Love you all, praying for you!
Praise God, I get such a blessing today. I’m babysitting for my one year old granddaughter this morning. I’ve got a bunch of exciting things planned! We got books to read, games to play, places to go, food to eat, discoveries to make – growing to do - this is going to be awesome! So I find myself always watching that baby monitor – to see when she will awaken. I’ve checked fifty times already I’m sure. The volume is cranked to the highest level. She has no idea the fun we are going to have today! She’s just sleeping, and I’m already waiting. This is kinda like the opposite of that little kid at Christmas. Rather than them waiting for mommy and daddy, this time it’s Papa – waiting for them. God is telling me exactly what He feels like. Your Heavenly Father – cannot wait til you get up this morning. He has so many things to tell you, to show you, to reveal to you, to do together. More than just memories – He has relationship for you, comfort, provision, protection, significance, success, growth, just an amazing realization of His great love for you. But with God – Christmas is every day! Every day is like Christmas to Him! And He’s watching that baby monitor every morning! Just waiting for you to wake up – because He has so many exciting things for you to experience – with Him! He even told us that! I Corinthians 2:9 - No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. When you love someone – have you noticed, you just want to be with them. That’s why He’s waiting at the baby monitor – every morning – just can’t wait til you get up – so you can go on this great adventure – but most importantly – go on this great adventure – with HIM! That’s what makes it so great! Praying for you – that you will know how high and deep and long and wide is His love for you – that you would desire Him and time with Him, and life with Him as much as He desires to be with you! Praying that you would get the plans that He has for you – PiVAT before dinner is your first time with Him! And praying that you would be in constant conversation with Him all day long. PRISM lets you hear his voice, it’s your conversation with Him, it’s how he communicates how much He loves you and all that He wants for you. And it is so very good! Much more than you would have even dreamed or imagined. Praying that you will know the love that He has for you – and walk today and this week – in every good thing that He has planned – with Him! He’s just waiting! Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you!
God is a God of numbers – actually, He’s a math genius. And God even does things in number patterns. Whether creating the earth in seven days, ordaining the year of Jubilee among many other examples... Numbers have great significance with God. The Number 1 for example represents the oneness of God. The Number 2 represents union - the Old Testament and the New, the old man, Adam, and the new man Christ – as well as the union of marriage – the two shall become one. The Number 8 for example represents new beginnings. As we approach the month of August – the eighth month of the calendar year – what might God have you begin or begin again – in this eighth month of new beginnings? Is there something that God told you to do this year? How are you doing in it? Does God want you to refresh or restart anything? Is God leading you to new beginnings in something else? Praying that you will take the time today or tomorrow – to seek God specifically for August in PiVAT Monthly – your Insert #3 for your Conversation Logs this year. Praying that you will review God’s amazing faithfulness to you this year so far! Can you believe it’s already August and school is about to start? Praying that you will take the time to seek the LORD and ask Him about any beginnings, or begin again-ings that He may have for you. Be sure to distinguish between flesh and spirit. You’ll need to ask Him. Just because you look in the mirror and notice a few pounds that you could do without – doesn’t mean God is wanting you to run the Boston Marathon. It’s easy to let our flesh dictate our beginnings. But most things begun in our flesh or our mind, don’t last. They might not be what God told us to do, so if we pursue them we could squander the energy and time He wants focused on what He specifically has ordained for us. Scripture is full of new beginnings! From Jonah – rescued from the belly of the fish, God had him begin again, his journey to Nineveh; or the woman caught in adultery, that God said, Neither do I condemn you – Go and sin no more. If God has a beginning for you – or a re-beginning, He will lead you and confirm it. If He has something for you to begin again, past failures don’t matter – all that matters right now is the faith to obey. Joy always comes with obedience. Praying that this month – you will not only know what God wants you to begin or begin again, but also what He wants you to continue – that you’re doing well – that’s producing fruit in your life! Praying that PIVAT before dinner every day – would reveal God’s will for you and His faithfulness to you. Praying that PRISM each day will have you coming back to the loving words of your Heavenly Father to you - that confirm His will, and communicate His heart. Praying that your Daily Call – has you overcoming every day – sharing counsel, testimony and encouragement! Whatever God wants you to begin, begin again, or continue – it’s so you walk in the absolutely unimaginable GOOD that He has stored up for you. Praying that you will begin and begin again – as He leads – and that you will continue in every thing and every Godly habit that He has placed in your heart to do. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
