Love you all, praying for you…
I just love the last day of the month. It’s a reminder of how faithful God has been. It’s an opportunity to check in with God - to make sure that everything He told you to do this month… you finished it. And it’s a reminder that next month is coming – it starts tomorrow! Have you ever noticed how easy it is to neglect things that are mission-critical to success? Things that may take only a little time, but that yield huge reward. PiVAT Monthly is one of those things. PiVAT – a change of direction from your plans for you, to God’s plans for you – that applies to the month. Especially when you are set to begin the last month of the year. Only 31 days left to finish strong, to fully complete the assignments that has ordained for you this month and this year! You serve a God who is faithful. He doesn’t keep us in the dark – trying to guess what He wants for us. It’s there for the asking. Because He is there for the asking. If any of you lacks wisdom (instruction, specifics – of His plans for your good) Let him ask of God who gives liberally without finding fault – and it will be given him. Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened unto you. He will tell you the things that He has planned for your good. PRISM every day this month – will remind you of His love for you, His commands for your good, and His specific instructions of what to do while you are doing what He tells you to do, and how to do it well. Praying that you will take the time today to check in with your Master and your loving Heavenly Father – who loves you forever and longs to lead you. Praying that you will get His plans for you this coming month, and remember what He told you at the beginning of the year in PiVAT Yearly – that you would ask Him and know today – what He wants you to do in the next 31 days to finish what He told you this year. You may already be on a roll, or you may have gotten a little off track. He’s just waiting for you to come to Him now, to choose His course, His plans, and His pace. He will tell you, He’s faithful. PiVAT Monthly by the Holy Spirit –and He will prophetically speak into your life, He will tell you things to come. He doesn’t hold any past mistake against you, He will forgive you every time you ask, and His grace is available to help you to walk in His next step for you – and there is always joy in obedience. There’s blessing in believing, and good where He is taking you. Praying that you will review PiVAT Monthly – just for a refresher, that His Written Word through PRISM will encourage you, that His Specific Word through PiVAT will direct your next step, that you will finish strong this year, in everything that He has purposed for you. Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you…
Have you ever noticed that famous movies have great lines – a defining moment. Perhaps the greatest line of all time – from the best movie ever – The Princess Bride. Get used to disappointment. (Close second… Time to Fly – Michael Jordan, you really should see both.) “Get used to disappointment” A humorous line, but for some, a life philosophy. Some people say it because they are just joking, it’s their cockiness or confidence that “you will never beat me in this contest of skill, strength or wit.” The devil says it because He wants you to believe it applies to you. He’s just trying to make you doubt the boundless love that God has for you. As if God forgot you, or didn’t care, or wasn’t trustworthy. Like that kid who took a face-plant cause his daddy wasn’t paying attention… That doesn’t happen with God, He’s never not paying attention… The devil is just lying, because He’s a liar. God never said get used to disappointment – the devil says that. Neither does God plan disappointment – any more than He causes you to sin. Disappointment is just an emotional reaction to an event or action that you didn’t expect, or was less than you hoped. An emotional reaction to something that doesn’t turn out the way you wanted, dreamed or hoped that it would. Some topics are so uncomfortable to talk about. Disappointment is one of them. Some joke, but there’s nothing funny about it. Disappointment occurs on so many levels. What is disappointment? When you leave the drive-thru window without checking and they forgot the fries, or the napkins – now that’s disappointment. Really? When your birthday party gets rained out or your team loses… Even then - is it the team that you practice with every day – or just the home team that you root for? Some disappointments are inconvenience, but some are life altering tragedies. I don’t want to give examples. From childhood to adulthood, there are things that are really just too painful to even think about. Time doesn’t heal everything, only God can do that. And don’t believe the devil’s lie. Whatever happened is not God’s fault, don’t let him tell you it is. And some things weren’t your fault either. If disappointment is because you lost the game – no one thing is solely responsible for a loss. Don’t make excuses for yourself, but don’t take blame or responsibility that’s not yours. Your parents decided to divorce – to break their vows before God – it