out of your week to go up to help tornado victims all day long – with no food to eat because no restaurants are open – their roofs are blown off. Or when Jesus spent all night in prayer – that’s not very balanced. Or when He just went through a storm, told the wind and waves to be quiet – got to the other side – where crowds were already waiting for him – and the disciples saying – you really need rest – but He saw the people without a shepherd and had compassion on them. Life isn’t always in balance. 40 days in the wilderness – isn’t balance. Putting in the time to study for that final – isn’t always in balance. Life isn’t always in balance. Sometimes we think that our life should always be the right amount of sleep, the right amount of rest, the right amount of work, and the right amount of play. Who said? and who determines the right amount? That’s not always how God leads, or what situations require. There is some truth in that counsel, and I do not mean to criticize those who give or follow that advice, but perhaps it would help to define Balance – doing what God tells you in His timing, for His duration. So what is “Out of balance?” Spending more time on something than God told you to spend on it. God doesn’t want us to live a balanced life, He wants us to live an obedient life. Sometimes what He tells us to do – will seem out of balance. But God’s balance in the end – is far more restful and fruitful that what we would consider a balanced life. Jesus took his disciples away – just to spend time with Him. God’s timing is always perfect, complete, whole. We can trust Him. A life of full obedience will always bring His balance and peace and fullness. He promised, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Praying that you will seek full obedience so His balance will come. And if there is anything that is preventing you from full obedience – that is getting your life out of His balance – that you will ask Him, and when He reveals it, you would do whatever He tells you to return to His path and His pace. If it is to limit or eliminate some activity – and He tells you – that you would make the change immediately. If it’s to establish or re-establish a habit that grows you in His will – that you would begin immediately. Praying that you would revisit in PiVAT before dinner – even the things you regularly do – to be sure it’s God’s Thing, and God’s Time. And that you would take an honest look at your actual time spent to be sure that God’s priorities for you – are what you are actually walking in. So – what is the number one thing keeping you from fully obeying? Praying that you will ask this question of yourself – by asking God to reveal it - that the devil would never get any foothold, any stronghold, or in any way be able to steal, kill or destroy anything that God has for you. Ask Him, He’ll answer. Make any change He tells you, do it with joy. Trust Him, His grace is more power than you’ll ever need. Praying that your obedience will be His balance. And don’t forget – PiVAT Monthly for June. He’ll reveal the balance He has for you, He’ll help you hit the ground running. The Holy Spirit will lead you, His peace will be there. It will prepare you for what He has in store! And It’s really good! Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you.
I just so love God’s Word – My PRISM Time with Him. He gives it so timely and so practically. It’s not just written, it’s given. He gives it to us in the right amount, with spot-on applicable truth, at the right time. What Time Is It? GAME TIME! No, not game time, what time of the game is it? On my PiVAT Prayer List (even in prayer – there’s God’s Way and man’s way) one of my Long Term prayer requests for each one of you - is that you would be “Men of Issachar” – who “understood the times, and knew what the people of God should do." They knew what time it was... So what time is it now? If you played basketball or football or any team sport. There are four most important times of the game. The first two minutes – when the course of the game is set. The first two minutes of the 3rd Quarter – which determine who will own the 2nd half. The last two minutes before half-time - which can change momentum, and finally the last two minutes of the game – which separate the men from the boys. Those four times. So what time is it? For this year – the year 2019 – The Year of the Word. Halftime is June 30th. And Today is 2:01 before Halftime – May 30th. We have two days (the grace note for June) to get God’s plan for June (which for the year 2019 – is 2:00 minutes before halftime.) The month of the year which upon it’s completion – marks the halftime of the year. So if the coach has you in the huddle. What would He say? Each game has different requirements. If football, we have to block and tackle! Finish the half strong and lets head into the locker room with a lead! If basketball. We have to defend and rebound. Get back in transition! Help in the paint! And Box Out! Or great defense doesn’t matter! Let’s get to halftime 10 points up! So in your life – which God gives you in years, months, weeks, days, and hours. What time is it? 2:00 minutes before halftime of 2019. How is your heart doing? Is He still first, your first desire? His Presence? His Word? His Praise? Are you doing His Will for you each day and each week? Or have distractions – started to compete with your first love? How are your Habits? This is critical. Ephesians 5:17 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Are you diligently faithful in PiVAT before dinner? If not, not only will you be ignorant of the good that He has for you today, you will also find that everything else slips. Other habits start to creep in. In the Income tax world – they talk about ‘bracket creep.’ You don’t want to make too much money, taxable income, that throws you into the next income tax bracket. (Wow, a topic for another day). But even worse than ‘bracket creep’ is Habit Creep. Do you know that most habits are not determined they are defaulted. Most peoples habits – did not come from thoughtful determination of mind that "this is they want to do this year," or month, or in their life. Most habits are just what people have fallen into. They never made the decision - "I don’t go to the gym anymore, I won't get up on time, I'm going to stay up too late - so I become exhausted and ineffective!" I'm going to waste many hours on video games, social media, or the news cycle." Things never happen that way. They are just not focused and faithful with the habits God told them to establish, and before you know it - you're suffering from habit-creep. Ephesians 5:17 (the NLT) says - Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Acting thoughtlessly – is habit creep. But Acting prayerfully – will reinforce simple habits of hearing and obeying - the doing - which only brings joy and success to you! So how are you doing? Is your greatest priority His presence and praise? Do you know for sure (because you asked him in PiVAT before dinner) what His plans are for you today? Did you spend 15 minutes on Sunday with your Father in Heaven and ask him for your PiVAT Weekly - to get His plans for you this week? They are so good! Are you on track with what He told you? You now have two days – before June (which starts the last two minutes before halftime – of 2019) What a great opportunity to seek your Heavenly Father for PiVAT Monthly – for June - so the last two minutes before halftime of this year – has you joyfully focused exactly on the good that He has for you for the rest of the year. It’s not even half-time yet! This is the time to make adjustments – to be sure you are fully in the center of his will. Obedience is not a list – it’s a path that is so full of joy! And to be where He wants you to be at the start of 2020, You have to know and obey what He wants for you – even right now – two minutes before halftime. Praying that you will seek him for PiVAT Monthly for June. Not out of religion, out of relationship! If you only knew what He was longing to give you, longing to lead you in. You would do it without thinking twice, you would never miss PiVAT for the month. He has GOOD for you – no matter what you do – because He loves you (you’re breathing, He is longsuffering). But there’s a GOOD that comes when you are in the position to receive it. It’s down the road of the obedience path. You have to get there to get it. Those who get there – Get It! It’s how God is able to pour out the Good that He has stored up for those who fear Him! He will never force you – He just invites you. Praying that the last two minutes before halftime for you – in 2019 will be the most focused, most presence-d, most praise-filled, most obedient that you’ve been all year. June will be awesome - If you know His plans and His presence! Let Him Lead you! He can’t wait to bless you! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I was talking recently with one of the most humble, gracious and Godly young women that I have ever met. I asked her an 'out of the blue' question. How often do you pray in the Spirit? Her response was immediate. “Every day… I want to get good at the language. And I want my son to know it.” Never before had I heard anyone say that. I have a daughter who is currently learning a foreign language. And of course the key to learning any new language – you have to practice it every day. That’s how you learn. Every once in a while and you’ll never retain it. I recently asked a question at a family dinner. If you could learn any language – what would it be? The question soon became, "what language would be most beneficial?" Spanish, Chinese, Russian, German – English (I still need work on that one…) But the conversation with this Godly young woman made me think… What language could possibly be more beneficial than that? The language of heaven. I would encourage you all, pray in the Spirit, and you’ll walk in the Spirit. Get good at the language God has given you through the Holy Spirit – the language that delivers the heart of your Heavenly Father through your own mouth – the Holy Spirit interceding for you daily – the things your Heavenly Father longs to give you – for you to walk in. Why are we as humans so hesitant to, for once, give our mind a rest – and let our spirit soar? Do I really only want to experience, what I can figure out with my mind, what I can come up with? Or do I want my obedience and faith to open up all the Holy Spirit has for me. John 3:34 … He gives the Spirit without measure.” Praise God – that means the more you pray in the Spirit, the more you will walk in Him, and the more He will pour out the words of your Heavenly Father to you. There is no limit to that language – no limit to the power it contains to build you up in your most holy faith. Praying that you will do it with joy – as diligently as you would learn any new language. That you would become highly proficient in this language – above all. The benefits of your Heavenly Language far exceed the benefit of any other. God does nothing without purpose. And He fulfills His purpose in you. He shows us what to do – so that He can do it through us. Please review the PRISM Topic – for the purpose of the new language God has for you. It will strengthen you in your faith! God is reminding me recently of His Goodness. Everything He does is Good. Everything He is – is good. He is a Good, Good Father, He is the Good Shepherd, His promises are good, He gives good things in a good land. Psalms 80:1 – Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. Wow. He hears us, He hears your cry – if you cry out to him, He hears you – and He comes running! He comforts you, He picks you up, He carries you. He loves you. What kind of God does that? Your God! The One True Holy Righteous and Loving God – who created you in His image and fulfills His purpose in you! He is the Shepherd of Israel. And God reminded me of some simple truths. If you are a sheep. You face five dangers. 1) Thirst – without water you will die. 2) Hunger – without food you will die. 3) Terrain – if you fall over a cliff, or into a pit, or down a ravine, you will die. 4) Predators – natural enemies - those stronger than you who want to kill you. And, 5) Getting Lost. If you get lost – the other dangers will soon find you. But if you have a Good Shepherd, if you hear His voice, and follow Him. 1) He always leads you to water – beside quiet streams. God gives you not just water for your body – but the water of the Spirit – He gives the Spirit without measure! Unlimited! 2) He always leads you to green pastures – not just food for your body, He gives you daily bread from heaven – because man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth out of his mouth – to live by – to succeed by – to overcome by. 3) He leads you on straight firm paths, He leads you through the sea on dry ground, He makes your way a highway, He makes a way out of no way, He makes the ground rise to meet your feet. All His paths are peace. 4) He protects you from predators. The lion, the bear and the wolf are formidable. But they are no match for the shepherd, no match for his weapons or the cunning and skill by which he unleashes them. They’re afraid of Him. 5) He leaves the 99 to find you. If you are lost, He calls you, He pursues you, He finds you, He delivers you, He welcomes you, and He resets your course – onto the good path that He has for you. He carries you until you are healed. There is always hope with him, joy, blessing. And the path for a sheep that hears and follows the Good Shepherd – that path – always leads to the next green pasture. Not to danger and destruction that befall those who don’t hear His voice, but the blessing and peace and good that the Good Shepherd always has for those who follow. Praying that you will spend time with the Good Shepherd today. PiVAT first – check in with Him. Be on the path He has for you for today. PRISM next – continuing in the Words of Life – that He has for you – to know him, not just know about him. And your Daily Call – which helps you overcome by His blood and your testimony. Praying for you that His voice – gets your full and complete attention today. He will take you to green pastures and peaceful streams – you will grow strong in him. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
God has been reminding me of the importance of pursuit. What are you after? Are you after His heart? Or something else? Whatever you chase after, you’ll be made after. I Samuel 13:14 - “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. Had you kept it, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." Saul did not obey – not only did it cost him his kingdom, it cost him his legacy. He did not obey what the LORD commanded him. He wasn’t an obeyer. It cost him everything. God choose a man instead who was completely opposite of Saul. This man was an obeyer – and he was an obeyer because He was a man after God’s own heart. Acts 13:22 - After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' So what was the difference between David and Saul. David obeyed, Saul didn’t. But why did that happen? David was a man after God’s own heart, Saul was not. Some words