Love you all, praying for you,
 
A friend once said, the most radical thing you can do is be consistent.  What is radical? Counter-cultural?   Is it good or evil?  It depends on who is doing it and what they are radical about.  There is radical truth, and there is radical evil.  Radical – pertaining to the root or origin.  There has been no one in human history more radical than Jesus Christ.  Radically loving!  He turned water into wine, He healed the sick, made the blind see, the lame walk, He raised the dead, He spoke truth to those in power on earth, He was humble, He loved those who hated Him, He surrendered His life, when He had all power to defend it.  He choose the overlooked, He associated with the outcasts, He wasn’t after money, or fame, or earthly power.  What made him radical?  He was consistent at one thing.  All He did was obey.  That’s why He did all those radical things.  And if He only did what His Father in Heaven wanted Him to do, then who’s the radical One?  What makes you radical anyway?  Just doing something different than everyone else?  In today’s world that means being good and kind, being humble, speaking the truth in love, honoring those in authority, refusing to slander, seeking peace, preferring others over yourself.  That’s radical.  So if Jesus was radical, and He only did what His Heavenly Father told Him to do, what do you think will happen, if you do what Jesus did – only what your Father in Heaven tells you to do?   You might find, that your life – gets radical too.  The devil is a complete liar.  Those who think they are radical today – aren’t radical at all, they’re predictable.  They mistreat others out of false beliefs and motives.  They are just obeying their father – the one who steals, kills, and destroys.   But if you obey what your Heavenly Father tells you – you will find that you do what He does, what Jesus would do.  Jesus said you’re blessed if you are humble, if you mourn, and you’ll be comforted.  He said you’re blessed if you are meek.  Not weak, but meek – that’s power under submission to a Higher Power.  Those will inherit the earth.  He said blessed are those who’s hunger and thirst is for righteousness – and they will be filled.  He said you’re blessed if you show mercy to others, and you too will receive mercy.   He said blessed – (completely happy and successful) are those who are pure in heart – for they will see God.  Those who make peace – are the ones who are the children of God.  And He said, when people criticize and attack you for standing for what is right, you will inherit the kingdom of heaven.  When they insult you and attack you, and lie about you – that's when you should rejoice, for you will be rewarded greatly in Heaven, just like those who endured the same who came before you.  He said, you are the light of the world, don’t hide, and don’t lose your saltiness, or you’ll be no longer useful.  He said you are to be a city set on a hill, which cannot be hidden.   So let your light shine by doing good, by being truthful and kind, doing every thing that your Father in Heaven tells you to do, so others may see it and praise God for it.  That’s radical.  Overcoming evil, not opposing what is good.  People who are peacemakers, kind to others, humble and considerate, who honor God and the authority He has established.  Those are radical – they are against what the devil has convinced everyone to believe.  Praying that you will humble yourself, Seek God’s face that's worship, His Word, in your PRISM time with him, and His Plans for you, through your PiVAT before dinner, and your PiVAT for this week and month, that you will shine brightly in darkness doing all those radical things that your Father in Heaven does.  So all the Praise goes to God.
