Love you all, praying for you.  Remember PiVAT Weekly today.  Get His plan for your week!  The Holy Spirit has things for you today that He’s just waiting to share with you – things to come. 
 
God reminding me.  He’s a God of Order.  This doesn’t pertain merely to order versus disorder, a right arrangement, it doesn’t just apply to protocol and authority, it also speaks to a proper order of things.  In the appropriate sequence.  Faithful in Little First – then Faithful in Much.  Luke 16:10-11.   God is a God of order – meaning – He does things in order.  There is an order of things.  You don’t run before you walk.  There are things required in order to walk in other things.  Anyone with compassion – would want to help that poor little bird break free from it’s egg – but doing so would harm them, permanently, not help them.  Strength comes through the struggle.  It’s the trial that leads to the triumph. 
 
Psalm 78:70-71 – "He chose David his servant and took Him from the sheep pens, from tending the sheep and brought him to be the shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.  And He shepherded them with integrity of heart, with skillful hands he led them."  Servants – those who serve God – don’t worry about the assignment.  I always fast forwarded through this verse.  I love the end - not the beginning.  But the beginning isn’t a day - it’s a season – sometimes a long one – excruciatingly long – if you’re misfocused.  God took David from the sheep pens – from leading the sheep, and it wasn’t just one day or one week.  Now, I’ve never been in a sheep pen… but I’ve been in a few other pens – and well – basically  - it’s just a whole bunch of poop.  One pile after another.  Are you in the sheep pen right now?  This is not the job I want, this is not the assignment I want -  I want to be preaching to the congregation on Sunday mornings!  And I’m stuck in the nursery? (covered with drool, and spit up and who knows what.)  I want to be the CEO!  And I’m cleaning toilets? mopping floors, stuck in the “Drive-Thru?”  Praise God!  You have been CHOSEN! - to be a servant.  A servant of Him, and a servant of others.  Serve First, Serve well.  You wonder why that promotion has taken so long?  Are you serving first and serving well?  Serve First -  is that your heart?  Are you willing?  Serving Who – you serve God by doing what He tells you, when He tells you, how He tells you.  Do you even ask?  Do you check in with Him?  Do you do PiVAT before dinner, and PiVAT Weekly before the week begins – as consistently as you brush your teeth, or as consistently as you clean the garage, or your closet?  Are you willing to serve others – in whatever He leads you to do?  You’ll know when you are really a servant…  when you no longer worry about the promotion.  When you get to the place where you take delight in obeying, and loving and serving –  even if the promotion never comes.  Are you surrounded by poop right now?   Add Value.  Ask God to show you how to add value every day.  Always be worth more than you get paid.  You should always be underpaid – and you will always get a raise.   If they pay you $10 an hour – they get $20 worth.  If they pay you $100 an hour – they get $200 worth.  To do this.  You need to ask God What To Do, When and How, and then Do It Well – with all your heart, and with all your might.  Heart is the attitude in which you do it, and might is the effort with which you do it.  See the PRISM Topic – Diligence – for another reminder.  Praying for you!  that you will Absolutely Commit Yourself to a PRISM Topic – every day!  This is so important!  Ask God which one, and then come back to it throughout the day – multiple times.  Get His Word in you!  That’s how you will start thinking like a servant – one that He can promote.  You’ll start thinking like Him, and acting like Jesus. 
 
