Love you all, praying for you.
God reminding me – and teaching me recently. I love that His wisdom and understanding never run out. Whatever He has revealed to you – truth by which to live your life - He always adds to it, reveals more, unfolds more. PRISM will help you hear and understand His Heart. It’s where wisdom awaits you. And if you’ve ever lived life without wisdom – life with wisdom is better. Way better! Praying you will review the Relationship Topic - Time Thoughts and Money – these are what make you – you. Everything in your life falls under these three. When your time is up, your life is over. When God says present your body a living sacrifice in Romans 12:1 – you do that with time surrender - what your body does... He makes the call – you submit to His will – setting aside your own will and desires. So what do you do with time? Three basic elements. You work, you steward things, and you build relationships. That’s what occupies time. Work is that large chunk of time each day that you spend earning a living – God says if a man will not work, neither shall he eat. God gave Adam a job, before He gave him a wife. God says show me a man skilled at his labor, He will serve before kings, he will not serve before obscure men. The Proverbs 31 woman – was skillful and industrious at her work as well. Work is a part of life – that honors God, and hones us. It develops character in our life – enables us to provide for our family, and give to others. The second thing you do with time is steward things – those possessions that God has entrusted to you. If you’re a teenager – it starts with your room, your clothes your shoes, your phone. As you get older, your cars and house. Solomon said, “I walked past the field of the sluggard, and learned a lesson from what I saw. Thorns had grown up everywhere and the stone wall was in ruins. This was a man – not godly – who didn’t understand the importance of caring for his possessions. He didn’t realize that they really belonged to God, not him, and how he cared for the natural things that God entrusted to him, really revealed what He thought of their owner – it was a reflection of how much he valued God. Proverbs 12:27 – tells us that a diligent man (the wise man) prizes his possessions, he values them. And what you value you take care of. You take care of possessions, not because you value them, but you value the One who owns them, and placed them under your care. The man given the five talents – returned them in better condition than he received them. He turned five talents into ten. He knew what God entrusted to him, was God’s, not his, and the diligent that prize their possessions – do so not because they value riches, but because they value faithfulness – they value the One who entrusted it to them, and they want what they have been given to reflect His glory. Luke 16:12 - And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Does your car look like God owns it? Does your room look like God owns it? Does your house look like God owns it? Faithful with little – requires time, things don’t clean themselves. But the secret is – daily - live clean and you'll spend less time cleaning. Clean daily, and you won’t have to clean all weekend. Finally – the third thing people do with time is build relationships. Wait a minute – I thought "people before things." Yes! in importance, but not in order. You brush your teeth before you go out to meet people. You make your bed before you go to work. If you follow God’s order for your day – in the things God wants you to do every day (including stewarding His possessions) – then you have the time free to invest in that which is more important than things - relationships. First is your relationship with God. PiVAT, PRISM and 4C’s – keep you in constant communication with Him to get His plans and decisions for time, His thoughts for your mind, and His choice for your money decisions – which reflect your heart for Him. The other relationships that time builds - is your marriage, then your children, your family, friends, and those around you who need to know about the God who loves them, and the joy of obedience that lets them walk in the plans He has for them! And they're good! Even rest – a use for time – is still relationship building. You rest with people, or rest in His presence, even sleep – is relationship building – it gives God the chance to counsel you in the night season. Praying that you will do with time - what God tells you to do, valuing things in His order. That you will be diligent in PiVAT before dinner – to get his time plans for you – that you will be diligent in PRISM – to test and approve the plans He gave, that your 4C’s would help you know the condition of your flock – the money God has entrusted to you – and that you would overcome with your testimony on your Daily Call – that daily relationship that God commanded - which encourages you both to fully obey. Praying that the three things you can do with time – you will always do at His direction. You will see God be faithful over time – and He will multiply your every obedience – to bring glory to Him, and blessing to you. Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you.