have multiple meanings. After – sometimes means “behind in place” as in a line one after another. It also can mean “later in time” like “after supper.” But this is not the meaning spoken of in these verses. After – In pursuit of, to follow after, in search of. Deuteronomy 6:14 – You shall not go after other gods. After - To inquire after – to seek by asking (to ask concerning) To follow after – to pursue, imitate, serve, worship. After – According to the direction and influence of. Romans 8:1 to walk after the flesh. Isaiah 11:3 – to judge after the sight of the eye (man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart). After – in imitation of – to make something after a model. (fashioned just like it). David was a man after God’s own heart. He was always pursuing God, His Word, His Will, His Presence. He was influenced most - by God – He operated fully under the direction and influence of. – because he was always searching after, seeking after, following after, who God was, and the things God was after. David was a man after God’s own heart, because he chased after God’s heart. He worshipped God, He Praised God, He Loved God’s Word, and because He did – He instantly obeyed. His heart – became what God’s heart was. The Word of God and the Presence of God, and the direction of God was His priority - so He could lead God’s people the way God wanted to lead them. God’s heart became His heart. This is who God was looking for – a man after His own heart. An obeyer – who chased after Him, and became like Him, who would be directed by Him. When God’s presence, His praise, His Word, and His plans for you become your priority – you become an obeyer – you become a man after God’s own heart. The good news is it’s not too late. You’re not born that way. You become that way. Zacchaeus didn’t start that way, but his encounter with Jesus changed his heart – He gave away four times what he stole! Saul of Tarsus didn’t start that way – but his encounter with Jesus changed his heart. He became the Apostle Paul. He met him on the road to Damascus, then spent three years with him, then spent his life walking in God's Word, and under his complete direction. Praying that you will be like David. That you will encounter Jesus as regularly as David did – so your heart will become like His heart. PRISM will help you! PRISM will have you praising like David, reading like David, and growing in your love for God – like David. PRISM reveals God’s heart to you, and PiVAT reveals His will for you! Your Daily Call – helps you overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of your testimony. These things will keep you chasing after God’s heart – so you will be made after God’s heart. Praying that these will always be your priority. That you will know God, that you will know His heart, His heart for you, and His heart for others. That your heart would long for the things that His heart longs for. That you would fully obey everything that He has for you to do. He will get all glory. You will walk in joy and peace and in the blessing that He brings. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you. This is an important read. Please take the time to do it, and to ask God to reveal what is your part.
Memorial Day. Do we ever really take the time to reflect and remember? (in the busyness of this day – the picnics and parties, the grilling and sunshine.) What are we really remembering? It’s interesting what doesn’t get a memorial day. Major accomplishments, there is no Memorial Day for Super Bowls – I doubt most people could even remember the Super Bowl Champion from 3 years ago. There is no Memorial Day for those who hit it big in the stock market, or who created great companies, or who clawed their way to the top… Memorial Day is a time to remember those who sacrificed their life for the benefit of someone else. Mother’s Day is a memorial day. Someone who is always sacrificing their life for someone else. Memorial Day is a day to remember Sacrifice. Sacrifice – to suffer to be lost, for the sake of obtaining something. That is the something worth remembering. Today we remember those who sacrificed all. Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friend. And some go even further than that – for strangers… or sinners. I couldn’t help but noticing that the heroic sacrifices of all the veterans who didn’t return – came from a principle and a character that was even beyond them. Sacrifice is a Divine characteristic - not a human one. It comes from being created in God’s image. What made them do it? Duty? Honor? Brainwashing? Coercion? They gave their lives for a principle, a dream - Freedom. Freedom from governments who want to control people – They gave their life for the desire and the longing of Liberty. Funny how sacrifice and freedom so often go together. Jesus died so we would be set free - no longer slaves to sin, His sacrifice purchased our freedom. To remember the sacrifice of fallen heroes or of the Savior of the world – does not dishonor one or the other. What they did came from the same desire. The defeat of the enemies of freedom. Whether nations with tyrannical rulers, or the original tyrant against God himself. The Sacrifice we remember on this day – has given us the life we can now live, if we choose. So to remember is to appreciate, but to truly honor… requires more. What should we do, given the greatest sacrifice of others? or the greatest sacrifice ever - by the Savior of the world? Our sacred duty is to Live It And Preserve It. Abraham Lincoln tried to capture our duty to those who died in the service of their duty. He did it in his address at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863. Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Abraham Lincoln’s Memorial Day speech declared how to honor the fallen heroes of this nation. It is the same way that we honor the fallen hero (and the Risen Hero) of our faith. The One who Died and Rose Again. They did their duty. What is our duty? Not just to remember - but to maintain. Don’t go back. These who died didn’t give their life for socialism, or communism, or political correctness, or government control. They didn't give their lives for name calling and slander, and pitting race, or gender or economic class against another – they gave their lives fighting against nations who did those things - to preserve our Freedom – Liberty – Unity. Living together with fellow Americans – even those who don’t see everything the way you do – so that the freedom which was so hard-fought to win, doesn’t slip from our fingers, or get tossed back by our own hand. Abraham Lincoln explained even more explicitly – in his Lyceum Address at Springfield in 1838 – where he spoke of our duty to fallen heroes. “… This task of gratitude to our fathers, justice to ourselves, duty to posterity, and love for our species in general, all imperatively require us faithfully to perform. How then shall we perform it?--At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?-- Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!--All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” Abraham Lincoln here, as He did years later in His Gettysburg Address – declared our duty to those “heroes who have fallen.” He wants us to be the “heroes who have not fallen” those upon whom the mantle falls - to maintain what those who gave the ultimate sacrifice – died for. Praying that you will do your duty to live in the freedom that those who died, sacrificed their lives for. If they were Americans – that you would ask God to help you stand for the principles of Liberty – so that we would never become those nations who remove freedom and liberty from their people. And more importantly that you will do your duty to the One who Gave His Life For You. Share the Gospel - The Good News of Salvation with others… and always stand in the grace purchased for you by Christ’s blood on the cross – grace that helps you say “No” to ungodly passions and lusts - that you would never again go back to live in the life of sin – from which you were set free. This is how we honor those who gave all for America. And this is how we honor the One who gave His life – for the sins of the world – so that we will be - forever part of His Eternal Kingdom – where love rules and reigns, and wickedness is no more. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you. Remember PiVAT Weekly today. Get His plan for your week! The Holy Spirit has things for you today that He’s just waiting to share with you – things to come. God reminding me. He’s a God of Order. This doesn’t pertain merely to order versus disorder, a right arrangement, it doesn’t just apply to protocol and authority, it also speaks to a proper order of things. In the appropriate sequence. Faithful in Little First – then Faithful in Much. Luke 16:10-11. God is a God of order – meaning – He does things in order. There is an order of things. You don’t run before you walk. There are things required in order to walk in other things. Anyone with compassion – would want to help that poor little bird break free from it’s egg – but doing so would harm them, permanently, not help them. Strength comes through the struggle. It’s the trial that leads to the triumph. Psalm 78:70-71 – "He chose David his servant and took Him from the sheep pens, from tending the sheep and brought him to be the shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. And He shepherded them with integrity of heart, with skillful hands he led them." Servants – those who serve God – don’t worry about the assignment. I always fast forwarded through this verse. I love the end - not the beginning. But the beginning isn’t a day - it’s a season – sometimes a long one – excruciatingly long – if you’re misfocused. God took David from the sheep pens – from leading the sheep, and it wasn’t just one day or one week. Now, I’ve never been in a sheep pen… but I’ve been in a few other pens – and well – basically - it’s just a whole bunch of poop. One pile after another. Are you in the sheep pen right now? This is not the job I want, this is not the assignment I want - I want to be