Love you all, praying for you!
Today is half-time, June 30th, the last day before the 2nd Half of the year begins. What does God want you to do today? Look backward, and Look forward. Generally, it is not a good idea to look backward. You’ll never get anywhere if you're constantly looking in the rear-view mirror. Plus you’ll bump into things. Looking forward is always best. But on a few occasions – it is a good thing to look backward. In Times of Praise! It’s always good to look backwards – to remember what God has done. He’ll do it again! He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. Praise God, if He did it for Abraham, if He did for David, He’ll do it for you. This is not looking back to regret, this is looking back to recount. The last day before the second half of any year is a great day to Recount – and Re-Commit. (In fact, anytime God leads you to recount - He's also leading you to re-commit. - He's faithful - and He will give you the grace to be faithful too!) Today, before July begins... Look at your PiVAT Yearly? What did you write down – that you need most from God this year? What did you write down that God told you to do this year? When did He tell you to do it? How are you doing so far? The best news is that God has been so faithful – ALL YEAR LONG – no matter if you’ve been completely faithful or not. I just love - II Timothy 2:13 – If we are faithless, He remains faithful – for He cannot deny himself. God is on it, whether I am or not! And His love endures forever! One of three things have surely happened so far this year in the 1st Half. #1 You killed it! Everything God told you to do – PiVAT before dinner every day, PiVAT Weekly and PiVAT Monthly, you fully and completely obeyed! Praise God! Just like Jesus, you did and said only what your Heavenly Father told you to do, and say – to yourself and others. And the blessing you received for the first six months of the year was the most ridiculous level of blessing that you have ever experienced in your life! Or, you started strong, but after three days you fell off the wagon, and completely ignored God, and since the first couple of days this year, you didn’t even ask God what His plans were for you for tomorrow, this week, or this month - much less do them. Or number three – which is where most people fall, you were kind of hit and miss. Sometimes you were faithful, and other times – you kind of drifted away, and did your own thing. Hopefully more on than off. If your first half of the year was the first scenario – Praise God – you know what God can do for those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. I would love to hear some of your testimonies! But if you were more the second or third example… there is such good news for you today. Psalms 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are but dust. Look what Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Where are your accusers now? If no one is left to condemn you, neither do I. (just) Go and sin no more.” Praise God – He doesn’t look at the past – God is looking at the future! If there are areas in which you fell short this year so far – just confess to God both your shortcomings, and your true heart to fully obey Him. I love the story of the man who needed a miracle. “Lord I do believe! Please help me overcome my unbelief.” Jesus healed that man’s little boy. Jesus doesn’t dwell on our failures, He is focused on His promise, and His plans for your future! Look how He treated Peter. Peter remembered so vividly – the day Jesus renamed him. Rather than Cephas – He started calling him Peter – Jesus said, Matthew 16:18 – You are Peter (Petros – a piece of rock) and upon this rock (himself – Petra), Jesus said, I will build my church – and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. You talk about high expectations! But when the chips were down – when Jesus needed him the most – Peter denied Him. Not just denied him, denied Him three times! Cursing and saying He never even met the man! That is not a good first half of the year for Peter. Comparison is not wise - the Bible says it, but I would venture to say, the first half of your year – wasn’t as bad as that. Jesus restored Peter, He loved Him, His love for you never ends. If the first half of your year was eaten by locusts, or if it was really good, but you just want to follow Him and obey Him even more! You can trust Him to do it. He can restore what the locusts of eaten, and He's even better at giving you even more and more grace! Jesus still used Peter and the other disciples to build his church. It’s still growing today! If your first half this year – has seen the blessing of God that you have never seen in your life – because you are completely surrendered, and walking in full obedience, or if you completely fell off the wagon, or if you’ve grown a lot, you’re starting to learn what it means to obey in time, thought and money decisions, and in walking daily with someone – overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of your testimony - and God has been so very faithful, but you want to do even better! Be encouraged. His love for you is forever and ever! His mercy- and His plans for you – the GOOD and the blessing that He so longs to pour out – are still waiting for you. They are coming! One little step of obedience, and praise, and testimony at a time. Praying that you will take just a moment today – to recount what God has done – as you’re learning to obey – how faithful He has been - and thank Him for it - praise Him for it! And then that you would tell somebody, not just the testimony of the first half of this year, but also of your commitment to follow Him fully - every day from here on – by the Grace that He provides. Praying for you! that you would Be faithful in your Conversation Log – that’s where you write down what God tells you. And He has things you need to know - to walk in the Good that He has for you! Just grab a new Conversation Log for July – and begin today! This is the book – that God told you – Jeremiah 30:2 Write in a Book all the things I have spoken to you. Some people have a journal – where they write down their thoughts and ideas. I’m praying you would be faithful with your Conversation Log each month, where you write down God’s Thoughts and Ideas. His plans for you – every conversation with Him, every conversation with yourself, and every conversation with others – through which He speaks to you and confirms what He wants you to become and what He told you to do! Praying that you will Do PiVAT Monthly for July, and PiVAT Weekly for the first week. That your PiVAT before dinner – would reveal daily – not only His complete and perfect will for you for tomorrow – but that PRISM – those five things you can do in His Word – will confirm what He told you in PiVAT – just like He promised in Romans 12:1-2, and that your Testimony in your Daily Call will not only help you overcome the enemy, but encourage them to overcome too. If you're not in a PiVAT Small Group on the weekends. Would you pray about starting one? 8-10 Daily Callers meeting one hour a week sharing PiVAT for the week and praying for each other. Or just do a 6-pack – 6 Daily Call partners meeting 30 minutes before church – or before any weekend activity or event. This PiVAT Small Group could be one of the most powerful things you have ever experienced with the body of Christ. God will speak! He promised, He does every time! You’ll be shocked at what He says. And if it encourages people to keep going! And keep growing and keep obeying – it would be so worth the few minutes each week. Praying that today you will look backward, and look forward, that you will Recount – and Re-Commit. Praying for you - that this second half – will be the greatest second half of the year - that you have ever experienced in your life. That you would fully seek and fully obey every plan God has for you – faithful in every hour. That He would speak to you through His Spirit and His Word like never before, and that you would overcome daily with a partner, and weekly with a group of obeyers that see God do unimaginable things in every day life! I know that God will use you, encourage you – and you will see the Good that He has stored up for you - come to pass before your eyes! Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you!
