Love you all, praying for you,
 
The hardest thing to do when buying something – is to decide – “Who will decide?”  Then to ask God about the why, the what, the when, and the how.  And next, the hardest thing to do before you buy – is to wait.  Because you want it right now, you need it, you think you need it, God told you to buy it, or you think God told you to buy it, and you think that’s right now.  Or you saw a sign that said. “Sale.” But before you buy  - it’s better to wait.  Just because it’s on sale, doesn’t mean God has it for you. Or it’s His best.  Buy One Get One Free, is not always a deal, nor God’s best for you. If you don’t need one, two doesn’t make it better.  You could give one away so if God tells you, then do it, but especially when it comes to two of something you don’t need, better to wait.  Equally, the best price doesn’t make it the best deal, or the best God has for you, better to wait.  One Day Sales are rarely one day only, nor did God ever say they are the determining factor of God’s timing.  They are designed to motivate you to buy, before you planned to buy – and they work, or businesses would stop using them.  Some people are led by the Sale, not led by the Spirit.  God said His people are led by the Spirit, not by what’s on sale.  Sometimes buying in bulk, before the sale runs out – is not God’s will for you.  In fact, God doesn’t need it to be on sale.  If You own all the stuff, and all the stores, and all the money, you can give your children whatever you want, whenever it is best for them, and you don’t worry about the price.  Sometimes God will tell you pay full price – because He wants to bless the seller, and you are just stewarding His money for Him.  Better to wait.  The best tool we have found before you buy.  Is the 30-Day-List.  It takes you from buying mode, to best mode.  List your Top 6 ‘wants’ (above and beyond monthly expenses) in priority order.  Wait 30 Days, and then only buy the first thing on the list.  If ever number two or number three replace number one on the priority list, restart the 30-day clock.  You will be shocked at what disappears as a priority within a mere 30 days.  What you thought you absolutely had to buy today (that one day sale) doesn’t even make the top 6 a month later.  Often God provides that need in a completely different way - without you having to spend any money to purchase it.  Someone might have one that they are not using, and they give it to you.  OK, maybe not a house or a car, but many other items, God provides miraculously.  Often you no longer need that thing – because a far greater priority arises, that makes the first desired purchase – not even of interest anymore.  God knew it, you just didn’t at the time.  The 30-Day List works – it has literally saved us thousands of dollars over the years.  Everything you buy should be a testimony and not just of the price.  God doesn’t want to bless you at the expense of someone else.  Sometimes He will tell you to pay full price.  The 30 Day List – removes impulse buying.  And it does something far beyond delayed gratification.  It shifts your thinking from the things of the world and your perceived need for them, to the things of heaven – what you really need most.  If you’re waiting 30 days for it, you’re no longer obsessed with facebook market place, craigslist, amazon or ebay.  Your mind is set free to pursue other things - what God has for you today to think and do, and give, and pray today.  If you don’t use a 30 day list, all you’ll get is what you buy.  That’s not a testimony – everyone does that.  90 Days is not the same as cash.  Bring the cash in 90 days.  By then God may have given you something ten times better!  Or it might not even matter.  So first, before you buy - wait.  Use the 30 Day List.  Second – be in absolute unity with your spouse.  God is big enough to move their heart.  If you’re not in agreement, that’s Him telling you to wait.  If you don’t have a 4C’s Tool, you don’t even know what you have available, you’re just guessing, and feelings are often deceiving.  And just because you both agree, doesn’t mean it’s God’s best for you, Better to wait.  The 30 Day List – helps!  Finally, even when the 30 days has come to that first purchase, you have the money saved, and are in full agreement, wait 24 hours.  Let God give you counsel in the night season.  That principle too, has saved us thousands of dollars.  He’ll save you from hasty speculation, that leads to poverty, of the spirit and the bank account.  If you will just wait… He will lead you to the best decision, at the price He chooses, which is the best price (not just the lowest price) and at the best time.  These are the testimonies you want!  The purchases that He leads you to.  Money conversations with God shape and form your heart.  If you will wait on Him He will absolutely give you His best.  Many people buy what they want, when the feel they need it.  And if you do, you will never know what God could do.  You just get what you bought.  And those payments keep coming.  Or the laughable testimony that God had for you, is forfeited for the short-lived pleasure of a purchase which lasts about as long as a vapor.  Praying that your 30 Day List will become a tradition in your marriage and in your family, that the 24 hour rule will become a habit, and that you will be in fully unity as husband and wife.  That you will know where God’s money is, so you can do what He tells you to do with it.  That you will be wiling to wait on Gods best.  And better than that – that you will wait on Him, more than you wait to buy that next thing.  Praying that Before you buy – you will be willing to wait – until God provides in His perfect time.  If you’ve ever done that, then you know the ridiculous testimony it brings.  Praying you won’t settle for premature things, they are never the best thing – just a thing.  Praying that you will wait on the LORD, not just wait on more stuff.  He will renew your strength, you will mount up with wings like eagles, you will run and not grow weary, you will walk in will not faint.  The joy of the LORD will be your strength, and His joy far exceeds the joy of any earthly thing you could ever buy. Better to wait.  
 
