Love you all, praying for you!
I just love God’s Word – it’s always full of secrets. There is always something beneath the surface – it’s truth all the way through. It’s not like formica – just plastic on the top – and pressed dust underneath. His Word is like granite – truth and color - through and through. Psalms 119:169 – May my cry come before you; give me understanding according to your Word. It’s interesting – sometimes what we ask isn’t quite what we mean. We don’t just want God to hear us – of course He hears us! He knows the hairs on your head, and the motives and innermost thoughts of your heart, that you don’t even speak, of course He hears what you ask him out loud. So why would we ask Him to hear us? We really want Him to answer us, that's what we're really asking – that’s how we know for sure that He heard us... He gave us what we asked for. But when David asked that his cry, his petition, would come before God… He knew the importance, the connection, of understanding to asking… so He asked God to give him understanding – according to His Word – that would affect and influence and direct his asking. Understanding is given – you can’t accomplish understanding. God gives it – you can’t get it anywhere else. It comes from God’s Word. His Word gives understanding. And true understanding is agreement and alignment – being in agreement of mind with the speaker - coming to an understanding. That’s why when God says – His Word never returns void – meaning it never doesn’t produce something, part of what it produces is understanding – agreement and alignment. And when we agree and align, it affects how we ask over time. His Word gives understanding. The more you read it, the more you come into agreement and alignment with it. The Holy Spirit can confirm it. David is asking for understanding so his understanding directs his asking - so His cry comes before Him, and God’s answers can come to him. The more we read God’s Word, the more we agree and align. And the more we agree and align, the more our requests match his best – His will and His plan for us. Not everything we ask is good or best, and God doesn't want to give you less than His plans for your best. It’s not more crying out to Him that you need, it’s more understanding from Him that you need, so your agreement and your alignment match your petitions with His will. So he can fulfill His purpose in you – so you walk in His best. PRISM – those five things you can do in God’s Word each day – is how God gives you understanding that aligns your ask with His answer. Praying that PRISM will have you soaking, and understanding and aligning, and asking and receiving and rejoicing. So that what you ask (which He always hears) is what He has planned to answer for your greatest good! Praying that you will PRISM more than you ask, so you understand and align - so you can ask and receive and rejoice! Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you!
What moves you? Are you easily moved? Is that good? Some people are easily moved by every wind of doctrine – every false statement, false motive, or “seems right” idea. But when it comes to God – His truth – His prompting and drawing – they're stout of heart – stubborn of heart, reluctant to move. David was different, Psalms 27:8 When you said, “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “Your face, O LORD, I will seek.” NLT says – My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” I love that! David was easily moved when it came the Holy Spirit’s leading – when it came to God’s voice. He wasn’t moved by wickedness or evil, but he was easily moved, quickly moved, by the Holy Spirit. Is this a struggle for you sometimes? Then here’s a promise you should know – worth rejoicing about… Ezekiel 11:19 – I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my commands. They will be my people and I will be their God. God said He will take your heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh. How easily moved am I? How easily moved are you? What moves you? Are you moved by God or moved by something else? When He speaks, do you move? – what does your heart say – when He says... How did David’s heart become a heart after God’s own heart – seeking after, chasing after – until his response time was immediate? He spoke God’s Word into His heart, He declared His obedience, and He fully obeyed. If you have put your trust in Jesus, your heart has been changed – from stone to flesh. And your heart will either remain soft and pliable – or become hardened and brittle. It comes down to say and obey – with no delay. What you say softens your heart, it keeps it pliable, easily moved – when the Holy Spirit moves. Praying that you will fill your heart with God’s Word in your mouth - PRISM every day all day. That you will be unmoved by sin or temptation or lies, and easily moved by every whisper of the Holy Spirit... that your mouth will so fill your heart with His Word – that anything He says – will move you – every time. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
