Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It gives reminders. It warns you of traps that are so easy to fall into. It helps you guard your tongue so you guard your heart. Proverbs 18:21 – Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who indulge it, will eat it’s fruit. The tongue is so small, but like a rudder – it can steer an enormous ship. (James 3:4,5) The power of your tongue will determine your life. Praying that you will review the PRISM Topic – Speak Life. If there was a Blessing 101 – Other than the Fear of the LORD, that would be it! God reminds also of things we should never say – so don’t allow yourself to think it or say it. A few things you shouldn’t say: Ecclesiastes 7:10 – Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these, for it is not from wisdom that you ask this. If times are hard, remember the promise of the LORD, remember what He did and how good He has been. Always better to praise, than complain. Always better to remember and be thankful, than to wonder why… Jeremiah 1:6 – Do not say, I am too young, (or I am too old), You must go to everyone I send you, and say whatever I command you to say. God has places for you to do, and things for you to say. Ask Him, so you can say what He wants you to say. James 4:35 – Do not say, “It’s still four months until the harvest.’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields, they are ripe for harvest. Tomorrow is never better than today. “If only I had this, or had that or if only I was there instead of here. God said, do not say such things. Ask Him what He wants you to do, right where you are. If you are stranded on a deserted Island, you can still praise and pray. He has something for you today. Ask Him, and walk in it. Take joy in today! It’s an opportunity – if you can see it. Proverbs 24:29 – Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.” People are people. God said love your enemies, don’t be controlled by them. People will disappoint you, what does that have to do with you? Nothing. Look to the LORD, your Father in Heaven. He said He will never leave you nor forsake you. His love for you endures forever. He said He will fulfill the purpose He has for you. You have to do it, for Him to fulfill it. He won’t do your job for you. Thanksgiving and praise, enters His gates and his courts. Obedience is what fulfills your purpose. Praying that you’ll know what He told you to do today. And keep your mind on what He said. So your tongue can bring the life that He has for you, and bring life to others too. Prayer is a powerful tool. Speaking His Word and His Promises, will produce a harvest – the fruit of your lips. In everything gives thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Bring your petitions to God, but leave them with Him. Don’t focus on what you need? Pray for others. It will get you out of your situation, and will help them in their situation. Many, many people, have it far worse than you. Maybe God is trying to use your prayers to strengthen them! Ask God what PRISM Topic – that He wants you to meditate on today. And pray His Word over yourself, your family and others. Praying that your mind will be consumed with His Word, that your lips will speak His truth, so your heart can rejoice, your faith can increase, your hope will be sure, and your joy will overflow. It’s the fruit of your lips. Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It’s a classic. In 1972, Bill Withers released a song that went to number one. And years later Rolling Stone ranked it as number 208 of the top 500 greatest songs of all time. Lean On Me – when you’re not strong, I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. God calls it Trust. Another classic, that will never make Rolling Stone, but a classic none the less... In 1855 Joseph Scriven wrote - What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear, what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. I really like both songs, but would have to give the nod to the latter. This thing called Trust. Do you really trust? Easier when things are going great. You don’t really think about it. But when suffering loss, or facing a challenge greater than you think you can bear… Do you trust? Trust: Confidence; a reliance or a resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship or other sound principle of another person. It’s not the “what” that deserves our trust. (I just trust things will work out…) No, it’s the “Who.” Is your confidence in Him? How confident are you? What confidence is He worth? Is your mind at rest? Or stressed? The resting of the mind – is trust. Is your mind resting? Are you relying one hundred percent on Him? Or somewhat on him, but trusting in your ability, still worrying – as that if that would help him out. Do you see the mountain, the challenge, the problem? Or are your eyes on Him. God said. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (Lean on Me! When you’re not strong…) In all your ways. (That means thoughts, words, and actions), acknowledge Him. As what? A nice guy? A cool dude? No, acknowledge Him as LORD. That’s what He is. That means Supreme in Authority. Everything is under His control, and everything you face is clearly within His jurisdiction! His power is endless, His love for you is eternal, His promise is as sure as the Sun comes up in the morning. Trust is a choice. Praying that your trust will be in Him - one hundred percent… That you will know His plans, the good that He has for you. That you will believe His Word – the things He has spoken, and promised. Praying that you will review the PRISM Topic – Trust. Nothing Like an overdose of His Word – to set your mind on truth. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word – It tells you what to do and what not to do. It gives warnings. Have you ever thought about what you definitely do not want to do, or be, or become? Here’s a suggestion. Don’t be a fool. God warns about them, and how to become one. You definitely do not want to do that. That means you weren’t one, but you became one… How do you become a fool? Neglect His Word – and you will surely become a fool. If you neglect His Word, you will neglect His ways. (Psalm 107:17) If you don’t obey this first thing, you’ll forget and do other things… The best way to not ever become a fool, is stay in His Word, Make PRISM your daily, lifelong habit, and do everything He planned for you today. So what did God warn about fools? Not just to avoid them, don’t become one. What are Eleven Marks of a fool? Things you definitely do not want to do... #1 - The fool has said in His heart, “There is no God.” (Psalms 14:1) How foolish. The created refusing to believe in The Creator when His evidence is everywhere, even that last breath you just took. #2 – The fool doesn’t understand that though the wicked spring up like grass, and evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed (Psalms 92:6). The fool doesn’t understand this, he either joins them, or blames God for not seeing or doing anything about it. They are senseless. Don’t doubt God in dark times, seek His face, put your faith in Him. Don’t be a fool. #3 – A fool returns to folly. Whether word or deed, they always come back to the sin that so easily besets them. They chose the pleasures of sin for a season over the eternal reward of heaven. They love the things of the world. They will return to it, even if they escape it. As a dog returns to his vomit so a fool returns to his folly. (Proverbs 26:11) They can’t see their own folly. They act with impunity as if God cannot see what they are doing, or bring them to account. Don’t ever fall into that deception yourself… don’t return to folly. #4 - A fool is quick to quarrel.” Sometimes you just need to give them a piece of your mind. No… you probably should hang on to the little you got… That’s how fools think. Proverbs 20:3 - It is to a man’s honor to overlook an offense (to avoid a fight), but every fool is quick to quarrel. A fool is combative, easily offended, ready to throw down at the slightest provocation. It’s how they think. If you think like a fool, you’ll soon become one if you aren’t one already. If you don’t avoid them, you’ll get caught up in the beat down they will surely receive. Proverbs 10:14 – The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites ruin. Proverbs 18:6 – The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. Don’t do that… #5 - A fool is easily enticed, easy prey for the adulteress. Because they live off of natural impulses, they ‘can’t help themselves.’ Proverbs 7:22 - "He followers her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter , or as a fool to the correction of the stocks." A fool is always headed for shackles – ankle bracelets.. A fool – eviyl – pronounced “ev-eel” (sound familiar?) means perverse – slow to obey. “Turning it around in their mind, until they end up going to the contrary.” Fools are perverse, they always delay obedience, so they end up not obeying. They are not quick obeyers which could have saved them from folly. #6 - A fool is proud, they think they know better, they do not want to change – because they think they are right. Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. Fools think their own way is right. They trust in themselves. Proverbs 28:26 – Those who trust in their own insight are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Fools don’t listen. They don’t seek counsel, they don’t heed counsel. Proverbs 15:5 – The fool disregards his father’s instruction, but whoever learns from correction is wise. They don’t even heed correction. Proverbs 27:22 - Though you grind a fool in a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him. Proverbs 17:10 – A rebuke impresses a wise man more than a hundred lashes a fool. #7 – A fool takes pleasure in wrong doing. They are always looking for the next party, the next mischief to get into. They laugh at the misfortune of others. Proverbs 10:23 – Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but a man of wisdom delights in understanding. A fool delights in shameful conduct, he takes pleasure in mischief. Always wanting to do things that dishonor God, or could harm others. #8 - A fool vents, they are easily annoyed – they don’t hold their tongue, whether to themselves, or others…. their folly is always on display. Proverbs 29:11 - A fool uttereth all his mind, but a wise man keepeth it in til afterwards. (A fool vents all his feelings, but the wise person keeps them to himself.) Proverbs 12:16 – A fool shows his annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:23 – The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly. Proverbs 13:16 – All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly (Wise people think before they act; fools don’t – and even brag about their foolishness.) Ecclesiastes 10:3 – Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are. Proverbs 14:16 – The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded with reckless confidence. Fools are overconfident, they lack discernment. #9 - A fool chatters – always talking – when they have little, nothing, or nothing good to say, they can’t help but saying stupid… the wise are comfortable with awkward silence. It’s not awkward for them… Someone once said, "Better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." God said, “Even a fool is thought wise if he holds his tongue.” If nothing else, do it for that… Fools are always talking, rarely making sense, devoid of