So are you surrounded by poop right now?  Have you ever seen sheep?  The only thing they are - more than stupid – is stubborn.  They smell bad, they are dirty.  This is not my dream job…  And He shepherded them with integrity of heart.  (integrity – the same through and through – pure, not mixed).  How do you think David learned to do this?  With skillful hands he led them.  He learned it in the poop – not the palace!  What he did in the poop - he did in the palace.  He led the sheep with integrity of heart – with skillful hands.  That’s why when He got to the palace – He just did what He had always done.  He learned the heart of a servant.  And no matter what God assigned him to do – He did only what His Heavenly Father told him to do, with all his might – and a joyful heart.  Praying that this is you.  That when you are surround by poop – you are growing a servant’s heart – a heart of a servant – a heart of surrender, of submission.  So that integrity of heart is forged in you – and your hands become skillful to lead.  Praying that the position you aspire to - would be - Servant – of the Most High.  That’s all.  That you would be not just content – but skillful through surrender.  Submitting as Jesus submitted.  This will bring a testimony, it will leave a legacy, God will make His Name great in you!  It starts with - fully surrendered – no matter what you’re surrounded by.  Praying for His Grace and Truth for you. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you.
 
God has been challenging me recently. Funny how He does that. Constantly.  Do you like being chosen?  Don’t we love being chosen?  Chosen to be the Team Captain, the Number One Draft Pick, the Guest Speaker, the Guest of Honor.  It’s just so good to be chosen…   Psalm 78:70 – He chose David his servant and took Him from the sheep pens, from tending the sheep and brought him to be the shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.  Isn’t it interesting, God chose David.  Why?  Acts 13:22 – I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart – he will do everything I want him to do.  David was an obeyer – that’s why God chose him.  But that verse – from the sheep pens to the palace…  I love that verse!  And I always skip over the most important part. 
 
He chose David – his servant.  It’s who David was, that’s why God chose him - and its what God chose him to be - a Servant.  It wasn’t about being a shepherd of sheep, or the King of Israel – He chose him to be a servant.  But I love to be chosen first!  Chosen to be first, not last, I love being important!  Doesn’t God want me to be important?  He does – that’s why he chose you to be a servant.  His Kingdom is an opposite Kingdom, an upside down Kingdom - (in truth - a right side up Kingdom)  In Matthew 20:20-28 James and John's Mom came and asked Jesus for a favor - that her sons would be chosen first. Jesus then clarified what greatness really was.  Matthew 20:25 - Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  

There is a deeper secret in this truth and this command.  It’s even more than serving.  That’s the secret! Serving isn’t what God is after – being a servant is what God is after.  He wants to direct the serving!  There’s a difference!  Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  He gave his life to gain others – for His Father.  Multiple times – Jesus made it clear.  I only do what My Father says, and does, and wants me to do.  Not my will, but yours be done.  That’s why Luke 6:46 – says – Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?  But God, we’re serving!  (And that list was pretty impressive…)  But serving isn’t the heart of Christ – being a servant is.   It’s not about the activity – it’s about the authority.  It’s about who’s in charge?  Servants – yield.  It’s an ugly awkward concept – called submission.  Oooh – not really interested in that…  But if not, I cannot be like Jesus.  Those who in the natural have a resistance to being a servant - it just rubs them the wrong way – just don't understand God, His goodness, His power, His Kingdom. 

I get it - it's uncomfortable -  To be a servant of God – a servant of Christ – it means submission – a coming under the authority and desires of another.  Serving God is always yielding.  Laying aside your own will, and learning to do – only do – fully do - His will.   When you become a servant of the Most High – you will serve Him first – attend to – give your full attention to – Him first.   And when you do that – you will find that He will direct you – just like He directed Jesus – to serve others.  Being a servant starts with humility.  Serving – the way God leads you to serve - to become a servant – starts with humility.  Everything you could ever do of significance in your life – can only be done as God directs and leads you - not of your own will, idea or power.  What He has for you is significant! Joyful! Eternal!  Praying that you will be absolutely committed to PiVAT before dinner, and PRISM throughout your day – to a Daily Call that helps you and a friend become the servants that He has chosen you to be.  Submission begins with Humility -  (which also – with the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom)  Praying you will review this today-- even right now . PRISM Topic – Humility.  Just start with Humility – and being a servant – becomes easy.  PiVAT and PRISM is just giving him control. Time and Thoughts - Life and Mind.  You can trust Him!  He has good for you!  It’s the best servant-practice you can do!
 