wasn’t what you did - it’s what they did. While God doesn’t plan disappointment – our choices often do. The surest way to attract disappointment is to set your heart on things God doesn’t have for you. That’s why PiVAT is so important. If you follow your plans – disappointment is sure to follow. What seems best isn’t, what seems like success doesn’t make it success. What do you put your hope in? The things of the world or things above? The pleasures and ambitions of the temporary, or do you put your trust in God – and His plans for you? A big question in life. How do you handle disappointment? Does it sharpen you, or shape you? Does it jump start you or jade you? You choose. You can let it develop you, or you can let it define you. The devil wants to define your life by your disappointments. “You’ll never succeed, or no one will ever love you...” Some people listen to the wrong voice. If you do, you’ll always be disappointed. And the devil always wants to turn disappointment into bitterness, distrust, or an excuse to not try, or do better. Like the immature child who says, I didn’t really want to make that team anyway. Especially in the more significant things in life – the devil has a plan for disappointment - he wants it to become grief that never ends, or bitterness that takes root. Do not give way to it. A moment of truth in life – How do you respond to disappointment? Some people make excuses, some people feign not caring, some people blame others, some people give up. Some people press through closed doors. God finally had it with the unbelief of the Israelites, and after choosing the report of the ten spies, instead of Joshua and Caleb, their consequence was 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. But the same ones that choose to disbelieve God’s promise… Once the consequence of what they had done sunk in - these idiots decided to carry on the fight on their own. Bad idea – they got their butts kicked. So how do you respond to disappointment? Do you internalize, blame, make excuses, or feign indifference? God doesn’t plan it, but He has a plan for you in the middle of it. How does God want you to respond to the disappointments that come. Be Humble, Ask, Wait, Forgive, & Obey. #1 Be humble – It’s a posture of heart and mind and body which recognizes, “you don’t know everything – there might be something that you don’t know.” God knows, you don’t – be humble, don’t doubt, blame or make excuses… #2 Ask Him – God am I missing something? How to You want me to respond to this setback, in the middle of this disappointment? #3 Wait – and if He says… just go back through the drive-thru and get the fries they forgot. Other times – God wants you to move on – to set your focus, affections and efforts in a different place. Disappointment is a result of unmet expectations. Were your expectations set on the right thing? Ask God, He will tell you. And He will tell you the next thing. Don’t feel guilty for being disappointed, but don’t internalize it either. Your disappointments don’t define you, whether things outside your control, or things your fault, or things that you contributed to. God’s love for you – defines you. It’s not what you do, or who you are, it’s really whose you are. That’s a disappointment-proof life. It doesn’t prevent them all, but it gets you through them all. Ask and Wait. Joshua just experienced the greatest victory in history – the walls of Jericho just fell down, He just obeyed, and God did it. But the next city – having only sent a few soldiers, resulted in complete disaster that shook everyone to their core… their very existence as a nation and people was at stake. They sought the LORD, and waited for His answer. He was clear, and they did what He said. #4 - Forgive – if this disappointment involves people, like most do… less than perfect people, like you… Forgive. Why? Because Christ has forgiven you. It’s what He commands. Always forgive, don’t let disappointment turn into unforgiveness. Let that go. #5 Obey - Determine in your heart, no matter how deep the disappointment, that your trust is in God alone, not in what you wished or hoped would be or happen. Know that He sees and He hears and He said He will turn what the devil meant for evil, into what He has for your good. That whatever God reveals through this disappointment, no matter what the cause, or your part in it.. whatever step He tells you and even the attitude towards it that He has for you in it, that you irrevocably resolve to fully obey at every step. God wants to sharpen you even through disappointment, He doesn’t cause it, but He can used it for your good. Disappointment will never shape you, nor does it define you. Humility and obedience define you, and who you are in Christ is your identity, and your destiny. He said He will fulfill His purpose for you. Praying you will review the PRISM Topic – Life Purpose and Direction. It doesn’t matter what disappointment you have suffered, or any that may come. If you set your mind on Him, if you choose to praise Him in every circumstance and give thanks in every situation, and commit yourself to the obey the next step that He will reveal for you. This disappointment will lead to a victory, a blessing, a re-direction, and you will be established on the path to His good. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you…
