Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It tells of patterns that work! Do you take time every day before dinner to do PiVAT for tomorrow? Do you invest those five minutes with God to get His plans for you? Or have you fallen off a little… You don’t have to… but it is so worth it. It doesn’t take long, and it keeps you focused on what God wants for you. So you don’t get stuck with what you want, or really… what the enemy wants for you… missing out on God’s best. PiVAT is four questions to get God’s plans for you. The secret is – these are not questions to answer, they are questions to ask. Ask God, He will tell you – He promised. Why do PiVAT before dinner? #1 To Get God’s plan for you for tomorrow. So you can hit the ground running! #2 So you can pray with your spouse before bed – the exact thing that you both need most from God, and the number one thing He’s telling you to do. If you pray for each other – you’ll get God’s counsel, the Godly counsel of your number one counselor (other than the Holy Spirit), your spouse. Plus, you’ll be far more likely to complete what He told you, and notice when He gives you what you need most. Why do PiVAT before dinner? #3 So you can be reminded of what He told you to do today – so you can finish strong, so you leave nothing on the table that He told you to do. You don’t have time to do tomorrow what He told you to do today, and you don’t have time to do tomorrow anything He didn’t tell you to do. Leave that for others – you do what He told you! Why do PiVAT before dinner? #4 So God can give you counsel in the night season. When your mind is at rest, your spirit is open to His influence and guidance. He gives counsel in the night season, He speaks to your heart so it can instruct you… This is spirit, not mind. It’s how He confirms what He has for you, or can tweak what you heard, so you hear him more completely. He is faithful. If you ask Him for His plans for you for tomorrow, He won’t tell you next week! He said He will never give you a stone if you ask for a piece of bread. Part of your daily bread is the plans He has for you today. Just like part of your daily bread is His Word for you today. PiVAT and PRISM are what help you offer your life as a living sacrifice, and be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you can prove what his good and acceptable, and complete will is for you. Praying that you’ll never neglect PiVAT before dinner each day – the difference between your plans and God’s plans for you is the difference between your way and God’s way. His is way better – like heavens are above earth. He has good for you and He wants you to walk in it. He’ll go first, He’ll walk with you in it, and give you all the power you need – it’s called grace. Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you.
What does God say about work? Quite a lot. Work is critically important. God worked, He is working still – "My Father is always at work." Work is part of the character and nature of God, it is what he designed for us. God put Adam in the garden of Eden to work it. One pastor noted, “God gave him a job before He gave him a wife.” Work is intrinsic to life, sin didn’t cause work, it just made work more difficult. Work was always God’s plan. Work is what builds. You can’t build anything without work. Work has two parts. What you do, and how you do it. Some people don’t work very hard, so they don’t have much, or build much. Other people work really hard, at the wrong thing – something God never told them to do… God warned, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his own soul. Work has an important place in life, and rest is just as important. You work far more than you rest, 6:1 – but rest is what God designed to strengthen you. It’s critical, not just for quality of life, but quality of relationships as well as it helps you work more effectively. Those who understand work – build their life well, those who don’t - do not. The most important part of work is what you do (discernment), and the most important part of that is who decides. That’s why PIVAT is so important – giving up your plans – for His. Know what God wants you to do (today, and every day), and your life will be full of meaning and purpose and progress… His purpose for you,. It’s how He can fulfill it. Then next most important part of work is the how - incisive… measuring not cutting, understanding, not just effort. “Having the quality of cutting or separating the superficial part of anything.” Measure twice, cut once. It’s important to know God’s plan, what you were created to do, so you can do it with excellence, and do it with joy. Not all work is fun, some things are just necessary - and timing is everything. Work now, play later. Play now, rest now, and you’ll never get around to working. That’s why God says if a man will not work, neither should he eat. Work - if you do it with God’s perspective, it can be an enjoyable thing, even when every part of it is not always enjoyable. Start early, do the hardest thing first, but first know what God is calling you to do. Hard work doesn’t help you without smart work. Some people work on things that bring little result, and then, don’t have the energy or time left to work on what brings the most benefit. Better to work at fixing the hole in the bottom of the boat, than to work at rearranging the deck furniture. Some work brings result, other work just takes energy. God’s wisdom is what you need – to distinguish between the two. How quickly do you get to work? You only make money if paint is going on the wall), not when you’re walking around thinking about where you’re going to start - do that the night before. Be early – and you’ll have half your work already done, by the time others get around to getting started. Does your work reflect the priorities and the diligence of God? If you don’t know His plans for you – you’re working for nothing. God says all hard work brings a profit, make sure you’re working on what He wants you to, and you know when He wants you to start, and finish today. If you don’t know what