Love you all,
dad 

Love you all, praying for you.   If you didn’t see yesterday's Huddle – Got Hope?  Read that First.  Praying that today you will have hope - the joyful expectation of good.  That you will know the hope that is within you.  That you would know the God who is hope, who has hope for you. 
 
This morning God told me to encourage you in the other half of hope.  Just like the two sided coin, or the picture of the old lady and the young girl.  The other side of hope is what you do, not just who God is and what He gives.  What do you put your hope in?  Some people put their hope in fate, or luck, or their work ethic, or someone else – who they hope won’t let them down.  God says – Put your Hope in the LORD:  Psalm 147:11 – The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.   This is the fear of the LORD – Put your Hope in His Unfailing Love.  So how do you do that?  Praying that you will review right now -  PRISM Topic – How To Put Your Hope In God.  This is part of the Fear Of The LORD Packet - so critical for complete success in life.  It will encourage you – it will help you put your hope in the LORD – It is the Fear of the LORD put into action.  It’s something you can do right now.  And of this you can be sure – You Are Not Fearing God For Nothing!
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you.
 
Hope is a powerful thing.  Have you Got Hope?  Have you ever seen anyone overflowing with hope?  They’re different.  Their face is different, their attitude is different, their outlook is different, their energy and vibe is different, they’re contagious, they’re highly productive, unfazed, unflappable, they’re fun to be around, you’re drawn to them, they aren’t affected by what affects others, they see things differently, they love life!
 
Hope:  an expectancy – a desire of something good with the expectation of attaining it.  To anticipate with pleasure – expectation, confidence.  Hope: The joyful expectation of good. 

If you have hope, nothing destroys you, nothing dissuades you, there’s always a future for you.  Get around some people who have hope, and you see opportunities, not problems, you just view things differently, you can take joy in the journey.  God has hope for you.  He is Hope!  Praying that you will take a few minutes right now! and fill your mind and heart with God’s Word of Hope -  PRISM Topic - Hope
 
Praying for you – that you would be filled with hope, and everything that hope brings.   That you will fully obey what He told you to do today, constantly coming back to His Word all day long – so that your faith will grow stronger, that hope will rise – and your joy will be full.
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you.  
 
Praise God – Revive Family Dinner last night, the Holy Spirit’s clear leading, open worship, God answering prayer, God speaking, new songs, the Word of truth.  Sometimes we ask the Holy Spirit to come, but in truth He is already here.  It’s not a matter of Him coming, it’s a matter of us seeing, hearing, and following what He wants to do.  What a loving God.  All praise to Him!
 
We have shared often about being like the Bereans.  This New Testament church was full of people who were noble, they were not easily deceived, they weren’t gullible, they searched the scriptures daily to find out if what Paul said – was true.  Praying that you will be like the Bereans – because if someone can talk you into something - someone can talk you out of it.  If it’s falsehood, don’t receive it.  But if it’s truth, do not let it go.  How?  Know the Word by the Holy Spirit.  Let Him lead you into all truth.
 
What are the Two Most Important Things in Life?  Salvation, and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Nothing else even comes close.  Without Salvation, you will spend eternity apart from God, and never fulfill the wonderful purpose He has for your life.   Without the Holy Spirit, you do not receive the Power you need to live the life that He has for you. 
 
Whether Salvation, or the Filling of the Holy Spirit, the devil will lie to you.  He’s the father of lies.  He wants to keep you from believing for Salvation – so you spend eternity apart from God.  And he wants to keep you from believing for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – so you forfeit the power to overcome him, and live a victorious Christian Life, where you are led into all truth by the Holy Spirit - who also shows you things to come.   PiVAT – is God showing you things to come, His specific plans for you for today, and PRISM is God transforming your mind with His Word by the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth.  It’s the Holy Spirit that helps you understand God’s Word, and It's the Holy Spirit that reveals your Heavenly Father's plans for you for today.  That’s the only way PiVAT and PRISM and your Daily Call really work – by the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth.  Without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – PiVAT and PRISM becomes just a mind thing, your own ideas... rather than being "led by the Holy Spirit in all truth."  Totally different! 
 
Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me.  Jesus told Nicodemus – you must be born again.  And the first command Jesus gave to those who believed. “Wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Ghost is come upon you – and you will receive power to be my witnesses…  This word witnesses means “martyrs.”  The Holy Spirit gives you the power to live a life no longer led by you, but led by the Holy Spirit.  It is the power of God – for those who believe.  Just like Salvation is the power of God for those who believe. 
 
If you are a believer in Christ – you have been changed from death to life.  How well do you know God’s Word about Salvation?  Not just to remind yourself when the liar comes, but to share simply the gift of Salvation with others.   Praying you will review the Relationship Topic – Salvation First - to fully know and simply share His Truth. The Word of God is the answer to every lie of the devil.  And by knowing His Word, not only will you establish yourself, and your children in His truth – you will be able to share eternity – changing truth with others.  He who wins souls is wise. 
 
Second, since you have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit are you walking daily in this gift? Paul said he was glad that He prayed in the spirit – “more than you all.”  Are you praying daily in the Spirit, building yourself up in your most holy faith?  Pray in the Spirit and you will walk in the Spirit!   The devil wants to either keep you from believing and receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or he wants to get you to neglect it.  That’s why Paul reminded Timothy?  Stir up the gift within you…  (Pray in the Spirit)  

Why won’t some people receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?  They are either disobedient, deceived, or disbelieving.  The devil has lied to them, sometimes through people they are close to.  He’ll say – “You already have it” That’s partly true, which makes it great deception – but that’s not what Jesus was talking about - they were clearly believers.  The fullness of the Godhead (Father, Son and Spirit) at Salvation – comes to everybody who believes, just like the Baptism of the Holy Spirit comes to everybody who believes, and obeys what Jesus commanded.  The devil will say, “That was only for that day.” Another lie.  Jesus never changed that command.  He never changes, He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Just because someone rejects it, doesn’t mean it’s not truth.  Don’t let other people keep you from what God promised you– just because they refuse to believe.  Unbelief doesn't please God – Faith does!  If you believed Him for Salvation – you can surely believe Him for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus clearly told those who believed in His Name to wait and receive Power from on High – to live this life by the Holy Spirit – not by your own strength.   The Holy Spirit is critical to PiVAT and PRISM and your Daily Call – they cannot be done with your mind or opinion - they can only be done by the Holy Spirit within you.  It’s how He leads you into all truth and tells you things to come.    See these two Relationship Topics -  The Filling of the Holy Spirit – (just my personal testimony of God moving me from doubt to faith.)  And then be sure to review The Holy Spirit Packet -the Word of truth about the victory God has for your life - by His Holy Spirit. 
 
Praying that you will know God’s Word – that you will be ready in season and out of season to give an explanation of the hope and the truth that is within you.   Praying for you!  that you will pray in the Spirit daily - so you will walk in the Spirit!  That you would share His truth with others so that they too, just like you! will have the power to walk completely in every thing that God has for them.  God honors faith - obedience always brings joy – the Holy Spirit will surely lead you in the way you should go!  He promised! You can trust Him! It's how you walk in all the good that God has stored up for you.  His love for you is overwhelming!
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you.  
 
Have you ever received a call from someone who just called to pray over you?  Because God put you on their heart, and because they love you?  Powerful.  God told me this morning to invite you to  The Two Minute Challenge:  - For 120 Seconds PRAY THE WORD over someone God loves.  Don’t just pray for them, pray the Word of God over their life.  Just like PRISM – Praise the Word – where you praise God using the words of that verse (converting even questions or complaints into the positive).  Do the same in prayer for someone.  First practice on yourself?  Have you ever prayed the Word of God over yourself?  Start with your Spouse, and your Daily Call Partner, or your Children - and then ask God for the person He wants you to call today – that the Holy Spirit wants to pray over - through you.  And then ask God What Chapter or PRISM Topic to pray over them. 
 