Love you all,
dad

​Love you all, praying for you,

Before you buy something, remember that money is a heart issue, not a money issue.  What you spend reveals your heart.  If you know the truth that God owns all the money, you are just the steward of it.  Before you buy the question is:  Who will decide?  Will you? Or will you let God decide.  Will you make your money decisions, or will you trust Him – to make your money decisions?  Before you buy, the first thing to ask God about is why.  Money tests motive, it reveals the heart.  Ask God, and He will reveal your motive, and His best for you.  See the last two Daily Huddles about before you buy.  The 2nd and 3rd thing to ask God about before you buy is what and when.  Money is a test of your motive, and money is a test of your obedience.  The 4th thing before you buy is how.  How you buy is sometimes as important as what you buy.  Some people buy out of ignorance.  They don’t really know what they have, they just feel they have the money for it, or they even feel that God wants them to buy it.  But they don’t really know, because they don’t give an account, they have no tool by which to do so.  They may know what’s in their checkbook or bank account, but they are unaware of what is due, what is already committed, what has already been spent, and what it left.  So they spend by feeling, that’s how they spend.  Their spouse often has also felt the same thing, so they both spend the same money, that’s already been spent.  There are two ways people spend money – they either spend with what they have, or what they don’t have yet… what they have saved, or what they haven’t saved yet.  Cash or credit, yesterday’s paycheck, or tomorrows paycheck. (Which they assume will be there like it has been before).  They presume upon tomorrow, by spending tomorrow’s money before they actually receive it.  This is what God clearly warns against. God calls debt a curse because it changes relationship dynamics.  It makes equals, unequal.  It makes one the master, and the other the slave.  It brings disaster to a person or a nation.  Those who borrow – become slaves to the lender (Proverbs 22:7) and God said your were bought with a price, do not become slaves of men. (I Corinthians 7:23) He said let no debt remain outstanding, except love (Romans 13:8) That’s the only continuing debt you should have.  But you should not borrow.  Jesus should be your only Master.  That’s why God’s people should lend, not borrow… God said it, clearly.  Praying that how you buy, will be how God directs.  That first you will know where God’s money and then only do what He tells you to do with it.  (If you don’t have a 4C’s Tool, we will build one for you free of charge and help you learn it.  It is simple, and it is life-changing, marriage changing, legacy changing!).  Praying that second, you will fully commit to letting God make your spending decisions, He manages money way better than you, and He can multiply it like the fish and loaves.  If He decides, the pressure is off, your faith grows, and your conversations with Him increase.  You really learn to hear and obey his voice.  He doesn’t need you to manage His money.  He just needs you to obey with it.  He’s after your heart, not your money – it’s His anyway.  And Third, that you will reject debt of any kind, the curse that God warned against.  That you will always be the lender, not the borrower, the head and not the tail.  There is nothing worth the curse.  God said seek me first, and I will give you the rest.  Finally, I pray that you will ask God what to give, and give what He tells you.  Giving is a secret to loving God not money.  Before you buy.  Will you let God decide?  And will you be OK with what He says?  Are you willing to ask Him about the why, the what and when, and will you be content with the how – to do it His way – instead of the way everyone else does?  Before you buy is important – after you buy is too late.  Praying that you will fully surrender your spending decisions to Him.  Money decisions reveal motives and values, and most of all Lordship.  Praying that the KING of Kings and the LORD of lords, will be your King, and Your LORD, that in the area of money that reveals the heart, that your heart will always be His.  That you will love him more than anything money can buy.  That you will spend as He directs, so your heart is always drawn to Him. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,