Has anyone ever asked you this question... What is your biggest fear? STOP – don’t even think about that question! Let’s take a sidebar here - There is wisdom and foolishness that require discernment. First, you must know who you are. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, and you have committed to Him as your LORD, you are purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, you belong to Him, you have been redeemed from every sin and every fear, your name is written the Lamb’s book of life, you are set free from the power of sin, death, and the grave. The One who lives in you is the Supreme Authority in the Universe, over every existing thing! God has placed everything under His feet, and He dwells in you! Now that you remember who you are. Let’s get back to the topic. There is something you need to discern. Do not answer every question asked of you. Questions are optional, not mandatory. If God asks you a question you better answer, but if it’s someone else asking you, ask God what and how to answer. Just because someone asks you something, doesn’t mean you have to answer it. Many questions are not legitimate questions. Some questions will enslave your thinking – merely by the consideration of them. Why do you hate me so much? This is a foolish question, and a false question. You have never hated that person, but their insecurity, or their controlling spirit, is trying to manipulate you. Your position in Christ – makes you no longer subject to the control of others. Whenever you hear a question. Do not let your mind be engaged in the track or ditch of it. First ask yourself is this a legitimate or accurate question? God, should I even answer this? or what should the question be? For those questions that are illegitimate – take the authority of Christ within you – and don’t answer, or if He leads you - rephrase them. That is your privilege and responsibility in Christ. You don’t have to be rude. “That’s the wrong question” might cause someone to feel you are opposing them. You might more adeptly say, “I think a better question might be….” Or… I’ve never really thought about that… what about you? Or if you want to engage them… “I like to think of it this way…” Let’s go back to the 2nd foolish question. If someone asks you a question that mis-characterizes you or your intention, don’t let it stand. Merely by giving an answer before correcting the assumption of the question gives the false assumption or false accusation legitimacy. Why do that? The person who asks the question is sometimes intentionally or unintentionally trying to control or manipulate you. Don’t let them. If someone asks a mentally weak or needy question like “Why do you hate me so much?” The natural reaction might be “Oh, I don’t hate you Susie…” Don’t fall for it. Some questions are unanswerable, and others do not deserve the dignity of an answer. You can either redirect or rephrase the question, or sometimes its best to just take it head on. Rather than answer a clearly judgmental question, take back control of the conversation. Susie, have I done something to hurt your feelings? Or you can even soften it immediately with “Would you be willing to share it with me? But you do not have to answer questions just because someone asks you. God has released you from the power of sin in your life, and the power of the enemy who controlled you. Don’t let anyone else control you either. Regarding the first question. What do you fear the most? This person may be legitimately curious – with innocuous motive, no harm or accusation intended. But you still don’t have to answer it. What do you fear the most? God! That’s all I really fear. God said “Fear not,” so I’m learning to fear not! 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. Perhaps a better question might be… What fears most often try to come on you? That is a true question, not a false or manipulative question. It’s framed in a truthful reality, not an ignorant supposition. Well sometimes fear of death tries to come on me – but I don’t let it. God promised Proverbs 14:22 - Even in death the righteous have a refuge.” And Jesus makes us righteous. Jesus said whoever believes in me will never die, but have everlasting life. So when that fear tries to come on me. I just reject it with God’s Word. How about you – do any fears try to come on you? When choosing not to answer, by asking them a question, or by answering in the way you choose to – in a way that shapes the question and answer by the truth of God’s Word, you can also tie the ribbon in a bow at the end, with a kind question for them. (By the way - See PRISM Topic - Fear Not - for the overcoming truth of God. Remember, even questions can be true or false. Don’t let people control you, not even with questions. The Holy Spirit is the One who leads you, not other people. You can ask a question to regain control, and buy yourself time to seek the Holy Spirit about the right way to answer. God said both the plans of the heart and the reply of the tongue come from the Lord. - Psalms 16:1 Or you can rephrase... to shape the question or conversation in truth. “A better question might be… xyz” or “I kinda like to think of it this way… and rephrase the question. Or Ask a Question of them, that hits at the root issue of why they asked the question in the first place. Many people think that letting yourself be manipulated is somehow being humble. False. Not true. Jesus was humble above anyone else - ever. But He was never manipulated. He took authority in His Father’s Name, so we can take authority in Jesus’ Name. Matthew 10:16 – Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Praying that God will give you wisdom and discernment to engage people in an environment framed with truth, so the kindness of the Lord that leads people to repentance would be clearly seen and felt by them. You can still love people without answering all their questions. The Holy Spirit will lead you. He promised to be your Comforter – to come alongside you, to lead you into all truth. Discernment comes from Him, just ask Him for it. And stay in PRISM every day! It’s how you gain wisdom! The Holy Spirit wants to prepare you for these conversations in advance. Jesus the Word of God, is the source of all wisdom. Praying that you will know the love and the authority of Jesus who reigns in this life, who lives in you, and loves others, so you will speak the truth in love – and reach many with the love of Christ. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
Praying for you today – for Grace and Peace. What if you had Grace? You definitely have it, but what if you had more? Praise God – He gives grace to the humble, and He gives more grace. He gives grace to stand in, and grace to walk in. Just because you’re standing in it, doesn’t mean you are walking in it. (Similar to wisdom, Solomon had it, but didn’t walk in it.) Praying for you for more and more grace that you walk in. If you’re walking in His grace, you need less mercy – less forgiveness. If you have grace, you also have peace. The grace you are standing in, is Salvation, the grace available to walk in – is Victory – Overcoming! Not just victory over sin, but over distraction, mis-direction, wasted time doing any thing He has not called you to do. God revealed something that I have added to my long term Prayer Request section in my PiVAT Prayer List. “God help me turn from everything you did not tell me to do in this hour." Grace to say no, not only to obvious sin, but even to doing ‘less than’ things, than what He wants for you. His Grace is what gave you the gifts that empower your calling and anointing. Ephesians 4:7 - But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. And Romans 12:6 - We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. That’s Grace to do what He’s called you to do, not merely grace to leave sin behind. You can choose to walk in that grace, and you can choose to forfeit it. Praying that you will always choose it and always walk in it. Praying that you will be faithful in PiVAT before dinner – and throughout the day. It’s where he gives you the plans for the good that He has for you each day. He will give you Grace to walk in it! Ask God to confirm what He told you last night before dinner. And throughout the day as the Holy Spirit leads you – by submitting to Him and His plans at His time, it demonstrates the humility that brings more Grace. Praying