Praying that your joy would be full today, in His Presence, in His Word, in His Truth, His Hope, and in the obedience that He leads you in. A friend was sharing today about the other side of obedience – God gives encouragement. Praying that everything He has for you today – you would walk in it completely – coming back to PiVAT all day, and PRISM in His Word - that nothing would be left over, or unopened. He truly has good for you – not just by the end of the week if you walk in His ways and plans for you – but even today! in progress! His joy in this journey makes even the journey not just the destination - so worth it! Praying for you. God challenging me recently. Proverbs 28:1 - The wicked flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. The wicked are different from the righteous, the righteous are different from the wicked. The righteous are bold as a lion. How bold are you? How righteous are you? What is righteous? Right Standing and Right Speaking. Righteous tsaddiyq <tsad-deek’> means: just, lawful, to be made right, cleanse, clear self, do justice, do justly. Webster’s 1828 says – righteous: just, accordant to the divine law, one holy in heart and observant of the divine commands in practice. So the Righteous – have been made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ – and they walk in righteousness – they do what is right. Righteousness is right standing and right speaking. Faith in his death on the cross to cover your sin – that makes you righteous before God. And then as you walk in this newness of life – the righteousness of God in Christ, is there any unconfessed sin in your life? - that affects your standing. (not your salvation – but your standing) You can’t be the righteousness of God in Christ – and act unrighteously. It’s hard to be bold – when you know there is unconfessed sin in your life. Confess any sin – and turn from it. This is repentance – God will surely forgive you - I John 1:9. Then you will always remain in the right standing – of the righteousness that you are in Christ. And if you are in right standing, are you right speaking? Are you speaking His Word? Are your words filling your heart with His word today? It’s hard to be bold without a sword. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Praying that you will soak in PRISM today. Right standing and Right speaking – this is who the righteous are and what they do – and they are bold as a lion. But here is the last thing God showed me, and I was surprised. I looked at that word bold as a lion. Bold – Websters 1828 defines bold as daring, courageous, brave, fearless, confident. But the word "bold" used in Proverbs 28:1 – is the word batach <baw-takh’> that was a surprise. That Hebrew word – “baw-tack” in Hebrew is mentioned 120 times in the Old Testament – and Proverbs 28:1 this is the only time it translated as the English word – ‘bold.” 107 times – that same word was translated as a variation of the word “trust,” (trusted, trusteth etc.) The most famous verse that contains this word baw-tack – is probably Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding… in all your ways – submit to him, and He will direct your paths. That’s why the righteous (those in right standing and right speaking) are bold as a lion – because their trust is in HIM! That word baw-tack – means to ‘run to for refuge, to trust, be confident, sure, bold, care-less, put confidence in. No wonder the righteous are as bold as a lion. Praying that you will stand right and speak right. That you will always be in right standing and right speaking. You have been made the righteousness of God in Christ – your standing is secure. Confess any sins – let none rule over you, and speak right - by the Word of God. Fill your mouth with His Word, and His promise. Put your trust in him and you will be bold as that lion. Bold isn’t rude, the kindness of God leads us to repentance. But as you are in right standing and right speaking… the Lion of Judah will rise up within you. Your confidence will be in Him! The Holy Spirit will help you be bold – through trust - not rude or unkind, but speaking the truth in love at the right time. Right Standing and Right Speaking. It’s how the righteous walk in all the good that God has for them! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
God reminding me of something this morning. Most people who have taken a philosophy class have heard the quote attributed to Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Perhaps fewer know the eternal truth from God’s Word that underlies it. II Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine… What does this mean? There are several times that God has ordained – naturally - for self-reflection. Before something begins, better yet, nearing the end. If you are an NBA player – and you have requested a trade to another team, the league approves the deal, and before it is finalized – players go through a medical examination. Fail the exam, and the deal is null and void. God recently affirmed in the life of a friend of our family, his decision to join the military. One of the first things he had to do was pass the physical. That was another testimony in itself. God healed Him of what would have formerly disqualified him. That’s another whole Daily Huddle right there! God does that all the time! Praise God! He did it when you first put your faith in Christ! But if you are not getting traded to another NBA team, or not hearing God telling you to join the military, this examination is necessary for yourself. Ecclesiastes 3:1 - For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. The time to “examine thyself” – is before this season begins. There are natural times – just like sowing and reaping, seedtime and harvest that God encourages us