God teaching and reminding me recently. Hebrews 11:11 – By faith Abraham even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. Have you ever noticed that faith always has an ‘even though’ that comes with it. Or more accurately an ‘even though’ – that is opposed to it, standing opposite of it, a reality - that contests it. But the truth is: Reality is irrelevant – it’s just a natural limitation and God is beyond limits. He created the natural, He can re-create the natural, the natural bows to Him. It didn’t say Abraham considered Him able, it said he considered Him faithful. Of course He was able! Abraham’s faith considered Him willing and faithful – not just willing and able. That’s faith with closure, expectation, content in the waiting, as if already receiving. Considering Him faithful enables you to become what He promised. What Has He promised? Find Out and Know! Praying that PRISM is so much your habit, that it’s the addiction of every day for you. That’s how you know – and come to believe what He has promised! He will be faithful to do it. Praying that you will find out His promises, and consider Him faithful – not just able. That your faith will grow by hearing (Do your PRISM out loud), that your faith will grow by praying (praying in the Spirit – building yourself up on your most holy faith.) And that your faith will grow by obeying. Every time you do he proves himself faithful, and you get more evidence for your faith. And for every promise that is conditional or positional – praying that you will meet the condition, and be in the position to receive what He promised. Obedience puts you in condition and in position – to receive what He promised. Praying that PiVAT has you obeying, PRISM has you understanding, and your Daily Call has you overcoming – so that you will become what He promised for you. Finding out His plans is the condition required to walk in them. Praying that you will seek your Heavenly Father for PiVAT Weekly - to know His plans for you this week. They are good - they will move you to the next place - where you can become what He promised. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
God challenging me recently. Psalm104:16 – The trees of the LORD are well-watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. What waters you? Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, (who doesn’t seek the advice of the wicked) - or stand in the way of sinners, (they don’t share the same path with those who don’t seek to obey God) – or sit in the seat of the scornful. (they don't hang out with those who mock at God’s Word, His righteous requirements of mankind). But His delight (His priority and joy) is in the law of the LORD (the Word of God) and in His law he meditates day and night. (In David’s day – the Bible was the Torah – now we have Psalms and Proverbs, Kings and Chronicles, Prophets, Gospels, the Epistles, and Revelation) David was saying – This blessed person, whose God is the LORD – delights himself in God’s Word – day and night. It’s what waters them! verse 3 He will be like a tree planted by rivers of water (well-watered) which yields it’s fruit in season, whose leaf also does not wither; and whatever he does prospers. Why be well-watered? You’ll be firmly planted, you will be fruitful in every season. When it’s dry – you will flourish, when others are withering – you will be lush and green, and those who are well watered – those who are watered with His Word – everything they do – prospers. What determines how well watered you are? How often and how much you drink. You can’t sip and be well-watered. You can’t sip every once in a while – and be well watered. Praying that you will soak in PRISM every day. It’s how you get watered, it’s how you are firmly planted, its how you don’t wither, it’s how your life is fruitful in every season, it’s how you don’t dry out – but have resources to share with others. Praying that PiVAT has you getting water regularly – and doing what you’re watered with. Praying that your Daily Call – is the first testimony of many today. The first overcoming of many today. In direct obedience to His command to exhort one another daily. Praying that you will review the PRISM Topic – His Word. It’s about that water you need, and how to be well-watered – it will draw you back for more. The more you come back to PRISM, the more watered you will be… and the more you will prosper - so that everything God sets your hand to do – will prosper. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
God revealing some things recently. Psalm 119:153 - Look upon my suffering and deliver me for I have not forgotten your law. Your PRISM is vital to your deliverance. He delivers you through His Word – the Word He speaks and the Word He spoke. PiVAT is the word He speaks - specifically to you. PRISM is the Word He spoke, that still speaks - both to everyone - and specifically to you. John 8:31-32 – To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. The truth comes through Logos & Rhema – written word (PRISM - the Bible - through which He speaks to you) and spoken Word (PiVAT – what He tells you to do when you ask Him - that you write down - so you can do it.) That’s how you hold onto what He teaches you - it's how you know the truth and it sets you free. He looks and He delivers. God is always looking. He never “never sees”, He never "can’t see," He never 'temporarily doesn’t see,' He never doesn’t want to see. He never leaves you nor forsakes you. God always delivers. He’s the Deliverer. It’s what deliverers do. It’s who He is – not just what He does. He delights in delivering you! He does it through His Word. So… neglected