that you would be faithful in PRISM all day today – that you would keep coming back to His Word – To Praise, Read, Receive Insight, Study, and Meditate on it. So you know the grace that He has for you. What if you had more grace? You’re standing in it if you have placed your faith in Jesus death in your place for your sins, they are washed into the sea of forgetfulness, you are a new creature – identified in Him. The devil can never take away your salvation – no principality or power can. But what if you also had grace to walk in! What if the unlimited power of our LORD Jesus Christ, that’s yours to walk in - you were walking in it? What would life look like? Victory after Victory, fruit and harvest, after fruit and harvest. And peace! - complete well-being and rest in body, soul, spirit, life, relationships – everything. What is Grace? And why do you need it? Grace is undeserved favor, and unlimited power. You’re saved by Grace, and you say “No” by Grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God. It's not the result of anything you've done, so no one can brag about it. That’s the grace that saved you. It’s the grace that raised Christ from the dead and it’s the grace that raised you from the dead. You now live in new life in Christ! Colossians 1:3 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son that He loves. That’s both undeserved favor, and unlimited power. You certainly didn’t deserve for Jesus to die for your sins. They weren't His own, He didn’t have any. He took your sins upon himself, and died in your place so that you could live forever in Heaven with God, not forever separate from him in the lake of fire. What kind of power would that take? Way more powerful than a locomotive! That’s undeserved favor and unlimited power – for Salvation. That unmerited favor included His loving kindness towards you - Romans 2:4 - Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Praise God that was the grace, the favor and kindness and power that saved you - that’s the grace in which you stand. Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. But then besides that - there’s more grace! The grace God gives you to walk in. James 4:6-7 - But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. And how do you resist the devil so he flees? - By Grace - that gift of God, not by your own strength. Titus 2:11-12 - For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. This is the grace - not just that you stand in, but that you walk in. It helps you say no to the sin that you were once slave to, but not anymore! And it gives you grace to say NO to everything He didn’t call you to do today, or think about today, so you can DO everything that He has called you to do (today, and every day!) Romans 1:6 - Through him we received grace and a commission as an apostle to bring about faithful obedience among all the gentiles for the sake of his name. It clearly wasn’t Paul – because he was an apostle, that brought obedience among the people of all nations. It was God’s Grace that brings our life obedience – like Jesus lived. Not just to say no to sin, but to say yes, and do – everything God tells you to do. PiVAT lets you ask and receive the plans God has for you for tomorrow. But you cannot do them on your own. It’s what He gives you grace for - the grace to do! Romans 1:6-7 - And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (If you belong to Jesus – you live like He did – He did everything He Heavenly Father told him to do.) Verse 7 - I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God gives grace so we can live our lives like Jesus did, and peace comes with it! Praying that you will humble yourselves, so you get more and more of this grace – so you don’t just stand in it, you walk in it! James 4:6 - But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows graces to the humble." I Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will exalt you in his own good time. Praying for you for more and more grace. Praying that you will ask for it, humble yourself, know for sure that you are standing in it – through what Christ did, and that you can get more of it. So not only will you choose that Grace to say no to anything less than He has for you, but that you will use that grace (that unmerited favor and unlimited power) so you walk in complete victory in everything that He has for you today. And just so you know. His Grace is more than you need. It’s more than enough! 2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Don’t worry about your weakness, just walk in the Grace He provides! It’s more than enough. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
The story of Jesus is absolutely the best story ever written. Actually the whole Bible is His story, but especially the Gospels. Reading in John has been ridiculously amazing. We shared on a recent Daily Huddle – Don’t Miss It. About what a miracle is: Anytime God intervenes in the human experience. It will usually include a word and a time. But what’s the purpose of miracles? – a God moment – His intervention in the Human Experience? He doesn’t do miracles in people’s life cause He has nothing to do… He can always watch Netflix. God does miracles for a purpose. It’s so people believe! So they put their trust in him – for salvation, and put their trust in him – for obedience! So they trust him enough to obey – to follow Him – His plan for their life. That’s why PiVAT and PRISM are so important – PiVAT before dinner, so you know His plans for you for tomorrow – they are crazy good… and PRISM – so you start can recognize what those plans are, so you’re transformed to think like He does, which changes your life and perspective on life completely! I couldn’t help but notice the distinct difference between two men that God healed in John chapter 5, and John chapter 9. See the Daily Huddle – Seed and Soil. God’s miracles – His interventions in your life have a purpose – so you will believe. These two men - the lame man, and the blind since birth man, both were not seeking Jesus – they weren’t like Zacchaeus who was curious, or the woman with the issue of blood who was full of faith and fully believed that if she just touched the edge of his clothes, she would be healed... These two guys were just living their broken lives, when Jesus pursued them! He healed them both – the only requirement was obedience – to receive their healing. The lame man obeyed – “pick up your matt and walk.” He did, and he walked. The blind man obeyed - “Go wash in the pool of Siloam.” He washed, and he saw – for the first time ever. But The purpose was not for them to get healed, the purpose was or them to get healed and believe. They both faced immediate tests. It was from the enemy – in this case the Pharisees – first they didn’t believe that the miracle even happened. The devil will always bring doubt – that God even did anything, or this was God. Then he will try to make it appear as if something else thing occurred rather than a miracle. And he definitely doesn’t want you to talk about what God did! Because others might hear and believe. The first guy, the lame man – was a punk. When Jesus next saw him, he said stop sinning or something worse may happen, and the guy runs and tattles on Jesus to the Pharisees. His response wasn’t faith and belief. He never believed. He took for-granted what Jesus did for him. Jesus changed his body, but his mind and soul remained as dead as his legs once were. But the other guy. This guy was different. This was the guy when the disciples asked who sinned, him or his parents, Jesus said “Neither sinned, but this happened, so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." But the story doesn’t end with his healing. John 9:6 – having said this he spit on the ground, and made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “Wash in the Pool of Siloam” (This word means sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. Verse 8 – His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging, asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg? Some claimed he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” (there you go, it doesn’t matter what God does – no matter how big the miracle – some people don’t want to believe.) But he himself insisted. “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they demanded. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” They asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” (Wow, there are some people who refuse to believe, they don’t want to see or recognize the miracles of God big or small, in anyone’s life. Some people are even in the church… they are opposed to everything God does, in anyone’s life, they will even use religious reasons like the Sabbath to oppose Him.) But others asked, “How can a sinner do such miraculous signs? So they were divided. (Of course – every time Jesus does something – even today, even today in your life, there will be division, opposition.) Finally, they turned to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” Wow, these people did not care one bit about the man, they couldn’t rejoice not even over a miracle. They wanted to disprove what God did, not believe and rejoice. And for this man - the moment of truth) The man replied, “He is a prophet.” The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight so they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son? They asked? “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see? (These people are hard of hearing. Some people will come against your testimony – they are looking for another rational explanation – or someone to deny that it happened). “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself. (Wow, what a couple of parents… they knew exactly how he can see now – their son told them). Verse 22 – His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” (Wow – so these parents are gutless, lacking any courage, they throw their own son under the bus, to avoid getting in trouble themselves. He couldn’t have been too old, or they couldn’t have said that. If he’s in his 40s it would be obvious that he was of age. So he must have been young, but over the age of 18. Verse 24 - A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” (Funny how people will tell you – even how to give glory to God. He just gave glory to God! He just said Jesus healed him! That’s what you should do when Jesus does a miracle in your life! – but these guys want to accuse, instead of seeing and believing the miracles God does! But check out this young man’s answer – He was definitely not cut from the same cloth as his parents – this young man had some kahunas – you gotta love this…) He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (Wow! You have to understand something. This young man was a begger, an invalid since birth – he begged for alms, no one even cared about him, or bothered to even notice him, much less hear what he had to say. And the first audience he gets, the first public speaking engagement he has ever had – in his entire life - is in front of the Pharisees – in a hostile environment) One Thing I Do Know. Wow. There might be a lot of things you don’t know… but what’s the One Thing You Do Know? Speak that! There’s power in that testimony - The devil wants to shut you up, so you don’t share the good news about Jesus, so you don’t even share the testimony of what He did in your life. So you haven’t been blind since birth – but that job you just got - that wasn’t you – there are people far more qualified than you… That provision that God gave – that wasn’t you – that was God. The peace He gave you, the clear direction when you heard Him speak - and His confirmation in PRISM by His Word – that wasn’t you! That’s God – and every time He intervenes in your life – that’s a miracle! And He’s worthy of your testimony. This young man was on it. Bold, not intimidated, the first time on the big stage and he killed it! “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know, but one thing I do know – I was blind, but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes? He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too? (What??? I love this kid… Are you kidding me – that was more than a testimony. Unlike his weak parents, or the lame man who tattled. This young man was standing up and defending the one who set him free. He saw through their deception and called them on it!) Verse 8 Then they hurled insults at him and said. “You are this fellow’s disciple!” We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us! And they threw him out. (Oh no he didn't - Oh yes he did. He spoke truth to power. Real truth, to false power. Notice how the devil always exposes himself: Pride, arrogance, unbelief, and accusation, then name calling. Everything the devil says is a lie – and it’s easy to tell who believes what he’s pushing - by what they say. What an impressive young man. When challenged, He doubles down on his testimony, and speaks truth. He’s more worried about what God thinks, than what man thinks. The last part of the story may be the best. Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man? “Who is he, sir?” the man asked, “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” (Wow – what a difference! What kind of question-asker are you? Some people ask questions so they may believe, others ask questions to justify their unbelief. Which one are you? Jesus said, ‘You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him. Wow, this was the belief that Jesus did the miracle for in the first place! V 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” (Wow – what a bunch of haters – why are those Pharisees trolling Jesus – they will never believe in Him, they are only tagging along - looking to take offense.) Jesus said, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin, but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” Praying for you, that you will first - see - every miracle that God does in your life. That you will tell somebody, and that your testimony will open the door to the deeper things God has for you. Your Daily Call will help greatly. It's testimony practice. He’s worth it. It’s how you overcome. This young man’s testimony led to increase in his life – the next thing God had for him. Your testimony unlocks even more that Jesus has waiting for you! Praying that your questions will always be questions - to believe. Praying that God will always reveal to you – the One Thing I Do Know! I was blind, and now I see. Praying that God will increase your sight, in every way - and that your overcoming testimony will bring you to every next good thing that God has for you. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
What are the two most powerful words in the English Language? "Thank You." You enter His gates with thanksgiving. Those are the two most powerful words. What could be a close second? – What If? How often do you ask yourself What If? This can be a good question to ask yourself sometimes – What If? What If I Fully obeyed? What could God do in my life? What if I really did PiVAT before dinner every day – just spending time with My Heavenly Father – like Jesus did, getting His plan for me for tomorrow – so I do exactly what He wants me to do, so the good that He has for me, can find me. What If I say just what He wants me to say? so my faith will grow, so my joy will be full, and so others can be encouraged in the good that He has for them? This What If? question IS NOT for things past. Don't ask what if I had done – that question gets you nowhere. It’s going backwards, it can enslave you, paralyze you, keep you from what God has for you right now, and prevent you from getting to your future! The past is past – Praise God! God’s grace covers it – He can turn even sins and mistakes for your good. The What If? question is for today. What if I would do this from this point forward? What if I really did PRISM every day – and started soaking my mind in God’s Word – transforming it into the mind of Christ, gaining wisdom and understanding? What would my life be like? What could God do with me, if His Word completely saturated my heart, and I started to think like He thinks? What If I learned what God says about money? What If I was faithful each day – financially? What If I had a simple way to know where God’s money is, so I could ask Him what He wants me to do with it? And then DO IT? What If I was faithful with a Daily Call? – learning to obey daily with a friend, and overcoming together by the word of our testimony, and prayer for each other – fulfilling the direct command from God’s Word in Hebrews 3:13? What if I was in a PiVAT Small Group each weekend, with a group of obeyers - seeing what God does for those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him? What could God speak into our