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
Have you ever thought about this question?  What would it take for this month – to be the best month ever?  It would probably be something you do daily, something you think differently, something you say intentionally.  What if you did PiVAT before dinner every day for the rest of this month?  To get God’s plans for you for tomorrow, and His counsel in the night season?  What if you did PiVAT for the Month - so God could show you what's on His heart for you to become?   What if you did PiVAT Weekly each week, so your eyes and your heart are lifted above and beyond that tyranny of the urgent, or the pressures of the moment?  What if you did PRISM throughout every day this month?  The first thing in the morning and the last thing before you went to bed?  So His Word soaks you, so it can shape how you think, and what you say, so your sleep would be sweet, so He could confirm what He told you to do?  What if you overcame every day for the rest of this month on your Daily Call – with your testimony of His Goodness and His Great Faithfulness.  What if you did 4C’s every day this month – and gave an account?  So you didn’t worry about money – you just did everything He told you to do with it – no matter how crazy it sounded.  What if you increased your worship time this month?  Instead of that book or movie or video game, you just gave His Presence the first place?  What if you set aside time daily – to pray – to lift before His throne - your PiVAT Prayer List – those things not that you wanted to pray, but that He told you to pray.  What if you asked God if He wants you to invite anyone to a 3-Day-Challenge, and pray for them daily as He leads them into their best day!  What if you asked God who He would want you to serve this month?  Giving your time and effort completely for the benefit of someone else, not yourself.  What if every time the devil prompted you to speak even one word of worry, or doubt or complaint – that you would Praise God out loud for 30 seconds straight!  What if you changed your countenance?  What if you chose the look on your face – to always reflect the faithfulness and promise and joy of the LORD?  What if you smiled as a habit?  What if you committed yourself daily, out loud, that you will do whatever God tells you to do, no matter what!  What if you spent daily couch time with your wife or husband– the first thing when you got home?  So your kids would see that your marriage is your first priority – and then they come next.  So they could see that Daddy loves Mommy, and Mommy loves Daddy – and they both love me.  What if you read to your children each day – first from God’s Word, and then from other books that would develop their heart and their intellect?  What if you made worship – the fragrance of your home this month?  What if you wore thanksgiving as a garment – that you put on each day – even before you got dressed?  What if you reached out to someone that might be lonely, or just might need a word of encouragement?  What if you stewarded the possessions that God has entrusted to you – so everything you own – looks like God owns it?  Because He does.  What if you just asked God – what He wants you to do today? So that this month could be the best month ever?  What if you came back to PiVAT every night to be sure that everything He told you to do today – you finished completely.  He said His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  What if you honored the Sabbath, honored your parents, honored those in authority?  What if you just rested in His promise rather than trying to make things happen on your own?  This just could be – the best month ever!  Is there anything else that God might prompt you to?  God said – if there is ever anything you want to know… just ask me, I'll tell you. (James 1:5)  Praying that you will ask and receive, that you will obey because you believe, that your heart and your face would reflect His great love and His grace.     
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word!  It’s how we know what He promised.  It’s how we know every promise that He has fulfilled already.  It’s how we know He will fulfill every promise He made. I have several favorites.  #1) Acts 16:31 - Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.  Think about that – if you put your faith in Jesus Christ – to cancel your debt of sin, because He died for you – you will be saved!  You will live in heaven with Him forever!  #2) Luke 11:13 - If you though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.  Think about it, If you just ask Him, your Father in Heaven will send His Holy Spirit just like He promised, so you can have the power to live a life pleasing to God, and understand every good plan He has for you.  #3) James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let Him ask of God who gives liberally without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  That means if we lack wisdom or direction in any area of our life, we can simply ask Him, and He will tell us – without holding any mistake or poor decision of the past – against us.   #4)  I John 1:9 - If we will confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteous.  Think about that - If we ever do sin, and we confess it to him, and turn from it – He will forgive – He promised.  He will make us clean as snow, like it never happened.  #5)  Hebrews 13:5 – … because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.  The God of the universe said – He will never leave you, He will always be with you – forever!   #6)  Jeremiah 33:3 - Call on Me and I will answer you, and show you great and wonderful things that you do not know.  If you will just ask Him, He will teach you wonderful things that you need to know – to understand and walk in the good that He has planned.   #7) James 4:7 - Resist the devil and He will flee from you.  Think about this – if we just resist what the devil is tempting us to do – that is other than what God told us to do – through the power that God provides – the devil will run away.   #8)  Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   This is this the same God who made the heavens and earth – And He has made plans that good - for you! - and He's just waiting for you to ask each day - so He can tell you!  #9) Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.   Think about that – God has plans for you and a way that is best for you – and He will teach you – if you just ask – because He loves you.  #10) Psalms 138:8 – The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever.  Think about this – The Almighty God, who made the heavens and earth has plans for you because He has a purpose for you – and He said He will fulfill it.  Your job is just to get His plans, and walk in His way for you.  You just have to want to – to ask Him, and He said He will fulfill the purpose He created you for!   #11)  Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who works in you, both to will and act according to His good purpose.  NLT says - giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.  Think about that!  All we have to do is want to - but if we're struggling with that - He even helps us to want to!  Praying that you will be faithful this month in PiVAT before dinner – it’s how you know the plans that He has for you today – so you fulfill the purpose He has for you today.  Praying that you will ask Him about this week and this month – so you know His plans and walk in His purpose.  Praying that you are so drawn to PRISM this month – so His Presence and His Word becomes your greatest love.  It’s how you know who He is, it’s how you know how much He loves you, It’s how He confirms to you – what He told you to do today.  It’s how you learn to think like He does, and walk in the wisdom He gives.  Praying that you will be so faithful in your Daily Call this month.  Maybe ask God if there is someone He wants for you to invite to the 3-Day-Challenge.  God promised that we will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.  Praying that you are faithful every day this month in your 4C’s – to give an account.  To know where His money is – so you can ask Him what He wants you to do with it.  He will surely tell you, He promised.  Praying that this month – will be a month of simply hearing and obeying – so His plans for you can fulfill His purpose for you.  Praying that this month - is your best month ever!
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word – it always gives truth and life and encouragement and challenge and instruction – every time you open it up.  Praying that PRISM is still your priority, that His Presence is still your longing, and that PiVAT before dinner is the path that you take – so His plans are your plans.  Have you ever walked with someone for a while, maybe a journey – maybe a walk around a lake or a walking path?  Have you even been to a ball game – where the closer you get to the stadium the closer you are walking with people?  Thousands of them – on the same road right next to each other, but not walking together?  You don’t know them, you can’t say Hi to everybody so you just keep walking.  But you are not together, you’re just next to each other – until you get to the turn styles, get your tickets ripped in half, and go different directions to your seats – never to see them again.  Thousands of people shuffling in the same direction...  Just because you are walking next to someone – doesn’t mean you’re walking with them.   One of the amazing verses of Scripture, Genesis 5:24 – And Enoch walked with God, and was no more, because God took him.  Think about that – the chapter listing generations of people who lived and died and their children who lived and then died, but this one verse in between about a man who was different.  He walked with God – and was no more.  We know that Enoch’s story isn’t over, he’ll be back near the end of the chapter – eternity is the book which never ends.  But Enoch didn’t just walk, or walk next to God, he wasn’t just aware of Him, he was intimate with Him, in closest relationship to Him.  He walked where God walked, he caught up with Him, he stayed near Him, he didn’t want to walk with anyone else.  And he was no more.  Crazy sentence.  But that’s what always happens when you walk with God – you are no more.  The old you disappears, it's removed, replaced, upgraded, transformed, changed completely!  What you used to say, what you used to do, what you used to think and how you used to believe – is no more - it disappears in the light of His light.  That relationship with Him, that walk with Him just changes you.  So how do you walk with God?  Do you go to Him?  Do you seek His presence?  Do you walk where He walks?  If you desire his company you go where He is.  Some people don’t walk with God, because they are not going where He is going.  They are not doing what He does, or what He told them.  If they did, they would walk with Him, but they don’t even think about it.  His Presence is choosing to walk with Him, His plans through PiVAT help you walk in the path He is walking with you!  PRISM – is that conversation with Him, where you hear His heart, and learn to know His thoughts towards you and for you.  Your Daily Call is where you overcome by your testimony!  It's how you resist walking with someone else instead – on their path which leads to death.  It's how you learn to stay on His path – so you walk with Him.  That’s how you are no more.  The old you isn’t there anymore – it’s the Him in you – that becomes the new you.  His love becomes your love, His strength becomes your strength, His wisdom becomes your wisdom, and His will becomes your will, and His joy becomes your joy.  It makes you unrecognizable from the old you.  The other thing about people who walk together – they are in constant conversation.  Praying that you will be on His path for you – the path that He’s on with you.  Praying that you will always be talking with Him, so you are no more, so what remains is Him in you, walking constantly with Him and His plans for your good!  So the old you disappears, and the new you remains!