I just love God’s Word – it separates facts and feelings. It gives truth and practical application. It’s honest – things aren’t always perfect. Sometimes it seems like you’re losing the fight… Psalms 13 – How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will the enemy triumph over me? Wow! David is going through some stuff. How long must I wrestle with my thoughts – that’s where the real battle is. It’s not really what’s happening, but our thoughts about it, what we put to words - that determine the state of our mind and heart. That wrestling between faith and doubt, belief and unbelief, promise and ignorance or forgetfulness… Verse 3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Clearly David is still waiting on an answer – it’s seems like it’s been forever. He’s struggling with his thoughts, doubts and discouragement are trying to creep in and darkness take over. “Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him, and my foes will rejoice when I fall.’” David had some enemies who delighted in his misery, who were glad at every negative thing that happened. He doesn’t have his answer yet, the answer to his prayer for God to deliver him and help him, but he asks that God would give light to his eyes. What you see is everything. We’re not talking about the shallow glass half full versus half empty positive thinking – that only lasts so long, until real struggles come. You can’t fake it all the time, sometimes reality is heavier than mere positive thinking. This goes to faith and belief in the promise of God which trumps everything that rises against you. “Give light to my eyes.” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” And He is the Word of God. He said if the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness…” But, if your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. The light is the Word of God that shines through the darkness. That’s how God gives you light – to see and believe, to hope and rejoice – through His Word! Verse 5 – But I trust in your unfailing love. Know one thing for sure, God’s love for you never fails. You can bet your life on it. “My heart rejoices in your salvation.” David hasn’t experienced it yet, but because God’s Word gave light to his eyes, He can now see God’s Salvation – which he’s not experienced yet, but will surely see come to pass as sure as the Sun will rise in the morning. So he begins to rejoice in his heart in the salvation that He has by faith and will experience as sure as He sees it now by faith. And the rejoicing of heart – replaces the sorrow in his heart. “I will sing to the LORD for He has been good to me.” Praying that PRISM – those five things you can do in God’s Word every day… that you will do them! So it will become the light that God gives to your eyes. So you will see His salvation, so your heart will rejoice. So you can sing to the LORD for his goodness. He will surely come, He doesn’t forget you forever, He doesn’t forget you ever! And if you ever are wrestling with your thoughts, His Word will take over and realign them with His promise, so your thoughts are of hope and trust, and joy and faith. Praise God for His goodness in the land of the living. The plans of the wicked will come to nothing, but His plans for you will be good – forever. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you…
Praying that this Thanksgiving won’t be just another Thanksgiving, but that it will be another level of Thanksgiving for you. That this Thanksgiving will be you at a new level – another level altogether. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. It’s funny how the devil always tries to steal, kill and destroy. Like the ridiculous deception that they try to teach kids in school - that the first Thanksgiving was to thank the Indians. That’s laughable - they were thankful to The Almighty God who gave them safe travel to a distant land, where they were free to worship God without persecution. He brought them, kept them through a harsh winter, saved their lives, gave them crops, gave them strength… He gave them hope for the future of this fledgling colony – that would one day become a nation, unlike any the world has ever seen. One nation under God – created to reflect His laws and precepts, which result in His blessing, individual liberty, freedom from every kind of tyranny, and the prosperity that comes from following God’s principles for society and government. So that out of the abundance bestowed on every nation whose God is the LORD – that this nation could share the Good News of His Son Jesus to every nation around the world. This nation will surely fulfill the purpose for which it was created. At Thanksgiving, many people gather for dinner – and are thankful for their family, for the things they have, or for what others have done for them, but forget the Author of All Thanksgiving - The Source of it all. Praying that your Thanksgiving will be at a new level this year. It’s one thing to be thankful during the Thanksgiving Dinner prayer… Most