Here are a few suggestions:  Psalms 34, 40, 15, 16, 119, Matthew 5, I Corinthians 13, Hebrews 11, So many chapters in the Bible – are powerful things to pray over someone. 
 
PRISM Topics – are also Straight Word of God – that you can pray over someone.  PRISM Topic -  Peace,  PRISM Topic - Life Purpose and Direction, or Relationship Topic – How To Pray For Someone You Love.  PRISM Topic - Apostolic Prayers - Or God may have another one for you.  Just ask Him - He knows what they need. 
 
Here’s God’s Promise for your Two Minute Challenge:  Isaiah 55:11 – So is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 
 
The Two Minute Challenge
.1) Ask God who He wants you to call – and what Chapter or PRISM Topic He wants you to pray over them. 
 
.2) Tell them “God just told me to call and pray for you, is this a good time? Do you have a few minutes right now?  If they say yes – Ask them What They Need Most From God Today?  This will engage them and get their attention – and you can pray for their greatest need as you begin.
 
.3)  Then - Spend the next Two Minutes Praying the Word over their life and situation.  Ask the Holy Spirit to pray through you – He will.  Pray the WORD verbatim where you can, pray any complaint or question into the positive – using other promises from His Word) And trust that God will bring a blessing from your obedience. 
 
There is nothing more powerful than prayer.  Someone once said, “When we work, we work, but when we pray – God Works.”   Praying that God will work today through you by His Word, in the lives of those that He loves so dearly.
 
Love you all,
dad   

Love you all, praying for you. 
 
Are facing a decision right now?  Or will you be facing one soon?  You need to know... In every decision of life – large or small – in every area of life… There is God’s Way, and man’s way.  One way seems right, the other way is best for you.  So how do you discover God’s best for you?  Certainly pray!  But how do you arrive at that decision in a way that honors God – so not only what you do, but how you arrive at that decision – follows God’s Word – so His blessing is a constant in your life?
 
Recently - an unexpected opportunity arose which required travel, and a complete re-arrangement of this week’s plans.  April and I were not in agreement.  We agreed on the intent, but not on the implementation.  I could feel the temperature in the room rising... so what do we do?  Both of us truly - only want to do what God wants us to do - but we think and process very differently.  So how do we discern God’s will for us - and walk in unity as a married couple, without killing each other in the process?  (OK, so you're a better Christian than me, stop hating)  And if you end up doing what God wants – but go through a relationship crisis in getting there…  how can that truly - fully - be choosing "God’s Way?"  We want to honor God - not just in the decisions we make, but "how we get there."
 
Praise God - He clearly reminded me what to do in that moment.  I asked April, “Would you be willing to do a PiVAT Decision Tool with me?  You do yours, I’ll do mine, we’ll compare notes – ask God together, and we’ll do whatever He tells us."  Within 10 minutes we had finished the PiVAT Decision Tool – and as we shared our answers and perspectives together – not only did God’s will become absolutely clear as to what we should do, but our path of discovery brought us into complete unity.   The funny thing, as it turned out – the opportunity changed less than 2 hours later and our new plans were postponed anyway.  So did we miss God on the decision we made?  Absolutely Not!   We sought His will, we shared things together that neither one of us thought of ourselves, and we let God lead us into unity in reaching the decision He had for us.  What ended up happening in the end, was immaterial.  We fully obeyed in the discovery! 
 