I’m completely amazed at the impact of your mind on reality. In fact – your mind is what interprets reality. How you think and what you say – determines if your reality is good – far more than actual events, conditions or circumstance. How can some people facing extremely difficult physical or economic challenges – be thriving mentally, spiritually, and emotionally? While others who face the slightest obstacle – are falling apart, struggling to cope? How many times do young people on missions trips come back with a lasting impression of how happy the people were, when they have almost nothing - compared to what we have in America? God’s Word gives good advice – on how communication impacts condition. Proverbs 18:7 – A fool’s mouth is his undoing and his lips are a snare to his soul. This is not what you say to others – it’s what you first say to yourself. What you hear is what you hear – but what you say – you start to believe - it becomes your reality. Your mouth will establish you or undo you - your choice – always. God’s Word on fools – could be you – but it doesn’t have to be. It maybe used to be – but not anymore. The mouth of the wise is his establishing, and his lips ensure his freedom! Watch your mouth – what you say will establish or undo you. Your mouth is the indicator of your obedience and the indicator of your faith. It's the interpreter of your reality. What did you just say? Did God say that? Would He? What are you about to say? Is that what God says – or told you to say? Psalms 119:162 – I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil, I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous judgments (what God says and what God decides, what God allows and what God does.) I love that David reveals the habits that make him so successful. I rejoice in your promise – like one who finds great spoil. He is saying that He uses his mouth to rejoice – in just God’s promises alone – even though they haven’t happened yet. He rejoices like they did already – like He just won the lottery – or just found hidden treasure. His mouth determines his reality, he treats God’s promise like it’s already happened! What would he feel like? That’s what he employs his mouth – to feel like right now. If God promised – it’s coming! You might as well rejoice like it’s already here? Praying that PRISM – has you soaking in His promise so you can rejoice in it today. Praying that you praise Him seven times a day, that PiVAT has you walking in the obedience that enables His promises to apply to you! That your mind will impact your reality – no matter what your circumstance. God’s promises are coming! He will never leave you or forsake you. He will lead you to the good that He has stored up for you! He promised! Praying your mouth and your praise will bring you to the place where His promises can find you. That you would rejoice right now – like you will then! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
I just love God’s Word - it is truth and life, it gives God’s commands to live by – that guarantee success, but it also gives examples of those who did it – and the success God gave. One verse is really interesting. I Samuel 17:48 – As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. David ran to the battle, but it wasn’t the first time. It was a habit. First, this whole thing started out of obedience. I Samuel 17:20 – Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. Run to the battle – starts with obedience – First, He left in obedience to His father. Second, He didn’t leave until He had gotten someone to cover his responsibilities while he was gone. Third – he started early in the morning. He knew God’s plans for His day – and he didn’t waste any time getting to them. The rest of that verse… He reached the camp as the army was going out to it’s battle positions, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. Verse 22, David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers. David was a creature of habit, which is why he was a creature of character. Habit precedes character. What you do every day - prepares you for the big day. This was the second time it mentioned that he covered his responsibilities. It was a habit of his life. He didn’t move on to the next thing – until he had finished or covered the first thing. He took responsibility of the natural things entrusted to him. You can’t kill giants until you make your bed. He ran to the battle lines – that’s two times in one day – it was a habit – David always ran to what God assigned him. When Saul doubted his chances – but was so desperate for a man of courage – he would even take a boy… David explained his resume – his experience that qualified him for the job. He always ran to the battle – He chased after the lion and the bear, and struck them down. He ran to the battle – because He had faith in the one who sent Him, and who went with him. I Samuel 17:31 – What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Verse 37 – The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” David didn’t kill lions and bears every day – but he ran to the battle every day. Most days he was running after the sheep, or getting up early to gather them for the next watering hole, or the next green pasture. He ran to the battle no matter what it was. And He fully trusted God to lead him, and give him victory and success. That’s why when a lion or bear or nine foot Giant did come – he just kept doing what He always did. So what is your battle today? Is it a lion or bear or giant or just sheep. Every hour has a battle. Are you running to this hour’s battle? Are you obeying in it? Praying you’ll review the PRISM topic – This Hour. Insightful truth about what God can do in one hour. Your next Goliath will happen in an hour, but that hour depends on this one - with the sheep. Praying you will run to the battle each hour. It starts knowing, then