He has for you today, and what is not for today – (but tomorrow, next week, or maybe never… Your work will be tiresome but not fruitful. The most important thing about work is what God has for you. PiVAT is critically important. Then the next important thing is diligence. When is He telling you to do it, and get to it! Start early is better than staying late. Some people work late, because they start late. That’s not working hard, it’s just working when you should already be doing other equally important things. Like investing in your marriage and your children. Praying that you will know what God wants you to do, so your work makes a difference. Praying that you will know His Word – which tells how to work most effectively, with wisdom and diligence. Praying that you will know when to work, and when to stop working, so you can work on other things in life, that are every bit as important, and that help you work more effectively. Praying that you will love to work, that God will give you a job you love, that not everybody can do, that you would do even if you didn’t get paid, that pays enough to meet your needs, and a little extra to give hilariously. And Praying that you will love your job, (this job) until God gives you that job that you love. Praying that your work, will reflect your love and appreciation for Him. Work is worship – if you work as unto the LORD. Whatever you do,(that means not whatever you want to do, whatever God has given for you to do… Do it with all your might, working for the LORD, not for men, knowing that (it is) from the LORD you will receive the reward of the inheritance, it is the LORD, Christ whom you serve. That’s why you don’t work for money either, if you only work for money – you’ll judge work by the money. God’s provision isn’t limited to your paycheck. Do what you love to do, and you’ll make more over time, you’ll be diligent and resourceful in it. And don’t refuse to work, just because the pay isn’t what you hoped. You can work for free, or a dollar an hour – if God is telling you to do it, work for Him, and He’ll make sure you get paid. If you don’t have a job right now, work for free, help serve someone else, but work… That’s what God created you to do. Praying that your work, will be a worship unto the LORD, that He will direct your work, both what and when, that you’ll ask Him, and that you will fully do what He told you to do – when it’s time… so you can do the next thing He has for you when your work day is over. So you can invest in other things that will last for a lifetime, and last for eternity. Praying that you will work for Him, what He said and when, that you will do it with joy – the joy that comes from obedience, the joy that comes from Him. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It gives you complete truth about the natural and spiritual realm. When you were born, you were born into a family. Hopefully your parents knew the God who loves them and you, and that they desired to love Him, and walk in the wonderful plans He had for them. If they did, they trained you, loved you, and nurtured you, encouraging you to walk in the way that you should go, the way best for you, as God revealed. Then as you grew, the responsibility shifted onto you. First you build you, then you build your house. How do you build your house? How do you determine how you live? What is your house? Not two by fours, drywall, insulation, and plumbing. Building your house is the determination of how you will live. Joshua built his house – As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. We will live our life in the way God commands, in the way that His Word instructs and demands. So how do you build your house? First you decide who is in authority. God or you, the Spirit of Christ or another spirit. Whose plans will you follow – His or yours? Here’s what God says, “By wisdom a house is built, by understanding its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” If you are lacking wisdom, you won’t build well. Your house won’t reflect Him, and what He gives, it will reflect something else. God’s word exposes this truth, “My people are destroyed (ruined) by lack of knowledge.” You can want to be associated with God and His people, but lack His knowledge, so your house doesn’t reflect it. Knowledge and obedience go together, you need one to have the other. How will you live – in the Spiritual realm, and in the natural realm. The natural reflects the spiritual. If the natural is a mess, the spiritual is a mess, if the natural is in God’s Order and His favor, the Spiritual can grow in the order and excellence of Christ. I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacked sense, weeds had grown up everywhere, and the stone wall was in ruins. This is the opposite of wisdom. You can tell a person’s character by the things they possess, the things God has entrusted to them. Are they kept with excellence, reflecting their owner (and their caretaker) or are they a mess – last week’s wrappers still in the back seat… To build your house - first is natural, then spiritual. Start with the physical. Do you sleep when it’s time to sleep, Do you work when it’s time to work? Do you steward well? His money and His possessions (it takes discipline to do it daily). Have you trained your kids to be excellent? What is excellent in stewardship? Everything in it’s place. Possessions that reflect their owner. It doesn’t have to be a brand new car, but is it washed and clean? It reflects you as the manager, and it should reflect the owner – which is God not you. Do you work hard? are you diligent? – the precious possession of a man (a human). Do you get God’s plan? Or follow yours? Do you soak in God’s Word – or are you more influenced by other words, opinions, and philosophies of money relationships and life. Do you give? Do you serve? Do you save for the future? Or do you spend whatever you get? Do you choose debt to get what you haven’t saved for yet? God said don’t strike hands in pledge, your only debt should be love. Are you humble? Do you respond to others with