Daily Huddle - Wed Nov 18, 2020 Gut-Check

Love you all, praying for you… 
 
In sports there’s something called a ‘gut-check.’  Everyone knows what it is, that time in the fourth quarter when the game is on the line, and the team that is going to win… is simply… the team that wants it the most.  It didn’t really start in that moment…  it happened yesterday in practice, and it’s the culmination of all the moments last week, (and maybe even the culmination of all those moments in the off-season) – that time at the end of practice where the coach says, “Everybody on the line.”  And everyone does what?  Do they groan?  Does everybody’s heart sink?  Or do you run to the battle?  Everyone knows what’s coming…  most people call them ‘suicides.’  We never did, no reason to put defeat in your mind… Cause remember, your words determine your mind. So it’s not really ‘mindset,’ in truth it’s ‘wordset’ that determines your mindset.  I always coached my kids to be the first one on the line for line drills.  Even Dana White from the UFC understands this truth.  You think what you say, you believe what you say, so he stopped calling it ‘Sudden Death,’ he calls it ‘Sudden Victory.’  Something that simply puts victory in your mind, not death.  So who is going to win?  You!  You were made for it!  And what is the sudden victory, or the moment of truth in life?  God says it’s faith.  Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  So what sudden victory or moment of truth are you facing right now?  I love that descriptor – moment of truth.  Because it really comes down to are you going to believe a lie, or are you going to believe the truth?  Jesus had to several times admonish his disciples – “Oh you of little faith.”  It’s not that you don’t have any – in fact you have right now every bit of faith you need – just don’t leave home without it.  God said He has given every man a measure of faith.  You have been given the measure of faith you need.  Just like God gives you the strength to get through the end of practice, so when the moment of truth comes in the fourth quarter, you can be the one who emerges victorious.  You actually were made to win.  Like the cheetah was designed to run - you were made to win.  You were made in the image of God, He formed you in your mother’s womb, and when you received Jesus Christ as your Savior by believing cause He said so… that He died in your place, so you could now be qualified to live forever in heaven with Him…  you got that secret weapon.  Christ in you the hope of glory.  Not your strength, His strength, not your word, His Word!  If you choose it – as your word…  So what is your faith-check right now?  What did God promise about what you are facing or seeking right now.  I’ve found that faith gets harder the less clear it is - what He said…  So the devil always tries to make it unclear – doubt-able.  The first time the devil tries to make you lose faith (and choose doubt instead) is when you first considered giving your life to Christ.  God would never save someone like you, you’ve rejected him too many times, or you’ve done things He could never forgive. All lies, but the devil always tries to steal, kill, and destroy.  He knows what God said better than you do.  And he believes - in a way… God said even the demons believe and tremble.  The devil knows without faith its impossible to please God, so he’s always trying to steal your faith – by inserting thoughts in your head – that he hopes you turn into words – so your faith is blocked, and your word-set becomes your mindset.  The mindset of doubt, rather than the mindset of faith.  So what is your gut check right now?  Something that God said that you’re finding it harder to believe.  Maybe not that He said it, but does it really apply to you, did you understand it right?  Or do you say you believe it, but aren’t really acting like it?  Faith is simply acting like what God says is true.  Do you?  How?  You praise Him like it’s happened already.  Your faith becomes evidence to you, no matter what is happening around you – what other people say – because they don’t believe.  It gets a little harder when the devil tries to get you to doubt that God really said it, or was talking to you, or really meant it.   Not that God lies, but did He really mean it that way?   Like the woman of whom the prophet of God said – this time next year you will have a child.  The moment she heard it - was her first moment of truth…  Does that mean what I think it means?  Is He really a prophet of God? or is he just wearing a Kobe Jersey?  Is he talking about a human physical child, or the concept of something spiritual – that’s like a child… like a new thing coming about in your life… as if giving birth to a child.   You see how that works, if the devil can get your doubt set, and your word set, he can get your mindset – and trick you into leaving your faith at home.  It is possible that you could put your faith in the wrong thing.  God promised to meet your needs, you need a car to get to work, or transportation, or something.  But you thought that Tesla that just drove by at that moment, was God saying you’re getting one of those.   Not necessarily.  Don’t put your faith in things God didn’t say… It’s not just faith that counts, it’s faith in the right thing – what He said, not what you said.  God says you have not because you ask not, and when you do ask, you only ask to spend on your own pleasures.  That’s where faith gets difficult.  Did God really say that?  Did He mean that?  And if He did.  Will you believe it?  God says he give more grace… (so your faith can be strong, and your faith can be in the right thing)…   So what is God calling you to believe right now?  You can have faith in this…  James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, (don’t know for sure) let him ask of God who gives to all liberally, without finding fault, and it will be given Him.  And then don’t doubt…  God said blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, not just the trial of temptation, but also the trial of faith testing.  Testing produces perseverance, verse 12 – because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  (Who obey him, who believe what he says – and do it). Praying that you’ll know what your gut check is – your faith-check.  Praying that you will know what God said, and believe it fully (no matter what) and use your words – to set your mind and set your faith.  To me, the worst thing in playing baseball, is to be out on a called strike.  I’d rather go down swinging than go down looking.  Same with faith – I’d rather die in faith than live in doubt.  But there’s an interesting contrast…  when it comes to faith, I’d also rather go down looking, than go down swinging.  When we don’t use the faith we have, we sometimes can stop looking for it and believing it to happen, and instead start swinging at something else.  Taking matters into our own hands or our own strength, rather than just do what God said to do, He’ll take care of the rest… and having done all to stand…  Praying that God would reveal what He wants you to have faith for, that you would pray like it, speak like it, praise like it, and walk in it.  That this faith-check like the line drills at the end of practice – will prepare you for the next time - the Superbowl when it will be 2 minutes left in the 4th Quarter.  Praying that you’ll choose PRISM – not just a little, but that you would jump all in – because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  Praying that you will praise like it’s happened, rejoice like it’s coming.  This isn’t hope, this is faith – it’s just a matter of time, until you see God do, what He said He would do!   Praying that no matter what you’re facing that you will know and believe what He said, and this habit of faith - becomes your DNA. 
 
Love you all,
dad