wisdom, but overweening with pride. Proverbs 10:8 – The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. (The wise are glad to be instructed, but a babbling fool falls flat on his face.) Proverbs 18:7 – A fool’s mouth is his own undoing, and his lips are a snare to his very life. His talk gets him into trouble, it is his ruin in the end. Ecclesiastes 5:3 – Too many worries lead to bad dreams, and a fool is known by his multitude of words. (The more you worry, the more likely you are to have bad dreams, and the more you talk, the more likely you are to say something foolish.) Fools chatter. Ecclesiastes 10:12 – Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. (The lips of a fool consume him) Proverbs 10:19 – When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise… (He who restrains his lips is wise, he who keeps thoughtful silence is wise) #10 - A fool is always scheming but always getting schemed. Fools are always trying to get one over on somebody, little knowing, they are just bringing themselves to ruin. They are trying to get a steal, get the better end of the deal… but they are just getting played themselves. Proverbs 10:10 Whoever winks with the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. Ill gotten gain evaporates. Proverbs 10:2 – Ill-gotten gains have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. #11 - A fool slanders constantly. Always dissing people, always throwing shade. Always talking about people, having a critical spirit. Be careful – don’t criticize others, don’t fall into the pit of slander – it’s hard to get out. Proverbs 10:18 – Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. (Whoever utters slander is a fool). Never speak ill of others, decline, avoid it. It never leads to anything good. The fear of the LORD is to say nothing harmful. Why be a fool? Here’s a nugget… God even talks about a Fool on Steroids. There are two mentions in the Bible of ‘there is more hope for a fool than for him.’ This is a fool on steroids, someone who is worse than a fool, that takes fool to whole ‘nother level - that insures permanent fool status. Proverbs 26:12 – Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. And Proverbs 29:20 – Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. Proverbs 18:13 explains it… – To answer before listening, that is folly and shame. God warns of these two bad habits… If you think you are wise, or if you speak before listening) – you are headed for the Hall of Shame – of fools – the best of the best. Praise God, there is a difference between a foolish decision, and being a fool. That might be what you did, but that’s not you. Humble yourself, repent and turn. Get God’s plan and do it. Get God’s Word – and speak it, write it down, store it up, and repeat it. It will take root in you, it will change your heart and change your mind, it will change your character, even your DNA. Fools can become wise, - just leave your simple ways and you will live. (Proverbs 9:6) Praise God there is hope, even for fools, even for me and you! God loves you, His way is the best way! There’s nothing even close! His Word can change you, His grace is enough. His love for you is eternal. That’s why he warns us of stuff we shouldn’t ever do. Don’t do it. Instead pursue wisdom and righteousness, through His Plans and His Word, and quick obedience, and you’ll leave foolish behind. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It is so real. Have you ever heard someone say “I’m just pissed…” Is that you? Why do people say that? Does it draw the favor of God? Does it attract people to them? Unlikely, and if it does, those aren’t the people you want to attract. There is no benefit to being surrounded by malcontents… So why do people say that? Most of the time it’s because they are weak minded… easily triggered, everything gets under their skin. They haven’t matured enough to control their emotions. Here’s what God says. James 1:19 – My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone of you should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Wow. Can’t be much clearer than that… Is it ever OK to be angry? Nowhere in the Bible did it record Jesus being angry at people who treated him poorly, or at situations or circumstances that he couldn’t control… People who rejected him, lied about him, slandered him, and it happened all the time. Plus, He knew what they were thinking, their blind and baseless hatred for Him… He was being slandered and persecuted constantly, not to mention betrayed… But other people didn’t tic him off. He knew what they were, who they were controlled by, and He had compassion on them, not anger against them. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do…” The only time he got angry was when the money changers turned His Father’s house into a den of thieves. He called them out on it, overturned their tables, and drove them out of the temple. Dishonoring God’s house, and taking advantage of the poor upset him. The other thing that he disliked, was the Pharisees who were hypocrites, putting burdens on people that they themselves couldn’t carry, or accusing others, of things they did themselves. He didn’t let that go unaddressed. But those are the only two instances I know of where Jesus became angry. People didn’t trigger him, he wasn’t held captive by immaturity or emotions. And right after saying that anger doesn’t produce the righteousness that God desires, James says, “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. He associated anger with those things… and said humble yourself and accept the word of God planted in you which can save you – from being controlled by anger in your life. And then He said the very next verse. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. God didn’t call us to be angry, he called us to be humble, obedient, faithful, and loving. Even the unlovable, even our enemies. Praise God – any thing that could cause anger – is just fake news. God is bigger than that thing, or that person, even that lack of maturity or graciousness or contentment on your part. Humble yourself, repent, Do His Word, don’t just hear it. God is working everything for your good. Trials met with humility become victories. Trials met with anger become prolonged. Praying that you won’t be pissed off, but humbly accept the Word planted in you. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word, it tells you that people just like you, went through what you’re going through. Psalm 109:1 – O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent… Have you ever gone through a trial, and wondered if God was still there? If He even sees what you’re going through? If He would just say something… I love that God’s Word always tells you what to do, where to start, wherever you find yourself. O God, whom I praise. That’s step one. Interestingly, just a few verses earlier, Psalms 108:7 – God has spoken from His sanctuary; In triumph (in holiness) I will parcel out Shechem. (He will award territory that the devil once occupied). We just want him to say something… We say, “O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent.” But are you praising? Do you praise, do you still praise when you need Him to speak, to speak up, to say something now – when you need Him now? Do you praise? God is never silent, even creation still speaks. If He hasn’t spoken recently – He has spoken already. What did He say – are you repeating it, so you believe it? Do you praise Him for it, for what He already said? Do you praise and do you believe? Yes, you need Him to speak right now, into this situation right now. But do you praise Him for what He already said – while you’re waiting for Him to say something. Are you reminding yourself, of what He said already – that you can count on as sure as the Sun comes up in the morning? Until He speaks again, just remind yourself of what He said. And praise Him for it. And sometimes He leads you – to just be still. That’s Him speaking too. Praying that while you’re waiting for Him to speak again, that you will Praise, that you will Remember, that you will be still and know that He is God. That’s what He spoke from His sanctuary. We say things that last for a while, God says things that last for eternity. What He said from His sanctuary, from His Holiness – still stands. It still rings out, it still resonates, it’s still hanging there, remaining there. Praise Him for His faithfulness! Remember what He said, and what He did. He’s been faithful your whole life! He said He will fulfill the purpose He has for you. He said He is turning and working everything, even what the devil intends for evil… for your good! He is faithful even in affliction. Praise Him for What He said, Remember what He did, Do all that He told you to do right now! And then be still and know… He is God, what He said still stands, and He will speak again. Pray in the Spirit, and you’ll pray His exact will. Stay in His Word, and your mind will be transformed. Give your testimony every day, and you will overcome. Serve and give to others in need, and God will increase your seed. Praying that when He is silent, you will praise, and remember, fully do, and then be still – because you know! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It gives you such a different perspective. Acts 1:9 – After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and cloud hid Him from their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, two men stood beside them in white clothes. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will someday return from heaven in the same way you saw him go. Can you imagine being there as Jesus ascended up into the sky, into heaven as a cloud covered him and took him away? Can you imagine being there when he descends again to earth, the same way He was taken up into heaven? Have you ever thought about… “What if you knew that today was the day?” What if you got a text from Jesus, telling you that He was coming back tonight at 7:00 pm? What would you do today? Would you tell somebody? Would you praise more? Or pray more? Would you just call in sick from work, and wait til He gets here? Matthew 25:13 – Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (He then told the parable of the talents. And those who were faithful until he returned, were welcomed into His eternal home with great reward.) 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly as a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be exposed… laid bare. Since all these things will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You should live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth filled with God’s righteousness. I Thessalonians 5:2 – For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we are not of the night or of the darkness. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. But let us be watchful and sensible… since we belong to the day, let us be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live forever with Him. Therefore encourage each other and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Praying that even if you knew that Jesus would come back this evening at 7:00 pm, that you would keep doing what you are doing. That you would keep doing the plans He gave you for today – in PiVAT before dinner last night. That you would keep soaking in your PRISM time in His Word. That you would pray without ceasing, rejoice in his promise, exhort one other daily, and tell somebody that He’s coming. That you would give your testimony, and help others discover theirs. That you would be watchful, thankful, expecting, that you would share this good news! That you would walk in the Holy Spirit, being faithful to the last hour. What if He was coming back today? Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word. It gives you what you need. It tells you what you need now. It tells you what you will need, and it tells you what to do now, so you’ll be ready then. Psalms 109:4 – In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. There is coming a time when you will need to be a man of prayer, a woman of prayer. Are you a man of prayer? What is a man of prayer? Not just a man or woman who prays. Those kind pray when they need it, when they’re desperate. But if they don’t need it, they don’t pray. A man who prays versus a man of prayer – is what you do sometimes, or all the time. When trouble comes, when the accuser comes, when friends betray you… You need to be a man of prayer – by then, not starting then. Pray now, become a man of prayer, become a woman of prayer, and you’ll be ready then. Not just one who prays every once in a while, but whose life is a life of prayer. Whose mind and heart are in constant conversation with the LORD who knows what you need before you ask, and who answers prayer! Pray in the Spirit, Pray in the understanding. Ask God what He wants you to pray. Pray His will, not your wishes. Pray for others, not just yourself. Ask God to pray through you. Ask God for His heart, and align your prayers with what is on His Heart. Maybe even ask Him the first PiVAT Question. God, what do you need most from you today? And what do you need most from me today? Praying that you will review The Prayer Packet… Praying that your life will become a constant conversation with Him. That you will know His heart, and pray His will, that you will become not someone who prays but a man of prayer, a woman of prayer – so when that time comes, you’ll be one, not need to be one. Just start now. Ask God what Time each day He wants you to pray, and then pray in every transition – every change of activity throughout the day. You’ll get His wisdom for what’s coming next, you’ll be reminded of his heart, not just for you, but his heart for everyone you talk to. You don’t become… in one day. Just start today, and let God lead you to become a man of prayer, a woman of prayer. So His will is what you pray, so you grow in faith, so you’ll be ready for that day. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word – it gives you habits that work. Habits that bring you a life like no other, a life that God leads you in – the purpose you were created for! Have you ever noticed… some people don’t like repetition, it bores them. They get tired easily, weary and discouraged easily, distracted easily. They just want something different. “This manna, that’s all we ever eat…” But have you ever noticed - what you heard once doesn’t change you… What you hear again and again – that changes you. Especially what you say again and again. Because that’s what you will believe. And what you believe – you act on - not what you heard once or twice. Just like what you do once, doesn’t change you – what you do again and again – is what changes you. Stop that – do this instead. That will change you. That’s why PiVAT is so important – Get God’s plans for your day – and do them. Do PiVAT before dinner. It only takes 5 minutes. Do you get tired of it? Do you get tired of asking God for His plans for you – the way that is best for you, the way chosen for you – for your greatest success? Why would you not want to do that? Because the devil will do anything to keep you from that daily conversation with God. It’s what Jesus did – only what His Father wanted Him to. The devil knows that if you do PiVAT every day – God will reveal the plans He has for you – to walk in the victory He has for you. That’s why the devil will try to keep you busy doing what God never told you to do (because you didn’t ask Him). Your enemy will try to keep you from PiVAT before dinner where you learn to distinguish between PiVAT – God’s plans for you today, and PiVAT Maybe – your to do list – of “gotta do’s” that aren’t what God has for you – or what He has for you today. The devil will try to get you to answer the PiVAT questions, instead of ask them. Writing down what you think, instead of what God tells you. So your day goes down the crapper, and he can tempt you to blame God that things didn’t go well, when God had nothing to do with it. You’ll either follow God’s plans or yours. And no plan is surely not God’s plan – that ends up being the devils plan for you. If He can’t get you to flat out sin, he just wants you to walk through today – not knowing what God had planned for you – so you get less than God’s best. God said “Don’t grow weary in well doing.” Don’t grow weary of that conversation with Him before dinner, to get his plans for your success! You can’t do well, if you don’t know what to do, or if you just pick something. Praying that PiVAT will be your priority every day before you eat dinner. Just a few minutes with your Heavenly Father – who just can’t wait to tell you the wonderful things He has planned for you tomorrow… If you’ll ask… If you missed yesterday? Just do it now. Just ask Him, He’s right there waiting. He can’t wait to tell you – the things He has for you today. Because He loves you – and they’re really good! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It tells you what’s blessed, and what’s not. Psalms 94:12 – Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law… Is this worth it? Blessed - fully favored, prosperous, at peace… Yes it’s worth it! Who… are you the who? Blessed is the man (whom) you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; Discipline includes correction and instruction. Correction keeps you from choosing wrong, instruction teaches you in what is right. The how to, the why to, and that what to (to begin with). You’re blessed when He disciplines you. Correction you don’t choose, Instruction you do. You don’t choose correction, who would? Correction doesn’t depend on you. It’s caused by your actions, but it doesn’t depend on you. It just comes to you, and comes on you – from a loving Heavenly Father who would never let his child play in the street. He will bring pain, to dissuade you from doing what He told you not to do! Small pain, to save you from much larger pain. Correction – to bring back from error or deviation to a just standard. Do you welcome His correction? Or do you argue and complain about it? (like a bad call from a ref). Do you heed it, take it to heart, and take warning? Do you change your ways, re-order your steps, come back into alignment and decide to not do that anymore? Or do you keep that door open, so you might stumble through it again? Correction doesn’t depend on you, it comes to you – but you then choose what you will do with it. Those who love correction, listen for it, they welcome it. They quickly and completely heed, submit under it, and turn the other way – one hundred and eighty degrees. Those who don’t love correction, don’t… God calls them stupid. Instruction however – depends on you… If you’re going to be blessed by instruction, God teaching you from His Word – you have to choose it. You have to walk in it. You cannot receive instruction unless you’re willing to sit under it. This blessing He gives you by His Word - teaching, instruction. You have to choose it, you have to read it, and then hear it, and write it down. You have to study it, meditate on it, apply it. Ask Him what He means, and how it applies to you… in your situation. You have to write it down so you remember. So you don’t forget, and so you can get more, starting from the new place of understanding you now have. And then applying it – putting it into practice so it doesn’t remain just something you heard once or twice, but something you now walk in. And the fruit of doing it – is the fruit you eat daily! PRISM is His instruction to you – Five things you can choose to do in His Word every day. Not a religion, just an invitation – to instruction… so the blessing that comes from discipline can be yours. Praying that you will love discipline, that you will look for correction, and instruction. Heed it, sit under it, value it, and do it - so you will be blessed. Stop asking to be blessed, instead be willing to do what will bring it… Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your Word. It’s OK to thank him for being blessed, or even ask Him - but be sure to welcome discipline, love it so you’ll walk in it! So the blessing He longs to give you becomes yours! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It’s not just eternal, it’s practical! Proverbs 2:1 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding… God is giving the basics to walk in wisdom. First you have to accept His wisdom as true wisdom. You can’t be debating which wisdom is really wisdom… You have to hear wisdom and recognize it to walk in it. You have to turn your ear to wisdom, and away from that which is not wisdom. What is your ear turned to? What fills it? What do you hear? What do you listen to? What do you shut out, and what do you invite? What influences you? I was talking with someone recently and they were sharing how God is changing their priorities, what they valued and did before, they don’t really do anymore. You know that God is leading you and moving in you – when your priorities start to change. Does wisdom have the greatest influence in your life? Does His Word, by the Holy Spirit - which is wisdom from heaven, does it impact you more than information and entertainment? You can’t turn to wisdom without turning away from something else. And until you turn your ear, you cannot apply your heart. Apply your heart is to speak it into your heart, and then, move your feet to do it. Apply – is to put it on, wear it, spread it like peanut butter on bread. Apply your heart means, do the dance, follow the steps, do what you heard, actually put it into practice. Turning your ear means you first fully accept His Word to be truth, then store it up – write it down, and speak it again and again. Fill your heart with it from your own mouth. Turning from anything else means fill the whole room with one thing, and there’s no room for any other thing. Then do it, and do it again. The Gino Auriemma principle. Don’t do it until you get it right, do it until you can’t do it wrong. What do you know to do? What did God tell you? Nothing? What was the last thing He told you? Did you do it? Still nothing? Ask Him right now? What did He tell you? Will you do it? Still nothing... Then seek Him more. And when He tells you, (and He will). Do it. Fill you mind with His Word – and you’ll start to think like He does, so when He speaks, you’ll hear him… You’ll recognize His language, and His voice. Praying that you will turn your ear and apply your heart – so wisdom resides in you. It’s different than what you thought. That’s why you have to turn your ear. And it might come from unexpected places. It takes humility. God speaks in many ways. Praying that you will turn your ear, away from other things, and to wisdom – it’s God’s thing for you. And praying that you will apply your heart – so His wisdom becomes your practice, not just a passing thought… 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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