kindness, do you overlook faults, believe the best, seek peace and pursue it? Are your words gentle or harsh, proud or gracious? Do you complain, and slander or do you speak life, and faith, and hope? What kind of house are you building? As for you and your house. How will you build it? How will your family operate – in time, in thoughts, in money, and testimony. What testimony are you giving, what testimony do you have? What was God able to do… because you are committed to choosing His best? What does your life reflect? This is building your house. Praying that you will build on the only true and solid foundation, that God’s Word will be what reflects you, that way you think… that reflects your house. Praying that His Presence, His Plan, and His Word is your priority. Praying that you will be early, faithful, humble, gracious, diligent, giving, patient, and loving, that your house will reflect the love and wisdom and favor of Jesus – full of rare and beautiful treasures. Praying that you will walk in the way of your Father in Heaven who has good things for you - if you will walk in His way, and leave your old ways behind. Praying that God’s grace will be what you choose, and that you’ll walk with someone daily – that thing that God designed that helps you overcome – and build your house well. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word – it gives you the framework for a successful life. It gives you measures and milestones that you can fully trust, that have been true for centuries since the beginning of time. Wisdom for success in life, health, money, and relationships. His Word is the measure by which you can discern anything said. It goes deep, even to the intent of the heart. Have you ever been called out? It’s uncomfortable. What we refer to as getting called out – is someone challenges you to your face about a flaw in your character, or a selfish or poor choice that you made. Hopefully they are mature and do it in-person between the two of you, but sometimes it happens in front of others. You get called out - usually for hypocrisy – when your actions don’t match your words, or the values you proport to adhere to. Have you noticed when people get called out – they instantly become defensive? That’s pride being a close companion. They compare themselves with what others do. I’m not as bad as that… Or they even attack the messenger. “Oh yeah, well you’re just a big… poopy head.” Good one… but that’s really beside the point, not the issue here. How do you react – when you’re called out? Are you humble? Sometimes it’s good to just consider. You can buy some time if you need. Sometimes just being silent – will give others the opportunity to rise to your defense… Even if they don’t – even if the messenger is lacking sense, lacking all the facts, timing or decorum. That’s not your responsibility. How will you respond? The other side is – you calling people out. Rule of Thumb: typically not your job. Very rare. If you ever do call someone out. Don’t do it without prayer, and only do what the Holy Spirit tells you, in the way He tells you to. Your mind, and opinion should not be the leader in something like this. You could be wrong. But if the Holy Spirit presses you to say something to someone. It will always be in humility, only after prayer and confirmation of timing, and only with God’s sincere best interest at heart for them, not out of any slight that may have been used against you. God said faithful are the wounds of a friend, pleasant words promote instruction, and a gentle word can break a bone. If God ever wants you to call someone out, rarely will it be confrontational on your part. If you want to win the argument, more than help them – you’re in the wrong. When you are called out – you’ll have to decide what your response will be. Better to think of how you’ll handle it, now, than in the heat of the moment. Do you want to know something encouraging? There’s an entirely different kind of “called out!” You are called out! Your new life in Christ started with it! You have been called out – from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light – the kingdom of the Son of His Love – who is the light of the world. In fact – the church – Ecclesia – means the called out ones. So you are already called out to live differently - with integrity – no veener on top – Granite all the way through. And the best news ever – God doesn’t ‘call you out’ as a confrontation… He called you out as a calling – an anointing – and He gives you power to do it! His Grace is all the power you need. So your actions, and your response are completely different than the world around you. Praying that you won’t go around calling people out, that’s not your job. But if God leads you to call people higher – they might not realize what they’re doing is hurting themselves or others. If God has you do this, then I pray that you will do it in the humility and grace that He gives. And if anyone calls you out, praying that you will be an example in humility, that you won’t conflate the message with the messenger, but that you will repent when it is required, and always be gracious – whether their intent was pure or not. God can use critics to help refine you. Who cares if they care about you or not. God loves you… and truth - whether harsh or gracious – can still be used to grow with. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Some call outs are not worth worrying about. An undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest. But if there is any truth to criticism you face, the wise humble themselves, they seek God, they seek counsel, and they follow the Holy Spirit, growing in maturity – into the likeness and representation of Jesus. Praying that you will remember that He has called you – that you are called out of the old, and into the new – the life and the good that He has for you! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word. It reveals stupid. Because sometimes stupid isn’t obvious – when it should be. Proverbs 12:1 – Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Loving discipline is hard. Discipline is correction and instruction. When you’re a child, discipline and instruction come easily (your parents tell you exactly what to do and when, you have no choice, you’re a child.) But as an adult, if you’re a believer, your Heavenly Father sends correction, and instruction – but you’re not forced to sit in your high chair until you finish your green beans – if you choose not to, you just leave. As an adult – the correction of discipline is tough because correction always starts as verbal, and you only heed it if you receive it. If you don’t, He’ll send it again, but eventually if you don’t heed, consequence will follow. As a child, a swat on the diaper, but as an adult, the consequence of unheeded correction is often delayed, but with much higher impact and repercussion – financially and otherwise… That’s why it’s vital as an adult to heed correction - so you learn to love discipline. To heed correction: you have to hear, you have to recognized it’s God speaking (in whatever form He chose to communicate to you), you have to recognize that it’s different, than what you have been doing, and you have to decide to change, and then follow through. As an adult, the instruction part of discipline is equally tough, because it means – you have to humble yourself to sit under His instruction, and then choose to do what He says, over what you have been doing… to develop new actions and new patterns, that don’t come naturally to you, or don’t match your preference or natural tendency. God’s instruction yields great reward, but only for those who follow it. So to love discipline (God’s correction and instruction) you have to receive it and follow it. If you don’t respond… then you really hate God’s correction, you don’t love it. You place little value on it, instead of considering it a priority. God says it’s stupid to do that… It’s easy to get caught up in stupid things. Stupid is as stupid does, but stupid does as stupid thinks. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Most people do foolish things (ignorant or intentional), because they’re stuck in their old way of thinking. They value man’s way above God’s way. Like the person who eats the goose for dinner – that lays the golden eggs. How stupid. Sell the eggs, and you can eat at Chick-Fil-A every night for dinner. Here’s a challenge of God revealing things… When talking in generalities, everyone nods their head in agreement, but once you get to the particulars – “Preacher, you done left preaching, and now you’ve gone to meddlin’…” So what’s this goose thing? Most people want to live a lifestyle right now that their present income cannot provide, and their present maturity cannot steward. But they become obligated either with debt which is slavery and a curse, or high monthly expenses which consume their cashflow, and eat their seed. They don’t realize ‘that seven year plan,’ will start now, or will start later, and the longer you wait, the more challenging it becomes. If a farmer eats all the seed, he can’t plant in the spring. If people consume all their cash-flow on today’s expenses, and lifestyle, there is nothing to plant for tomorrow. But worse yet, there is nothing left to give. You can’t give what you owe to someone else… If you’ve obligated yourself, you cannot give like you want, you’ve already chosen to owe, to what you’ve already bought, or committed to. You cannot be a giver, if you owe, certainly you can’t be a hilarious giver, because you have committed to spend what could be used for giving. If you are living beyond your means, you are not just stealing your seed of saving for the future, you are eating your seed of giving – which is God’s secret to abundance, and eternal reward, in the Spirit and in the natural. God said. “Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over – will be poured into your lap. With the measure you use it will be measured unto you.” Some people would be open to giving, but their measure is already committed to another. So they cannot give more – and so… they cannot receive more. Now be careful, if your mind becomes twisted, and you start giving just to receive, you’re not giving, you’re swapping. And God never says “swap and it will be swapped unto you” He said give, and it will be given unto you. If you give as God directs – God can bring abundance into your life. But if you commit all your income, you are spending, not saving, you’re consuming, not giving. You’re eating the goose – that lays the golden eggs. Giving is the goose. Praying that you will be content with what you have. That you will look to become, more than you look to get. That you will live today in a way that enables you to give and save as God leads… so tomorrow you will be able to give even more, and be free from those lifestyle obligations that limit your giving, Praying that you won’t be tied down by obligations, but free to do what God will put in your heart to do. Praying that you will sacrifice and save now, so you will have the resources to do what God tells you to do then! Praying that you will know God’s seven year plan for you – so you can be free to serve, free to give, free to minister, and your family will be free to do what God puts on your heart to do. Whatever your dream for today, God has bigger dreams that He wants to give you tomorrow. Praying that you will think about tomorrow, not just today, that you will ask God what He wants you to do, and sacrifice today in this season, to prepare for what He has for you in the next season. God’s way is always freedom, always margin, always thanksgiving, always contentment, always sharing, always hope. Today isn’t everything, and neither is tomorrow. Just be faithful today, learn to be content today, fully faithful - and it will help you to be faithful tomorrow. Content is not complacent, saving is not sacrifice, it’s investment. Giving is not loss, it’s eternal gain, and wisdom. Praying that you will ask God how He wants you to live today, so you can give what He wants you to give, so you can save like the wise, what God wants you to