 
Love you all,
dad   

Love you all, praying for you,
 
One thing I love about Jesus, everything I value in life, anything I want to be or become - He is.  Have you ever suddenly realized - that you are off-track?   Your life is just missing something, a little off, things are moving, but you feel just a little out of step, off-rhythm?  How do you get off track?  Most often - it’s lost focus on that which is most important. - a neglect of the basics.  Usually it comes back to what you do daily.  You can go through the motions – even in PiVAT and PRISM and your Daily Call – without really doing what God told you to do.  Without finishing that first thing or that one thing...  Is there something that you haven’t finished - that God told you to do?  Is there something you haven’t started that God told you to start?  Have you failed to continue what God told you to continue?   If so, it won’t be long before you begin to feel 'off.'  It’s not religion, or oppression, it’s just that you are not functioning as God designed, and directed - and you can feel it.  You’re not walking in all that He has for you.   Do you have a blind spot in your life?  An area that just does not reflect Christ?  A lot of things in your life do... but is there an area of compromise, or neglect?  For some people their weak spot – is something they are entirely unaware of.  For others – they are aware of it, but just don’t value it enough to change.  For others – they know what it is, they know they should change, but they refuse to change because they’ve always done it their own way.  Or they have rationalized, or justified, and have become hardened in their heart to that change.  The devil wants to cement your weakness, to prevent you from walking in the good that God has for you.  He will hide it from you, or make you think it’s not worth it to change, or even get you in your lack of humility to refuse to change in an area that needs to change in your life - or you will always be crippled in your spiritual growth, or your natural success.  It's the limit of your own making.  Praying that you will ask God if there is any area in your life - or practice or habit - that doesn't reflect Him, or reflect him fully.  That you would humble yourself – and be willing…  That you would surrender and submit any long held beliefs or preferences, or rationalizations - in this area that have prevented you from changing – to God’s will and God’s best for you.  Some people just don’t want to... like the rich young ruler.  You can feel sorry for him, or you can realize that in life – ultimately we choose what we are willing to obey in, and what we are not.   Praying that you won’t leave one single area of your life – unchanged – by His grace.  He has power for you to change.  The first step is to know what change is needed, maybe even why it’s been so hard to, and finally a humility that leaves nothing left as non-negotiable.  So God really does get everything in your life.  Praying that you will ask God, and be willing to change any area in your life – that doesn’t fully reflect him.  If you will, He will.  If you will be willing, He will give you the power to do it.  If you will repent (think differently) and turn – He will pour out grace for you to become what you didn’t know, couldn’t do, or refused to become.  He’s a God of miracles.  There’s nothing too hard for Him, no matter what seems too hard for you.   Praying that you will ask, and be willing...  and you will see what He can do. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
Have you noticed that every person has some things that are distinctly them?  Their smile, their eyes, their voice, their laugh, its an identifier, unique, unmistakably them.  Here’s another.  Their walk.  You can tell someone from far away just by their walk.  Some are famous for it - whether George Jefferson, John Wayne, Gisele Bundchen, Denzel, John Travolta, or my personal favorite - the Mall Cop – when He’s just done playin’ around.  More than just the sequence of movement, or exchanging your feet in front of each other – some say your walk says a lot about you.  According to a study by the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior - it can reveal not only present mood, but personality traits as well.  God says our walk is very important.  God says your walk says a lot about who you are.  Even a child is known by his walk (his conduct) whether his actions are good and right.   II Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith and not by sight.  Walks are developed.  This walk is deeper than just bodily movement – it means to tread all around – walk at large, deport oneself – which means how you carry yourself, how you live, to go, or be occupied with.  Paul said, for those who follow Christ, it changes your walk, it changes how you move, and live, what you’re occupied with.  