Daily Huddle - Tue Jun 18, 2019 Batter's Box or Second Base?

Love you all, praying for you!
 
God reminded me of something recently.  Instruction is Iterative.    Proverbs 13:1  A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.  Wow. If I do not listen, if I do not respond, if I do not make a change, change course, do something different than before, if I don’t do what He just told me - I am a mocker.  It’s not just making faces or being disrespectful that makes you a mocker, your response and response time reveals you as a mocker.  The Holy Spirit told me, "Are you making a change?  Or is your Father instructing you for nothing?"  Wow.  Instruction is more than warning, that’s admonishment.  Instruction is a pattern to follow, steps to take.  He warns about danger, or misbehavior, but He instructs you in the way you should go – steps to take before further instruction is given.  Instruction isn’t a sentence, it’s iterative.  Instruction comes in phases – after each step is completed.  Instruction is dependent on participation.  He won’t explain how to put the car back together until you have first followed His instruction on how to take it apart.  Wisdom is directly tied to obedience.  You cannot have wisdom without obedience, because wisdom comes in levels.  That’s why the wise always add to their learning.  They obeyed the 1st wisdom, that's why they are at this level.  The wise are not those who hear the most, the wise are those who apply the most, and the quickest.   It’s in the applying that you are positioned for the next hearing.  He could share wisdom about what you should do at second base – while you are in the batter’s box, or the on-deck circle but it makes more sense, when you are on second, facing home plate, seeing the umpire and the crowd behind him…  Get a good lead, we want to score on any hit out of the infield! Always know where the 2nd basemen is and especially the shortstop behind you, if they start to circle back – you’re gonna get picked off!  Look at the 3rd Base coach – he’ll help you, and signal if we’re gonna hit and run, but focus on the pitcher – he can’t balk, but if his back foot moves, he’s coming for you.  And don’t sleep on the catcher – he’s got a rifle for an arm.   All good instruction, but far more understandable from second base, than from the batter’s box, or the on-deck circle.  First get to second base – then that instruction makes more sense.  Your obedience that got you to second base has now changed your perspective and perception of the instruction you are receiving.  The view is different from here! So is the understanding.  Wisdom is iterative, obedience adds perspective, Instruction looks different from 2nd base than it does from the batter’s box.  Obedience always clarifies instruction – it releases the next wave of it!  Like a treasure map, you have to get to the next location – to get the next instruction.  It will make a lot more sense from there.  
 
Praying for you, that you will never get lulled to sleep.  That you would always listen for your Heavenly Father’s next instruction.  Even throughout the day.  That PiVAT before dinner, and PRISM and your Daily Call will always have you hearing and obeying.  Be careful- don’t just write down your own stuff on PiVAT, and tell yourself it was God.  If He tells you a time – obey at that time.  You either heard him right or not, but obey the best you know, and you will get better and better at the hearing part.  Don’t believe the devil’s lie, obedience is not religion, there is incredible joy in obedience.  The perspective from 2nd Base prepares you for the Holy Spirit’s next set of instructions.  As joyful as it is - hitting a double, or stealing second at God’s direction - there is greater joy coming!  One crack of the bat, and you’ll be rounding 3rd for home.  Obedience is the greatest joy you’ll experience, other than His presence – and even His presence – obedience got you there.  It positions you for the Good your Heavenly Father is so excited to lead you in.  Jesus told the truth, my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  No greater joy than surrendering your plans to him (PiVAT) and the way you think to Him (PRISM) and overcoming by the testimony that obedience always brings.  Praying that your Daily Call is a deep and growing encouragement for you.  God said very clearly – Hebrews 3:13 - Exhort one another daily!  It's for our benefit!  Praying that your obedience in this specific thing -  will bring great victory in your life and the lives of others.  Can’t wait to see what God will do!   
 
Love you all,
dad