The first thing before you buy is why.  See yesterday’s Daily Huddle.  The 2nd and 3rd thing before you buy is what and when.  There are two things that people buy - monthly expenses, and additional items.  Monthly expenses like rent, electric, groceries, and car gas, come every month.  Often people don’t ask God about those, they are just used to paying them.  But when it comes to buying things, first the why, then the what and when. Ask God.  Asking about the why – tests your motives, and protects you against mis-belief.  Asking God about the what and when – protects you from mis-spending.  First it’s God’s money, not yours.  Second, He can direct it way better than you can.  Just because you have it budgeted, planned, or in your categories, doesn’t mean you should spend it.  Every time you buy something is another opportunity for a conversation with God.  He loves it.  Be sure you don’t have the wrong view of Him.  Some people thing that God is mad every time they spend money.  Where did that idea come from?  The enemy who wants you to think that your Heavenly Father wants to keep things from you.  But God said, He delights in the prosperity of his people.  No different than a father on earth, loves to buy things for his children, your Heavenly Father loves to give you good things.  In fact He said “No good thing, will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  But before you buy something.  Always talk with Him about it.  If money decisions reveal your heart, those are important conversations to have.  He’s the best counselor you can find, He knows what is best for you to buy, and what is not the best, unnecessary, or what you shouldn’t buy.  And He knows where the best thing is, at the best price, and the perfect time to buy it.  The question to ask yourself before buying something is… Will I let God decide on this?  To say that’s overkill, is incorrect – He knows the number of hairs on your head, that change up to 100 times a day.  The two or three things, maybe four that you purchase (with His money), that indicate your heart – are far more important than the number of hairs on your head.  And they are no problem for him.  He knows every right spending decision, and every alternative spending decision, and how your heart is affected by them.  That conversation with Him is very specific.  You will learn to hear His voice, and if you will trust His power to give you the ability to hear Him, and do what He says – you will surely prosper.  Your spending decisions at His direction, will bring peace, unity in your marriage, and blessing in your life.  The best way to love God, not money – is to have a conversation with Him about those spending decisions, and get His not yours.  He won’t have you spend sometimes on something you think you really want or need, because He has better.  And He may have you spend sometimes when you wouldn’t, because He’s not stingy, and He’s not worried.  Money doesn’t worry Him, He owns all of it, and can give you all you need at the right time.  First decide if you will let Him make your money decision.  Number 1 – Can He do it better than you?  And Number 2 – Are you willing to obey what He says.  Then before you spend – Ask Him about the why, and the what and when.   If you will commit yourself to fully obey financially – your life will be one testimony after another.  You will overcome, others will be encouraged and blessed, and God will get the glory.  That’s the life you want to live!    
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
Have you ever thought about how often you buy something?  Are you looking to buy something right now?  Here are some things to consider.  #1 Why?  That’s really the first question to ask.  If it’s gasoline or food, they are eventually a requirement.  But if it is other things, they are typically optional.  So how do you know if you should buy something, and when to buy it?  How does God tell us to buy things?  First there are some principles to consider.  #1 – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Where you spend your money – is an indicator of your heart.  Your heart is drawn to where your money goes, and where your money goes – reveals your heart.  God says you cannot love God and money (Matthew 6:24).  #2 – You cannot take it with you - The rich fool saved up for himself, he was rich toward himself, but not rich towards God - and lost it all that very night.  Whether cash or toys – the one who dies with the most toys – dies - not wins.  Then who will get what you have bought or stored up for yourself.  Solomon said, someone after me will get all that I have, and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish with it.  #3 – Friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God.  Why do people love money?  To look at it? No, to buy things with it – that they want.  Some people spend money on their own pleasures (James 4:3-4), they become enemies of God.  