PRISM is neglected deliverance. This verse contains some important truths. God looks on all suffering and has compassion on the hurting. People suffer from many things. God looks and He delivers. The biggest suffering? People suffer from wrong thinking. They believe lies and lacking truth or refusing it – they suffer. Jesus said – I am the way, the truth and the life. Jesus and His Word are the same – inseparable. The truth without the way wouldn’t help you. He tells you the truth, and how to walk in it – so you have life! Get addicted to PRISM all day long – coming back to it, and you’ll be delivered from wrong thinking that causes limits in your life. People suffer from temptation. Jesus suffered the same temptations as we, (the Bible called Jesus' temptation from the devil – suffering) but He was sinless through it – so He can help us through every temptation we suffer. He overcame temptation through the Word – “It is written.” PRISM is important! Turn your eyes and move your feet and you’ll be tempted way less! – PRISM and PiVAT will help you! Speak His Word – and you will overcome temptation, Obey what He tells you and you will avoid it. People suffer from loss: lost hopes, dreams, health, relationships, they suffer from disappointment, mistreatment, grief, abandonment, they suffer from delay, lack, need. People suffer from any effects of sin, either theirs, or others’, or Adam's. Some people suffer needlessly (don’t be like that) – they don’t need deliverance – they need obedience! Sometimes God allows suffering to get our attention. It’s a consequence of our actions that limit Him from bringing us to the Good that He longs to give us. And sometimes people suffer through the action of others – no fault of their own. The promise about suffering no matter what kind you are facing - is that God is with you in it, and He delivers you from it. (He knows a little about suffering.) He will wipe every tear from your eyes. God gives comfort in suffering, peace, even joy. Know that He loves you, know that He is there, no matter what you go through, know that He has ultimate good for you – no matter what you go through… He isn’t powerless against it – He is with you in it, and He delivers you from it. “Well, He could stop it right now if He’s God.” Just like He could have bailed on you when facing the cross – for your sake. Just because we don’t understand something, doesn’t mean God is indicted. We don’t see the whole picture – we don’t know what God is doing behind the scenes, how He is working – even in suffering. Don’t let suffering turn you from God, let it turn you to Him. Those that turn from God - have succumbed to the biggest suffering - wrong thinking. The truth is – that these present troubles that we face - are temporary! They will be eclipsed by His glory. Don’t let the devil lie to you – stay in His Word. PRISM doesn’t make you immune from suffering, but it is Jesus the Word – who delivers you with victory from suffering. You can be delivered and still in it. You can be delivered even before it finally ends! God gives Presence, PRISM, Praise and a Testimony – great weapons in the face of suffering. Let your faith rise in suffering. Declare who He is, and His Promises! Speak His glory and you’ll speak to the suffering. Increase PRISM if you are suffering. Increase PRISM if you are not suffering right now – build up a reserve to avoid needless suffering in the future, and to be victorious in the midst of it. Increase PiVAT in suffering – check back more often – be busy doing completely what He told you. Get your eyes, feet, hands and mind in the right place - the place He told you! Don’t let self-inflicted suffering remain. Transform your mind – and obey quickly. God can bring deliverance in an instant, or deliverance can be a path. The Israelites were not teleported out of Egypt – they walked. Every step taking them further from their suffering and closer to their freedom and the land of God’s promise. Don’t focus on the suffering – focus on the Deliverer. He looks and He delivers! Focus on thanksgiving. I Thessalonians 5:18 – In every circumstance give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Praying that you will know the God who looks and delivers. Praying that you will increase not neglect His Word – that your PiVAT and PRISM have you taking the action, and walking in the understanding that He has for you! And your Daily Call – has you overcoming, and that you would know that any suffering is only temporary, and His Victory is permanent. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
So thankful! He’s a right-now-God. He’s not the “You shoulda done God” He’s not the In the future God (O, He’s that too!) but He’s the right-now God. Sometimes God speaks into your calling, sometimes He speaks into your future, sometimes He gives revelation and insight on what is yet to come. He renames you into your destiny! Abram’s, He calls Abraham, - from barren to a father of nations. Jacob’s, He calls Israel – from deceiver – to where God rules as God – His people. But so often when God speaks. He speaks to your Right Now. He gives you wisdom for right now, He gives you insight for right now, He gives you perspective for right now, He gives you actions to make, steps to take right now. Where are you right now? Are you happy? Disappointed? Content? Facing stress? Irritated? Doubtful? Hopeful? Frustrated? Peaceful? (If you are less than happy – anything other than – it usually comes from two things: things outside your control, or things within your control. People or situations do things that bring negative effect, and you have no power to change things, or