save, so tomorrow you will be more free, so your house will be filled with rare and beautiful treasures. So that you will today be Godly with contentment – which God says is great gain! Praying that you will rejoice, that you will be willing in the sacrifice, that you will be thankful in everything, hopeful, joyful, and prayerful. That your life will reflect God’s kingdom, God’s giving – because you have a heart for it, ears to hear, and margin for it. Praying that God’s contentment, wisdom, and obedience, (and the precious possession of each person – diligence) – will lead you to His next provision. Praying that you won’t let dreams of today, steal the destiny or legacy or freedom - that He has for you. Praying that you won’t eat the golden goose, nor obligate all the eggs, but that you will trust God for His peace, and His pace for your life, family and ministry. Praying that you will seek His longer term perspective, so His fruit will be abundant in you in every season. Ministry is not a title, it’s a relationship – a relationship with God, and a relationship with others. What kind of relationship? a discipling kind of relationship that leads them to God’s Way not man’s way. Praying that you will know and choose God’s wisdom – so who you are, and what you do – is something that God’ wants to replicate in others. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
What is your biggest regret? Don’t answer! Why answer that? Don’t. Just because someone asks you a question doesn’t mean you have to answer it. Does that question lead to praise? Does it lead to building you up in your faith? If not – choose a different question to answer. What I’m most thankful for, is God’s mercy and grace – despite all my mistakes. I don’t spend much time on regret, but I am looking forward to what God has for me next! He’s always faithful, He provides everything I need, and enough to share with others. He gives vision and direction and joy that goes with it. He can even restore what the locusts have eaten… How about you, what are you looking forward to?” In life, you get to choose what questions you answer, and what questions you don’t. Some questions aren’t even worth considering. Don’t. Always think life, so you always speak life. And don’t let other people, whether attacking, well-intending, or just foolish, trap you into questions that God doesn’t have for you. If nothing else, just reverse the question with kindness. “I don’t know, what about you?” That will buy you some time, and may even give you an opportunity to encourage them, and help them see what God has done in their life. Every conversation you have with another person – you should help them discover their testimony. God has done wonderful things in their life, even if they don’t know Him yet, or haven’t noticed. You can always celebrate the good in their life, they’ll appreciate it, it will lift their spirits, and will point them to God. Regarding regret, remember the Daily Huddle – No Time For? If you are regretting, you’re not rejoicing. What is regret? a temptation, an invitation to think about less than God’s best. Regrets aren’t worth thinking about – they just lead to paralysis, not progress. Regret just gets you discouraged or even depressed. It stops you, it doesn’t propel you. To stop and think about something bad that happened in your past, whether a foolish or poor choice, or the wicked, selfish choices of others means your thoughts are backward not forward. Anytime the devil wants to chain you with regret, rejoice instead. God was faithful! Even in your mistakes, wrong choices or flat foolishness. He was faithful in your affliction, whether self-inflicted or the selfishness of others. Any regret should be replaced by a testimony! God is working it out for your good! He promised! Regret just prevents you from thinking about the promises of God, what He has for your future, for your destiny, for the good that He has stored up for those who fear Him, the good that He has for you! “Examine yourself,” which God tells you to do, doesn’t mean think about regrets, it means be honest with where you are right now… what you are doing right now? Not in the past, that’s over! What are you doing right now - and is it God’s best for you or less than His best. That’s what ‘examine yourself’ means, to consider if it’s your way or God’s way for you… So you can choose to leave your way which will be a train-wreck and choose God’s way which is a highway to the purpose and destiny that He has for you. If you find yourself struggling with regret, it’s the devil trying to hold you back, not the God who loves you – who’s just waiting to move you forward! Praying that you’ll reject regret and rejoice instead. If you’re busy obeying His plan and His Word for you, there’s no time for regret, you’re enjoying the rejoicing, anticipating the blessing, and praising Him for the progress. Praying that you won’t answer every question, just because someone asks it. That you’ll choose the questions you will consider and answer. And praying that you’ll review your PiVAT Yearly and PiVAT Progress – it’s what God has for you – for His glory and your good! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word. It tells you things that go together, and things that don’t - like pride and disgrace. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, they go together. And things that don’t go together – blessing and cursing from the same mouth. How can this be? Here are two things that don’t go together. You’ll do one or the other, and if you do one, you won’t do the other. Have you ever struggled with something? Are you struggling or praising? I will bless the LORD at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth. What makes you struggle? Disobedience number one. Some people struggle with temptation because they don’t reject it, they entertain it, they consider it – they struggle with things they should never even think about. But most people struggle – when things are not going well. When things aren’t going your way. Why do people struggle? They expected something different than what’s happening right now. I didn’t expect things would be this way? I thought we’d have the answer by now, I thought we’d be further along by now. Have you ever been waiting, for something that you thought would have happened, or would have been different? Do you find yourself in a place you didn’t choose, or ask God for, or believed He would do things differently? Are you struggling or praising? You’ll do one or the other, but you won’t do both. If you’re praising – you won’t be struggling. It’s hard to praise and struggle. Praise helps you see things differently, because God shows up in it. God says consider this trial a joy, in everything give thanks, and praise Him in every circumstance. Paul and Silas were in a bad situation. They came to this town – expecting a revival – and instead, they got forty lashes. And if you have ever researched the brutality of that punishment – many people died from it. They weren’t just innocent – Paul was a Roman citizen, by birth, not by a purchase. It was against Roman law to flog a Roman citizen without a trial. Jews – it didn’t matter, but Roman citizens had rights. Not only was this unfair, and unjust, it was not why they came here. Can you imagine if Paul and Silas were struggling? “Man, why did this happen, I can’t believe this. It’s not fair, God why did you do this to me?” But they weren’t struggling, they were praising, thankful to be suffering for the cause of Christ. Thankful for the promise and goodness of God. When there was no skin left on their backs, and they were locked hand and foot in stocks, in a dungeon prison cell, shivering, with rats running around, no food and no water. They didn’t waste time struggling – they decided to praise, and everyone was listening. They had never heard of such a thing! If Paul and Silas were struggling, they would have never seen the miracle of God. They would just keep struggling. When you are struggling, you completely miss the purpose for which God put you here - in the waiting, or in the predicament you would never have chosen – if it was up to you. Paul & Silas refused to struggle, they chose to praise – and as they were praising, God inhabited their praise. God was moving! He sent an earthquake – the chains fell off, and the prison doors flew open, and the jailer and his whole family came to faith in Christ. Wherever you are – especially if you’re not where you want to be right now - you will struggle, or you will praise. And one will prevent the other. If you’re struggling, it’s because you’re not praising, and if you’re praising you won’t be struggling – cause you’re about to see what God will do – and things could get a little crazy! Multiple professional athletes share that an injury they suffered, was in fact the best thing that could have happened to them. Not only did they develop the resolve and diligence to come back stronger, but when they physically could not work out, they had the opportunity to develop other things! They worked out their mind. They learned the play book inside and out, they researched and discovered ways to increase their effectiveness – which would never have happened, had they not gotten injured. Do you find yourself in a less than preferred circumstance right now? You have a choice… You will struggle, or you will praise. One leads to death, the other leads to life. One is God’s way, one is man’s way. Have you ever thought to ask God – what He has for you in this situation? More time with Him? More time in His Word? So you gain wisdom and power for what God has coming next in your life… If you’re in the hospital, you can watch soap opera’s or you can grow stronger in His Word – the Word that will heal you, grow your faith, give you wisdom, and bring you life! And life to those around you… If you’re struggling instead of praising, you’re missing what God has for you. And it’s important! If you’re struggling, you’ll never feel the ground shake, or the chains fall, or see the doors open, that only comes if you’re praising. Praying that you will ask God what He has for you in this situation. In this season, short or long, comfortable or uncomfortable – and that you would pursue it with all your heart. God may have you here, to change your life forever! Praying that you will use this time to pursue His Presence, and His Word like never before, so you receive what God put you here for! Praying that you will choose praise, not struggle, so you get what God has for you – so you see what God can do! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word – it puts time and eternity in perspective. Most people want what they want right now. They want to live today – in what God could have for them tomorrow. Most people don’t realize that the sacrifice prepares you for the blessing. Most people sacrifice tomorrow for today. God’s way is to sacrifice today for tomorrow. The wise man saves for the future, the foolish man spends whatever he gets. Go to the ant, consider it’s ways and become wise (Proverbs 6). Some people want things that their stewardship skills cannot handle yet. Like that quote – ‘Talent can take you where character can’t sustain you.’ Praise God, He doesn’t give us things that our character, our humility or our present level of faithfulness cannot sustain or maintain. There is a truth as old as time. What you do today, will determine how you live tomorrow. Take financially for example. Some people live today on what they will spend tomorrow, and it could be long gone by then. That’s what debt is. That’s why God calls it a curse. Others save today, so they can be free tomorrow, and for the rest of their lives. God’s Word shares an interesting number and timeline. Seven years. Wow, that seems so long. Not really – it’s just a blink. Are you 21 years old? You’ve had three of those seven years already! You only get ten in a lifetime – man lives til seventy, maybe eighty if he has the strength. (Ps 90:10) Seven years is nothing…It just seems long if your focus is wrong. If your focus is on what you don’t have, rather than what you do have, it’s a long