Some people spend money to keep up with the Joneses, some people spend money to make them feel better, or feel successful, but it will never work.  Things will never make you happy.  Are you buying this because you need it?  Or because you really need something that you think buying this will bring you.  It may not.  There are multi-millionaires who are still not happy. God told us that already.  Ecclesiastes 5:10 – Whoever loves money never has money enough, and he who loves abundance is not satisfied with his increase.  God is clear and proven right -  the more you have the more you want, not the happier you are.  The more things you buy, you will not be happy with the next thing (the increase). The pleasure fades, and is quickly replaced by the next desire.  Have you ever allowed yourself to get caught up in things?  There’s a difference between needing or even wanting something, and being fixated on it.  Ask God to reveal the why, and the motive behind it.  God’s ways are opposite of man’s ways.  Man’s way is earn, negotiate, make a good deal, and buy what you want.  God says – seek me first, and everything you need will follow – I’ll give it to you. Give first, and it will be given to you… with the measure you use it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38).  If you seek God first – you learn to love Him, more than the things money can buy, and the imagined status they bring.  You’ll find the things of God, are far more desirable than the things down here.  God says He gives us all good things to enjoy, but we are not to trust in our savings, or our ability to earn money, or get things (I Timothy 6:17).  These are instructions to the rich – that’s you.  If you have more than you need, you’re rich.  Any other comparison is a sliding scale – a fools’ game.  So the why is the most important before the what – when buying something.  Some people think buying things is not Godly, that God wants us to be poor.  The Bible never says that.  It just says “Don’t love money, love God.”  It’s a heart thing.  The Bible says God gives money to people according to their ability, and according to His choosing. And some get money because of the obedience and faithfulness of their parents or grandparents or great grandparents.   God’s principles will automatically bring increase – just not in every season of life.  The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without the painful toil for it.  Proverbs 10:8.  But just because you are seeking and obeying God, doesn’t mean you are always flush with cash.  Jesus was the richest man who ever lived (He created everything, and He owns it all).  Yet to the ones who loved money He said, "The Son of man doesn’t have a place to lay his head."  He was homeless to those who couldn’t see.  If God has given wealth, or the ability to get it, God also gives the purpose of wealth (more than you need).  Not to buy more things...  the reason He gave you more than you need – is to share it.  (Read I Corinthians chapter 9). So before buying something.  Always ask God about the why, and the motive behind it.  God will reveal His heart and yours.  If He wants you to buy it, go for it.  But if He doesn’t trust Him.  And if you focus on Him first, what you need to buy will come in His perfect time, you can trust Him. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
Have you ever wondered what to wear today?  What you wear says a lot about you.  Did you know that God tells you what to wear?  He tells you what should be in your closet - as long as you are clothed with this body.  One day you will receive a Heavenly body – a spiritual one, but for now, what should you wear?  First, put on humility (submit to one another – I Peter 5:5), second put on the garment of praise.  It removes any spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3), And put on Joy (You have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy).  Put on joy and you’ll put on strength. (Put on the garment of strength, O Zion).  Put on Salvation and robes of righteousness – choosing that grace given to the humble, to overcome sin, so you He can clothe you with salvation and robes of righteousness.  Then, Colossians 3:12… as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  What you wear today – makes a difference.  Praying that you will always be dressed in salvation and righteousness – so you will be the planting of the LORD, bringing glory to His Name.  Put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth – by the Word of God, shoes of peace – the good news of Jesus, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit.  Praying that you will be well dressed today, that if you have to go home and change clothes, you will.  So you will always overcome.  It starts with humility, and praise, compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience, and the full armor of God.  So you are well dressed, fully dressed, and ready for the victories God gives. 
 
