Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word. It tells you how to think, and how to do. How you think, and what you do – is crucial to what you become. And what you do with money – reveals your heart, what you really love. How you think, comes down to what you fill your mind with. What you do comes down to several things. PiVAT will help you do what God wants you to do. PRISM will help you think like God wants you to think… like He thinks (it’s called gaining the mind of Christ – being transformed into His image) because as a man thinketh in his heart – so is he. What you think and what you do, you become. Praying that you won’t do anything on your own. But let God reveal what is best for you to do. He said He’ll lead you in the way best for you, the way chosen for you. When it comes to doing… there are many options, but one that’s best. Praying that you will let God change your thinking. Because when you learn to think like He does, it’s one hundred percent easier to do what He wants you to do. Because you’ll hear better. You’ll know His voice better – because you know His Word. What you do comes down to three things: habits, projects, and decisions - what you do by habit, what you do by plan, and what you do by decision. What habits form you? The habits you form, that form you? Or habits you default to, formed by others – even laziness is a habit formed by someone else – your enemy. Second, what you plan. Your daily activities outside of habit, that depend on the day. Your todo list, or God’s todo list for you. And finally decisions. Choices you face, which will impact your life for months or years, even the rest of it… (Like who you marry, where you move, who you partner with, what you pursue). Praying that you will ask God what Habits He wants to form you with, and that you’d do them with diligence. Never tiring of them, but taking joy in them. Praying that you’ll give up your day planner for His. PiVAT is that change of direction from your plans, to God’s plans for you. Praying that you will think like He does, because you consume your mind with your PRISM time His Word, not this world. And praying that when you face a decision, you’ll use a PiVAT Decision Tool to remind yourself to seek His face, wait in faith, decide by His will, and walk in His Grace. So you think and do by habit, plan and decision – exactly what He has planned for your good! Love you all, dad
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Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word. It tells you that you can make up your mind. You can set your mind on things above. You can change your mind, by changing the input, and changing your words. If you change your mind, you can change your life. What kind of mind will you have? A sound mind? an unstable mind? a mind of peace? a troubled mind? a made up mind? a tossed by every wind or wave mind? The two keys to a Made Up Mind – is His Word and your Word. What God says – read it, say it, declare it, repeat it, believe it. And what you say. If your words align with His, you will have a sound mind, and will grow strong in spirit. Praying that you will have a transformed mind, by His Word (Romans 12:2) the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) – a humble mind, (Philippians 2:5) like Jesus, who though equal with God, didn’t insist on it, but humbled himself and took the form of a servant. Are you willing to serve others? That’s the indicator of the mind of Christ, a humble mind. And don’t forget, God gives grace to the humble. Divine power, and unmerited favor. Praying that you will have a surrendered mind, so God can say of you – I have found (put your name here) a man after my own heart, He will do everything I want Him to do (Acts 13:22), or I will raise up a faithful high priest – who will do everything that is in my heart and mind (I Sam 2:35) (and it’s always good!) If you make up your mind beforehand, whatever He says, that is what I will do. That’s the beginning of the mind of Christ, it’s a mind that honors God, and your actions will follow. Praying that you will make up your mind today, so it’s not easily swayed by every opinion or obstacle. As for me and my house… A made up mind, a stable mind, a settled mind, a sound mind, a willing mind. That’s the mind God has for you. What you think is what you say, and what you say is what you believe, and what you say is what you get. Praying that you will have a made up mind. So the mind of Christ is the mind of you. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God’s Word. It tells you why, and why not. What makes why a good question? or a not so good question. Have you ever had a child, then you have been through the why stage, about 2-4 years old, they ask ‘why’ non-stop. About everything. Why is a great question, but not all the time. The key is how you ask it? Do you ask in faith, or doubt. Do you really desire deeper understanding in something, or are you just complaining because things aren’t going your way? Just like a child, sometimes they ask because they really want to know… Sometimes they ask not because they want to know, but because they don’t want to do. Sometimes the answer is – Because Daddy Told You, because Mommy told you. That’s all you need to know. When it comes to Why God? Why do we ask God why? Because there is something we don’t know, or don’t have yet, or don’t understand why that happened... Why do bad things happen to good people? First there’s no one good but God, so the real question is why to bad things happen to people. Sin. If you are sinning, bad stuff is going to happen. If you are falling short of God’s best for you, His will for you, bad things will happen. You will do them, or someone or something will do them to you. Sin brings bad, like gravity – inescapable. But even if you aren’t particularly bad. Bad things happen, because