lives through each other? What joy would there be as we grow in His Grace, seeing the crazy things He speaks to all of us, and the miracles He does in our lives day by day? What if I fasted for two days? What if I prayed consistently for two weeks straight? – the things He is calling me to pray for on my PiVAT Prayer List? What if I did that thing - that’s been on my heart, that I can’t escape? What if I called that friend that God has been prompting me to call? What If I asked a stranger – or a friend – what they needed most from God today? – for just 3 days in a row? What If I did a PiVAT What If – for a potential time schedule, or season change in my life – so the urgent things wouldn’t always crowd out the important? What would my schedule look like, if I really gave God my entire week’s schedule to His full control? – what might my mornings, afternoons, and evenings look like? Or - What if I gave a money gift to someone in the Name of Jesus, a friend, or a stranger, or a ministry – even above and beyond my tithe? What if I spent an afternoon serving someone – for no money – no benefit to me, and no other reason than just to tell them Jesus told me to do this, because He loves you? What is the “What if?” Question that God might want you to ask? God gave us an imagination. He does nothing without purpose. Most people use their imaginations for evil, God created imagination for righteousness. Have you ever asked him to lead your imagination? What If? Questions that are - What If I did this thing? Soon become – “Then What Could God do? - with that little step of obedience? Like the lunch box the little boy gave. Doesn’t seem like much – but in Jesus’ hand – it feeds thousands! Be careful… every What If? You can think in your natural mind – doesn’t mean it’s what God has for you – or for this time. That’s why you need to ask God for the What If’s that would glorify Him. If you do, He will give you some. Then Just let Him take over your imagination, let it soar… What If I did this… what could God do? Ephesians 3:20 – Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory… When was the last time you asked or imagined? His power is also for your imagination. Praying that you will Ask God to lead your What If’s. Ask Him to lead your imagination. He might use them to reveal a next step that He want you to take. If It’s Him, take it! Praying for you, that God will lead you – in how to ask and imagine. That you will do everything He tells you to do. That He will receive all the glory! More than you can imagine! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
Someone once asked Jesus, so He answered. John 9:3 – “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God may be displayed in his life.” Jesus wasn’t saying that this man or his parents never sinned, he said no sin was the cause of this. This happened so that the glory of God may be put on display. First – some things are the cause of sin. If you are facing something, a trial – just ask Him – God, did I cause this? Is there something that I’m doing, or a way that I am thinking that is preventing you from delivering me, or bringing victory in my life? Joshua faced this – God parts the Jordan River – and brings a million plus people - to the Land He promised them. The Mighty Walls of Jericho fall down – the fear of God is on all the nations around them. And they get their butts kicked by Ai? – you can barely even call that a city! What happened! Sometimes it’s not a longtime struggle, sometimes it comes up quickly. In this case – it was because of Achan’s sin. Sin causes stuff to happen; sin causes separation from God, and sin always has harmful effects; spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, relationally. Sin can block what God wants to do. I Peter 3:7 - Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with honor as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Husbands, if you are not being kind and understanding to your wife, if you are not laying down your life for her… Your prayers aren't being heard! It’s not God’s fault - your actions are preventing God’s answer! You might not be married, do you honor your parents or those in authority, do you have a critical spirit? Has bitterness taken root in you? Is there unforgiveness in your heart towards someone? Is there a pattern if your life un-surrendered to His authority, are you disobeying in an area? Just not following God’s plan for your good, brings other plans for your destruction. There is always an effect of sin. Sin causes bad things to happen. Every road leads somewhere – the end of the road for every sin – is destruction. So take an honest look first, use sober judgment. Ask God, He loves you! He will show you. But sometimes things occur through no direct action of your own. God said this was the case with the man who was blind from birth. Things happen – which are not a direct result of sin, or your sin, personally. If your parents chose divorce – when God said “What God has put together, let not man separate.” That was not your fault, that was their choice. The consequence you faced because of it, was not God’s will, but He will show himself strong to you through it, He will display his glory in your life – despite it. Be sure of this, God doesn’t break things so He can fix them. He’s not a false hero. Are there things in your life that you have faced since birth, or have faced for a long time, or may have arisen recently that have burden you greatly? What the devil intended for evil – God will turn it for good. God will make good come in it, and good to come from it. Joseph recognized this and shared it with His brothers when they feared for their lives after their father died. Gen 50:19 – But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So whether no one’s sin caused this trial in your life, or no sin of your own caused this trial in your life. God will use this to put His glory on display. Be careful – in the midst of deliverance – there is often a test. And it comes suddenly. Joseph was tested. He could have gotten angry with God or his brothers – He chose instead to give all glory to God. To leave the past behind him, and Praise God for the present and believe His promise for the future. Both the lame man faced a test, and the ‘blind from birth’ man also faced a test after their deliverance. Will you forgive? Will you believe? Will you be thankful? The devil can’t stop God from delivering you! Don’t let him steal your victory, don't let him steal your joy, and don't let him get you to fall into sin. Jonah did. God could have left him in that big fish! But God saved Him! And that was even his own sin that caused that trial in his life. But when God did a miracle - and brought deliverance to Nineveh, Jonah didn't rejoice in God displaying his glory - He got mad and threw a fit. He wasn't prepared for the test. Do you walk in complete victory? Even now? Before you see the glory He will surely display? Trust God – His decisions in your life are right - fully trustworthy. His judgments are right! Even in affliction - He’s faithful! Whatever situation you may be facing, no matter what day it is (a day of trouble, or not) Call on the LORD – Praise Him, Give Thanks, Count it All Joy! And when He delivers you – whatever test the LORD allows that the devil tries to bring - be ready, humble yourself – let God receive all the glory. Give Him the Praise He deserves – so your blessing remains! Its funny how we judge God’s goodness by our present situation, or our present comfort level. But God’s Goodness is far above our situation at the time, or what we go through in life. You don’t even know what struggle is – compared to what some people have had to go through! I Thessalonians 5:18 - In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. If you can give God thanks because He will display His glory in this situation - even before you see it fully happen, you'll be better prepared for the test that often accompanies God's deliverance. God loves you, He has good for you, He hears, He saves. Praying that you will rejoice – in every situation. That you will have a faith that moves mountains, that you will believe and know and praise Him in advance! That victory will be yours even before you see His full deliverance. God will surely display His glory through your life! His plans for you are good. You can trust Him. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