Love you all,
dad    

Love you all, praying for you,
 
If you could have one thing today from God… what would it be?  What if you had joy - the fruit of the Spirit?  Would the struggles matter, would the trials matter, would the challenges matter, or people that came against you really matter – if you had joy?  Exceeding gladness (irrespective of circumstance), delight, exhilaration of spirits; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success or the prospect of possessing what one desires. What if you had joy today?  How do you get it?  You get if from God – God gives you joy – no matter what today holds, you can have the Joy of the LORD to be your strength and your delight.  It will mark you.  Whatever you’re struggling with or challenged by – chances are other people are too, they go to the same school, work at the same company, live in the same neighborhood – you’re probably not the only one facing these things… but God gives you joy.  You may be the only one that has it -  in the middle of all this…  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.  That means temperance – habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of natural appetites and passions.  Emotions don’t control you – you have mastered them. While others are stressed, you are exceedingly glad, while others fear the worst, you are delighted, while others are agitated and nervous, you feel like someone who just received what they long desired.  You have joy – independent of circumstance.  You stand out.  So how do you get joy.  #1 Get in the atmosphere of worship –You have made known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Put on a live worship set from youtube, set the atmosphere of joy around you – put something in your earbuds that will fill you with joy!  #2 Pray in the Spirit. When you pray in the Spirit – He takes over and fills you – and joy comes with him.  For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  #3 Praise – Praise brings joy – At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  Yes, Father for this is what pleased you to do.”  “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they will obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning will flee away.”  #4 Consider this trial as joy – the more struggles you face right now – if you count them all joy - you will be overflowing with joy today!  #5 – Obey Right Now.  Review PiVAT for today – and be sure you obey what God assigned you to do this hour.  “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge over many things, Enter into the joy of your LORD. Obedience always brings joy – it takes your mind off of the mountains you face, and focuses you on what to do next. If you obey my commands you will remain in my love – just as I obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you these things, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.  Obedience brings joy! PiVAT is a key that unlocks the joy God has waiting for you today!  #6 – Trust in Him – and as you trust, God will fill you with joy.  (May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Trust starts with your mouth.  You put your trust in him with your mouth, and you can speak your trust right now). #7 – Rejoice – take joy again.  Do not grieve, or worry – take joy again.  For the joy of the LORD is your strength.  O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.  How great is his joy in the victories you give!... Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.  #8 – Give – ask God what to give, whether time, honor, encouragement, hope life, resources…  Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich sincerity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  “Then the people rejoiced because they offered so willingly, for their made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced with great joy.  “So now with joy I have seen your people, who are present hear, make their offerings willingly to you.  Giving always brings joy.  Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced; for God had made them to rejoice with great joy. God has joy for you today.  What if you had joy… would the challenges matter?  No, they wouldn’t, you would be filled with the expectation of the good that God has coming.  His promise is sure – worth rejoicing about.  Joy will distinguish you, it will mark your day and your life, it will set you apart.  Praying that you will walk in joy today, that you will worship, pray in the Spirit and praise, that you will count this trial as joy, that you would get busy obeying, put your trust in him, and rejoice.  And I pray that you will give today whatever He tells you to give.  Praying that today you will be full of joy, that you will pray without ceasing, and be thankful in every circumstance.  So you have the day He has made for you! 
 