If you have never used the PiVAT Decision Tool for a decision, or if you haven’t used it in a while,  Would you pray about reviewing it right now?  Every decision that we have struggled with, large ones or little ones, this simple form – guided us through seeking the LORD for it.  Enormously helpful!  This is truly a life-changing tool - just like PiVAT and PRISM - It has blessed many others as well.  I’m praying that you would right now click on the How2 PiVAT Decision Tool online.  This explains the concepts – it’s a short read, but insightful, and you can download the actual PiVAT Decision Tool – (a Word Doc) and print it out for any actual decision you now face.   Even if you do not have a decision due today - the truths within this How2 explanation will encourage you greatly and prepare you for the next time you will need the mind of Christ on something important.   It's probably closer than you think... And really - even little decisions are important - what you do, and how you arrive at the decision.  It’s not the size of the decision – but the size of your obedience that matters.  Praying that God’s Way will be your heart’s desire – in every decision – even how you arrive at it. 
 
Love you all,
dad  

Love you all, praying for you. 

Today is full of God’s grace for you, His promise, His goodness.  It’s only found in Him, and in doing what He tells you to do.  Praying that you will be found in Him today – that you will find Him!  And that He will lead you – every hour – even in the little.   God was showing me recently.  Proverbs 16:13 – “Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.”  It’s easy to flatter and... it’s easy to say nothing.  But speaking truth when it is needed, when it may not be popular, takes courage and skill.  The first reaction may not be the final valuation.  You have to know what to say, you have to know when to say it, and you have to know how to say it. 
 
What to say.  Many people can’t speak truth even though they have the courage to, because they don’t seek it or walk in it themselves.  So when they speak, it’s not really truth – just partial truth or lacking truth – both are deception.  Honesty that is valued is the honesty based on wisdom.  And the only wisdom that is true wisdom is the wisdom that comes from God – by the Holy Spirit.  “I’m just being honest” – “I just tell it like it is.”  No, you’re rude, and you’re just sharing your opinion, your judgment of others.  You just tell it like “you think it is,” but you’re in error…   No-one needs friends like this, and please don’t do this to others.  Better to listen, and not talk.  But for leaders or even friends to be blessed by your honesty – it needs to be based upon wisdom.  That’s why PRISM every day is so vital!  Don’t miss.  That I: Insight from the Word – through Proverbs - will establish you in wisdom.  This will be of infinite value in your life, and others.
  
When to say it.  This takes great discernment.  You need to ask the Holy Spirit.  Just because something pops into your mind, or is a strong reaction inside you – doesn’t mean it’s from God – or it’s for you to say right now.   A friend once said.  Sometimes God gives you something to say, but more often, God gives you something to pray.  Make sure your default is "pray before you say."  One of the greatest impacts of correction in my life was from a young couple, friends of ours, who approached me on something that was a miss in my life.  They had first prayed about it together, they didn’t just bring it up the moment they thought it.  Their humble approach invited me to seek God and make the corrections He had for me.  Timing is everything.  Be sure the Holy Spirit is leading you – on when to say, not just what to say. 
 
How to say it.  This too requires great discernment, as well as courage - the clear and specific leading of the Holy Spirit.  Check your motive first.  Have you taken care of the log in your own eye, before addressing the speck in theirs?  But equally important, just because you’re not perfect, doesn’t mean God does not want to use you to say something.  Are you sharing this for their benefit?  Or just to get something off of your chest? Is this love? Or subtle retribution?   God gives instruction for these situations – whether addressing peers or superiors.  Ephesians 4:15 – “Instead (of being deceived by every opinion or doctrine- even your own), speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect, the mature body of Him who is the head, Christ.”  Our responsibility is to speak truth out of the motivation of love.  And here is how God instructs us to do this.
 
Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.  This “word” (dabar, daw-bawr)  - means a “matter spoken of,” not just a side-comment - it’s weightier than that.  “Fitly” spoken means – in the appropriate season -  in the proper and best timing to be received and effective.  The word “apples” – tappuach <tap-poo'-akh> interestingly - also indicates the apple “from its fragrance” – not just the apple itself – but the aroma that accompanies it.  (Like the smell of bushels of apples in a barn on a fall day).  “Pictures” (maskiyth – mas-keeth) are carved images – which figuratively mean - “imagination, the image of what could be...”  So the message delivered includes not only truth, but timing, presentation, and the senses - imagery as well as the fact itself. 
 