obeying. Know what God has assigned to you this hour. If you missed PiVAT before dinner last night, just do it right now. Get His plans, not yours – running to the wrong battle doesn’t help you. Praying that PRISM – helps you know the God you serve. David didn’t complain about the sheep. David was running to the sheep, and running to the sling, and running to the harp. He used every hour that He was not fighting bears, and lions, giants, or sheep – to know the God who loved him, who gave Him victory. Maybe the battle is just honoring God at work or school today, maybe the battle is seeking God in prayer, or spending time in His presence. Maybe the battle is encouraging another – so they don’t lose heart. God has a battle for you each hour – not a struggle, a victory planned for you! Praying that you will know this hour what God has called you to, and that you would run to it! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
I just love God's truth. It's so much better than man's truth. Man's way of give and take - you win some you lose some - it's compromise. But God's way of give and take is always give and give more, gain and gain more. Life happens in two things: things you can control, and things outside of your control. A rainy day – gives you no choice, it’s raining. Nothing you can do will stop it, you have no choice. But what you think, say and do - is your choice. One of the greatest things in life is joy. In fact it’s so great that a life without joy isn’t ever a good life. And a life with joy – is a great life – no matter what else happens! And stuff happens. See PRISM Topic - Joy. What is Joy? Exceeding gladness – Not a gladness that depends on circumstance, the exceeding gladness that knows that the Good God has for you – will surely come – it’s on it’s way, nothing can stop it. Joy is what comes from that confident expectation that hope gives – not based on chance, but God’s promise - sure thing, done deal! Nothing can stop it except me, and I'm committed to obeying - so nothing can stop it! Joy - Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good, the excitement or pleasure caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of some good thing possessed, or the prospect of possessing what we love or desire. An exhilaration of spirits. An interesting truth to consider. There is nothing in life that God doesn’t give. Everything was created by Him and for Him, everything is sustained through Him. Some things He gives – and some things He gives for us to take. Joy is both. There’s a joy that comes on you – that God gives. And there is a joy that you take that God gives. Just like you can take a bath – you can take joy – it’s called rejoice. It means to take joy again. It’s always a choice. They say happiness is a choice. I’m not sure that’s always true. Sometimes I’m just not happy – I’m not happy with how things are going, or what is happening, sometimes I'm not even happy with my own response! Sometimes it’s hard to choose happiness, but you can always choose joy. Like taking a bath – the bath doesn’t come on you – you take a bath. You get in it. Just like joy. There's a couple things God says about joy. Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. This is what God gives that comes to you. Here’s another thing God says, Rejoice in the LORD always, and again I say, rejoice. So do it always – take joy again - and He’ll say it again, because this is really important. Take joy again – always. Make it a habit. Rejoice for the steps of a righteous person are ordered of the LORD. There’s an interesting secret to rejoice. The key is in. In - is a very important word in this equation. In is proximity and relationship. You can't rejoice, if you're not in. Just like Jesus remained, in, His Heavenly Father – He tells us to remain, in, Him. That "in" the LORD – means in proximity and in relationship with the LORD. That word LORD is the relationship word - it means Supreme in authority. That means – His call – Your obedience. Any other relationship might be an acquaintance, friend, buddy, but not LORD. Luke 6:46 – One of the most point-blank verses in the Bible. Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do what I say? If you don’t do what He says, He’s not LORD, (Supreme in Authority) you’re just lying, deceiving yourself. The key to rejoice (take joy again) in the LORD – is to be in proximity and relationship. He has to be LORD for you to take joy in Him. There is no joy outside of your purpose - temporary happiness at best. You can't fulfill purpose outside of His plans. You experience joy in the LORD – when He directs your steps and your thoughts. It’s what redeeming the time is. He redeemed you – so you belong to Him. Time, Thoughts, and Money are His – that’s what LORD means – that’s where the joy is. The joy that He gives that comes, and the joy that He gives that you take. So what’s happening around you right now? Are you happy about it? If not – it makes no difference. Rejoice in the LORD – and His joy will come. You can trust Him. The best life you can ever live – is the life with Him as LORD. He sees tomorrow, you don’t. His plans for you are better, He knows the purpose you were created for – Its good! And He can take what the devil meant for evil and turn it around for your good. Jesus is LORD doesn’t mean you don’t get to do stuff, it means the things that aren’t good for you, and prevent good from coming to you, fade away – and your desire grows for