Love you all,
dad  

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word – it is the ultimate best practices book.  And it tells you of the blessings God gives.  Have you ever stopped to remember the blessings that God has given you?  Sometimes in the urgency of the moment, the tasks of the day, the projects that need completion, and the demands of life – we forget to count the blessings we have.  Have you ever noticed that blessings – usually come with work?  The biggest blessing is salvation – but work comes with it.  We work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  Not work to earn it, that’s already been done for us by Jesus… but work at walking in it.  God gave Adam the blessing of the garden of eden, but it took work to tend and maintain.  Marriage is a blessing! But it takes work.  Children are a blessing from the LORD – but there are diapers to change and mouths to feed, and training to be done.  A house, a car, a job… any physical blessing – takes work.  For years God promised the children of Israel a land flowing with milk and honey.  Houses they didn’t build, vineyards they didn’t plant, but it took work to plant crops and to tend vineyards.  Most all of God’s blessings come with work.  Without work, blessings can turn into burdens.  Solomon noted, I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.  I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw…   The field and the vineyard started out as a blessing (probably inherited) but they turned into a burden not a blessing.  Blessing without work to steward and care for it – becomes a burden, even a curse.  Untended things, uncared for things, un-stewarded things become burdens.  Praying that today you will remember and think about the wonderful blessings that God has given you that require some work - whether spiritual, relational or physical.  Praying that you will examine what work is required, and ask God - when.  That you will ask God what He wants you to do, and when He has assigned you to do it.  So the initial blessing remains one – and even grows. Praying that your PiVAT Weekly contains the times to maintain – that God has given you.  Date nights for marriage, one on one time with your children, stewarding your home or car or your room if you’re still young.  Praying that you will never be like the sluggard that didn’t value the blessings God gives.  How you steward what you have – determines your readiness for God to entrust you with more.  Praying that even the work – at God’s timing – will be a great joy.  So your blessings continue – and bless others as well. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word – it lets you know, you’re not the only one.  Luke 8:40 – Now when Jesus returned a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.  Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a twelve year old girl, was dying.  As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.  And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years., and no one could heal her, She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.  “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.  When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”  Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet.  In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.  Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace.” While Jesus was still speaking someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler.  “Your daughter is dead,” he said.  “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”  Can you imagine what Jairus is feeling?  Everybody at work, is slamming this new Jesus guy, all the synagogue people don’t believe in him, who knows whether he participated or not, or what he secretly thought about Jesus.  But when His own daughter fell sick, it was a different story.  He was desperate, and not caring what anyone thought or said, He went to Jesus.  That’s like going to the other team and asking for help.  It’s not something that he can discuss for a while.  She is dying right now!  There are only minutes to spare.  Can you imagine what he felt as the crowds pressed in.  “We have no time for this, hurry Jesus!  People – get out of the way!! This is important!”  And now, why are we stopping, someone touched him, Oh, please can we just keep moving.  Now Jesus wants to know who, that power went out of him?  Does it really matter – Please can we please keep going – my daughter is dying.  Oh, now she’s telling her story, oh brother, that’s so nice, can we please go…”  The Word doesn’t say what He was feeling, but that’s what I would be.”  Have you ever been late for an appointment, and stuck in traffic!  I’m sure it was an important meeting, but not this important.  And suddenly what He was afraid would happen.  It was too late.  Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother the teacher anymore.  It’s not that I didn’t want that lady to get healed, but please, my daughter – she’s twelve years old.  A closer look, His daughter just fell sick, but this lady had been suffering since his daughter was born – from the moment they took her home until almost a teenager, this woman was in that same traffic jam, and no hope in sight, until Jesus came.  The moment his friend said those words, how his heart must have dropped.  Immediately Jesus said, Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.  Jesus brings dead things back to life, whether people or dreams.  Some dreams or desires he will not resurrect, It’s not what He has for you, He’s protecting you from that.  He will raise you from the dead, your hopes and dreams that have died, your heart that has dropped.  The Bible doesn’t say Jairus begrudged the woman’s healing, but if he was human, the thoughts had to cross his mind.  Sometimes when we are waiting for something – what we desire, we could miss the miracles that God is doing around us.  This is life and death, not all of our struggles are, but they can seem like it.  Praying that as you are waiting, you will trust Him fully – enough not to miss the miracles around you.  Praying that you will remember His Name today – what He as done, and Praise Him for it.  Your miracle will come.  He will either raise it, or raise you. 
 