I love the next verse,  Proverbs 25:12 – As an erring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.   Ok, the receiver must be humble, to hear intelligently – predisposed to obey – but that’s not on you if you are the reprover that God wants to use.  A wise reprover is one – skillful at bringing needed correction in a kind and convincing manner.   Only the Holy Spirit can help you do this.  This begs a few questions.  Are you a wise reprover?  (Do you have wisdom? Do you wait on God’s timing? Do you pray before you say? Do you obey with courage when He says now is when to speak? and Do you ask the Holy Spirit to deliver the message through you with love and fragrance?  And as always – put the shoe on the other foot - when a wise reprover addresses you and something in your life – are you defensive? Or has God finally matured your default to be humility – pre-disposed to obey? 
 
Praying for you all – that you will not miss even one day of PRISM.  The best way I know to grow in wisdom – so you have something to say when it’s needed!  Your Daily Call gives you daily practice of the Holy Spirit’s timing and delivery!  You have to do PRISM every day!  The Word of God is the only source of wisdom.  Give the Holy Spirit something to work with!  Do PiVAT every day before dinner– wisdom that is not put into practice never becomes understanding for you - only hearsay.  Would you rather hear something from somebody that has “heard this advice somewhere before,” or from an obeyer - who is walking in the fruit of it every day!  And finally.  Your Daily Call is “Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver”-practice – for both of you!  This is how you yourself receive counsel from trusted and honest lips – a Daily Call Partner who is an obeyer, who knows and loves you.  This is how you get daily practice in speaking the truth in love for them.  And even greater than that - when you pray for each other at the end of each Daily Call – the Holy Spirit speaks His Counsel directly through you!
 
Praying that you will have the courage and skill to share what God wants you to share in any situation that God may lead.  First practice in your Daily Call, so God can then use you in other situations.  Praying that your love for God would overflow into love for others.  That your Daily Call would build in you the joyful obedience that results in wisdom and blessing, the discernment of when, what and how to say, and the courage to speak blessing to others – as you walk in his infinite blessings for you. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you.
 
God put this in my heart this morning.  How do you handle adversity?  What does that even mean?  There are two kinds of adversity. (tsarah, and ra-ah) Threat of Loss, and Actual Calamity.   Truly the 80/20 rule applies here.  Even 99% to 1%.  Rarely does actual calamity come – adversity we face is by vast majority the “threat of loss.” 
 
Regarding actual evil or calamity happening?  What does God say about this 1%?  This kind of adversity is Ra-ah <raw-aw> actual bad, evil, calamity, hurt.  About this Ecclesiastes 7:14 says – In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity (evil) consider (see, perceive, advise self).  God has made the one as well as the other, so that man should find nothing after him. (meaning – our human understanding cannot know the future)   So in the rare occurrence that true adversity becomes a physical reality – and you are actually “going through” what threatened to overtake you - (not in your mind, but in reality) what do you do?  God said - Advise yourself! Perceive! - the power of God, the goodness of God (despite any circumstance), that He is always with you in trial.  Remember how Paul advised himself (and by the way, Paul faced far more adversity than you or I will ever face.)  Here’s how He advised Himself – in that ‘actual adversity’ he occasionally experienced...  2 Corinthians 4:17 – For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.    The NLT says – so we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  You can put your trust in God – even during the 1% of actual adversity that may come into your experience.
 
Now let’s talk about the 99% of the time where adversity is the other kind - (tsarah) the threat of loss – the thoughts the devil perpetually tries to trick you into wasting mental energy on – the threat of loss…  loss of health, loss of security, loss of sovereignty, liberty or freedom, loss of advantage, loss of protection, loss of hope, dream or desire, loss of money or benefit, loss of comfort, loss of customary rights and privileges, loss of reputation or honor, loss of relationship.
 