to examine ourselves to see if “ye be in the faith” Meaning – is your faith genuine? Meaning, is this Jesus you call LORD – really your LORD? How can you tell? It’s just an obedience check. Galatians 5:6 - … the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (and love for God is clearly obedience! – James said faith without works is dead – even Abraham’s faith – which was counted to him as righteousness – was demonstrated by his obedience – in sacrificing his son Isaac. He didn’t, He was just willing… God provided that sacrifice – but Abraham obeyed. Abraham’s faith was proven by his obedience. Jesus only did what His Father in Heaven told him to do. (I’m pretty sure Jesus must have done PiVAT before dinner too – Gethsemane was the place He usually went.) When you’re nearing the end of the week, the month or the year – this is the time God wants you - to examine yourself. That’s actually one of the reasons why God revealed the best time for PiVAT, is PiVAT before dinner. Not only does The Holy Spirit reveal what plans your Heavenly Father has for you for tomorrow – it also gives you a chance to reflect on what He told you today – and what is still left to do. There’s still time, you still have this evening to finish what He told you for today, and His next instruction helps you prepare well for tomorrow. He’ll give you counsel in the night season to confirm it (Psalms 16:7). Praying that you’ll never miss PiVAT before dinner – God’s time for you to examine yourself- each day! Similarly, Sunday afternoon is the time for PiVAT Weekly – not only to get God’s plans for you for this coming week, but to review the testimony of how faithful He has been this entire week! It’s worth remembering – it’s worth writing down again – on your PiVAT Weekly from last week – to finish it out! Finally, if you’re nearing the end of the month – Praying that you’ll do PiVAT Monthly for the coming month – a day or two before it begins. Examine yourself – did you fully obey what God had for you this month? This isn’t condemnation! This is invitation – it will remind you what God wants you to be sure to finish this month – and it’s a great way to re-write the testimony of your month! The God sightings! His fingerprints are all over it! That’s the best thing about examining yourself to see whether “ye be in the faith” - as God has directed you! Because you cannot honestly reflect on yourself – without seeing the reflection of God! He has been faithful! This whole month! – This whole week! – all day long! And there’s still time left to finish anything He told you to do – so you walk in the fullness of all the Good that He has for you! Love you all. And PS: If you don’t have yet, an Insert #3 for your Conversation Log – the packet of PiVAT Monthly’s for the entire year… just get it in Advanced Tools at the bottom of the Home Page at hearwelldone.org, or just text me your email address, and I’ll send it to you in a Word doc. Remember the times God has - to examine yourself – and you will always see a reflection of Him. He loves you – He can’t wait for the next step in this journey! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
God is really challenging me lately. In a recent Daily Huddle – Bolt, Bannister or Kipchoge – we spoke of the value system of God, that is so different from the value system of man. What man values is often not viewed or valued the same by God. His thoughts and His ways are so much higher than ours. His focus is different. Have you ever focused on something that you wanted, but found that what you focused on – didn’t really bring what you wanted? God has been challenging me recently on something very highly valued by man. Leadership. We respect leaders, we teach our children to be leaders – I have… We write books on leaders, we celebrate leaders, and we have many definitions of what leadership is - perhaps as many as the books written about it, or the quotes that present it. “Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way!” What does that really mean? And what does it imply? What value system does it represent? What is leadership? Some people say – the ability to get things done through people. Some people say – it’s the ability to get people to follow you. The power to get people to do what you want them to do. Is that really leadership? Who were the greatest leaders? George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, General George Patton, Napoleon, Alexander the Great? For every Winston Churchill, there’s also an Adolf Hitler. Is leadership really the number of followers you have, or what you conquer or defend? And is leadership – what God wants us to pursue? Is a leader measured by the number of their followers? If that were so… after three years of ministry on earth – after healing the sick, raising the dead, speaking to the wind and the waves, and feeding thousands of people with a little boy’s lunch, Jesus stood before Pilate alone – not one follower stood with him. Even when He ascended into Heaven – only 120 people were in the upper room – and that included his mom, and sisters. Do followers really determine the greatness of a leader? And if you have the power to pull out their finger nails – does that mean Mao Tse Tung was a great leader? We respect people who lead – who accomplish things through people – who get people to do things they want. But does God respect leaders like we do? Does He want His people pursuing leadership skills and leadership development – like we always do? John Maxwell said “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” I think there must be truth in that sentence because I just find it hard to find anything great that has happened in human history – without leadership – someone had to start it. But