what is best - what He has planned! Jesus as LORD – is PiVAT – His plans – PRISM – His Mind – 4C’s – His Money – it’s how you walk in the joy of the LORD – that’s where you increase strength – because the joy of the LORD is your strength. That’s where your trust grows, your testimony grows, your victory grows, and His glory grows. Life is short – Eternity is long. Every day – you let Him be LORD – is a joy-full day. If you ever find your joy is slipping, take joy again, get back to your purpose. Let Him be LORD – and your joy will come back - It will override any temporary condition you face. He’s faithful – from before you were born – til long after you’re gone. You only have a few years in between. Praying that you will always rejoice in the LORD – so He gives you strength, so the good you expect overrides your current situation. It’s temporary – Joy is permanent! And His Promise is forever! Praying that you Rejoice always – that you always take what He gives. It’s how you go from strength to strength, glory to glory! It’s how your life reflects the love of Christ. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
What if you had the single most important ingredient – for success? Proverbs 4:7 – Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: and in all your getting get understanding. People are after things in life - what they consider success. But God says above all else - that you are trying to get... Get this! Wisdom is really a triple. There are three parts that kind of go together when it comes to wisdom. For the LORD gives wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. All of these come only from His mouth - His Word - you'll only find them there. Wisdom always goes with Knowledge and Understanding. Knowledge is skill and ability – know how. Like the master craftsmen – who just knows how to build something, or make something, or do something in the most effective and efficient way – that results in world class quality and workmanship. The one who knows how to make just the right cut or angle, who just knows how to produce the highest quality work with the least amount of effort. Where does this come from? Practice alone? Exodus 31:1 – And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. Interesting - God didn't fill him with wisdom - He filled Him with the Spirit of God - in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The thing that brings the thing. Bezaleel – really “Bets-al-ale” means - in the shadow of God – In His shade and strength. What a place to be! You can be there. You can stay there – and be filled with the knowledge of God. To be in the shade of something – you have to be within two feet, and if it moves – you move with it. That was Bezaleel. He was the son of Uri – which means flame, set on fire, shine, luminous, glorious, a show of light. The light of God – His Word, His Truth, always produces knowledge – it makes Bezaleels. He was from the tribe of Judah – the tribe of praise. Praise is the environment where the knowledge of God can grow. Wisdom is the right use or exercise of knowledge.- knowing and choosing the right - laudable ends, and the best means to accomplish them. Judging what is most proper, conducive to prosper. So knowledge – the know-how and ability – and wisdom the right use of it for the right end. And understanding is to have the same ideas as the person who speaks. To recognize and agree with what God says - is understanding. It’s not just mental comprehension – it’s moral commitment. So Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding means – you know and do what God wants you to do (which is always Good and Right), you are highly skilled in it, and you fully agree and are committed to His Will and His Way. So how do you get that? Wisdom works, and wisdom walks. Wisdom isn’t just in the mind – it’s in action – a path, a journey, a mode of operation. So how do you get wisdom (all three) that bring true success. One, ask for it. James 1:5 – If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him. True wisdom comes from God – anything that doesn’t – isn’t wisdom – it’s man’s wisdom – it’s foolishness. I Corinthians 13:18 – Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become ‘fools’ so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight… James 3:15 – Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. There is man’s wisdom, and God’s. His is better. So to get wisdom like Bezaleel - #1 Ask for it - James 1:5 - Whoever asks - gets. #2 Soak in it. His Spirit and His Word. Just like God filled Bezaleel - first with the Spirit, then wisdom, that's what He will do for you. Soak in the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, choose His presence - Worship is the soil of wisdom. It's the Holy Spirit who gives understanding of God's Word. Soak in His Spirit and soak His Word. PRISM will grow you in wisdom. I: Insight from the Word - S.O.A.P out a Proverbs verse each day - God will reveal how you can put it into practice. #3 Walk in it. Wisdom isn’t just a knowing – it’s a doing. To do God’s will, you have to know what it is. If you ask Him, He’ll tell you. PiVAT before dinner – is how you know His plans for you for today – so you can walk in them. Ask, Soak, Walk, and #4 Walk with. God says - He who walks with the wise – grows wise. If you are growing in wisdom – you need to walk with someone also growing in wisdom with you! God did it then, just as He instructs you. Exodus 31:6 - And