people… what happens, or what they do. These are outside of your control, and they can influence your emotions if you let them. Or perhaps even worse – your emotions have been impacted by things within your control, that you didn’t realize until too late, or your actions contributed to the less than ideal situation you find yourself in. So where are you right now? And what does God have for you right now? Psalms 105:1 - Give thanks to the LORD, call on His Name; make known among the nations what He has done. I just love the simplicity and practicality of God. First He knows that things that come in three's are more memorable and implementable. But these three - are life-changing. These are not a one and done – these three you can take with you, take out when you need them, to use over and over again. It’s not about what others do, it’s not even about the situation you find yourself in. This is about you and God! What He says and what you do. He loves you – that never changes – ever! It’s permanent! What you do – is what you do. Here’s what He says to do – right now. No matter where you are, in a great place or a difficult place. #1 Give Thanks! #2 Call on His Name #3 Make Known what He has done. Give thanks. Start Here. Like the IKEA furniture assembly instructions. Give Thanks is the start button. But is there a prequel? The "open the package" and first look at the instructions – line up all the pieces – prequel? Yes - it’s worship. Before you begin – even these three things... Prequel in His Presence – turn on some Bethel Spontaneous Worship… or a worship set from those who get lost in His presence, not the song. Worship sets the atmosphere, the harp unfolds the riddle. In worship – God always shows up to inhabit it – when He comes so does His Word - of deliverance and peace, instruction, and joy. The preamble, the prequel, the warm-up of what God is telling you to do right now - is Worship! Worship sets the atmosphere, worshippers are comfortable there, evil spirits are not. First set the table, now you’re ready to begin. So here you are – right here, right now. And God tells you what to do. Give thanks – what has He done? Today? Yesterday? This week? Every time you needed Him? No matter how big the challenge, the screw-up, the frustration you face, or the risk. What has HE done? Give Thanks to Him for it! That’s step one. Give thanks is the Start Button - Start Here! So you can go from here. #2 Call on His Name. I just love this! Start with thanksgiving, and next get right to it! Ask Him for what you need. But He didn’t say that! It’s what it means – but what He said just supersized your perspective. When you ask God for what you need – Call on His Name - His Name is great. Some people ask God for what they need – but they’re focused on their need, not on God. It’s almost as if they are calling on their own need, not on His Name. His Name is Great! Ask Him according to His Name - His power, His Authority, His strength, His goodness, His promise, His track record, His fame, His renown – throughout human history and all of eternity. That Name! Call on that Name! Ask Him according to His Name – for whatever you need! In light of His Name, in view of His Name – whatever you need right now - in your entire lifetime, seems so very small, miniscule – compared to His Name. When you call on His Name – it immediately invokes worship – you immediately switch your thinking from the problem to the provider, from the situation to the solution giver, from the predicament – to the Prince of Peace – with all power in His hand. Then #3 Make Known – Tell the nations what He has done. Make it Known. Tell somebody! How do you tell the nations? Follow the sequence of witness. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Make known – starts in Jerusalem, but it starts from His Spirit. Walk in His Spirit, Pray in the Spirit and you will make known. Tell your spouse, your Daily Call Partner, your kids, your parents and family, your PiVAT Small Group, the people at your church, then the people at the bus stop and the grocery store – the people God brings you in contact with. Be a witness. Give your testimony. Isn’t it so interesting. The Three Things God tells us to do – from where we are right now – every one of them is for us. Give thanks – it changes our countenance, it raises our hopes, it takes our mind off the problem and reminds us of His faithfulness. Just that alone helps us! Thankful people attract other thankful people - the best people to spend time with. Call on His Name – this is also for us! It gives us access to the One with the power to do something! to change something, even though it's usually us - first. And make known – we’re the ones who overcome with our testimony. All three of these things God told us to do – are for our own good! The Good that He has for us. So where are you? Are you having a good day? Give Thanks, Call On His Name, Make Known – starting in Jerusalem. Are you having a challenge filled day – are you facing an obstacle bigger than your ability to get around it – much less remove it? Give Thanks, Call On His Name, Make Known – Tell somebody. Praying that you will review the Relationship Topic – Praise the Names of God, and the Relationship Topic – Praise the Jehovah Names of God. These will help you Call on His Name! Praying that you will always do what God tells you to do – Right Now. That every time the Right-Now God tells you to do something – it’s already being done by you… That you would be instant in obedience. That you would write down and remember – so you can rehearse and become victorious in every right-now. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