of sin in the world. Not your sin, but Adam’s sin, and others’ too. Everyone eventually dies, even you. The ground has weeds, labor isn’t easy, not work labor or birthing labor. People disappoint you, they lie, cheat, and steal. That’s because of the fallen world we live in. Knowing this doesn’t avoid the pain that things cause, like famine or war or death or disappointment, or wrongs being done to you. That doesn’t mean God is not good. That just requires you to believe what God said. Not just that HE IS good, but that He will never leave you nor forsake you, that he can work out even bad things for your good. That He's right there with you – through the trial. He doesn’t always take you around every trial. Some things God allows you to go through, And He goes through it with you. And most bad things - He spares you from. Not really, you don’t know what I’ve been through. No, you don’t realize what God has been through, what Jesus really did for you. And you don’t realize what He’s saved you from, that you didn’t see coming, or even know about… angels unawares that He sent for your protection. If you ever find yourself asking God why? Check your motive. Do you really simply desire a deeper understanding of his nature or His goodness? Does the Why lead you to wonder in amazement at God’s Might and Power and His Unfailing love? or is why what you ask instead of walking in contentment. “Don’t say why were the old days better than these, it’s not from wisdom that you ask this.” Some why’s are better left unasked. God doesn’t always have to tell you why. Sometime why just leads you deeper into discontent, when God doesn’t answer you. He does, silence is His answer. Why? because you don’t agree, or Why? because you feel hurt or wronged, doesn’t lead to understanding or thanksgiving. Why have you blessed me so much? Why is my life so good, Why have you been so faithful to me, the least deserving? If Why leads you to thanksgiving, it’s a better why. And when you just really want to know – and you ask, because He says to ask, and you’re ok with whatever and whenever He chooses to respond, then you can still put your faith in Him. It takes you past the why. His grace is always sufficient. He’ll tell you the why if you need it. And He’s with you, even when you don’t. Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word. It is truth and life. I pray you never tire of the basics. Super Bowls come down to blocking and tackling. Whoever does it wins, whoever doesn’t loses. Championships come down to defense, and boxing out. No one makes every shot, make it difficult for them, and be sure you get the rebound, and every loose ball. The World Series comes down staying ahead on the pitch count, not chasing bad pitches, smart base running, keeping your eye on the ball, and your glove on the ground, otherwise it’s a passed ball, and the series is lost. In life, Four Foundational Principles you must know. But first, two pre-requisites. Have you ever been in a movie theatre showing a 3D movie. If you don’t have the glasses, you don’t get the same experience. You just don’t get it. The movie requires a set of glasses – to discern what is happening. Your natural eyes cannot see it, you need the glasses. That’s why they give them out when you walk in the movie theatre. That’s how it is with these four foundational principles, and all the truths of God’s kingdom. You need the glasses. Nicodemus just couldn’t understand, how can a man get back in his mother’s womb to be born again… Jesus said, “You are a teacher of Israel and don’t understand this? I’m not talking about physical birth, this is spiritual birth.” Believe in the LORD Jesus Christ and you will be saved. You must be born again (in your spirit, not your body). Nicodemus didn’t have the glasses on, so he couldn’t understand the movie. Pre-requisites - you must be Saved, and then, you must be filled with the Holy Spirit – its how you are led into all truth, and receive power to do what you cannot do in your own nature or power. If you don’t believe in Jesus – it will seem like foolishness to you every time someone talks of Spiritual things. If you do believe in Jesus for your Salvation – you become a new creation. Old things are passed away, look! All things are become new. Your eyes are opened, because you are a new creature now, you see differently. You have the glasses… I’m always puzzed at the people who believe that Jesus died for them, and by believing in Him, they will be saved – just like God promised. But then, they refuse to believe his first instruction and promise to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, to pray in their heavenly language and to get the power they need to understand and live this new life. How can you have faith for the first, but not have faith for the second? The first is much harder for God to do, (remove their old heart and give them a new one). The second is easy – just fill them and give them a new language. The Holy Spirit is the One who leads you into all truth, it’s how you get spiritual discernment – He’s the glasses… so you can see the movie in 3D. God said, these things are spiritually discerned. So Salvation First, then be Filled with the Holy Spirit – so He can lead you into all truth, and give you power to live the life you can’t in your own power. Then, you’re ready for these four foundational principles. #1 God has good for you – He promised. (See the PRISM Topic – God Has Good For You). If you don’t know this foundational truth - why would you follow him? Why would you if you can’t trust Him? #2 God’s way or man’s way – (See the PRISM Topic - God's Way or man's way– to get His words not mine. In everything in life – big or small – there’s a way that seems right, but isn’t right – it leads to death. God’s way is way better than man’s way – like heavens are higher than the earth. Foundational