if everything rises and falls on leadership… what does leadership rise and fall on? Who was the greatest leader of all time? Of the few we named, and dozens of world leaders like them throughout history, every single one of them is dead. The greatest leader of all time – and it’s not even a contest – Jesus Christ. Hitler’s followers, Mao’s followers, Napoleon’s followers are long gone – just like they are. But Jesus Christ remains, He is alive – witnessed by over 500 in person after His resurrection. And His followers span the globe to this day – they have died for Him, they live for Him – just like He lived and died for them. And no one is making them follow – Jesus never put anyone in prison who didn’t follow him – or try to kill them – nor do his followers. Those who follow Him follow voluntarily, His message of life is still the same as it was 2000 years ago. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and God said – of His Kingdom there will be no end. Mic Drop - Greatest leader of all time. He is the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God – who gave his life for sinners – which is what you and I were. It’s not even a contest. Jesus Christ – the greatest leader in human history – and for all of eternity. So I was left with a couple questions. If He was the greatest leader of all time – how much value did Jesus place on leadership. Wouldn’t He want us to be great leaders too? It kind of puzzled me – the greatest leader of all time - How come He didn’t say – “Follow me, and I will make you leaders of men?” Why did He not say “Go into all the world, and make leaders?” How come He didn’t say “If you want to be great in God’s Kingdom, learn to be a leader of all?” The leadership that Jesus taught, was different than the leadership that men teach… In fact – if one would take an honest look - Jesus did not teach leadership, so why is leadership so often taught by businesses and churches today – in books and seminars and training. Even churches teach man’s principles of leadership. How much of this did Jesus teach? What was Jesus leadership training for his Disciples? The Be-attitudes? Do you know what is puzzling to me? I looked in the New Testament (KJV) – and searched the word “leadership” – zero hits. You mean the greatest leader of all time – didn’t teach His disciples – leadership? Then I searched the word “leader” – zero hits. And then I searched the word “lead” - 13 hits – But every one pertained to God leading us – or the wicked leading wickedly – with only one of the 13 - an instruction to the body of Christ to lead. I Timothy 2:2 … that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and purity. Wow. That surprised me. So does leadership have no place or value if we are Christ followers? Or is it that Kingdom of God leadership is not like man’s leadership in either form, or purpose? God doesn’t value things the same way that man values. It becomes apparent - Jesus didn’t spend his time training His disciples to be leaders. Why? It wasn’t the priority of His life, so it wasn’t the priority of His teaching. Most of Jesus comments on leadership – were to contrast God’s Way versus Man’s Way. Matthew 20:25 – Jesus called them together and said, “You know that that rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. On another occasion, Jesus again revealed the false priority of leadership. Matthew 15:14 – Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch. Isaiah mentioned leadership - Isaiah 9:16 - For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. Leadership in the wrong direction is clearly of no value – it’s of negative value. Proverbs 21:22 - A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. Here these great leaders conquer and build a city – and one wise man brings down all their leadership to nothing. So should believers in Christ not be leaders? Who was Jesus - a leader or a follower? Without question, He was a follower. He said it time after time – I only do what my Father tells me to do. John 8:38 - So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The focus of Jesus entire life – was following, not leading. He followed His Heavenly Father – that’s it. And yet – He was and is the greatest leader of all time. Why? Because He wasn’t focused on leading – he was consumed with following - and leadership followed (a by-product, never a pursuit). He didn’t teach people to lead – He taught them to follow – and in doing so – they lead others to do so as well. Paul said – I Corinthians 11:1 – Be followers of me – even as I am of Christ. Jesus said “Follow me – let the dead bury the dead, you follow me.” He said, “Sell what you have and give to the poor – then come and follow me.” He said the greatest in Heaven aren’t leaders – they are servants – He wasn’t after leaders – He was after disciples - followers! That’s why He said make disciples – teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. So is this just symantics? Word play? The Word of God seems to indicate otherwise. Praying for you that you wouldn’t aspire to leadership – that your goal wouldn’t be to be a great leader, but a great follower. That your life would be consumed like Jesus was – with humble obedience to your Heavenly Father. That’s where the joy comes from, It’s what God desires in your life. It’s how He can lead you into all the good that He has planned for you! What is leadership? Leader: One who goes first. Lead: To guide or conduct by showing the way, to introduce by going first. (Not getting people to do what you them to do) Isn’t it funny. Most people think leaders tell people what to do. They want people to do things for them, to help them accomplish things for them. But God’s truth - like always is just opposite of man’s