A Rock & A Hard Place…

But, oh, so worth it all!!!

(Exodus 16: 1-7) is an interesting observation. It has to do with testing God; as opposed to having faith in Him, and asking Him for what we need or want. (Verse 7) confirms that for us. (Luke 11:9) is where Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it shall be opened to you” In (Matt. 12:39) Jesus said a wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign. (Matt. 6:14) gives us another example of God being tested. Those people were asking Jesus to perform a miracle and prove He was who He said He was.

It’s so easy to start trying to make deals with God when we’re under pressure. It’s easy to get defensive about our attitudes when we’re frustrated in a situation. It’s easy to put God to the test, or make Him prove Himself when we’re not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel yet. And, it’s so, so easy to point a finger and blame someone else for it all. That’s what they did with Moses.

A little further down, in (verses 9-16) we see the remedy for all that frustration, blame, and that bad attitude. This is how we come out of the dark to the light at the end of the tunnel. (Verses 11-13) “ As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.” This is called surrendering; letting go and letting God. Moses hands being raised in the air are both a sign of surrender to God’s authority, and of praise and worship belonging to God. This is how the enemy is defeated; by the power of God.

In(John 15:17).Jesus says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” There’s a catch to this, though: Don’t ask amiss. (James 4:3) And, don’t put God to the test. He doesn’t have anything to prove to you; you do. What are you proving to yourself? Your faith, your strength, spiritually, and, your spiritual maturity. (Gal. 6:4) I can’t tell you how many times, after I’d finally got it, that I asked myself, “Now, why didn’t I just do that in the first place?” Just stand back and be still, and know that God is God, and watch the salvation of the LORD. But, we always panic, get prideful, get angry, impatient, and then we get that attitude, and test the LORD. (1Cor. 3:18)

Jesus spoke often about faith. When we start to fear, doubt, get frustrated or angry, we need to remind ourselves of what He said, and quiet our hearts. It’s much easier for God to get the job done when we’re not in His way. (Matt. 21:22) (Mk.11:24) (Matt. 17:20) (Mk. 9:23) Interestingly, in Mark 11:24, Jesus used past tense, saying, “believe you have received…” That lets us know that the answer has been there from the beginning. There is no time in eternity; so, it was already done for you.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Bring It Down From Heaven

(Exodus 15:25-27) (ESV) “There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.

In Exodus 16, The LORD gives the Israelites bread from Heaven, called Manna. This came every morning. They were to gather enough for the day, and have none left over. Some of them didn’t listen to Moses, however, and their leftover bread had worms and stank. On the sixth day they gathered twice as much Manna, so they would have it for the Sabbath.

The people of Israel kept testing the LORD. Some went out on the Sabbath to gather Manna. Of course, they found none. The LORD asked them, “how long will you refuse to keep my commandments and laws?” (Verses 27-30)

When I read this, I think about what Jesus said. “I am the bread of life…” (John 6:48-51) (John 6:35) ““Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”(Psalm 107: 9) (Isaiah 55:22) (Jeremiah 31:25) (John 6:55-56) says, For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. –Jesus is the Word of God, made flesh, and dwelling among men. (John 1:14) That means that God’s word proves itself in, and among men.

I also think about the loaves and fishes, all those who ate and were satisfied, and all the baskets-full left over. I believe this is an illustration of God’s word proving itself in man, and among men. God always answers us. His Word is always true, and always prevails when we stand on it. This strengthens us, giving us the knowledge we can use to help someone else. That bread doesn’t go stale, or get moldy and wormy. It’s also calorie free; only your spirit will get fat. When the LORD asks “how long will you refuse,” it is that Word that He’s talking about. All scripture is profitable; it pays to know the Word of God. When we do, we can overcome, and we can refute the devil’s deceptions.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

I’ll Never Thirst Again

(Exodus 15:22-27) Israel then set out for the wilderness at Shur. They journeyed three days and found not water. Finally, at Marah, they found water. They couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter. The people grumbled against Moses, who cried to the LORD for help. (Verse 25) “… the LORD showed him a log* (or tree), and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.” This is the verse I want to focus on.