preaching to the congregation on Sunday mornings! And I’m stuck in the nursery? (covered with drool, and spit up and who knows what.) I want to be the CEO! And I’m cleaning toilets? mopping floors, stuck in the “Drive-Thru?” Praise God! You have been CHOSEN! - to be a servant. A servant of Him, and a servant of others. Serve First, Serve well. You wonder why that promotion has taken so long? Are you serving first and serving well? Serve First - is that your heart? Are you willing? Serving Who – you serve God by doing what He tells you, when He tells you, how He tells you. Do you even ask? Do you check in with Him? Do you do PiVAT before dinner, and PiVAT Weekly before the week begins – as consistently as you brush your teeth, or as consistently as you clean the garage, or your closet? Are you willing to serve others – in whatever He leads you to do? You’ll know when you are really a servant… when you no longer worry about the promotion. When you get to the place where you take delight in obeying, and loving and serving – even if the promotion never comes. Are you surrounded by poop right now? Add Value. Ask God to show you how to add value every day. Always be worth more than you get paid. You should always be underpaid – and you will always get a raise. If they pay you $10 an hour – they get $20 worth. If they pay you $100 an hour – they get $200 worth. To do this. You need to ask God What To Do, When and How, and then Do It Well – with all your heart, and with all your might. Heart is the attitude in which you do it, and might is the effort with which you do it. See the PRISM Topic – Diligence – for another reminder. Praying for you! that you will Absolutely Commit Yourself to a PRISM Topic – every day! This is so important! Ask God which one, and then come back to it throughout the day – multiple times. Get His Word in you! That’s how you will start thinking like a servant – one that He can promote. You’ll start thinking like Him, and acting like Jesus. So are you surrounded by poop right now? Have you ever seen sheep? The only thing they are - more than stupid – is stubborn. They smell bad, they are dirty. This is not my dream job… And He shepherded them with integrity of heart. (integrity – the same through and through – pure, not mixed). How do you think David learned to do this? With skillful hands he led them. He learned it in the poop – not the palace! What he did in the poop - he did in the palace. He led the sheep with integrity of heart – with skillful hands. That’s why when He got to the palace – He just did what He had always done. He learned the heart of a servant. And no matter what God assigned him to do – He did only what His Heavenly Father told him to do, with all his might – and a joyful heart. Praying that this is you. That when you are surround by poop – you are growing a servant’s heart – a heart of a servant – a heart of surrender, of submission. So that integrity of heart is forged in you – and your hands become skillful to lead. Praying that the position you aspire to - would be - Servant – of the Most High. That’s all. That you would be not just content – but skillful through surrender. Submitting as Jesus submitted. This will bring a testimony, it will leave a legacy, God will make His Name great in you! It starts with - fully surrendered – no matter what you’re surrounded by. Praying for His Grace and Truth for you. Love you all, dad Photo by Biegun Wschodni on UnsplashLove you all, praying for you.
God has been challenging me recently. Funny how He does that. Constantly. Do you like being chosen? Don’t we love being chosen? Chosen to be the Team Captain, the Number One Draft Pick, the Guest Speaker, the Guest of Honor. It’s just so good to be chosen… Psalm 78:70 – He chose David his servant and took Him from the sheep pens, from tending the sheep and brought him to be the shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. Isn’t it interesting, God chose David. Why? Acts 13:22 – I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart – he will do everything I want him to do. David was an obeyer – that’s why God chose him. But that verse – from the sheep pens to the palace… I love that verse! And I always skip over the most important part. He chose David – his servant. It’s who David was, that’s why God chose him - and its what God chose him to be - a Servant. It wasn’t about being a shepherd of sheep, or the King of Israel – He chose him to be a servant. But I love to be chosen first! Chosen to be first, not last, I love being important! Doesn’t God want me to be important? He does – that’s why he chose you to be a servant. His Kingdom is an opposite Kingdom, an upside down Kingdom - (in truth - a right side up Kingdom) In Matthew 20:20-28 James and John's Mom came and asked Jesus for a favor - that her sons would be chosen first. Jesus then clarified what greatness really was. Matthew 20:25 - Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. There is a deeper secret in this truth and this command. It’s even more than serving. That’s the secret! Serving isn’t what God is after – being a servant is what God is after. He wants to direct the serving! There’s a difference! Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He gave his life to gain others – for His Father. Multiple times – Jesus made it clear. I only do what My Father says, and does, and wants me to do. Not my will, but yours be done. That’s why Luke 6:46 – says – Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? But God, we’re serving! (And that list was pretty impressive…) But serving isn’t the heart of Christ – being a servant is. It’s not about the activity – it’s about the authority. It’s about who’s in charge? Servants – yield. It’s an ugly awkward concept – called submission. Oooh – not really interested in that… But if not, I cannot be like Jesus. Those who in the natural have a resistance to being a servant - it just rubs them the wrong way – just don't understand God, His goodness, His power, His Kingdom. I get it - it's uncomfortable - To be a servant of God – a servant of Christ – it means submission – a coming under the authority and desires of another. Serving God is always yielding. Laying aside your own will, and learning to do – only do – fully do - His will. When you become a servant of the Most High – you will serve Him first – attend to – give your full attention to – Him first. And when you do that – you will find that He will direct you – just like He directed Jesus – to serve others. Being a servant starts with humility. Serving – the way God leads you to serve - to become a servant – starts with humility. Everything you could ever do of significance in your life – can only be done as God directs and leads you - not of your own will, idea or power. What He has for you is significant! Joyful! Eternal! Praying that you will be absolutely committed to PiVAT before dinner, and PRISM throughout your day – to a Daily Call that helps you and a friend become the servants that He has chosen you to be. Submission begins with Humility - (which also – with the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom) Praying you will review this today-- even right now . PRISM Topic – Humility. Just start with Humility – and being a servant – becomes easy. PiVAT and PRISM is just giving him control. Time and Thoughts - Life and Mind. You can trust Him! He has good for you! It’s the best servant-practice you can do! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you. If you didn’t see yesterday's Huddle – Got Hope? Read that First. Praying that today you will have hope - the joyful expectation of good. That you will know the hope that is within you. That you would know the God who is hope, who has hope for you.
This morning God told me to encourage you in the other half of hope. Just like the two sided coin, or the picture of the old lady and the young girl. The other side of hope is what you do, not just who God is and what He gives. What do you put your hope in? Some people put their hope in fate, or luck, or their work ethic, or someone else – who they hope won’t let them down. God says – Put your Hope in the LORD: Psalm 147:11 – The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. This is the fear of the LORD – Put your Hope in His Unfailing Love. So how do you do that? Praying that you will review right now - PRISM Topic – How To Put Your Hope In God. This is part of the Fear Of The LORD Packet - so critical for complete success in life. It will encourage you – it will help you put your hope in the LORD – It is the Fear of the LORD put into action. It’s something you can do right now. And of this you can be sure – You Are Not Fearing God For Nothing! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you. Hope is a powerful thing. Have you Got Hope? Have you ever seen anyone overflowing with hope? They’re different. Their face is different, their attitude is different, their outlook is different, their energy and vibe is different, they’re contagious, they’re highly productive, unfazed, unflappable, they’re fun to be around, you’re drawn to them, they aren’t affected by what affects others, they see things differently, they love life! Hope: an expectancy – a desire of something good with the expectation of attaining it. To anticipate with pleasure – expectation, confidence. Hope: The joyful expectation of good. If you have hope, nothing destroys you, nothing dissuades you, there’s always a future for you. Get around some people who have hope, and you see opportunities, not problems, you just view things differently, you can take joy in the journey. God has hope for you. He is Hope! Praying that you will take a few minutes right now! and fill your mind and heart with God’s Word of Hope - PRISM Topic - Hope Praying for you – that you would be filled with hope, and everything that hope brings. That you will fully obey what He told you to do today, constantly coming back to His Word all day long – so that your faith will grow stronger, that hope will rise – and your joy will be full. Love you all, dad Photo by Jordan Whitfield on UnsplashLove you all, praying for you.