God challenging me recently – What locks you in? What do you do - to lock yourself in – to the habits He has revealed that are accelerating you in your life of obedience to Him? This week I’m beginning a painting project on the exterior of our house with a friend helping me. It’s somewhat unnerving. I’m not a fan of ladders and second story painting. It’s not that I’m afraid of heights, it’s the falling I don’t like. Extension ladders have to be on solid ground. If you aren’t secure at the foundation, you won’t be secure as you go up. Kinda like daily life. The beginning of every day sets your ladder. PRISM is what sets your ladder evenly, on solid ground. God’s Word is the solid ground of your life – there is no other. It’s the baseline – Step 1 - otherwise you start climbing before your ladder is stable. Never start your day on an unstable ladder. PiVAT and PRISM are so important - every day - for the rest of your life. PiVAT before dinner (remember the evening and the morning were the first day...) PiVAT downloads God’s plans for you for tomorrow – and PRISM sets your mind on Him, and transforms your mind by His Word, so you can understand those plans and how to walk in them. That’s a stable ladder – up against the correct building. Without PiVAT you’ve got the wrong ladder – or have it against the wrong building. Can’t be painting my neighbors house – they might not like the colors we chose. But there is another critical piece to ladders and life. There are clamps on ladders – that lock you in – to the next level, to the next height. They are really important – they keep you from slipping, they keep you from going backwards, without being locked in - you will fall. So when it comes to your life – what keeps you locked in? What are the clamps of your life? - that keep you from slipping and falling - that Lock you in to the habits that He has you doing - for your success? Clamps of life are by God’s design - other people. Here’s the first clamp He gave you. Hebrews 3:13 – But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. The first clamp of your life is that one - that you walk with daily – overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Praying that you are faithful with your Daily Call. If you are – you know the blessing that it brings you: Joy, encouragement, challenge, inspiration, counsel, and prayer - the Holy Spirit speaking to and through both of you! But there's another clamp that will Lock you in to your Daily Call - that I'm praying God will establish you in. It's not common, but extremely powerful - the most impactful of my entire life. First, the most common association of God’s people is a weekly church service, usually on Sunday morning, where the Word is preached and the opportunity for corporate worship is experienced. Praise God – a blessing. God’s Word also reveals another type of gathering – another type of clamp. They met house to house – breaking bread together. Those times of fellowship - just getting together for dinner with other believers can encourage you along the way. Fellowship is encouraging and helpful – you get to have conversations with others in a relaxed atmosphere – Jesus ate meals all the time with his disciples, and even others like Mary and Martha and Lazarus. Casual settings start conversations, build familiarity and association. But there is one more clamp to lock you in – that for me personally has been the most impactful ever. If you are already doing PiVAT before dinner to get His plans for you - PRISM to get his mind for you and a Daily Call to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony... God is changing you at your core, drastically, foundationally. The devil will do anything to stop you, discourage you, and prevent you from continuing these habits that surrender your life completely to His good plans for you. How do you protect and lock in these habits - PiVAT, PRISM and Daily Calls – that are transforming you into the image of Christ? Praying that God will lead you to join or begin a PiVAT Small Group – Several Daily Call Partners meeting one hour a week, sharing their PiVAT Weekly and praying for each other. This PiVAT Small Group - has been by far the most impactful small group experience I have ever experienced in my entire life. Praying that you will review the Relationship Topic – How2 PiVAT Small Group. There is just something about intentional daily obeyers – gathering together one hour a week in response to God’s Word – in a format that gives full reign to the Holy Spirit – that not only encourages – but Locks In your obedience each day. This is so you can walk in the Good that He has stored up for you, not slipping, sliding backwards, or falling. Praying that you will be a part of a PiVAT Small Group – you will see the crazy things that God will do in this environment. If you can't find one, please pray about leading one! You don’t need to be an expert, just humble and faithful with PiVAT, PRISM and your Daily Call - and willing to help others grow - God can do the rest. Meeting each week with committed obeyers in an environment that enables God to speak through everyone! is a way that will keep you locked in to what God longs for you - so daily obedience in time thoughts and money becomes a permanent part of you DNA. Obedience is contagious - testimony grows testimony. A PiVAT Small Group - is the body of Christ operating at a deeper level. Praying that God will draw you, and use your obedience to encourage others. You can't walk with everyone on a Daily Call - but a PiVAT Small Group can greatly multiply your effectiveness. God wants to multiply the fruit of your obedience - together with others. The Holy Spirit will speak, people will be changed, Locked In, you can be sure of it. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