God says – we walk by faith, and not by sight.  What we believe, not what we see.  What is faith?  Speaking and Acting like what God says is true… no matter what things look like right now.  So how’s your walk?  What are you seeing?  Does that matter to you?  What did God say?  Are you saying that?  Or something else?  What are you doing? The work of faith is obedience.  Funny thing, your walk starts not with your feet, but with your mouth.  Are you saying what God says? Are you obeying not just what God says, but what He also says to you?  PiVAT before dinner – is faith practice, it’s working on your walk.  If you missed PiVAT before dinner, just do it now?  Your faith will be instantly put into action.  First, that He will speak when you ask – and direct your steps. (He promised)  Second, that His plans are better than yours (like heavens are above earth).  Third, that what you heard was really him, and not just you… (He said He would direct you in the way you should go... what you see or feel doesn't matter - your feelings don’t outweigh His promise).  And Fourth, that if you obey, if you follow what He said, it will turn out for your good. That’s faith practice, it’s walking by faith, and not by sight, it’s working on your walk – so you walk like one of His sons and daughters.  He said His Word never comes up empty, so every time you do PRISM – you’re working on your walk.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by His Word.  Do you ever ask yourself - What could I do today to walk by faith, and not by sight?  What's the first thing God told me to do right now?  Praying that you are working on your walk today.  What did God tell you to do in this hour?  It’s how you walk by faith, not by sight.  Praying that you will be consistent in those things that help you walk by faith and not by sight, so you will look less like John Wayne, and more like Jesus. 
 
Love you all,
dad  

Love you all, praying for you,
 
Have you ever been without hope?  It’s really hard, you’re down twenty at halftime, and they haven’t even played their starters yet.  There is no hope of winning this game.  It’s hard to even want to play.  Some people have even lost hope in life – they don't even want to play.  Here is the truth:  God is the God of hope.  He has hope for you!  Here is another truth: the devil comes to steal kill and destroy – and hope is one of his targets.  What is hope?  A confident expectation of something good that produces joy.  It’s more than a wish – a wish is just something that would be so wonderful if it happened, but wishes rarely come true.   Hope is something that hasn’t arrived yet, but there is a basis however small for a confidence that it will still happen.  When you’re low on hope, how do you get it?  How do you get it back?  Here’s how to get hope.  #1  Set the LORD always before you.  Psalms 16:8-9 - I have set the LORD always before me, because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope.   The LORD here is not a title, it’s a relationship.  Lord, means you are under His authority, you do what He tells you to do - that's how you rest in hope.  PiVAT before dinner will set the LORD always before you – when you walk in His plans – you walk in hope – because His plans for you are good and He is the God of hope.  #2 – Read What He Wrote - Romans 15:4 - For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.  PRISM throughout the day – will soak you in the Hope that He is and that He has for you.  You will grow to fully expect His goodness – in the land of the living.  #3 – Pray in the Spirit - Romans 15:13 - 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.  Pray in the Spirit – spend time in His presence in worship – and His hope will overflow in you – by the Holy Spirit He sent you.  #4 – Speak the Hope you want to have - Psalms 71:14 - As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.  Psalms 71:5 - For you are my hope, O Lord God, you are my confidence from my youth.  Praying that your tongue will activate the Hope that is in Christ – and in His Word.  Speak His Word and your hope will rise.   Praying that in your PRISM time today – you will meditate on the PRISM Topic – Hope.  There is great power in God’s Word on a single subject.  If you have hope, your present situation fades in importance in the light of what God promised.  There is nothing like a life of hope.  Hope comes from God – because He is the Only One that is Good, has good things for you, and has the power and the will to bring them to reality in your life.  In fact, He has more good than you’re even hoping for!  He knows the plans He has for you – to prosper you, not to harm you – to give you hope and a future.  Praying that you will never miss PiVAT, PRISM, and your Daily Call – so you walk in His plans for your good, so you grow in the hope of His promise, and overcome every day with the testimony He gives.   