Love you all,
dad

​Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word.  It gives reminders.  It gives secrets.  And it brings success.  Do you love repetition?  How many times do you think Steph Curry repeats his jump shot?  Countless!  It’s why He’s the greatest shooter in NBA history.  What if Steph Curry got tired of repetition?   He wouldn’t be the greatest shooter ever.  What if David tired of praising, praying, and obeying.  He wouldn’t have been called “a man after God’s own heart.”  Praying that you will grow to love repetition.  Two things are repeatable - reminders, and habits.  And there are two things God tells you to do.  #1) Things to do today, and #2) things to do every day.  And the only things God tells you to do are what is good for you, what will bless you and establish you… that will fulfill your purpose.  Often, the thing God tells you to do today, is made possible by the things God told you to do every day.  Habits are either builders or stealers.  They will build your destiny or steal it.  Habits are chosen or unchosen, - intentional or by default.  Time wasters are habits by default.  You never plan a habit of time wasters, you just fall into them.  The Top Five Time Wasters?  #1 – Words that grumble, complain, doubt, or fear - the opposite of faith.  #2 – Television.  #3 – Social Media.  #4 – Video games, and #5 – Hobbies that go beyond wisdom.  Your abs are great, but if you spend more time at the gym, than with your kids – it’s a destiny stealer.  A destiny killer not a destiny builder.  Time wasters are rarely all bad – just out of proportion.  What could be a good thing, in unwise portions becomes not good anymore.  Praying that you will notice good things that go beyond the times that God has assigned.  Praying that you will avoid time them, but never tire of the habits that are destiny builders. The best habit I know. Is PiVAT before dinner, because everything else flows out of it.  Getting God’s plans for you today…  The #1 Thing, and things He wants you to do every day – which position you for what He has planned for you for tomorrow.  It prevents you from misapplying your focus and efforts, and enables you to be truly successful every single day.  Praying that you will love habits, and that your habits will always be builders, not stealers.  Praying that PiVAT, PRISM, and your Daily Call – will be habits for life, praying that prayer, worship, diligence, and kindness will be habits for life.  Praying that you will learn to love repetition.  And never tire of asking God what He has for you, and for others through you. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
Have you ever heard someone say… "I’ve got a million things to do today!"  Maybe you had one of those days.  But that’s not true… There are a million things that God never told you to do today, but there are never a million things to do today.  A million distractions, yes, but not a million assignments.  His yoke is easy and his burden is light, and He gives you this one thing to do next, and your joy will be full.  When you get caught up in all the things you think you need to do, you cannot do what God told you to do.  Like the hungry lion only seeing the millions of stripes of all the zebras.  If he doesn’t focus on one, he’ll still be hungry.  There are a million things to do, that are not what God wants you thinking about today.  A million zebras that have nothing to do with you.  Only one.  That’s why that PiVAT Maybe skill is so important – to clear the path for you to hear what God is telling you – so you can do it with joy – so His peace will come.  Praying that if you didn’t get to your PiVAT before dinner last night (some days get crazy, and sometimes we can skip the most important thing for what seems urgent).  You can still check with God right now.  Praying that you will know His will for you today – and not think about the rest.  This morning, this afternoon, and this evening, God will lead you and guide you in the way you should go, the way best for you, His best for you today!  In this hour!  Praying that you will rest in Him, that you will humbly hear and obey – so today will be a fruitful day.  He has good for you.  This next thing at a time. 
 
Love you all,
dad