God spoke to me today. “My order is more important than your accomplishment.” Have you ever been faced with a huge project? Something God told you to do, perhaps that you knew was coming, maybe that you have been waiting for, or preparing for – for a while? And the day arrives, or the time arrives, and you want to hit it full force. It’s so easy to sacrifice order for accomplishment. Our need to get it done… sometimes tempts us to skip other things that need to continue – or the momentum gained will be forfeited. Starting a new semester at school, doesn’t mean you no longer have time for PRISM – you don’t skip showers or teeth brushing, because you are starting a new job. If God gives you an assignment, a project, a goal, and a plan to accomplish it. Wait on His plan, and follow His schedule. Consistency is key. The busier you become, the more significant the stakes, the more important PiVAT before dinner becomes, the more important PRISM becomes, the more important your Daily Call becomes, and the more important giving an account – financially becomes. Otherwise in your pursuit of the task, you will sacrifice the fulfillment. In your pursuit of the job, you will forfeit your life. Whatever you are doing today – is not more important than what you do every day. Whatever God told you to do today, is not more important than what God told you to do every day. God’s Way – is His rhythm for your life. God’s rhythm is different than man’s rhythm. We’re not talking about the Tortoise and the Hare – God still has us sprint sometimes. The Hare’s problem wasn’t that he was fast, he wasn’t fast at the right time, for the right duration. His problem wasn’t that he started out well, he didn’t know how to keep going… he didn’t know how to finish. He didn’t know what time it was, and what it was time for. So what is the key when facing projects or assignments of significance. When you’re starting something big, or in the middle of something big? Order and Transitions. Do things in God’s order – Don’t sacrifice the important every day things for the important today thing. Foregoing what God has told you to do in one area – doesn’t’ make you more effective in another. You end up losing both. The second key is transitions. See the Relationship Topic – This Hour. Every hour has an assignment from God. Eat, sleep or rest hours are as important as sprint and task hours. If you know what God has for you this hour – your day will take care of itself. Obey this hour – and you’ll follow His plan for your day. Ask Him. Obstacles arise, mistakes happen, just re-calibrate by looking to Him, asking your Heavenly Father – What Now? He’ll tell you – and then do it completely - with joy. Be very observant with transition times. No one works 10 hour time blocks. Usually one hour, maybe two hour activities, and then another activity is required. The time 'in between' is transitions. The rabbit didn’t understand transition times. The sprint was great, the rest was needed, but he didn’t recognize the transition, it slipped away from him, and the race was lost. How long has God told you for transition time between activities? Obey with transitions and you'll obey with life - if not, you can't. After a morning of hard work – don’t get suckered into a two hour lunch. You’ll lose the momentum you’ve gained. What has God told you to do this hour? – and what is He telling you to do next hour and what time has He assigned for the transition? Praise Him - in the transition, Pray - in the transition. Know the time He has assigned to it, so every change of activity accelerates you into the next – rested, prepared, excited, thankful, and anticipating all that God will do, as you just obey. God hasn’t called you to be the tortoise or the hare. He’s called you to be a servant – of the Most High, a child of the King, a Son and Daughter of the Living God. A doer of His Word – in His Way – and at His time. He’s called you to the joy of the journey, and the worship of The Almighty. Praying that you will know His order, be diligent in transitions, and finish this day’s thing, and every day’s thing – in the time He has chosen - that your focus will be on Him, on others, and on the task He has for you in this hour. Testimony is coming. Good will chase you down. God will get the glory – and you will walk in His blessing. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
God teaching me recently… Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Everyone has faith in something… What is your faith in? The Solid Rock or sinking sand? The atheist has faith in the non-existence of God. The criminal has faith that he won’t be caught. The prophets of Baal, against Elijah at Mount Carmel had faith in a god who wasn’t real, did not even exist – worthless - a figment of the imagination of those who refused to believe in the One True God. Faith in the wrong thing leads to destruction. Faith in untruth is false faith, it’s putting your hope and trust in nothing – vapor. Put your faith in God. That He is, that His Word is true, and His promise is sure, that He loves you, that He has good for you, that He will direct your steps if you ask Him, and walk in it. How can you be sure? He said so. Some people have faith in God, but it's weak. Weak Faith, Weak Result. The Object is sure, but the faith is weak. Don't worry about not having any (God said He gives every person the measure of faith they need). You can be sure God gave you enough, it's just your job to strengthen