Funny thing about adversity – it’s always mental before its physical.  Long before adversity is a negative occurrence, it is the threat of negative occurrence.  This adversity is (tsarah – tsaw-raw’) tightness, figuratively trouble, adversary, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.   Most adversity is of this kind - in the mind.  Tightness – the threat of loss.   So how do you handle this?  The devil always brings adversity, to try to ruin you – by devouring you – causing you to fret.  That’s why God’s Word says, Do Not Fret, and Fear Not.  Often we shallowly view adversity as the ultimate struggle against an evenly matched opponent in the Championship Game.  Down 10 in the Fourth Quarter – time to play defense, get every rebound, hit shots, and believe you can win.  “Whoever wants it the most…”  But this is not real adversity – that’s just competition – opportunity.  Adversity comes when the devil comes in like a flood.  When it is not evenly matched - it’s not 5 on 5 - it’s hundreds against one – and what’s at stake is not merely a game that few will remember even a year or two from now…  What do you do when real adversity comes? - the threat of significant or irreplaceable loss? 
 
Proverbs 24:10 – If you faint in the day of adversity (tsarah), your strength is small.  Another version says – if you are slack in the day of adversity, your strength is limited.  This is talking about the tsarah kind of adversity – tightness – the threat of evil.  To Faint <rafa – raw-faw> means to slacken, let go, let up, let off, let down, forsake, be slothful.  Strength – koach <ko-akh> is force, vigor, to be firm, strength, substance, power - your capacity to produce. 
 
God is telling us - under threat of loss – adversity, if you slack off – your power to overcome is limited.  Slack off what?  THE WORD!  The devil wants you to be always under adversity.  Always fearing and fretting the loss which could possibly occur.  God wants these times to be non-existent, He wants you to perpetually overcome!  If actual adversity occurs then you can “consider”… but the 99% of adversity – is just the devil trying to devour you.  Here’s how you do not slacken!  Get your Mouth Moving!  Speak God’s Word into your mind, heart and spirit.  99% of the threats of harm – do not occur!  That’s just the devil trying to steal your peace!  It’s time to mature in the LORD!  Here’s what God says.  Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in complete peace, those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.   That’s how you do not faint in the day of adversity (tightness, looming threat) you stay your mind, you fix your mind on Him, Jesus, THE WORD.  This is how to thrive under adversity – it’s not toughness of body, but toughness of mouth that protects your mind.  His Word in your mouth!  Which directs your mind and fills your heart.  Prov 15:15 – The days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.  The devil wants to bring adversity – tightness – threat of harm, continually - to ruin you with fret, he wants you in a perpetual state of adversity – fully oppressed so your life is wretched.  But the Word of God on your tongue is how you overcome.  This is overcoming the adversity in your mind. This is the mind of Christ – and it translates to your face.  A cheerful look, a cheerful heart.  Adversity of threat is nullified by The Word of Life.  It is hope, it is truth, so we are not ruined, but overcomers – in complete peace.  God’s Word overcomes all adversity.  He is with you.  He promised. He has peace for you because He is your peace.   All praise to God! 
 
Praying for you – that you will not let adversity reign – ever.  But you would dispatch it quickly because His WORD reigns in you by your mouth – so adversity melts in the blinding light of His promise.  Praying that you would know in your mind, and in reality -  the God who saves, the God who delivers you from all kinds of adversity – every threat of loss, and every loss itself.  Psalm 34:4  I sought the LORD and He answered me, He delivered me from “everything (the devil wanted to make me fear)”  Praying that every weak attempt of your enemy to bring you adversity of mind... you would drive out with the mind of Christ. 
 
So what adversity are you facing?  It has no effect on you.  Fix your mind on His truth with your mouth!  Be overcomers!
 
Love you all,
dad