Have you ever heard the expression, “the river of life?” Do you remember the trees in the Garden of Eden? One of them is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When I read this passage and God revealed this to me, I understood why God hadn’t wanted them to eat from it. If you don’t have God to reveal truth to you, the devil will deceive you. I’m pretty sure God was working on that, but they got in a hurry when the devil deceived Eve. And, what was the deception? It had to do with God’s love for Eve, and His intention toward her. (Acts 10:34) tells us that God is no respecter of persons. All are loved by Him, and He sends his rain on the just and the unjust. So, He obviously loved Eve just as much as He loved Adam. Furthermore, Eve was the “helpmate/helper” He created for Adam, because He couldn’t find one fit for him. He gave Adam the BEST! Why would God have less than honorable intentions for her? And, watch this: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) Jesus wouldn’t have taught the disciples that, if He had not learned it Himself from the Father. (John 12:50)

Okay, back to the water thing. When Moses threw that log into the water, it became sweet, and they were able to drink it. Now, when we apply this to life as we know it, doesn’t it make awesome sense? Don’t we have an awesome truth about the power of God’s Word in that revelation? When we apply God’s Word and Will, no matter what we’re dealing with, we can be sure we’re on track. Jesus said, in (John 7:38) “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (Isaiah 12:3) tells us, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” The best example we have of that, is in the wilderness when the devil tempted Jesus. The knowledge of good and evil gives us the power to know to do right, and to know what is wrong. The Law and the Holy Spirit give us the power to will to do right, and to strive to do it. When we do that, we can avoid the pitfalls and snares of sin and deception. Therein lies the sweetness of the “river of life.”

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Fear Not, Stand Firm, Be Silent

Again, I’m reading from the ESV, which I access on Biblehub.com. There are several versions available to cross reference scriptures, on this site. If you don’t have a Bible handy, you can study the scriptures there.

In Exodus 14, we see Pharaoh’s heart hardened again, and now he’s in pursuit of the Israelites. He took his army and all the chosen chariots, and other chariots, his officers, and their chariots with him. Think he was serious? Even after all he had personally witnessed regarding the power of God, he still exalted himself against the LORD.

(Exodus 14:13-14) And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” I want to concentrate on these two verses. Jesus told the disciples not to fear many times. (Luke 12:25-32) (Matt. 14:27) (Matt. 10:29-31)

There are also many scriptures that tell us the LORD goes before us to make a way. And He is our rear guard, as well. (Isaiah 52:10-12) (John 10:2-4) (Psalm 78:52-53)

(Proverbs 18:10) tells us “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” (2Samuel 22:2-3) (Psalm 18:2) (Psalm 61:3) (Psalm 91:2) (Psalm 144:2)

Spiritually, Egypt represents bondage and affliction. Whenever we’re facing some trial or tribulation, find ourselves bound by something (this includes drugs and alcohol, but also, bad habits, even things and people that aren’t good for us, to name a few), we need to run into that strong tower and refuge. God’s Word is that for us. I can’t even recall how many times I’ve run to that Word, and read those scriptures aloud, until my heart was soothed, calmed, healed, and feeling strong enough to go one more day; one more time. That’s what comes to mind when I read what Moses said to the people. “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Speak God’s Word into that situation. Let God fight that battle. You just keep on doing what you’ve been called to do. By that, I mean, if you’re recovering from an addiction or illness, keep on recovering. If you fell and messed up, get back up and get back at it. Keep speaking God’s Word to those spirits of fear, frustration, guilt, shame, dejection, etc. They can’t refute the truth. And, here’s the bottom line: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.” (Matt. 12:15) The gentiles in that, are those addicts, survivors of abuse, or all that other junk, that you will be able to help overcome. There’s one more for you: “…and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Ladies, He says, “Daughter,” too!

I hope this will encourage you if you need a little boost in your spirit right now. God always parts the waters for us. God always deals with the enemy for us. Sometimes, it may seem like it’s taking forever, but God has perfect timing. So, just hang in there! Your day is coming!

Love you from Café du Mondieu Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, February 3, 2023, 4:46 p.m.

Saturday Silly-February 4, 2023

This is going to be a busy, busy month! It’s National Heart Month. Someone already warmed my heart recently. I saw him over by that cell phone lot near the airport, smiling and waving his hands in the air, and holding a phone in one hand. I’m so glad you found your phone in there, buddy! You’ve restored my faith, and determination to find mine. I’ll get over there one of these days, and look for mine.

As I said, it’s National Heart Month; and, I have Angina. Temperature extremes can really wreak havoc with your heart, because of your circulation; especially when you have Angina. And, was it ever cold this past week?!! I had a big bowl of clam chowder for lunch one day. It took me twenty minutes to get to eating it though, because I couldn’t decide whether to climb in and warm up, or eat it. Exactly; it was barely warm when I finally got to it. I need to be somewhere that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer months. I’ve decided by next winter I’m taking up residence in Hawaii. The first thing I’m going to do when I get there is buy a woodstove! I’m looking for property near Yellowstone Park for the summer months. Love that Rainbow Trout! Think I’ll let the bears catch one or two for me, so I can rest my heart.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Pillars

(Exodus 13:17-22) (ESV) Here we see God leading the people of Israel out, but not by way of the land of the Philistines. Rather, He lead them, “by way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.” They also went out of Egypt equipped for battle, and carrying the bones of Joseph with them. Moses, in fact took them with him.