If you haven’t had a chance yet, listen to yesterday’s Daily Huddle – Gift or Re-Gift. It’s about one of the most important things you can do in life. Give Your Testimony. It’s how you overcome, it’s how you glorify God, it’s how you encourage others – it cements obedience in you, and challenges it in them. When obedience increases, blessing increases, testimony increases – and the Good that God has for every person can be released! Testimony is the fuel of life. It’s powerful! Some time ago, God revealed to me the purpose for every conversation. Every conversation I have, I want them to leave with a higher opinion of God. My prayer for you is the same. That every time you talk to someone – God will get bigger in their eyes. It doesn’t matter if they are a believer in Christ or not. You might get the opportunity to share your testimony – what God did as you obeyed. Or anything you are thankful to God for. Someone once said, they can argue with your theology, but they can’t argue with your testimony. Some people get nervous about sharing Christ. You don’t have to hit them over the head with your Bible, but equally, a silent witness, never led anybody to Christ. You can’t just let your life do the talking, how can they be saved unless someone tells them the Good News? That’s the Gospel. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. Just be joyful, and be more interested in them and their life, than you and your life. Here’s one way to start. Double-Down. Whether a believer, or when talking to someone who hasn’t placed their faith in Christ yet. I always look for the opportunity to Double-Down. My goal in every conversation – is to help them discover their testimony. It’s even more important than my own. It’s how God gets bigger in their eyes. Helping them discover what God is doing in their life – and rejoicing over it with them. Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. When we verbally rejoice with them, we help them discover their own testimony and it grows their opinion of God. God gets bigger in their eyes. It glorifies Him! Makes Him bigger. They may be a Christian but ignorant of the power of their testimony. Many Christians go to church – but never have learned to overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony – Rev 12:11. But even unbelievers will share with you some amazing things that happened to them. It’s obvious that some things that are so good in their life, could not have been them alone. Yes, they may have worked hard, credit them for it - but God gave the opportunity, the timing, the favor. I merely point it out. They can’t really argue. Double-Down just means – rejoice with them! Say it again. Let them live it again! Be excited for them at the good in their life. James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Since every good thing that happens in their life – really comes from God: just take the opportunity and give God the credit. Help them discover their testimony. That’s Awesome – Wow! What’s the chance of that happening! That’s just God loving you. Wow! That could have so easily gone the other way. How many people see that happen! God must be looking out for you! That’s awesome! Hey, What happened next…? (you don’t need to leave them hanging as if they need to say “Praise Jesus” – they may not even know Him or believe in Him yet. But you can insert it into the conversation and just keep going. It’s a Word of truth – a seed that God can use. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He will lead you in the conversation. First – they may be surprised that someone cares about them enough to be excited at the good in their life, everyone appreciates it. It reminds them of how they felt when it happened. And they can’t really argue – no-one has ever taken offense yet. And second - If they are a Christian – you just demonstrated what Giving their Testimony looks like – you just doubled-down. There’s power in it. It becomes obvious. Third, just remember – Testimonies are what you give! Not only what you personally experience. That Rev 12:11 promise about overcoming by your testimony... you just gave one, so you just did! God is making you to overcome, and you are helping others overcome who may not know how, or might not even have recognized that testimony in their life. Praying that you will double down on every conversation that mentions something good. Praying that every conversation you have with others – they will leave with a bigger view of God than before they had before they talked to you. That God will use you to help them discover their testimony of what God just did for them - in their life. He is always blessing, and providing, and protecting. He’s even drawing those who have yet to believe. Rom 2:4 - Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? His kindness is everywhere, pointing it out gives glory to him, it increases His reputation. Praying for you that God will use you to Double-Down. Your Daily Call is the perfect opportunity to work on this. You both share your testimony through PiVAT every day – just practice Doubling-Down - rejoicing with them. You’ll become skilled at it. Praying for you that every conversation you have will generate testimony everywhere you go! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
Can we just talk? Can we just talk about something, well… just a little uncomfortable? Have you ever re-gifted something? Did you hope no-one would notice? Have you ever not – re-gifted something – because you were afraid people might notice? Re-gifting is a funny thing. Some people never re-gift, they would be too embarrassed. Like some people never eat leftovers. (That would not be us – you six kids – lived your whole life on leftovers. We are thankful for leftovers!). Some people only re-gift if they have an extra. Like the extra toaster you got for a wedding present… you can’t really use two of them, and if you can’t return it, then, most people would agree it would be ‘socially acceptable’ to re-gift the toaster. Now if someone special to you – gave you something very sentimental to them… well - you can never re-gift that – because it would hurt their feelings, even if you can never really use it yourself. Now some re-gifts – would be perfectly acceptable – and if not, who cares. If someone has an extra Porche and wants to re-gift it to you, who cares what people think. Actually if you are a newlywed – on a newlywed budget – you’re flat broke, with all your friends getting married, sometimes it’s a blessing to be able to re-gift a wedding present or two. Especially if it’s kind of expensive. They get something really nice that they can really use, and you get to give it without costing you money – which you absolutely don’t have. So here’s a question… Do you think there is anything that was ever made - to re-gift? Actually created for it? Is there anything that God designed for you to re-gift? Actually there is. It’s called a Testimony! One of the most important things in your life – is your testimony! Actually, physically, and spiritually – one of the most important things in your entire life! Revelation 12:11 – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony… Your testimony is key – to overcoming the enemy! It’s important! And it’s not just good, the first time! It's good every time. It’s not designed to use only once. Your testimony was created to Re-Gift! Every time you give it – you overcome! Every time you give it – it seals your victory over the enemy. Every time you give it – it makes you stronger, and the devil’s affect on your life – weaker. It glorifies God! and it encourages you and others! Testimony – actually means witness. You testify about something you saw, or experienced first-hand. This is what God says – is the way you overcome the enemy. One of the most important skills in your life… Get Good at your Testimony. And you can give it again and again with the same effect. (It’s almost like being able to give that same extra toaster – at every wedding you will ever have to attend for the rest of your life – think about it – that’s a bunch of weddings!) There are a couple more things about testimonies and giving them, that are mission critical for your success. #1 Testimony’s are generated by obedience. Obey more, you will get more. Without faith it is impossible to please God, but He responds to faith – like nothing else. James makes it clear – your