way. Leadership alone doesn’t hold value – you can be leading people astray. Learn to follow – and you’ll become a great leader. The Kingdom of God is full of paradox – a tenet or proposition contrary to common belief – seemingly absurd, but true in fact. For example: Give and it shall be given to you. Proverbs 11:24 - One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. You get more, not by taking but by giving. Seems absurd but it’s true. Matthew 16:25 - For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. I Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. God’s Kingdom is full of paradox. Give and you will receive, lose and you will find, humble yourself and you will be exalted. You go down to go up. In God’s Kingdom – follow and you will lead, serve and you will be great. The more you learn to follow – the greater the leader you will become. Praying that you will become a follower! Praying that you will never miss PiVAT before dinner – It’s follower training. He will tell you what He wants you to do today– so just like Jesus – you only do what your Heavenly Father leads you to do. He is the leader – we are just followers. He doesn’t need leaders – He needs followers – and He will Lead Through You! Praying that PRISM throughout the day will be your priority. In His presence – where your mind is transformed and your thoughts become His thoughts – so your ways become His ways. PRISM helps your PiVAT make sense. Praying that your Daily Call will be your life-long habit – that you will never have a week where you are not walking with someone. They will see how you follow – and they will follow Him like you – that’s true leadership. Making Disciples who obey what Jesus commands them – is following like Jesus – so you lead like Jesus. Follow first – and you will lead. If your priority is to follow – like Jesus priority was… God will lead others – through your example. Follow to Lead – it’s the thing that brings the thing. The greatest thing you could ever lead in – is obedience. Helping others obey what God has for them (the Good that He has in store for them) – as they hear and see what He is doing for you! Praying that you will follow to follow – not follow to lead – that you will let God lead through you – so He gets all the glory! Your joy will be unspeakable – and full of His glory! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
Praise God. Have you ever had this happen to you - in your PRISM time? God has you SOAP out a verse – and the next day you come back and He has you SOAP it out again – the same verse - but He gives you completely new revelation! Crazy stuff – happens all the time. This is God fulfilling His Word – this Word of God – is a living thing! Hebrews 4:12 – For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes (the intents) of the heart. His Word never runs out – like a magnificent diamond – it has so many facets - that from every angle you view it – you see brilliance at a whole different level. You really cannot fathom the incredibly wonderful things that God is preparing for you! He said He’s going to prepare a place for us. Heaven and the eternity He has for you – the home He has there - will make the biggest most luxurious mansion on the face of the earth – look like a cardboard box on skid row. I Corinthians 2:9 - But as it is written, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” This is talking about Heaven and all of eternity! But it equally applies to the unimaginable good that He has right here on earth for those who will simply hear and obey - the two most important things – today. God revealed further… Psalms 95:8 – Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert. Today. Today if you hear His voice… Everything starts with that! Yesterday is past, you obeyed yesterday or you didn’t, you were focused or distracted, you were completely faithful or incompletely faithful, you were thankful or not, you walked in faith or in doubt. You overcame with your testimony or you didn’t… but whether you were faithful or not – He was faithful! He woke you up this morning, in your right mind, breath in your lungs, and hope in your heart – if you see it… if you choose it. Your performance yesterday didn’t affect His love for you. He loves you, and every time you walk in obedience – it brings Him joy. Yesterday was important - yesterday, but not today. It is no longer important, that chapter is closed. Today is all that matters. Tomorrow isn’t here yet. Spend too much time thinking about tomorrow and you might miss what God has for you today. Save that for your five minutes of PiVAT before dinner… But what you think today, what you say today and what you do today – will have huge effect on tomorrow. Today – if you hear His voice. He is speaking, have no doubt. He is just waiting to reveal Himself to you; His love for you, His power in your situation, His specific will for you today, the very first step and sequence of steps you need - to walk in the victory He has for you. Today He is speaking – it’s only a matter of - if you hear. Today, if you hear His voice… The first half of success today is hearing. You cannot succeed without it. If you don’t hear, how can you obey? Praying for you – that’s why PiVAT before dinner is so important. Did you do PiVAT before dinner last night? If you did, you were able to share with your husband or wife the most important things that God put on your heart; God was able to speak to you in the night season, confirming His will for you, or giving clarity to your understanding. If you did PiVAT before dinner last night, you woke up this morning at the time He directed, with hope and excitement – in full expectation of what He is going to do today – and you can’t wait for your Daily Call to