Praise God – Revive Family Dinner last night, the Holy Spirit’s clear leading, open worship, God answering prayer, God speaking, new songs, the Word of truth. Sometimes we ask the Holy Spirit to come, but in truth He is already here. It’s not a matter of Him coming, it’s a matter of us seeing, hearing, and following what He wants to do. What a loving God. All praise to Him! We have shared often about being like the Bereans. This New Testament church was full of people who were noble, they were not easily deceived, they weren’t gullible, they searched the scriptures daily to find out if what Paul said – was true. Praying that you will be like the Bereans – because if someone can talk you into something - someone can talk you out of it. If it’s falsehood, don’t receive it. But if it’s truth, do not let it go. How? Know the Word by the Holy Spirit. Let Him lead you into all truth. What are the Two Most Important Things in Life? Salvation, and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Nothing else even comes close. Without Salvation, you will spend eternity apart from God, and never fulfill the wonderful purpose He has for your life. Without the Holy Spirit, you do not receive the Power you need to live the life that He has for you. Whether Salvation, or the Filling of the Holy Spirit, the devil will lie to you. He’s the father of lies. He wants to keep you from believing for Salvation – so you spend eternity apart from God. And he wants to keep you from believing for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – so you forfeit the power to overcome him, and live a victorious Christian Life, where you are led into all truth by the Holy Spirit - who also shows you things to come. PiVAT – is God showing you things to come, His specific plans for you for today, and PRISM is God transforming your mind with His Word by the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth. It’s the Holy Spirit that helps you understand God’s Word, and It's the Holy Spirit that reveals your Heavenly Father's plans for you for today. That’s the only way PiVAT and PRISM and your Daily Call really work – by the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth. Without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – PiVAT and PRISM becomes just a mind thing, your own ideas... rather than being "led by the Holy Spirit in all truth." Totally different! Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me. Jesus told Nicodemus – you must be born again. And the first command Jesus gave to those who believed. “Wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Ghost is come upon you – and you will receive power to be my witnesses… This word witnesses means “martyrs.” The Holy Spirit gives you the power to live a life no longer led by you, but led by the Holy Spirit. It is the power of God – for those who believe. Just like Salvation is the power of God for those who believe. If you are a believer in Christ – you have been changed from death to life. How well do you know God’s Word about Salvation? Not just to remind yourself when the liar comes, but to share simply the gift of Salvation with others. Praying you will review the Relationship Topic – Salvation First - to fully know and simply share His Truth. The Word of God is the answer to every lie of the devil. And by knowing His Word, not only will you establish yourself, and your children in His truth – you will be able to share eternity – changing truth with others. He who wins souls is wise. Second, since you have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit are you walking daily in this gift? Paul said he was glad that He prayed in the spirit – “more than you all.” Are you praying daily in the Spirit, building yourself up in your most holy faith? Pray in the Spirit and you will walk in the Spirit! The devil wants to either keep you from believing and receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or he wants to get you to neglect it. That’s why Paul reminded Timothy? Stir up the gift within you… (Pray in the Spirit) Why won’t some people receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? They are either disobedient, deceived, or disbelieving. The devil has lied to them, sometimes through people they are close to. He’ll say – “You already have it” That’s partly true, which makes it great deception – but that’s not what Jesus was talking about - they were clearly believers. The fullness of the Godhead (Father, Son and Spirit) at Salvation – comes to everybody who believes, just like the Baptism of the Holy Spirit comes to everybody who believes, and obeys what Jesus commanded. The devil will say, “That was only for that day.” Another lie. Jesus never changed that command. He never changes, He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. Just because someone rejects it, doesn’t mean it’s not truth. Don’t let other people keep you from what God promised you– just because they refuse to believe. Unbelief doesn't please God – Faith does! If you believed Him for Salvation – you can surely believe Him for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus clearly told those who believed in His Name to wait and receive Power from on High – to live this life by the Holy Spirit – not by your own strength. The Holy Spirit is critical to PiVAT and PRISM and your Daily Call – they cannot be done with your mind or opinion - they can only be done by the Holy Spirit within you. It’s how He leads you into all truth and tells you things to come. See these two Relationship Topics - The Filling of the Holy Spirit – (just my personal testimony of God moving me from doubt to faith.) And then be sure to review The Holy Spirit Packet -the Word of truth about the victory God has for your life - by His Holy Spirit. Praying that you will know God’s Word – that you will be ready in season and out of season to give an explanation of the hope and the truth that is within you. Praying for you! that you will pray in the Spirit daily - so you will walk in the Spirit! That you would share His truth with others so that they too, just like you! will have the power to walk completely in every thing that God has for them. God honors faith - obedience always brings joy – the Holy Spirit will surely lead you in the way you should go! He promised! You can trust Him! It's how you walk in all the good that God has stored up for you. His love for you is overwhelming! Love you all, dad |
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