actions prove your faith. So Faith is proven by obedience – the more you obey – the greater the testimony – and if you give it, and give it again – the more and more you overcome! Testimony is like fuel to both you and others And you can re-gift it – #2 Testimonies were made to re-gift. Praying that you are faithful in PIVAT before dinner – without fail. PiVAT produces Obedience in you – and Obedience is a testimony machine. PiVAT before dinner produces testimony after testimony because it focuses your full attention each day on Obedience – which God always blesses - the specific plans that He has for you to do- for today. it’s how you present your body a living sacrifice – fully acceptable unto God which is your reasonable act of worship - Romans 12:1. Praying that PRISM throughout the day – becomes an addiction for you. Because God says it’s how you test and prove His will for you – to obey. Romans 12:2 How many times has PRISM become the testimony! What God said you needed most – last night before dinner – for today, or what He told you to do. He confirms specifically in His Word, or how to do it, the very next morning in your PRISM time with him! Sometimes the WORD is the testimony! Praying that you will never miss your Daily Call! It is the venue God designed for your testimony to flourish. Hebrews 3:13 – exhorting one another daily! Where you overcome by your testimony the first thing every morning – so you are already fluent in it – ready to give it again and again throughout the day! Your Daily Call is the “built-in” – "adversary overcoming" – exhort one another daily - that God has commanded you! There’s one more thing that’s important to know. God created testimony – to be re-gifted - given again and again. But not only yours! You can re-gift others’ also! It’s the will of God. Testimony is what you witnessed yourself, but in the Kingdom of God, Testimony is not just what you witnessed or experienced, it’s what you give! You can give the testimony of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, When God parted the Red Sea, and the Jordan River, when He gave Manna and Water in the desert. You can give the testimony of Joshua, Sampson, Samuel, and David; Solomon, Elijah, Jehoshophat, Hezekiah, and Joash; Mary, John the Baptist, The apostles, Paul, and Timothy, and most of all - Jesus. God told the children of Israel to tell their children and their children’s children the Mighty Wonders that God did! To never forget them but teach them to their children. Every feast and festival of Israel, the Passover – was established forever – to re-gift the testimony of the LORD, His awesome power and faithfulness. If He was faithful then, He is faithful now. If He did it for them, He will do it for you! There is no shame in re-gifting when it comes to testimony. It is God ordained. You overcome with it. You encourage others with it. God gets the glory from it! And it generates more and more testimony. Praying that you will re-gift testimony always. That you will understand the power of the testimony, that PiVAT before dinner, PRISM throughout the day, and your Daily Call – will have you completely focused on obedience that generates testimony - for victory, success and significance in your life. And one more thing. I pray that you will start and always be in - every weekend - a PiVAT Small Group. This is testimony on steroids. It’s cements Daily Calls – daily overcoming - in the lives of others. It cross-pollinates the joy of obedience, and generates exponential testimony that God has designed for people to overcome! You can’t have a Daily Call with everybody. But you can increase the impact of your testimony, and experience for yourself – the testimony that daily obedience is creating in others. There’s nothing like it - a small group of obeyers - testifying what God did and what God revealed. It's life changing, life overcoming! Praying that you will always Re-Gift the testimony of what God is doing in your life - and what He has done in the lives of others. His love for you is more than you can imagine – Testimony reminds you of it, and reminds others of just how deep, and wide, and long, and high – is the love of Jesus – for them. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
God showed me something recently. What day is it? A day of trouble, or a day of no trouble? What’s the Home Run for the day of trouble? Psalm 86:7 – In the day of my trouble, I will call to you, for you will answer me. Are you facing trouble right now? You need to say to yourself, “I will call to you, for you will answer me.” Promise yourself, Encourage yourself, Commit yourself. And then do it. When you face trouble, the first human reaction is to fret or fear, to complain, to try and find someone to worry with, and put that fear on them… or to try to figure out how to escape, make a plan for self-preservation, or to avoid the discomfort or pain. But God reveals through David, what to do in the day of trouble. I will call to you, for you will answer me - saying what you will do, and what God will do. What else does God tell you to do in the day of trouble. Praise - Psalms 34:1 - I will bless the LORD at all times, His Praise will continually be in my mouth. It’s funny – when you dedicate yourself completely – with your whole heart, might, mind and strength - to Praise – the trouble fades. It’s blocked out. You get lost in His presence, His power, His goodness. The trouble may remain, but you become unaffected by it, it’s unnoticeable. You call, He will answer, the trouble will soon pass, but in the day of trouble - Call, and Praise. What else? Be thankful! I Thessalonians 5:18 - In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, concerning you. Have you ever wondered what God’s will is for you? This is it. Give Thanks. No matter what you are facing, no matter what attack you are under, or what you are going through. The list of things to be thankful to God for – is endless, literally. Remember what He did for others – but also for you! He’s never failed you! Give thanks. He’s even doing things right now! Whatever you face – it could be much, much worse. Don’t look at what you don’t have, look at what you have – and Give Thanks. Finally – Count it all joy. James 1:2 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. What’s the test about? Your response to troubles faced. So Respond well. #1 Call on Him! #2 Praise Him! #3 Give Thanks! #4 Count it all Joy! Four things - that’s the home run for the day of trouble. That’s how you pass tests! It’s also how you build perseverance, become mature, and receive everything last thing God has for you! But what if I’m not facing trouble? Actually right now, things are pretty good… The economy is booming, the stock market's up, I have a job, what if there are no real troubles facing you? What do you do now? In the day of trouble, I will call to you, for you will answer me. When you call to Him in the day of trouble – He brings deliverance and salvation. He comes to your rescue. But in the days of no trouble – when other than the little irritations and inconveniences of life, you are facing no real grave threats or dangers, no dark clouds on the horizon. It’s because God is protecting you, covering you and hiding you from evil, from the enemy who wants to destroy you. The devil can’t find you, you’re hidden in Christ. You may not be in the day of trouble right now. This is the day of His favor, His provision, His abundance – seedtime and harvest. So what do you do then? Jeremiah 33:3 – Call unto me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which thou knowest not. (Incomprensible things that you don’t know yet – amazing things that I got for you! – if you call unto me.) If you ever need to say, "In the day of trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me." Than in the day of no trouble – you really need to say. "In the day of your goodness and blessing I will call to you – for you will answer me and show me unsearchable things that I don’t know." If you ever need to call on Him - it’s now. In the day of no trouble – when I call to you, you answer me - with revelation and instruction, with preparation, with wisdom, which strengthens me and only increases my love and my faith, my thanksgiving, my gratitude and appreciation. When you are facing no trouble – it’s time to be fully about your Father’s business. #1 Call on Him, #2 Praise Him, #3 Give Thanks, #4 Count it all Joy! Wow, the same Home Run for the Day of Trouble, is the same Home Run for the day of no trouble. God, I need you more today, than I need you in the day of my trouble. I need you to lead me and guide me and help me keep my eyes on you! Ecclesiastes 7:14 – In the day of prosperity be joyful, (count it all joy) and in the day of adversity consider. God made the one as well as the other. I found that for myself, I’ve always had the habit of being thankful, but God convicted me of thanksgiving with the wrong attitude. I was thankful but fearful, I was thankful in fear. Almost as if - what if the shoe drops… this can’t continue… things are going too well. Who said that? God always gets bigger, not smaller, His faithfulness increases, not decreases. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are being changed into his glorious image.” God told me to no longer be thankful in fear, but be thankful in hope. Who said good times will never last? When we live in Christ and live as Christ – He makes us more and more like him, from glory to glory. Outside circumstances don’t affect that – so it doesn’t matter what happens. He’s faithful! He will answer! He will deliver me! Praying for you – that no matter what time it is, you will hit home runs. Whether you are facing trouble, or facing no trouble - that you would do no matter what day it is - what God’s Word says to do. #1 Call on Him, #2 Praise Him, #3 Give Thanks, #4 Count it all Joy! Prism Topic - Joy, or the PRISM Topic - Praise - or the Relationship Topic - Thankful 100 - may be a good start. Call on Him, God will save you! He will show you things! If you Praise Him, He will come and live in it. When you give thanks – it is pleasing in His sight. Praying that you will always be thankful in hope! And when you count it all joy – He can mature you, make you look like Him, and give you completely every Good Thing that He has stored up for you. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
God has been challenging me with something. Blood or Grace, What do you want your testimony to be? Blood covers sin, Grace gives power over it. Your first testimony was Blood and Grace. That blood will never lose it’s power! And it was by Grace through faith that you have been saved. If you sin again, the Blood is still good, but from now on – when it comes to testimonies - Grace is better. Not better than Blood – you need both, but better now than Blood. The more you walk in Grace, the less you need the Blood. What is your Daily Testimony going to be? When you got saved, you were set free from the power of sin. Now you can walk in the Grace that gives you power to say "No" to sin. Sin is a big deal. It sent Jesus to the cross. It still is a big deal. If we really knew the horrendous cost of sin, to God and to us, we would probably hate it like God hates it. You were not saved to sin, you were saved from sin. The life you lived, you no longer live. Christ now lives in you! Jesus, when all the accusers left, said to the woman, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you? “ No one, sir.” She said. “Then neither do I condemn you.” Jesus declared, Now go and sin no more. To the man who had been healed, Jesus said, “See you have been healed, stop sinning or something worse may happen to you. Sin is still offensive to God – He hates it. What is sin? Anything less than His complete will for you. Falling short. There are two kinds of sin. Sins of Commission – Doing what He told you not to do. And Sins of Omission – Not doing what He told you to do. And people do these two sins either willfully or ignorantly - knowingly or unknowingly - but they are still sin. Sin is not good, because it strains your relationship with God, and steals the progress of your journey with Him - the places He wants to take you – where blessing awaits, where He can fulfill the purpose He has for you. Stop sinning! So How do you stop sinning? #1 – Know the Word - it will transform your mind and heart – #2 Be filled with the Spirit – Jesus said – Wait in Jerusalem after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and you will receive power – (to become martyrs – the literal meaning of that word ‘witnesses’) In other Words the Holy Spirit gives you power over sin! He helps you live a life without sin, that you can’t do in your own power! #3 Know that you are no longer a slave to sin. It no longer controls you – you can choose it – but you don’t have to anymore! Jesus said - John 8:34 – I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Praise God – If you have received Jesus as your Savior - You’ve been set free from the power and dominion of sin in your life. You are not doomed to failure, you are destined to overcome it! #4 – Know that His Grace is how you overcome! Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Praise God this Grace not only teaches us to say "No" to the sins that once controlled us – those sins of commission. It also gives us victory over sins of omission – or incomplete obedience – the greatest threat to the good God has for you. and #5 Use wisdom, It's all about the feet. Don’t go where sin awaits. Don’t be like the youth in Proverbs lacking sense, walking down the street near her house at dusk. If you struggle with desiring riches – maybe you shouldn’t work at the Casino. If you have a problem with lust, a cook at Hooters is not the job for you. If you have friends who are constantly sinning, who are worldly minded, God is telling you - get some new friends. If your feet are in the right place, your hand’s don’t get dirty. Move your feet. Ask God where they should be, and get them there! Be busy doing what He called you to do. PiVAT before dinner - will put your feet in the right place - knowing His will for you today - even this hour - and sinning is not part of it. PRISM will transform your mind, you'll be washed by the water of the Word - the desire for sin fades in the light of His Word. If temptation comes on you, Speak the Word and Praise - it's power over sin. Hard to sin when you are Praising Him. Call on Him and Move Your Feet! Get busy doing what He told you to do! Right now! Psalms 86:5 - You are forgiving and good O Lord, abounding in love to all who call on you. The Testimony of Blood – is the testimony of mercy and forgiveness – Praise God. But the Testimony of Grace is even better now – It’s the testimony of power and victory! After we call on Him, it’s time to walk in him. Praise God that He’s a forgiving God, but I don’t want my testimony to just be His forgiveness, I want to start walking in the Good and Abounding Love that He has for me. To see the fruit of righteousness in my life, not the fruit that requires more mercy. Your testimony will always be Blood and Grace. But from now on, I’m praying your testimony is more Grace than Blood. Not of Him forgiving you, but of Him empowering you! Luke 2:40 – And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. This grace isn’t about forgiveness of sin, it’s about wisdom and power. John 1:14 – And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. This grace brings Glory to God, through the awesome things He does. Acts 4:33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all. This wasn’t them sinning all the time and having to be forgiven - This was a grace that kept them from sin – and gave them power to do the work He called them to do. Acts 14:3 - So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name. Rom 5:17 - For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Praying for you – that your testimonies will always be more grace than blood. Overcoming testimonies of what Grace did – because of what Blood did - not what blood can do again. What Testimony will you have? Praise God for the Blood that covers sin, but I’m praying that your testimony from here on will be about the Grace and the gift of righteousness that empowers you to reign in this life. Sin no longer reigns over you - you have been seated in Heavenly places with Christ. This is not just the unmerited favor "mercy for sin" part of grace - this is the unmerited favor - "Divine Power for victory" part of Grace – that helps you walk in the destiny and purpose He has for you - the "Just wait til you see what God is gonna do! kind of Grace! Praying for you that this Grace to overcome will always be your Testimony! Love you all, dad |
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