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
Do you know one thing I just love about God.  He speaks!  Through His Word by the Holy Spirit, through our spirit by the Holy Spirit, through situations and circumstance, through nature, through observations of others, and conversations and counsel.  Have you ever had someone tell you something that you really needed to hear?  That stopped you from doing something stupid?  How valuable is that?  An amazing story from David’s life - God’s love for Him through counsel.  David, anointed to be King is being chased by Saul – for no other reason than jealousy.  He had men join with him – 600 fighters, outnumbered by Saul’s 3000 soldier searching parties.  Not that they couldn’t defeat them, but David didn’t want to kill his fellow Israelites.  He was going to be King over them someday – and that would be the wrong foot to start off on.   Plus He refused to lift his hand against God’s anointed.  He trusted God to do what He said - in His own time.  Running around from cave to cave – and trying to feed 600 men when some of them would just as soon steal to get a meal, was no small task.  Here’s what happened.  David moved his men into the Desert of Maon.  A very rich man lived there named Nabal.  He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep.  He had a wife named Abigail, the Bible says she was an intelligent and beautiful woman.  But her husband Nabal was an idiot.  All the while David’s men were in the region – nothing of Nabal’s was missing.  When Nabal was shearing sheep at Carmel, David sent some men to honor him and request any gift that he might have in his heart to share with David’s men.  Nabal answered David’s servants,  "Who is this David?  Who is this son of Jesse?  Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days.  Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where."  First of all, not one person in all of Israel hadn’t heard of David – who killed Goliath and saved Israel from the Philistines  – who led the army in multiple successful campaigns, and who was pursued by Saul even though he committed no crime.  Without David's victories, Nabal's herds would have belonged to the Philistines by now.  When David’s men returned to him and told him what Nabal said…  David was livid.  David said to his men, “Put on your swords,” and 400 men descended on Nabal at Carmel.  Meanwhile, a servant ran and told Abigail what had happened, how Nabal had insulted David’s men, despite the goodness and kindness they had shown Nabal.  The servant said to Abigail , “Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household.  He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.”  The Bible says - Abigail lost no time.  She loaded many donkeys with food and supplies, and without telling Nabal – went out to the desert.  I Samuel 25:20 - As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them.  David had just said, “It’s been useless – all my watching over this fellow’s property in the desert so that nothing of his was missing.  He has paid me back evil for good.  May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!”  When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off of her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground.  She fell at his feet and said, ”My lord, let the blame be on me alone.  Please let your servant speak to you; hear what your servant has to say.  May my lord pay no attention to that wicked man Nabal.  He is just like his name – his name is Fool, and folly goes with him. But as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my master sent.  Now since the LORD has kept you, my master from bloodshed, and from avenging yourself with your own hands, as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, may your enemies and all who intend to harm my master be like Nabal.  And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my master, be given to the men who follow you.  Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master, because he fights the LORD’s battles.  Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live.  Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God.  But the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.  When the LORD has done for my master every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel, my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself.  And when the LORD has brought my master success, remember your servant.   Wow.  This is a highly skilled woman.  And she shares textbook Godly Counsel.  First God sent her – Godly counsel is God sent.  Second it is timely – just in time.  Third it always honors God and His purpose and higher plans.  Fourth it always steers you away from sin – to Godliness and righteousness.  Fifth – it points you to do what God wants you to do, not what you want.   David was justified in his action, but God didn’t tell him.  Just because its within your rights, doesn’t mean it’s right.  She started in humility, she called out his mis-attention (pay no attention to Nabal.  Most people make poor decisions because they are focused on the wrong things, their attention is in the wrong place).  She spoke of the promise of God and the impact of decisions on his future.  Not only did she dissuade him from sinning this time, but she admonished him never to act in his own will for the rest of his life.  She reminded him of who He was, and what God had called him to - he fights the LORD’s battles, not his own.  She reminded him not to shed innocent blood that would have stained his legacy, and reminded him what God says... that vengeance is mine saith the LORD.  She reminded him of the promise of God – and communicated it in a way that he would understand.  He knew how slings worked…  This was an intelligent and highly skilled communicator.  And her heart was the heart of God.  She was looking at God’s purpose and plans for all of Israel, the greatest benefit for David, not just saving her husband from his own foolishness.  David recognized immediately the voice of God through her words.  David said to Abigail, Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.  May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.  David recognized this counsel was sent to him from the LORD.  Sometime you get God’s counsel unsolicited, but it is wise to obey God’s word – and seek a multitude of Godly counsel.  Don’t do things without giving yourself the best chance for success.  And as always – we always think of ourselves as the receiver.  But are you like Abigail?  What counsel do you give?  Is your heart after the things of God's heart, so your Words are the Words of God?  Praying that you will give Godly Counsel – that you would be soaked in His Word – and in His presence, so you would know his heart.  So you could be the Abigail that God sends to others – at just the time that they need it.  PRISM and His Presence is how you get God’s heart – praying that you will always be drawn to His heart – so your words will be His Words. 