leave it at that – that’s the only time Thanksgiving is really discussed… When it comes to actually giving thanks… some people are thankful in their heart, or in their mind, others are thankful with their mouth, their lips and their tongue. Some people are thankful by themselves (silent or out loud) - but others are thankful out loud in the presence of others. That kind of thanksgiving makes a transition, it morphs from thanksgiving into praise, from praise into testimony, and from testimony into edification – where others can be built up in their faith. Praying that you will be thankful out loud, in front of others today, with others today. What if you were thankful together beyond just someone saying grace before dinner. There are different levels of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving about you, and thanksgiving about others. Praying that God might lead you to review the Relationship Topic – Thankful 100 – One hundred things to be thankful for that aren’t money or stuff… Praying also that your new level of thanksgiving today would include Surely. Not just what God has done… but what He will surely do - because He said it. I will surely bless you, I will surely do good for you, and make you like the sand of the sea, which no one can count… Surely the LORD is in this place, Surely I will bring you up again, God will surely visit you. I have surely seen the affliction of my people, and have heard their cry. I will surely hear their cry, when they cry at all unto me. For their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout all generations. See I have taught you these decrees and laws just as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. Obey them completely, for this will display your wisdom and understanding to the nations that surround you, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. Surely I will be with you! And now, behold, I know well that you will surely be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. And he answered him, Pursue them, for you will surely overtake them, and without fail, recover everything that was taken from you. What did God say through Elisha? He told me that you will surely recover. I will remember the works of the LORD: Surely I will remember the wonders of old. Surely His salvation is near those who fear him; that glory may dwell in the land. Regarding the wicked… Surely you place them on slippery ground, and cast them down to destruction. You will make them stumble, never to get up again. Surely He has born our griefs, and carried our sorrows. Jeremiah 39:18 - For I will surely save you, and give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe because you have put your trust in me. Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing… Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Praying that your Thanksgiving rises to a new level. Heart, mind and mouth, with others, not only for who God is, and what He gives, and what He has done, but that you will be thankful for what He said He will surely do. And finally - praying that this coming year – before Thanksgiving comes around again next year – that you will position yourself – for those things He will surely do – if you do… That your obedience will put you in places so that by next year you will be thankful for things you’ve never experienced before – because you have obeyed like you have never obeyed before, so by next Thanksgiving – you will be thankful and rejoice in things you have never seen before. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you…
Have you ever noticed that some letters are responsible for some cool words. I love the letter ‘P’. It’s home to some great words – like Purpose – life is futile without it. Words like Patience - not fun but so needed. Words like Party – who doesn’t like a birthday party? You get presents! Your favorite toy – that you always wanted! Words like Purity – so you can see God, words like Promotion – who doesn’t like that? After all that work, finally getting recognized and being entrusted to operate at the next level, to increase what you contribute for the greater benefit of everyone, and the compensation that is deserved for the effort you have put in. P – is a pretty good letter , one of my favorites. But perhaps (another p word) one of my favorite of all P words… Perseverance. This one doesn’t strike you as fun or enjoyable, unless you understand the fruit, unless you understand the value and the benefit. Persevere – from the latin persevero. Severo – is a radical sense of set, fixed or continued. Persist is per (which means ‘through, during” and sisto – to stand). To be constant and continue. Persevere - To pursue steadily without wavering, waning, or falling away, - any design or course commenced; to never give up, give over or abandon that which is undertaken. To persevere – to continue enduring, standing firm and continuing. That’s not only a great ‘P’ word – that’s what God has for you. The precious possession of a man (a hu-man) is diligence. And persevere is to continue in that diligence. Be careful! Persevere can be used for good or evil. Persevering in wickedness isn’t going to help