Principle #3 Love is Obey – (See the PRISM Topic – Love is Obey and Love is Obey Verses). You’ll be shocked at how many there are. Love isn’t only obey, some things you obey out of fear, not love. You drive the speed limit because the cop is hiding behind the bridge with his radar… You don’t obey because you love him, you obey because you don’t want to get a speeding ticket. But when it comes to God - Love is affection and obedience. Affection - with your whole heart, and obedience – what He tells you to do… Affection only won’t cut it - without obedience, it’s not love for God. Jesus said, if you love me, you’ll obey my commands. And obedience without affection isn’t love either – you just obey to avoid punishment. Love takes both – but obedience is required. The secret? Obedience is a path not a list. It’s not do’s and don’ts its getting to new places! Principle #4 Time, Thoughts, and Money – it’s what makes you, you. It’s how to obey, Let God make your time, thought and money decisions. It’s how you live your life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him, which is your reasonable act of worship and service. It’s only fitting. He gave His life for you, so you are glad to give your life to him. And why wouldn’t you! He has plans for your good to prosper you not to harm you – to give you hope and a future. Praying that you will be saved and filled, that you will walk in the Spirit and never tire of – or forget these foundational principles: God has Good for you, God’s Way or man’s way, Love is Obey, and Time, Thoughts, and Money – it’s what you obey with… So you can walk in the victory He has in store for you, and the good that He has stored up for those who fear Him. See Salvation First, the Holy Spirit Packet, and the Foundations Packet. Soak in God’s Word – He is the way, the truth, and the life, so your faith will grow, and you can walk in everything that He has planned for you. It’s good! Love you all, dad Love you all, praying for you.
I just love God’s Word. It gives you truth for life. His written Word, LOGOS – the cannon of Scripture is timeless. It’s as applicable today as it was four thousand years ago. But there’s another part of His Word – Rhema, that which He speaks in the present, by His Spirit into your spirit. And it always aligns with His written Word. The Holy Spirit is so timely – when God said the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth, He was one hundred percent correct. And not only that. His timing is perfect. Has God ever told you something, and you just missed it. You missed why He told you that, because you were about to need it… The other day my daughter and a friend were helping me move something. I let her drive as we jumped into our old pickup truck, and before we left the parking lot, she pulled out the PiVAT Car Log with the PRISM Topics – Write It Down, and Give An Account. As we used the first fruits of the drive time for His Word – the meal you need most… I started reading the latter Topic – Give An Account – a number, narration, to enumerate, compute, explain yourself, tell the cause of… a detail of transactions. And read the verses... Hebrews 4:13 – Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight, everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Luke 16:2 - … give an account of your management… Romans 14:12 – So then, every one of us will have to give an account of himself to God. (Explain yourself, give the details.) Then the next verse. Matthew 12:36 – But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every useless word they have spoken. That gave pause to all of us in the car… We started talking about that verse. What is a useless word? Every word has use, either more or less. It has use for something, either good or bad. Useless is less use, and also, of no value. If it doesn’t build faith, if it feeds doubt or unbelief, or grumbling or complaining, or discontent rather than thanksgiving, it’s useless, not useful. Well, we arrived at our next destination and the work continued, and I missed it. Has that ever happened to you? The God of the Universe that keeps planets from colliding, the Sun from burning up the earth, nations from destroying each other, and the devil from destroying you… was trying to tell me something. He was whispering loudly, but I didn’t hear Him. Before the day ended, the challenge and some frustrations of the day – overcame my awareness to hear and obey. God tells us to take heed when He speaks, I didn’t. I didn’t realize, that was God talking to me in that moment that I needed it. The frustration of the day overflowed out of my mouth before I went to bed that night. I vented to my wife what was exasperating me, not remembering what God just told me. You will have to give account of every useless word. Not useful, complaining, which never builds anything least of all faith, or thanksgiving. And suddenly after the fact, it dawned on me. God was trying to warn me, “This is about to hit you…” Fools vent, not the wise. The wise hold their tongue. God had been trying to tell me in advance, “Pothole ahead,” but I was too dull to hear. Until it struck me after the opportunity to avoid it was lost. Disappointing and yet amazing. I should have chosen better, but God tried His best, I can’t blame Him for that one. He told me in advance, He always does, if I’m listening. Hope you won’t miss anything today. That your ears will be fully tuned to His still small voice, no matter what form it comes in. Know that His mercy and forgiveness is there for the asking, but it’s way better if you just listen and heed. Praise God, you can listen better next time… He’s gives Grace for it! See the PRISM Topic Packet – Your Words. Good stuff, it’s just a matter of life and death. 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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