it, by putting it into use. Know who He is – that you put your faith in. The only thing faith-worthy is The One True God and His Word – Jesus Christ, and His Spirit who will stay with you forever. When your faith is in Him, you can be sure of what you hope for – because what you hope for is Him and what He said – which is faithful and true. That’s how you can be certain of what you do not see, because the God of the unseen said so! It’s true, it’s just a matter of time til He appears. It’s what God commends you for. The more you know Him, the stronger your faith. The more you do PRISM the more you know Him – and the more you know Him, the stronger your faith. The more you do PiVAT – checking in with your Master – your Heavenly Father, the more you obey – the more you obey the more you will see – what was unseen. He told you, you did it, He moved, and now you see. PiVAT an PRISM are faith builders! Your Daily Call is a faith builder! Out of your mouth – your testimony overcomes and their testimony re-enforces their faith and yours! You become more and more sure, more and more certain, more and more confident – not in you, but in Him who is in you. Praying that you will seek His plans, and His Word together with someone daily. The more you obey, the more you will see, and your faith will grow stronger. God will get bigger, and others will be blessed through the faith that is increasing in you. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
God giving me perspective recently… Psalm 103:1 – Hear my prayer O LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me when I call, answer me quickly. God hears your prayer. I have live a long time. If you’ve lived 15 or 20 years – that’s a long time. You have seen good times, and you have seen distress, and He has been faithful to you every time. If you’re reading this… He has been faithful to you every time. God hears my prayer. He has not ignored, or failed to hear a single one. Your cry for help comes to Him. He has never hidden His face from me when I was in distress (or I would have surely been destroyed) He has always turned his ear to me. He has always answered quickly. To God 1000 years is as one day. So if He waited a thousand years before He answered you, it’s just been a day. Are you waiting for a couple of weeks or a couple of years? If you lived to be one hundred - that’s one tenth of one day to God and He lives forever! He answers quickly. He hears, He doesn’t ignore you, He’s coming! But He also answers quicker in the season of answers. Sometimes things happen back to back to back. Even after waiting a long time – that season of waiting where your faith grows, and your trust grows and your hope grows and your testimony grows – He turns the season of waiting into the season of answering – and you will be surprised at how quickly things happen. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some consider slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish (to die, or lose life in any manner, to wither, or decay or come to nothing), but all to come to repentance. (Reformation – Metanoia - <met -an’ – oy – ah> to think differently… Whether you haven’t put your faith in Christ yet, or are being conformed to His image. When we’re waiting – we think of our patience waiting for Him, but sometimes it’s His patience waiting for us! To be reformed in our thought, to be conformed to His image. If you’re still in the season of waiting – make sure that it’s always the season of obeying. Don’t fail to obey or neglect to obey in the area required for Him to change your season! Ask Him, He’ll tell you. And be sure you are in the season of reforming. PRISM re-forms your mind to think like He does! It conforms it to Him! - just what He's waiting for... Get the most out of every season – Increase your time in His Word, and be instant in obedience. He will send you signs that a season is about to turn. Melting snow, or changing leaves – He’s trying to tell you! Get everything He has for you in this season. Get everything He has for you for today. Do PiVAT Weekly, keep it current – this week is a part of this season – either the beginning, middle, or the end. Know what He has planned for you this week. PiVAT Weekly, ask Him, write it down – and be diligent to do it in the time that He told you. It will help make sure you get everything He has for you in this season. Speak out loud your commitment to obey – Speak out loud your commitment to rejoice, to take joy again and again. He’s full and faithful in keeping His promises. Be sure to get everything He has for you in this season. Pray and Praise – He will answer you quickly – as soon as the season of waiting has borne it’s full fruit. Do you want to be embarrassed by how you waited? Or do you want to be fully faithful in the season of waiting, and fully faithful in the season of answers. When season’s change – things move quickly, you will face new decisions, and challenges and opportunities at a rapid pace. If you’re in the habit of obeying – you will be prepared for it. Praying you will speak your faith, speak your trust, speak your hope and speak your testimony. He gives joy in every season – what you hope for is coming, but joy is right here – if you take it up again. Serve in the waiting. Ask God what He wants you to sow into others – and the waiting season will speed up. Focus on Him, and He will answer you quickly. PRISM will strengthen you in every season. Your Daily Call – will encourage someone else in their season, and your testimony will make this an overcoming season – no matter what season you are growing in. Love you all. dad Love you all, praying for you.