I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach,(Akh-ee-saw-mawk’) of the tribe of Dan... God gave in-depth wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to Bezaleel, and with Bezaleel He sent Aholiab (O-hol-e-awb) – two by two - someone for Bezaleel to walk with! Just like God commanded us in Hebrews 3:13 – to walk daily with someone - He gave someone for Bezaleel. His Daily Call. Wisdom, knowledge and understanding is maintained and increased two by two. He who walks with the wise, grows wise. That’s why your PiVAT Daily Call is so important! Aholiab means tent, a dwelling place, a covering – conspicuous from a distance. (readily seen from far away) and it also means – to shine. If you are walking daily with someone – learning to obey what God tells you – together. It won’t take long until your life is noticed from far away. The Wisdom of God will start to shine from you. Aholiab was the son of Ahisamach – which means brother of support – a brother that bears you up – to help you stay or stand fast. God knows what He’s doing. He gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding, He gives His Holy Spirit, His plans for you, His Word for you and Someone to walk with you so you can grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Praying that wisdom will be what you seek. That you Ask For it, Soak in it, Walk in it and walk with someone in it. That God will give you wisdom, knowledge and understanding that come from His mouth – so you will shine His wisdom from far away. Praying you will seek, soak, walk and walk with – so God’s wisdom becomes your understanding. Love you all, dad Has anyone ever thought about a saying, maybe one that you have heard all your life and then it finally hits you that it might not be totally accurate? For me, it was “family first” or even this one: “your family is your first ministry” and while that sounds great and very "christian", in my spirit I just felt the Lord say that this wasn’t the full truth. The reality is that most of our culture defines family as having kids. But is it true? When God made the first family, He made a husband and a wife. They were each other's forever-family. If family was kids, then when they left home to start families of their own, did that mean mom and dad stopped being a family? The full truth is that, even before ministering to my "family", my energy should first be focused on my marriage. My kids are not my first priority, my wife is. She was my first commitment and will always be my priority before any other human on this earth. If you are not married & listening to this…don’t stop listening…this applies to you.
Ephesians 5:25 says "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Notice that it didn’t say husbands love your families or fathers love your kids as Christ loved the church. When you love your wife the way that Christ loved the church (this applies to wives honoring their husbands as well), then your children will be loved and filled up as a natural result! You can't pour out into your kids or others if you are not first investing into your marriage. And you can’t pour into your marriage if you aren’t being filled by time in God’s presence and in his word - learning from him and listening to what He has to say. (One of my favorite ways to do this is through PRISM). What you value will be passed down to your children and their children. Personally, I want my kids to see for their entire lives, how their daddy was always putting their mommy first. That way my sons will do the same for their wives and my daughters will know what type of men they need, should expect as husbands. I understand this is counter-cultural. So many people think that needs of the children come before anything. It saddens me, but I often hear many people say that their greatest joy is being a mother and that their life’s responsibility is to be a great father. But you will never be able to give your children what they really need if you are not loving and pouring into your spouse first and foremost. How many marriages have ended because they put their children’s needs before their spouses? Of course parents say “Honey, mommy and daddy didn’t split up because of you” But let’s think about that for a second. Even though the child necessarily didn't "do" anything in particular to cause a break up, what if the way the parents chose to prioritize their family relationship turned into a life that was unsustainable? Please hear my heart. In no way am I saying that having a kid is a problem. Selfishness is the problem. Misunderstanding priorities is the problem. If you don’t have kids and are early in your marriage. I would encourage you to learn how to be selfless and put your spouses needs before your own. Learn to serve them. Learn their love language. Find ways to delight them daily. As life gets more and more complicated, this mindset will serve , not only you, but your family well! Kids don’t make things easier. I have one toddler and one on the way, and let me tell you, it's already far too easy to get caught up in focusing on them, meanwhile totally forgetting that i have a spouse with her own needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual! And If you are single this applies to you too! Learning to be selfless and putting someone else's needs above your own will only help you, not only to prepare you for marriage, but it will enrich every area of your life! So let’s all ask God to help us change our