time. Genesis 29:18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel… So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Wow. When your focus is not on the time, but the love, it seems like days, not years. Deuteronomy 15:1 – God gave a command to His people Israel… “At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. Originally mortgages were five to seven years, only later at the time of the Great Depression – and the New Deal – did they become thirty years. God never intended his people to be in debt. He said “You were bought with a price, do not become slaves of men.” (I Cor 7:23) The honus is on you, not the lender. I don’t know many lenders who cancel debts after seven years. But that’s not your business. What they do isn’t your problem, it’s what you do. God wants you to be a lender, not a debtor. If you are in debt (because of ignorance, and disobedience), God’s way is a seven year plan to get out. If you will commit to it, He could accelerate it. It happens all the time, but only for those who burn the ships. If you are out of debt, but feel like you could never get a house or a car or whatever you want… without debt. That is not true. God has never depended on debt to provide for His people, ever. His people were slaves for 400 years, and they built a temple worth over a trillion dollars (in today’s gold prices)… & they didn’t take out a loan from 1st Palestinian Bank. If you will make that seven year commitment – God can pay off your mortgage and better than that – a mortgage that you never took! Because He said – ‘Don’t strike hands in pledge.’ If you can pay off a mortgage in seven years, with sacrifice and diligence (and you can! we did). Then you can save a mortgage in seven years so you never have to take out one. And you will have cash to buy what God has for you. Is that impossible? Not at all. Most people think it is, because they don’t know anyone who trusted God for it. But for those that do… God can bring about miracles along the way. Most people just listened to their realtor – who said 'It’s better to stretch a little bit to get the house you need. Payments may make things tight at first, but in a few years they will get easier, as you get raises, a better job, and you’ll be glad you got the house to grow into. Plus the way house are prices are rising, it’s better to get into one now – so you can gain the appreciation! Rather than just saving money for a house that keeps getting more expensive.” Wow, who said that? Not God. God’s provision is not limited by inflation. And even the world knows, what goes up must come down. And the obvious truth is house price appreciation when you’re in debt doesn’t help you. It doesn’t make the payments easier, it doesn’t eliminate the house improvements that will be needed, if you lose your job you could lose the house, and even if nothing bad happened, the appreciation doesn’t do you any good. Because to make money off the appreciation, you have to sell the house – but then you have to buy another one in that same inflated house price market. There are many people who will give you reasons why God’s plan isn’t the best, theirs is better. But for those who commit to God’s seven year plan – God can bring about miracles along the way. He’s already got a house for you, you want His best house, in His best time. And if your love for God is like Jacob’s love for Rachel – and you obey His commands – the seven years will seem like days. When you get your mind off of now, and become who God wants to build you into becoming - through the journey - everything God wants to mature in you – you will find that those mere seven years – will change your life, your destiny, and your family tree for generations to come. Praying that you will ask God how to limit or eliminate the housing and transportation costs now…that consume people’s income, and keep people in poverty…so you can have a house one day soon without debt, that you can share with others, and encourage them in God’s Way instead of man’s way. Praying that you will review the Money Packet. If you will trust God, and choose His way over what everyone else does. Your contentment will grow – You’ll be focused on becoming, not getting… And He will prepare you so you will be already faithful for those things He will give you in His perfect time. I’d rather have that dream when I’m ready to be faithful with it, not before… Plus you don’t know what God could do, if you will get crazy with your obedience. He always responds to faith… if you don’t have faith, you won’t obey – it won’t make sense. Praying that your legacy and the legacy of your children and children’s children will be a debt-free, hilarious giving – life. If you will just sacrifice for seven years – (Maybe not even that long!) no matter what it takes, no matter what God tells you. No matter what the economy or ‘market’ ‘looks like.’ If you will choose God’s Way – you will see the miracles He will do. And He will change you in the process. If you don’t, your children won’t either. And seven years from now – your children won’t even remember the sacrifice – all they will know is the blessing of God and the freedom He gives. Praying that you will be on God’s Seven Year Plan, financially and spiritually, so you grow in maturity. Why wait? If you will fully commit, it will seem like days. If you’re not fully committed, you’ll be constantly tossed like the waves by the wind. God’s seven year plan works! Praying that you will commit to it – so your life will be changed, and your choices of obedience, will result in freedom for your family - for generations to come. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word, it helps you know what to do. Have you ever been stuck in the valley of indecision? Not sure where to go, or what to do… and the clock is ticking? Either a crisis point looming, or just another week, month, and year that has passed, and you’re still stuck in the same boat. Decisions are difficult because what seems good isn’t always. And what seems like not such a good idea, could be exactly what God has for you. His Ways are just higher than yours, and His ways will often stretch you. It’s ok to be out on a limb, as long as it’s the right limb. Most people make mistakes in the decisions they make because they rush. Hasty speculation brings poverty. Quick decisions aren’t always the best, they often contain pitfalls. But sometimes even God is saying “Stop praying, start moving!” Like with Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea, and God parted it. It’s not time to pray – it’s time to go! Another reason why people make bad decisions, is because they are misinformed. What they think is true, isn’t. Those around them believe a certain way, and they fall right into the trap – and end up doing foolish things based on misinformation. Another reason why people make foolish or poor decisions is because they are lacking information, they don’t have all the information they need, and they make decisions prematurely – based on incomplete knowledge. What they could find out with just a little due diligence, or a little patience, they either are unaware of the importance of that skill, or they ignore it thinking they know better. Pride goeth before a bad decision – that’s where the fall usually comes in. But the main reason why people make poor decisions. Is they don’t ask God. Whether they think they don’t have time to… (as if this perceived urgency is more important than making a wise decision) or they just don’t think about it. They asked all their friends, and perceived ‘experts,’ but they forget to ask the One who knows the answer, the end from the beginning, who holds all wisdom, the One who has the plan for them – that is best. Joshua fell into that same trap. Rather than ask God, they fell for the deception of a peace treaty with a nation far away, which turned out to be the next town God was going to give them. Just because they had moldy bread, doesn’t mean it was fresh when they started they journey… Yes, people will lie to you. So how do you make sure you don’t get stuck in the valley of indecision, or make foolish ones, just to make one. First know God’s promise. He has good for those who fear Him, for those who love Him, and are willing to seek, wait, and fully follow His plan no matter what He tells them. Second, God promised if we lack wisdom and we ask Him, He will surely show us the best decision to choose and when. And Third, He said – seek Godly Counsel – (from obeyers more than so-called ‘experts’). All counsel is not created equal, but a multitude of counsel is what God tells us will bring victory. Praying that if you are facing a decision, that you won’t ignore, or delay, or rush. But that you would seek God – who promised wisdom for you. Praying that you will use a PIVAT Decision Tool, for this decision you face. Not only will it help you hear God’s direction for you, but it will be something you can come back to – when you made the best decision – but might face a little adversity along the way. God’s way vs. man’s way applies not just to every decision, but even the process you use to arrive at one. Praying that you will ask God, seek Godly counsel, trust Him fully, wait on His timing, and Go when it’s Go Time. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It tells you what is true, it tells you what to do, and it tells you what to do every day. Someone said, “You are what you do daily.” It’s not what you intend to do, or what you wish you had done, it’s not what you say you’re going to do, or did one time. It’s what you do, and don’t do! It’s what you do regularly that makes you and shapes you. It’s what you do daily that forms you. It determines what you become, and what you remain, what you grow in, and what lasts only for a season… Praying that you will know for sure what God told you to do today, and what God told you to do every day. What if you knew that? What if you did it! How would your life change? What would you become? What could God do in just a few weeks, or months, or just a few years. You wouldn’t recognize you! What would your testimony be? What would you leave as a legacy? One thing I’m praying that you will do every day – because it will encourage you in what God told you to do, and told you to do every day… PiVAT before dinner, and a Daily Call with a friend. It’s instant encouragement and counsel, it's daily overcoming! So you can be sharpened, as Iron sharpens Iron. Simple, but not easy. You have to recognize the value of God’s command in Hebrews 3:13, to exhort ‘one other’ daily. If you value His command, you will do it, and if you do, over time… you will see the result. God never gives busy-work… He gives commands for your success, for your victory, for your overcoming. Steps that will establish you in His purpose, and His promise. Will you pray about asking someone to do a 3-Day-Challenge with you? You’ve done it before, God used it before, His Word hasn’t changed… It’s easy to stop what works. You might not miss it at first, because of the distractions or other attentions, but every time you do what He commands, there is a blessing attached to it – because blessing and joy are inseparable from obedience. Praying that you will love God, and love others. Your greatest ministry ever, is allowing someone close enough to see how you obey every day. It’s what God calls making disciples – teaching them to obey all the things He wants them to obey, the path He has for them. So they can be like David, a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22) You could help them. And the benefit to you, is always more than the investment you put in. God just has funny math that way. Praying that you will have a Daily Call this year… So you can grow in your testimony, and your overcoming, so you can grow in your wisdom, in your love for God’s Word, and in your prayer and your love for others. It’s always worth it! Love you all, dad |
AuthorKelly Kamentz - Jesus follower, husband, father, and friend, helping others surrender time, thoughts, money, and testimony, to fulfill their purpose! Archives
April 2024
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