The part of this piece of scripture I want to focus on is the pillars. God led them by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire. Spiritually, this is significant to us. (Deut. 1:33) tells us that the LORD goes before us, to seek out places for us, and to show us the road to take. (Psalm 68:7) We also see that that cloud is a covering for us. It shields us. ( Psalm 105:39) With the cloud by day, and the fire by night, we can travel by day, as well as by night. That’s significant, in that no matter how dark it gets, you are not stuck there! You can get up and get out of any darkness! Praise God like Paul and Silas did at midnight; and, the prison doors fell open! (Acts 16:25-26) (Psalm 69:3) (Psalm 146:7) (Psalm 27:3-6)

(Psalm 68:6) tell us: “God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.” Where was the LORD leading them to? The promised land, which would be their home. That word “solitary,” doesn’t just refer to one who is alone. It also has to do with being single-minded; being of one accord with the LORD. (Jer. 32:39-40) (Psalm 15) (Psalm 107:9) (Psalm 142:7) (2Peter 1:3-12) (Eph. 4:13) (Gal. 4:8) (Joshua 23:7) (Jer. 3:19) –This gives us a glimpse of God’s heart for us. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. (Jer. 3:17) (1Pet. 1:4)

Those posted above are just a few of the scriptures that give us a glimpse of God’s heart for us all. The Prophets are all filled with testimonies of His heart for us, and of His grief over us when we lose our way. I hope you’ll read them all. He is such a wonderful Father! Thank you, LORD, for loving me! And, thank you for your patience, grace, and mercy toward me.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Consecrated To The LORD

(Exodus 13: 1-2) (ESV) “The LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.” To consecrate something or someone is to set them apart for a special purpose. (Verses 3-10) give us a little more detail. Therein, the LORD talks about redeeming a donkey with a lamb. I have to laugh when I read this; because it took something/somebody humble, meek, and obedient to redeem us all. That would be Jesus; the lamb redeems the donkeys. I was going to use the other word for donkey, but I think we all get it, don’t’ we? LOL Ooh, thank you, Lord; thank you!

A man was able to redeem his firstborn son by paying a price. This price is equivalent to five shekels, by sanctuary weight, according to My Jewish Learning Website . The firstborn son was to be dedicated to service in the priesthood for the LORD. But, because there were many firstborn sons in that Exodus, that participated in the worship of the golden calf, the LORD designated only the Levites to be priests for Him. We dedicate all our children to the LORD; first, because they all belong to Him, and second, we want them all to serve the LORD, and not Satan. According to edible.com, we are to serve the LORD in deed and in thought. and since deeds follow thoughts, the LORD admonished the Israelites to bind the statutes on their hand and keep them before their eyes. This is confirmation to us about what Jesus said regarding our minds and hearts. (Luke 11:34) (Matt. 15:19) When we keep our eyes forward, onto the Word of God, and keep our thoughts in line with His Word, we’re more apt to keep our hearts in the right place. That is, lined up with His Will, Word, and Way. (Joshua 23:6) (2Chron. 34:2) (2Kings 22:2) (Psalm 37:37)

(Acts 20:32) (1Cor. 1:30) (2Cor. 1:22) (Romans 8:15-17) Jesus Christ is the firstborn of many. (Romans 8:29) In Him, and through Him, we are all consecrated to the LORD. Jesus did that for us. We share in the very same inheritance. We are a royal priesthood. ((1Peter 2:9) (Isaiah 62:3)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Onward, Christian Soldiers…

(Exodus 12:29-42) At midnight, the LORD struck dead all the firstborn of the Egyptians, as He had warned He would do. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in the night, and told them to go.(Verses 31-32) The Egyptian people, also, were eager to get rid of the Hebrews. They were sent out in a hurry because the Egyptians were afraid. The Israelites left with silver and gold jewelry, clothing, and their own flocks and herds. They had their unleavened dough in their kneading bowls and bound up in their cloaks because they had to leave in such a hurry.

They’d been in Egypt for 430 years. That’s about thirteen generations who lived under the rule of the Pharaohs. There were 600,000 men, besides women and children. That’s a lot of people to lead, isn’t it? There was also a mixed multitude that went out with them. I think this is the Egyptians and Egyptian servants whom Moses spoke about earlier, saying they would come to him. They all journeyed from Ramses to Succoth.

Further along, in (Verses 43-49), the LORD had some other stipulations He put on the Passover. In (Verse 48), He says that no uncircumcised person may eat the Passover meal. The Passover for Christians is the unleavened bread and the wine. (Matt. 26:26-28) (1Cor. 10:16) When I read verse 48, I think of God’s words to His people: “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.” –All the people obeyed, doing as the LORD commanded, and the LORD brought them out of Egypt that very day.