 
Love you all,
dad

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word – it’s full of God’s love, the demonstration of God’s power, truth, and full of instruction for an abundant and fully blessed life.  It has warnings, encouragement, examples, principles, commands, promises.  But of all the books in the Bible - sixty-six of them.  and of all the content therein.  If you broke it down.  What does God really say – in the Bible?  #1)  Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ – and you will be saved.  #2)  Wait… until the Holy Spirit is come on you – and you will receive power to be my witnesses – (to live this life – not in your own strength, but in mine)  #3)  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your might and all your mind.  #4)  Love your neighbor as yourself.   #5) Go… into all the world, make disciples, (followers of Jesus) baptize them… and teach them to obey everything I command you.  That's the Five.  I love that God’s purpose, will and commands are so simple.  So how do you believe in the LORD Jesus Christ?  Praying that you will review the Relationship Topic - Salvation First.  To share with others, and remind yourself.  You know this already, but the power of His Word is always a return on your investment.  And how do you get filled with the Holy Spirit – Luke 11:13 – Ask  And He will do it.  Praying you will review the Relationship Topic – The filling of the Holy Spirit.  These are the commands that Jesus gave for His disciples.  It’s how you come into the Kingdom of God, and walk in the Spirit.  Then Jesus mentioned the two greatest commandments.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and Love your neighbor as yourself.  What if people just did that.  Justice would reign on earth,  kindness would replace contention, agreement would erase division – and would bring God’s blessing - in marriages, families, communities and nations.  So if you are commanded to make more of these kind followers – and you have to be one to make one. What's the five for five - five things you can do - to do those Five things.  To love God is to obey Him, Jesus made that abundantly clear.  It’s what He did, so we could learn how to do it.  And He has given us the Holy Spirit – to help us.  Praying that these five will help you walk in those five.  #1) PiVAT before dinner – helps you love God by obeying the most basic thing each day - His plans for you!  And they're good!  Obeyers walk in His plans for their day and week, and month – dis-obeyers walk in their own plans – or someone elses.  #2) PRISM – helps you think like God thinks – it transforms your mind, and God said as a man thinketh… in his heart… so is he.  #3) Your Daily Call – helps you overcome the adversary.  God said do it daily – overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of your testimony.  #4) Your 4C’s Tool – to give an account - so you know where His money is - so you can do what He tells you to do with it.  It's how you know the condition of your flock – it's how you learn to obey financially – to love God more than money – And God said it will either be one of the other.  4C’s won’t mean you’ll get rich, but it does mean you’ll get free!  You’ll have more than you need, and enough to share with others.  #5) Your PiVAT Small Group - Gathering together to provoke one another to love and good works.  Love for God is obeying Him, and good works is what happens when you walk in His plans for you this week.  Because that's all God does is good, and if you're walking in His plans, you're walking in His good.  Praying that you will review the top five things God requires of us – and that you’ll walk in these five things that help you do those five things.   If you have put your faith in the LORD Jesus Christ – your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.  You will live with God in Heaven forever - through His Son, Jesus.  If you are filled with the Holy Spirit – you are not living by the flesh anymore, but in God’s power.  If you surrender to His control – time, thoughts, money and testimony, in community with others - that’s loving Him with all your heart, that's loving others, considering them more important than yourself, and that's making disciples, who are learning to obey everything He commands them daily.  Praying that you will learn to love the simple.  That you will walk in the joy He has for you every single day – by simply obeying – walking in His wonderful plans for you – and taking someone else with you!  There’s freedom there.  There’s joy there.  There is always blessing there. 