you. That’s why it’s so important to know what God wants you to be diligent in – and persevere in. It’s why PiVAT before dinner is so important. Jesus said the only one good is God, God’s thoughts, God’s Words, God’s plans, not yours. PiVAT, and PiVAT Weekly, PiVAT Monthly, and PiVAT Yearly, that change of direction from your plans to His. It’s how you know what to be diligent in – so you can persevere in the good that He has planned for you! James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial (or test – basically life…) - because when he has stood the test (stood firm, persevered) – he will receive the crown of life that God has promised for those who love Him. I Tim 4:15 - Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. Hebrews 10:35 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He promised. Praying that PiVAT will be your habit, that you will always know God’s plans for you today that you are to be diligent in – that you would persevere each day in everything that He has assigned you. Praying that you will train your mind to persevere in His good. PRISM Topics like Diligent, and Habits – which will strengthen your perseverance by His Word. That you will know the joy that perseverance brings. So what has God told you to persevere in – those actions and habits – maybe something that you’ve neglected, or something he’s prompted that He is still waiting for you to start, or maybe what you’ve been doing that you’re tempted to slip away from. Praying that you will know His plans, His assignments for you, His habits for you – and that you will be absolute in doing His will persevering in the diligence of obedience that brings joy. It’s how you get to His good for you, the blessing that He has. It’s really your perseverance that brings you to your destiny. Praying that you will learn to love that ‘P’ Word – Persevere. It’s how you get to God’s good for you! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you…
Praying that you would like the men of Issachar – who understand the times. That you would be like Elijah – a man just like us – but who understood the heart of God for his nation. And prayed! A famous quote by Thomas Paine – America was in crisis then, just as it is today. “These are the times that try men’s souls: the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country…” So what is the service that your country requires of you? that his country required of Elijah? To Pray. There are some times in history that are pivotal – for a generation, for a nation. Right now all the world is watching. They are waiting to see what will happen in America. Because how America goes, so goes the world. Two different opinions – about what America is – and what it stands for – freedom or control, wickedness or righteousness - just like the people of Elijah’s day faced. They were faltering between two opinions. James 5:17 - Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Why did He pray this? Because He knew the heart of God, He prayed what God told him to pray, because he knew that God was about to do something that would change the course of the nation. Because the wickedness in the land had reached such a point that God intended to rise up and put it to an end. He started with a famine. Elijah understood the heart of God, and the purpose of God and the timing of God for the nation he lived in. Many others – just went about their business as usual… pursuing their own life’s pursuits, or even what they thought were religious things. Elijah wondered if He was the only one left that sought after the heart and the things of God. But God told him, I still have 400 who have not bowed the knee to Baal. God always has a remnant. How easy it is to be completely consumed with what so easily can consume you, that you could miss out on what God is doing in these unprecedented times. This election is a fulcrum not between two candidates, but between two opinions, two platforms, two completely different forms of government, and two different moralities, a was that seems right, and a way that is right. God is going to bring justice throughout the world, starting in America. He is beginning to expose the depth of wickedness and corruption, the spirit of the anti-Christ, and all of the people and plans that have raised themselves up against God and what He calls righteous. We live in a day where men call good evil, and evil good. Where the wicked accuse the righteous of the wickedness they are full of themselves. For three and a half years… Ahab and Jezabel had been searching for Elijah to kill him. Now Elijah met a man who worked for Ahab, who was in charge of his palace. But this man was a devout follower of the LORD. When Jezabel tried to kill the prophets, He hid one hundred of them in two caves and supplied them with food. Elijah told him, “Go get Ahab.” The man said, ‘You gotta be kidding me, what have I done wrong? When I go and get Him, the Spirit of God will catch you up and take you away, and Ahab will kill me. But Elijah calmed him. As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today. It was God’s time to bring a change – to reverse the ungodly order, and establish His order. God