perspective and make marriage our first ministry and priority, - and let’s see how the generations that come after us benefit. And if you are not married, practice being selfless and looking for examples of couples who put each other first and lay down their lives for one another. Who knows what God could do in next generation if we could make this shift from "family first" to "marriage first"! I'm praying God would help you and transform your priorities as you obey him everyday in your time decisions (PiVAT) and as your thoughts are aligned to match his heart (PRISM). He is going to show you as you are pursuing Him! Love you guys, KC “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 Hope. It's a confident expectation of something good. It’s a desire with a release date. A longing, still unfulfilled, yet anticipated. We all have those don’t we? To be alive is to hope for something. But what if you're hoping for the wrong thing? Could it be possible that the things we desire, or at least the form in which we expect them to come, isn’t what would actually satisfy us? What if the thing that will satisfy our truest desires, looks so radically different than we expected, that when it shows up, we don't even recognize it? When hope shows up, will you see it? Jeremiah 17:5-6 “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.” To trust means to put confidence in; to put your full weight on. It’s what you believe in and bet on. It’s what you expect to come through for you. Much like you bet on the chair you’re sitting in to hold you up, or expect that the outcome of two plus two will always be four. We often put our trust (our confident expectation) in things that we think will fulfill our deepest hopes. But putting this trust, this confident belief in the flesh, [that which is carnal, the natural, what we can understand or explain, and own limited definitions of what is “good” and what is not, always results in disappointment. Because if we live putting our weight on our flesh, our desires will always seem unfulfilled. Even if we do get the very thing we wished and waited for, we will always come up feeling like a thirsty plant in a dry desert. When the heart experiences this constant delay and disappointment, it will grow sick, blame God for what seems to be failure, and turn against him. But what if God never failed at all? What if He hasn’t delayed and the promise He's spoken has indeed come to pass just like He said it would!… we’re just too busy waiting for OUR definition of what a good gift should look like to arrive, that we fail to see the gift God is giving in the season we’re in? What if His definition of a “desire fulfilled,” came to us in a form we weren’t expecting so we rejected it? The truth is, only the Creator can truly understand the created. God knows our desires, our longings, our hearts better than we do. His definition of "good" for us will always satisfy more than any lesser "good" we've set our hopes on. When we rely on our own definitions of “good” and “acceptable” we become unable to recognize what was meant to prosper us. Jeremiah 17: 7-8 But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Another way of saying trust... is Lordship. When we put our confidence in the Lord, we are giving him Lordship. Simply put, it’s giving Him the power to call the shots. It means handing over the right to control, but even more important than that, to define. When God is Lord of our life, He is the one who gets to define what is good and pleasing. The good news is, when the one who defines is the one who delivers, then we get to not only live, alive to true prosperity, but we are untouchable to disappointment! Isn’t it funny that the one who trusts in the Lord, never has to wait on fulfillment in the first place? “It’s leaves are always green.” (Key word: ALWAYS! ) Instead of waiting on a tree of life to appear in the form of a desire fulfilled, they become the tree of life - one that never fails to flourish and bear fruit, even in times of drought and heat. When we stay close to our Source, lesser hopes, dreams, desires, and expectations become irrelevant. Why? Because we already have what we need. Every desire is fulfilled by the only one that can truly satisfy. The fulfillment we desire is found in proximity to the water of life. Jesus. The one who trusts in the LORD, relying, not only on His timing, but His definition of what is good, no longer find themselves waiting on their package to arrive, tracking every delay, over analyzing its quality when it does come, or evaluating their own personal satisfaction with the gift. The one who trusts in the Lord, has no need to wait, every need and desire is already fulfilled in His presence - every day rain or shine. Proximity to the source is what satisfies every hope, every expectation, and every need - in every season. Praying that you will begin to hand over all your hopes, and your trust to the one who knows your heart completely. That you will give over your perceptions of what life should look like, and your definitions of what is good. It starts by surrendering the little things, turning your attention to Him in your time and your thought decisions (PiVAT and PRISM can help) - so that He can lead you to the blessings that He has for you! May the Water of Life Himself fill your entire being and turn you into a tree planted in his presence, bearing fruit in every season. Love you all, Jibby Love you all, praying for you!