overcome and encourage them! If you didn’t do PiVAT before dinner last night – then just do it now! Today, if you hear His voice… You can still hear His voice for you – just do PiVAT right now! Just ask Him! He’s not gonna say “Where were you!” He’s just gonna say “I Love You!” I’ve got such good things for you today – I’m so glad you’re here… Let’s get started – Here’s the first step! Step #1! Then - you’re ready for the second half of success today – If you hear. If you don’t hear, you’re on your own – if you don’t do PiVAT – you’re on your own… you’ll never know all that He wants for you to do… what He would say – that you need most, that He wants for you – for your good! Without PiVAT with Him – getting His ways not yours - the best you can get is what you can come up with, or what just happens. But if you hear, God says – then… do not harden your heart. No one decides to harden their heart – that I know of. It’s the first response when you hear – that determines what happens to your heart. Do you pause, or pursue? Do you obey or hesitate? Do you turn it over in your mind? (God’s definition of a perverse heart or a perverse tongue?) Or like David, have you inclined your heart to obey – and your feet are already moving, your mouth is already saying – the moment you hear His voice? Praying that’s you. That if you didn’t hear – in PiVAT before dinner last night, you’ll stop right now and do it. Get His plan for you from right now in this hour – and forward for the rest of today. And praying that when you hear – you will be so quick to do the first step. Once you’re going – God reveals the rest! The best testimonies come from obedience! First you hear, then you obey, then God does crazy things! – because He just loves you and is so excited about what He has planned for you today. He has joy, blessing, fruit, success, significance, abundance, peace, rest – just the joy of the LORD – that is waiting -behind every door of obedience. Two things today – hear and obey – and you will surely walk in all the good that He has for you! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
God showing me something recently. Psalms 95:6 - Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker, for He is our God and we are the sheep of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert. This verse is about God - the Good Shepherd, and us, the sheep. God was asking me - How good of a sheep are you? Well.. what do sheep do? #1 They hear the voice of the Shepherd, they know his voice. John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. #2 They follow. John 10:4 - When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. #3 They distinguish between voices, They reject any other voice and they only follow the Good Shepherd. John 10:5 - But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." #4 They Praise, they Give Thanks, and they Remember. Psalms 79:13 - But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. #5 They bow down in worship - Psalms 95:6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker, for He is our God and we are the sheep of his pasture, the flock under his care. To kneel is the posture of worship, the posture of humility, of surrender, a physical body demonstration of the heart. So if good sheep… listen, follow, praise and worship, What do bad sheep do? They go astray, they wander. Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray, every one of us has turned to his own way, and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Psalm 119:176 - I have gone astray like a lost sheep. What is going astray? To wander off – that word astray – ta’ah <taw-aw’> to vacillate – reel, wander, be out of the way. Vacillate – means – to waver, to move one way and then another – to flip-flop. To fluctuate in mind or opinion, to be unsteady, inconsistent. Why do sheep go astray? They vacillate - they listen to other voices. They’re not focused on the Good Shepherd, they get focused on other sheep who are also wandering off, or the grass that looks greener over there, or they are following the wrong shepherd. Jeremiah 50:6 - My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. Anytime you entertain another voice – you end up following the wrong shepherd. So what does the Good Shepherd do? You don’t have to worry about God – He’s Faithful – He will always be the Good Shepherd to you. He calls you by name. He knows you. He goes on ahead of you, He leads you and guides you to green pastures, beside still waters, He tends you, He heals you, He meets your every need, He protects you, He carries you, He seeks after you, He lays down his life for you, He will leave the 99 to come find you. He is the Good Shepherd. How good of a sheep are you? Am I a good sheep? Why would I want to be? Why wouldn’t I? Every good thing is found in Him. The grass is not greener elsewhere - He knows where all the green pasture is and where all the quiet streams are – He made them and He owns them. His plans are to prosper me, and my enemy is powerless against him. Why wouldn’t I be the best sheep I could be! Praying that you will never miss PiVAT before dinner – it helps you hear His voice – it’s sheep training - so you can obey Him, and go where He leads. PRISM throughout the day - it helps you know His voice – so other voices sound more and more strange to you – PRISM makes discernment obvious, and your Daily Call - it helps you overcome your enemy with your testimony - according to God’s Word. These three habits – are how you become a great sheep. These three things will focus you on the Good Shepherd, they will help you hear and recognize His voice – and overcome other voices. Praying for you – that you will know His voice, that you will listen, that you will always follow, that you will always hear, always obey, always praise – and never go astray. That you will always be right next to the Good Shepherd who leads you into every good place. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