Saturday’s are always interesting days. They often include discretionary time... optional - time not already pre-committed. Discretionary time is always a wonderful opportunity. What are you going to do with it? Whether a Saturday, an off day, or evening, lunch time, break time - those times that are discretionary... they provide great opportunity for conversation – with your Heavenly Father to see what He has in mind – for that time He has given you. There are only Six Things you can do - really. #1 - You can do what you want to do, #2 - You can do what you think you have to do, #3 - You can do what others want you to do, #4 - You can do what you think others want you to do, #5 - You can do what you think God wants you to do, or #6 - You can truly, completely and joyfully do - What God really wants you to do. Which of the six, do you do most often? Which of the six do you think most people do in what order? Of the six – the most popular by far is probably #2 – People do what they think they have to do - what they think needs to get done (the urgent) which may or may not be urgent. This is a critical thing - you must understand the difference between PiVAT and PiVAT Maybe. What God has planned for you versus what you think you "gotta do." Praying you’ll review the Relationship Topic – PiVAT Maybe. It will save you from hours maybe years of misplaced mental and physical effort. God has better - He wants you to learn to discern. Second most often – people probably do #3 – What others want them to do. Their lives are driven by others' expectations. The problem with this is - You don’t have enough hours in the day – to do all the things other people want you to do for them! or expect you to do, or request of you. They’re trying to get their stuff done – through you! Third most often thing people probably do #4 - What they think others want them to do. They just got the impression that they had to do it because so-and-so wanted them to – only to find out later – that’s not what they said, or really meant. Or they never find out. People just let them do it and never let them know they didn’t really request, or want that. Too awkward. Or those people didn’t even notice… they were too busy being self-absorbed to even notice the effort or sacrifice done on their behalf. Many people are stuck in the trap of living their lives to please other people. It's draining, time consuming, unfulfilling, and the problem with that – is that you can’t please God, if you are trying to please other people. How many things has God really told you to do – that everyone understands or agrees with? Especially the significant things, or even the little things. Probably Fourth most often of the six – People do what they want to do. Work or Leisure which benefits them – by their own definition or goals or ambitions, or values. For some people, this might rise to second on the priority list – those totally dedicated to themselves who don’t really think that much of others’ wants or needs, or pride themselves in not being directed or controlled by others… But for perhaps the majority of people – their guilt, or other’s expectations probably outweigh even their own wants. Now finally we reach a different level of living. Those who consider what God wants. The Fifth most often of the Six things you can do – most people who want to please God – do what they think pleases Him. Surely He wants me to work harder, go to church more, sacrifice the rest I desperately need, or sacrifice what my spouse and children need from me - for more altruistic purposes. This is called religion. A self-determined, self established standard of Holiness – probably fashioned by their upbringing, or the devil’s internal accusations. Everyone of us has been taught from an early age – how to look holy… less how to be holy. How to look righteous, less how to be righteous. Don’t look, Don’t touch… Not Love God this much! Religion is a heavy yoke – the opposite of the yoke of Christ. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Finally – #6 – Do what God wants them to do – (what He actually told them) is probably the last thing of the Six - that people do. Why is that? Most people don’t even understand God loves them enough to direct them in the way they should go, the way best for them, the way He has chosen for them - where rest and success and significance await. They have never heard of PiVAT before dinner – asking God for His plans for them for tomorrow – and having not asked... they have not received. They just don’t know what He wants them to do – they just do what they have always done – the best they know or feel. And for others – they don’t do what God wants them to do – because other voices, or pressures, or wants or desires are louder – than that still small voice – that could direct them in ridiculously good things that are waiting for them each day. Praying that you will be aware of the Six Things You Can Do... that you would know that anything less than #6 – What God wants you to do – is choosing the less - missing out on His Best. Finally praying that PiVAT before dinner, PiVAT Weekly and PiVAT Monthly – along with PRISM – to test and approve what His perfect will is, and your Daily Call – which keeps you overcoming… would completely and permanently refashion and establish your entire life - to be a #6 Life - That you would become so used to living in the rhythm of Hearing and Obeying and Overcoming with your testimony – that you would really know no other. That what you think you have to do – is separated completely on your PiVAT Maybe, that what others want, need or expect is a part of your prayer and compassion, but not your participation – unless your Heavenly Father directs you – and for the time He assigns. Praying that you are never trapped by your preconceived notions of what God wants – because in every PiVAT before dinner He just told you exactly what to do and when to do it, and you’re walking joyfully even this hour in the journey He is leading you in. That Number Six Life – is a life like no other. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light! It’s what walking in the Good that He has for you feels like! Love you all, dad |
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