On a couple day getaway with my wife – we stopped at Ollies and looked in the book section. One stood out to me and I got it. “The Big Book of Words You Should Know To Sound Smart – A Guide for Aspiring Intellectuals.” Well, neither one of these things are of any interest to me, I’m not interested in sounding smart, and I’m definitely not an aspiring intellectual. There is a great difference between wisdom and knowledge. Many people are knowledgeable, but lack wisdom. Perhaps 95% of the Academics today reject God. Maybe that’s because God says knowledge puffeth up… and God said humility and the Fear of the LORD – are the beginning of wisdom. So if you do not fear God, you lack wisdom, the most you can get is knowledge about certain things – that ironically God is the one who created. Six thousand years of Human history and we are still trying to discover and understand what He put together in seven days - with the word of His mouth. And those who haven't even scratched the surface - feel they know too much to believe in God. That's what God says is the wisdom of the world, not the wisdom that of God. They are different. As different as His thoughts are from man’s thoughts - as high as the heavens are above the earth. So why did I buy the book? Well the fact that it was only $2.99 really helped, I don’t like spending money for unnecessary things, or spending money unnecessarily for things that are necessary I asked God if that’s what I should do, and felt His peace. Whether $299.00 or $2.99 - It's still His money. The reason I bought it was because I want to develop my vocabulary for at least understanding, if not speaking. Big words don’t help you – I would rather communicate well than use big words. If people can’t understand how does it accomplish anything? I think someone said - the most effective marketing is written at a sixth grade reading level. I’d rather communicate well than speak well. The introduction was interesting, “People judge you by the words you use.” That is perhaps true. “This book can serve as your “translator” when speaking with these pseudointellectuals.” “Yeah, I’m better than those kinds of people…” Oops, see how easy it is for that pride creep to sneak in? “Your goal is to express, not to impress.” I would agree with that, but I’m also reminded how my real goal is to understand what they are saying, their thoughts and what they are feeling – so I can speak the truth in love – and hopefully win them to the Salvation and Obedience of Christ. The One who loves them, died for them, and has peace for them, and joy for them, and has the most incredible plans for their life! Not to mention all of eternity! The Introduction cited a twenty year study of Earl Nightingale – “Without exception, those who had scored the highest on the vocabulary test given in college were in the top income group, while those who had scored the lowest were in the bottom income group.” Well everyone wants to make money – so an understandably compelling argument for this book. It was interesting – The Purpose of Daily Huddle – is not to critique - it’s to simply encourage you to obey whatever God tells you – so you can walk in the good He has for you. PiVAT, His Plans for you, and they're so good! PRISM – His Word and His Ways – which confirm and ensure His plans - 4C’s – His money directed at His choosing, Daily Call – His direct command for your victory, and a PiVAT Small Group –His instruction to provoke one another to love and good works. Obeying His plans and His commands. And God really challenged me about motives. What really motivates me... Is it pride? Is it to be better than others, is it to be smarter than others, or richer than others? Jesus had none of those motives. His sole focus in life – was doing the will of His Heavenly Father – that’s why millions receive Salvation through Him. He could have been King. He was incredibly popular – He was smarter than everyone – He could tell the wind and waves to be still, He could feed 20,000 with a Happy Meal - and since He could raise people from the dead how would you ever defeat His army? These could be really helpful if he wanted to get ahead in life, or become President or King. But He didn’t. He didn’t come to get ahead in life – He came to give his life. So how do you check your motives? Avoiding vocabulary books won’t fix the problem, the motives of your heart would remain. The only way for motives to be transformed - is His Word – PRISM – those five things you can do every day in God’s Word – will transform your mind – so you think like He does. Otherwise motives can trick you. Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure – who can really understand how bad it is? “I, the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools. Much is said in this culture about success and how to reach it. How you must act to be the G.O.A.T. But what does God say? Proverbs 16:2 – All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but motives are weighed by the LORD. There is no way to reign in motives. We just want to feel like we are better than others. We admire those who succeed – and pattern our lives after them. But God’s Ways are so different. What is valued by man – is not valued by God. And what is valued by God – is often of little value to man. Humility and the Fear of the LORD – are the beginning of wisdom, they lead to wealth honor and life. God gives wealth – beyond just money which can soon disappear. Praying that you will pursue wisdom, not intellect, that you will pursue humility and obedience, not success. That’s the seek first, that God promises – if you do it, He will do the rest. He will add to you (give to you) all that you need. Remember, you don’t work for money, or company, or boss, or fame, you work for the greatness of His Name. You can trust Him – His riches like His love for you – endure forever. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Its funny how we as humans are so easily deceived and dissuaded by untruth. Whether we don’t recognize it, or reject it, or we think it’s something else – when it’s not. Or we get part truth, but ignore or are ignorant of the rest, or we add extra – that is not truth at all, just our own opinion. God is not like that. He is truth. He is all truth. And He is nothing but the truth – there’s nothing more to add. Praise God. Not only is He truth, He is power and authority. He’s like the cop – who has the authority, and the gun that's the power to back it up. But then it gets crazy. He’s your heavenly Father – who loves you, and He’s your substitute who replaced you – to take the sentence you deserved, and He’s also the attorney – the greatest ever – who advocates for you – and the Judge is His dad. Things are looking pretty good for you - if you are in Him... 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. In order for old things to be “are passed away,” and all things to be “are become new”… you have to be in. In Christ – is two in’s. Believe in, and Remain in. Jesus told Nicodemus – John 3:7 - You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ He then said in John 3:16 – For God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. This is the first in – Believe in. A- Admit you are a sinner – that's easy – if you’ve ever done something wrong – that’s you. B- Believe that Jesus died in your place and that God raised Him from the dead, so you too can live forever with Him. (Easy – not for him to do, but for you to believe. Jesus said that was what He was going to do, before he did it - He said it was they reason He came! Over 500 eye witnesses saw him alive again after he died.) C- Commit - let Him direct your life from now on, obeying your Heavenly Father just like He did, with the help of the Holy Spirit he promised, not by your own strength. That's the first in - Believe in. And the second in is Remain in - like He did. Just do what He tells you, and go where He leads you. PiVAT and PRISM will help - it's how you get His plans and know his word. It’s new ownership. People say Salvation is free. While that’s part true – it wasn’t free for Jesus – it cost him his life. And while you don’t do anything to earn it – you do give your live away – like He did. You don’t die for Him, you live for Him. That "remain in" is letting Him take over – getting His plans, not yours, getting His mind, not yours, letting Him direct His money, not yours. Here is how Jesus explained it. John 15:7 - If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (you mean anything I want? No, not what your body wants, if you remain in Him, you will begin to want what He wants – and whatever you ask will be done for you). That’s why PRISM is so important – it’s how His Words remain in you – so you remain in Him. John 15:8 – This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. Of course – a disciple does what his discipler does. The Only Things Jesus ever did – was what His Father told Him – for His Father’s glory. Verse 9 – “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (Ok, how do I do that?) Another thing I love about God’s Word – He doesn’t just tell you what to do, and expect you to figure it out. He tells you what to do and how (Like PiVAT and PRISM) in this case - in the very next verse! John 15:10 – If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. Salvation is believe in. Obedience is remain in - Praying that you will remain in Jesus – just as Jesus remained in His Father. Remain in – means in His Words for you and in His plans for you. PiVAT before dinner is His plans for you – they’re really, really good! More than you can imagine and PRISM is His Word for you – it confirms what He told you to do and the how to. And your Daily Call – that’s just how He told you to overcome every day. That simply means – to win. It’s how old things are passed away and all things are become new. God wins! Read the book! And every time you remain in Him (Believe and Obey) – He has victory for you! It’s not only how you walk in all the good He has for you – It’s how you fulfill the purpose for which He created you. It’s how you become who He wants you to! It’s how your children and your children’s children will walk in the blessing of the LORD – from generation to generation! Praying for you - that you will believe in and remain in. So you walk in everything He has for you! And become what He wants for you. Love you all, dad |
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