God showing me something recently. Psalms 90:17 - May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us, establish the work of our hands. This Psalm was a prayer of Moses. Moses asked for God’s favor – because He was in the right position to receive it. May your favor – O LORD, our God – rest upon us. This is a great secret to God’s favor. You have to be in the right position to have His favor rest on you. Moses didn’t just call Him, The LORD God, Moses could call Him - the LORD our God, the One we are obeying! They had submitted to Him as LORD – So He was directing their steps, their activities – they were doing what God told them to do (PiVAT before dinner) not what they wanted to do (their PIVAT Maybe List) They were going in to occupy the territory God told them to occupy. There were battles ahead, rebuilding, planting, harvesting. The work of their hands was God directed – what He said, when He said, and how He said. Favor is not possible without it. God doesn’t grant favor in Tarsus, His favor is waiting for you in Nineveh. Favor often involves work. PiVAT before dinner will help you know what He wants you to do (He’ll tell you.) And PRISM throughout the day - when you soak in His WORD, you’ll get His mind, and receive instruction along with His direction. Then - you are positioned for His favor – and you can ask Him for it! So interesting – the King James version of that verse says – May the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us… That word beauty – (no-am) means agreeableness, that is delight, splendor or grace. Moses was saying may the delight of the LORD be upon the work of our hands. May You be delighted with the work of our hands – so you pour out your beauty, splendor and grace on us - that power we need to do it! To have God be delighted with what we are doing – means we have to be doing what He told us to do. If we are – His favor will rest on us. Asking for God to be delighted – Moses was also asking Him to reveal anything that doesn’t delight Him. If we’re a little off, God please correct us, and we’ll do it. Let all of my work that you told me to do, delight you! Help me to do what you want me to do – in a way that delights you, and would you establish it. That word establish – means to set up, to render firm and prosperous – to make it successful! Praying for you – that God would always be the delight of your heart. That you would know what He wants for you to do - because you ask Him - you seek Him. If you are doing His will – you can ask him to be delighted with the work of your hands. There’s a difference between just obeying cause you have to – and wanting to do more than just obey him – you want to delight Him! He will show you how to delight Him – if you ask. And He will render sure and prosperous – the work of your hands - everything that He has for you to do. It will be for His glory – and He will make His delight – your delight. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
Praise God! His Word is true – and His thoughts are different. One of the things so amazing to me about God – His value system. It’s so different from ours. God values things differently than we do. It’s part of Isaiah 55:8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as high as the heavens are above the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…” When the disciples we’re impressed by buildings, Jesus told them not one stone will remain on another. When the disciples were impressed by the money given, Jesus was impressed by the two mites. While the disciples argued who would get the best seats right next to His throne, Jesus got up from the table and washed their feet – like a common servant. He doesn’t value what we value. His ways are higher. God brought to my attention recently, three men. Usain Bolt, Roger Bannister, and Eliud Kipchoge. Everyone has heard of the fastest man on the planet - Usain Bolt. 9.58 seconds to run a hundred meters. He set the record on August 16, 2009. While it eventually will, it has yet to be broken – although one Northwestern Engineering Professor thinks it might take 230 years. Most people have heard of Roger Bannister – the first human to break a four minute mile. While most have heard of Bolt and Bannister – fewer I would imagine have heard of Eliud Kipchoge – I’m not even sure I’m pronouncing that right. But in Berlin in August of 2018, Eliud Kipchoge – smashed the existing world record held for the last four years – by one minute and seventeen seconds. He ran a world record of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 39 seconds for the marathon. He had previously in 2017 recorded a time of 2 hours and 25 seconds, but it was ruled ineligible for a world record because of rotating pacers. A 26.2 mile Marathon – in two hours? I’m not sure I could do that on a bicycle. It’s interesting how Usain Bolt is a household name, but Kipchoge is far lesser known. We tend to value the sprint, but life is really more like a Marathon. It’s not how fast you cover the first 100 meters – how strong are you at 40 Kilometers? - at the 24.8 mile mark? In His record breaking race in Berlin – Kipchoge finished the second half of the race – even faster than the first half. And from the 40k mark of the 42k marathon – or the 24.8 mile mark of the 26.2 mile marathon – his time from there to the finish - 6 minutes and 8 seconds - was the fastest recorded in major marathon history. Another thing that was interesting to me, many long distance runners cross the finish line – and collapse in