was about to move. Elijah understood the times, God was about to expose all falsehood, to utterly remove it from the land, and then He was going to Send The Rain. When Ahab saw him – He spoke in perfect fake news character… “Is that you? O troubler of Israel.” Ahab and all those in power and of influence in the nation – had convinced the people that Elijah was causing the trouble, when it was their lies and their sin that brought the curse. Trouble never comes from the righteous, it comes from those in power, or those who seek power who call good evil and evil good, who call the righteous evil, when evil is what they do. That which is against God’s law, and against God’s will, against the good news of Jesus Christ and the freedom from sin that He brings. Elijah responded with truth to the lie. “It is not I who has made trouble for Israel. But you and your father’s family. You have abandoned the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals. Any time we abandon God’s command, the land is cursed. Ahab removed God’s Word from the schools and censored it from the media, he murdered prophets like we murder babies. He killed people to secure power and wealth. But Elijah gathered the people on Mt. Carmel and confronted them all. How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. They had to choose between two opposite forms of government. Like today, the bondage and curse of sin, or the liberty and freedom of God. That day God sent fire from heaven consumed the sacrifice, the altar, the stones and all the water in the trench around it. The wickedness was removed from the land, and God sent the Rain. Elijah knew God’s heart, what blessed Him, and what grieved him. He did not side with the wicked, He was on the LORD’s side. In our nation today there are two sides, the side of life and the side of death. Those who promote God’s truth, and those who perpetuate lies, who call good evil and evil good. God is about to expose things that will shock the world. God is about to establish whom He has chosen to lead this nation, and the fake news, fake votes, and fake officials, with all the gates of hell will not prevail against it. The question is will you be like Elijah? Will you humble yourself and pray? Will you stand with God and what He wants to do, adding your prayers to what is His priority? or will you be distracted by other things. Do you even know what’s at stake, and what is the heart of God in this hour? These are the times that try men’s souls, that determine the direction of nations. Will we be one nation under God, that will result in the blessing of God, or a nation that rejects God and soon suffers the miseries of sin which is a curse to any nation? Praying that you will understand the times, and like Elijah – that you will pray. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you…
I just love God’s Word. Sometimes it gives at length instructions, and sometimes just simple reminders, timely wisdom for your mindset, and your actions. It tells you what to do. It speaks to the days you live in. It’s hope that God’s justice and His goodness will prevail – and nothing can stop it. Psalms 11:3 – “When the foundations are being destroyed what can the righteous do? The LORD is in His Holy Temple, the LORD is on His Heavenly throne, He observes the sons of men, His eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence, the LORD hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice, upright men will see His face.” When the devil tries to destroy the foundations – Know This - God is on His throne, He sees and examines, He hates those who love violence whether abortion or rioting. On the wicked God will rain coals and sulfur, their end is a scorching wind. Nothing they attempt will prevail. But it also says what the righteous should do. Be Righteous – and seek His face. And you will see His face. In days like this – focus on Him, on His face, bring your petitions to Him. Love Him – which means your affection and obedience. Righteous is right-standing – through relationship with Jesus, and right doing – doing what He commands you to do… His plans for you, not yours. Praying that PRISM sets your mind, and PiVAT sets your time, that you overcome with your testimony – that your praise will be great, that your joy will be great, so His Name is made greater. What appears is not what is. God is on His throne, He sees what the wicked do, He hears the cries and prayers of the righteous – that are righteous in Him alone, and who do whatever He tells them to do. They will see His face. It’s a promise. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you…