 
Love you all,
dad  

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word.  He gives us truth, and light to understand it, grace – that’s power to do it, and joy that always goes with it.  I am so thankful for the Word of God, like a plumb line, like a laser level. It’s the standard that you can measure everything against.  Many people measure God’s Word or God's ways – against something else - their own opinion or understanding.  They question the level, rather than their picture hanging skills.  God gives truth – and we obey it, or not, we believe it or not, we do it, or not.  So thankful for God’s practical word – the instruction that we can run with, that helps us.  He tells us what’s coming, so we can knock it out of the park, rather than strike out.  Matthew 4:  Satan caught Jesus at his weakest physical moment.  An important Word that God uses is the word - if.  Most all of His promises are tied to "if," just not his love for you.  Not if you’re good, He will die for you, no... God said while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  His love for you is no strings attached.  But the blessing or the curse – depends on - if.  If we will just walk in His commands for our good – blessing will follow – truckloads!  If we don’t - we aren’t positioned for His blessing – the good that He has, it goes to those who will believe and obey.  The devil also likes the word if.  If you are the Son of God, if you were really a Christian, or if God really loved you.  The devil is a liar.  A lot of his temptations will use the word if.  The first temptation of Jesus – If you are the son of God, turn these stones to bread – meet your physical needs outside of God’s leading or God’s will.  Jesus answered, It is written, man does not love on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.  God directs, not us.   The second temptation of Jesus – If you are the son of God, throw yourself down.  Bring attention to yourself, obligate God – put God to the test by you acting outside of His will, and yet expecting Him to fulfill the promises that are tied to His will.  Jesus answered - It is also written, do not put the Lord your God to the test, don’t obligate God’s promises to your decisions.  That’s putting God to the test.  God said don’t do it.  Let Him lead, not you.  Then the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor, all this I will give you, he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.  That wasn’t a weak temptation, it was a way out – without the cross.  It was another way that seemed to accomplish God's purpose, outside of His will and His direction.  A different means to the end.  A shortcut, the easy way out.  But the cost was to serve someone else.  The devil will try to get you to serve something else, even to do God’s work, your own way.  All three of the devils temptations came down to one thing.  Do something that God didn’t tell you.  Do something other than what God said.  He didn’t say not to… but that’s not what God told you.  Jesus said to him, It is Written, It is also Written, and finally, “Away from me Satan!  For it is written:  Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.  That word serve means to come under the authority of.  Act at His direction and no other.  Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.  Jesus demonstrated how to resist the devil, He was three for three.  He didn’t try to meet His needs on His own, He refused to draw attention to Himself, and He refused the easy way out.  He only did what His Heavenly Father told him to do, nothing else, nothing less, nothing more.  When you resist the devil – by God’s Grace and God’s Word - he will flee from you.  And God will strengthen you.    Praying that your PiVAT each day – is getting you so used to obeying, that if anyone suggests anything else – you wouldn’t even consider it.  Praying that PRISM has you soaking in His Word – so that you know what is written, what is also written, and that you serve Him only.  Praying that your Daily Call has you overcoming that adversary – by the blood of the Lamb, and the Word of your Testimony. 
 
Love you all,
dad