a heap. But Kipchoge on the video kept running, and jumping, and ran to a friend or coach and jumped into their arms. He still had some bounce left in his legs. It makes you wonder – what are his secrets to finishing well? Maybe I can learn something. Several quotes that he shared give some insight. There’s a saying in Kenya – "Never chase two rabbits." That quote contains some wisdom. If you are going to finish well in life – you can’t chase two things. You can’t love God and love the world – you can’t want to please God, but also want to please yourself. Focus – what you keep your eyes on – determines how well you finish. “My run at Monza showed me there are no limits.” It’s funny how we can limit what God can do in our life – by what we think our limits are. Just because it hasn’t been done before – doesn’t mean it can’t be done. God sets your limits – and nothing is impossible with God. Learn to think not of limits – but of what God can do – who has no limits. Kipchoge went on to say – “The lesson of running is to train well, and then have full faith in your training, and show the proof in the race.” The secret of running life well – is the trainer! the effort! and the execution. Kipchoge was grateful for those who helped him. “Especially my training colleagues and my coach, Patrick Sang. And the spectators gave me strength.” These really are some good secrets to success. It starts with the right coach! Your Heaven Father – who through His Son and by the Holy Spirit – know how to train marathon winners - of life! They are focused on all of eternity! They will certainly lead you in this life! The Holy Spirit will lead you into His truth – the training program that wins marathons of life. Your Colleagues – those you walk with. And people that cheer you on - surrounding yourself with like minded encouraging people. This is just like life. So what is your training program? And what do you train? Train your eyes – keep focused on Him – Look to God – not the distractions around you - let Him lead you – you’ll finish well. Train your ears – learn to tune your ears to his Word by the Holy Spirit – it’s the secret to your success. Train your mouth - It sets your mind, and it fills your heart. Praying that you will be faithful in your training! The Will of God – PiVAT before dinner will help you – Ask God – He’ll tell you – the marathon of your life depends on you obeying the plans He has for you today! The Word of God - PRISM will help you – daily – it will transform your mind. To win in the marathon of life – to finish strong – you need the mind of Christ! And the Testimony of God - Your Daily Call – that’s the colleague God told you to run with - every marathon runner has a pacer or a training partner, someone to run with. And your testimony helps you overcome daily. Don’t worry about two years from now, or 10 years from now. Just run with your partner today! Don’t miss! And finally – the crowd that cheers you on – the gathering together with others in the body of Christ. Where your testimonies can encourage one another. Praying that you will run this life – this marathon – with God – the one who has no limits, the one who will help you set records, and the one who has rewards for you – not just for this life, but for all of eternity. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you!
Praise God! So thankful. God doesn’t just teach you things, He doesn’t just reveal things to you. He reminds you of them – so they become you. God reminding me recently. What do you call me? Psalms 94:22 - But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. This is such an important truth, and practice. Praise God – He is always telling us and teaching us and instructing us so we learn how to walk - in His truth. What an interesting verse. He is the LORD! Zero doubt, Zero debate, Zero Competition, not even a close second. He is the LORD of all – Supreme in Authority over heaven and earth. Every created thing – and everything other than God is a created thing. So He is the LORD – no doubt. He is a Mighty Fortress. A Mighty Fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing! The One and Only God, The LORD Jehovah is the Rock of Ages – He is the Rock – immovable, forever faithful! But who He is and what He is – has become that to me. How can God become something – He already is? When I call Him my fortress – He is my fortress – but He becomes my fortress. When I call Him my refuge – He is the only refuge, but He becomes my refuge. When I call Him my refuge, I run to him before trying my own ideas or efforts – and what I call Him, He becomes who He is – to me. When I call Him my Rock, not just The Rock, when I call Him my Rock, and My fortress. The Rock and Fortress becomes my Rock, and my Fortress. He’s the God who is – and He’s the God who becomes. Praying for you – that you will humbly apply this simple truth. What do you call Him? Praying that you will always Call Him, even before you call on Him. That every Great and Mighty thing that He is – He becomes that thing to you. Donnie McClurkin had a song a while back – called I Call You Faithful. It’s a good reminder. But I pray that you will even today – as a part of your PRISM / M: Meditate on the Word – that God might just lead you to review today – all day – the Relationship Topic – Praise The Names Of God - So His Mighty Name – becomes His Mighty Name – to you. So that His Mighty Power – demonstrates itself in you! Praying also – that you will learn to acclaim Him! That His Praise will always be on your lips – that your mouth would be full of who He is – and who He is becoming… to you. Love you all, dad |
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April 2021
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