I just love God’s Word – it is so real, so transparent. It tells you what really happened, and it shows you like Solomon said… There is nothing new under the sun, what is done now has already been done. Good and evil, motives, selfishness, greed, anything you are facing right now. It’s been done before, and God reveals it when it happened two thousand years ago, so you will know how to handle it and conduct yourself, when it happens today. Here’s what happened. Jesus – a complete no-name – son of a carpenter(so everyone thought) had come to prominence. That’s what happens when you start healing people of their diseases, turning water into wine, and feeding 20,000 people with a Happy Meal… And then, as now, those in power, those who were politically correct, who loved telling people what to do and what they should think… they were upset… Why? because they loved power, and someone who spoke the truth, when they weren’t, was a real threat to their power. Matthew 15:1 – Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” (They’re not wearing their mask…) They cared nothing about the cleanliness of people’s hands, they just wanted to accuse Jesus of being a hypocrite, saying He was from God, but not following God’s laws.) Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to honor his father’ with it, Thus you nullify the Word of God for the sake of your tradition. (Just like today, follow the money… they said this because they took their paychecks from the offering plate.) You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you; “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” (Then) Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean.” Wow. Jesus was the opposite of politically correct, when politically correct was a lie, or a deception. And He spoke truth. That’s why the people loved him, and those in power hated him – enough to kill him. But notice his disciples’ response. Were they concerned about truth? Verse 12 - Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this? (Twitter might suspend your account?) Jesus replied, “every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them. They are blind guides. Jesus was so clear. Leave them alone, don’t be influenced by them anymore, ignore them, stop listening to them. They are the blind leading the blind. They are blind leaders, and the only people that follow them are blind people. Turn them off, unsubscribe, unfollow, stop watching fake news)… “If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a ditch.” Verse 15 – Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” (I love this guy, He always said, what everyone else thought but was afraid to say.”) “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body (getting real here – it gets pooped out). But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart and these things make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean;’ but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean. When I was little, there was a song that parents would sing to their children, “Oh be careful little ears what you hear, Oh be careful little ears what you hear, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little ears what you hear. In Jesus’ day, just like today. Those in power who everyone listens to, who everyone doesn’t’ want to offend… many are just power hungry. Jesus said, leave them, don’t listen to them. Don’t listen to lies, slander, false accusation. Be careful little ears what you hear. Praying that you will ask God what you should be listening to, and what you should turn off. The Media of today are corrupt, they constantly accuse others of things they do themselves. They are the first to call someone out for a lie, when they themselves are skilled liars. If you fill your ears with falsehood, you will never be able to recognize the truth. Ask God who you should be listening to, and who you should turn off. Ask Him what alternatives there are – who speaks the truth. Who stands for what is right, and is not afraid to call out evil, slander, and false accusation. Who stands for what God says is right and just. Not the wicked who cannot understand justice. Praying that you will ask God to check your heart too. What comes out of your mouth? What do your eyes see, and your ears hear? Praying that you will turn off lies and slander. God says Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. Evil men do you understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand if fully. Praying that you will know what stand God wants you to take, so the moment of truth doesn’t sneak up on you, and you just react in your flesh, fearing offending the wicked, more than you fear God – the God of all truth. Praying that you will be careful what your ears hear. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you…
I just love God’s Word – it is so honest. Praise the Word of my PRISM time this morning… Psalms 10:1 – Why O LORD do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? He’s not! He is near. He is Jehovah Shammah – the God who is near. He has never left you… He’s as near as your very next breath - which He gives you. Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? He’s not hiding, He’s front and center. He’s not missing in action, He’s manipulating the action. He carries you in times of trouble, He hides you in Him. You are hidden with Christ in God. That’s why you’re not destroyed. Hidden in the shadow of His wing. Just cause it’s dark doesn’t mean the Sun is not shining, just because there are clouds overhead, doesn’t mean the Sun is not above them. He breathes one breath and they are all blown away. He has already answered your prayer, your deliverance is coming, there’s just a battle taking place – and God always wins. He is the Supreme Authority of Heaven and Earth, over History and all of Eternity, over nations and kingdoms, the wind and the waves, all evens an everything that will happen in the future. He is LORD of all. Praying that you will separate feelings from fact. It’s OK to be honest with yourself and God, but distinguish it… what seems - isn’t what is. Don’t give words to doubt or unbelief or complaint. Instead, declare His truth, His power, and His promise. Praise Him for the answer that is already given, your Deliverer who is coming, the promise that He will surely bring to pass. Live in reality not the appearance of it. Reality is what He says – the appearance of reality is just temporary. Praise Him for what He says, who He is, what He does, and what He promised He will do. He will never fail. He never has. He promised and you can believe it! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you…
I just love God’s Word – it is truth and light. And I’m so thankful for PRISM – those five things you can do in God’s Word every day. That revelation changed my life forever. A simple pattern that keeps me not only coming back to the truth of His Word, helping me make it a priority, it helps me actually hear what He wants to say to me – today. He wants to speak to you too! Sometimes you feel close to God, sometimes you don’t – that’s why we don’t go by feelings. Faith isn’t feelings. Sometimes it feels good, mostly it’s a choice. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But God’s Word always brings joy. He’s faithful – full of love and compassion – for you! PRISM – this morning. Started with Praise the Word – One or two verses – praising God using the words of that verse, just coming back to where I left off yesterday in Psalms – that praise book every day. Psalms 9:10 – Those who know your Name will trust in you, for you have never forsaken those who seek you. Instantly I knew that was a verse God wanted me to SOAP out today for “S:Study the Word of PRISM. S.cripture – ask God what verse He wants you to dig deeper (didn’t have to – He already showed me.) and write it down. O.bservation – “God what do you want me to see that I haven’t seen before (or need reminded of)?” Those who know your Name will trust in you. And God revealed a simple truth for me to receive. If you are having a hard time trusting, you don’t know His Name. If you know His Name – your trust will grow. Is there anything you are trusting God for right now? When you think about it, how do you think about it? Trust or doubt, worry or rejoice? That’s it. Sometimes the Observation part of SOAP used for (PRISM – S:Study the Word) that God gives you - is a couple paragraphs long. Sometimes it’s just one or two sentences. A.pplication – God what me to do now that you have revealed this to me? - Learn His Name, Seek His Name, Praise His Name and your trust will grow. When you Praise the Word – any book, any chapter – but definitely Psalms each day… Praise Him for what the verse says – which is usually who He is or what He’s done, or the choices in the lives of others that reflect the truth of what God said, and His love and mercy for them. Praise His Name and you’ll learn His Name, and your trust will grow! And Finally P.rayer – God help me to do what you just revealed. For me my SOAP - Prayer for this verse today was this… God, I praise you! For Your Name is Great! You are more powerful than anything! You are the Final Word and the Final Decision. All Authority rests in you – that’s why they call you LORD – Supreme in Authority. You have fulfilled every Promise. You deliver those who call on You. You bring the plans of the wicked to nothing and they are remembered no more. You catch their feet in the net they have hidden. Yet you show mercy to all who will turn to you! You are faithful, full of love and compassion, Awesome in Power, Fearful in Anger, Altogether Holy and Righteous. You reign forever! Always have, always will! Praying that you will Grow in PRISM – because His Word – reveals His Name (Everything He is and does, has done and will do…) And He said He has exalted His Word above His Name. So whatever He said – He will surely do – and it will add to His Name – become a part of it. Praying that you will Praise the Word, because when you Praise His Name, you learn His Name and your trust will grow. And when your faith and trust grows – you act differently, you carry yourself differently, and you can draw people to the hope of Jesus in you. Who never leaves you, only has good for you, and the power and will to bring it to pass. He has that for them too! He loves everyone – plays no favorites, will forgive anyone who repents and turns to Him, and will never hold our past sins against us. There is nothing that can stop Him from bringing you good – if you walk in His ways. He will bring wickedness to nothing, He will bring justice to those who cry out to Him, He will bring blessing to those who seek Him, and fulfill your purpose for this life and all of eternity. Praying that you will Know and Trust – Know His Name so you will Trust in Him. Love you all, dad |
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