(Deut. 10:16) (Deut. 30:6) (1Sam. 16:7) I also think of Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman at the well: “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) That’s still true today, for us. When I think of passing over, I also think crossing over. Whenever we turn to the Lord, in any tribulation, trial, or torment, we are crossing over from death to life. The Lord, then, becomes our strong tower, our refuge, our defender, way-maker, and our victory over that thing; if and when we obey and remain steadfast on His word. As a result, we get the victory; and whatever evil and death might have destroyed our lives, passes right over us. (2Tim. 4:18) “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” This leads me to Jesus’ sermon on the mount, where He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8) Seeing God means knowing Him, and understanding Him. Being able to discern God’s will, and deflect the devil’s deceptions and life’s distractions, is one of the results.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

The Passover Is For All Of Us!

(Exodus 12:1-28) Here, we have the LORD instituting the Passover. The first month of the Jewish year is called Nissan. This is when the Passover is to be celebrated. The LORD gave Moses and Aaron instructions pertaining to the Passover, in these verses, and also in (Verses 43-50). I’ve posted a link where you can learn about the Jewish Calendar, and other things Jewish. My Jewish Learning Website Yay! I’ll be visiting you often.

Now, let’s take a look at the Passover, in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament. The month is the beginning of months. Jesus, who is our salvation, is our new beginning. (john 5:24) (Isaiah 9:6-7) (John 3:3) (John 3:6-7) (Rev. 1:8) (Rev. 21:6) (John 1:12-13)

The lamb’s blood is to be on the two doorposts of the lintel (top part) of the houses in which they eat. This was so that death would pass over them; so they would not die when the plague of the death of the firstborn went over Egypt. (John 14:6) “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 1:17) (john 10:9) (John 11:25) (John 1:29) “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Luke 22:15-20) (John 3:36)

They were to eat the roasted lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. In (John 6:51) Jesus tells us that He is the living bread, come down from Heaven, and that whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread He gave, for the life of the world, was His flesh. What’s with the leaven? (Matt. 13:33) The kingdom of Heaven is described as three measures of flour having leaven hidden in them. Did you know that we’re the original “Pillsbury Dough Boys & Girls”? LOL Yes, we are! And, when the kingdom of Heaven gets on the inside of us, WATCH OUT, DEVIL! Jesus will lift your whole being! (Luke 13:21) Jesus also had something else about leaven, though. (Mark 8:15) “And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” That tells us that the leaven is the Word of God, and the teachings of Jesus. (1John 2:14) (John 8:37) (Psalm 119:11) (2Timothy 3:16)

How about those bitter herbs? How about (John 16:33), where Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 14:27) (John 15:18-21) (Psalm 85:8-11) (Romans 8:36) (Rev. 2 & 3)

As always, I’m reading from the ESV (English Standard Version). I think this is one of the clearest pictures of the Lord Jesus’ connection, from the beginning to the end, that we see. Don’t we serve an awesome God? Thank you LORD! Amen!

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Firstborn

(Exodus 10:28-29) (ESV) “Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”

In (Exodus 11) we see that the LORD send Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh one more time. This time Moses said, “Thus says the LORD…” The firstborn of every Egyptian would die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of every servant/slave. But, to show that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites, not a dog would growl against and Israelite; neither man nor beast. Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. Moses also said that all of Pharaoh’s servants would come to him (Moses) and bow down to Him, saying, “Get out, you, and all the people who follow you.” Moses went out from the presence of Pharaoh in “hot anger.” Do you get the feeling that Moses is getting God’s heart, when you read this? Here’s someone who’s willing to let everything be destroyed and everyone be killed, rather than humble himself and do the right thing. Sad to say, but I actually know some people just like this Pharaoh.

The firstborn is significant. This is the one who becomes the leader; the one who inherits the “authority” as head of the family. This, unfortunately, is also the one who often suffers most from Mom and Dad’s ignorance and flaws. Generational curses comes to mind. However, when we look at (Psalm 139:13-16) we can see that each individual is unique to God. It is He who forms us, from the inside, to the very tippy tip of our toes on the outside. And, even the hairs on our heads are numbered. (Matt. 10:30-31) That tells us that each individual is precious to the LORD. Each child is precious to the LORD. That means each child is a firstborn, in the sense that he, or she, is the first generation under you. (Matt. 12:12) I once told someone that if I’d known then, what I knew now (at that time), I’d have stayed on that psychology course, and taken parenting classes to boot. Had I known the LORD as intimately then as I do now, I would have been a much better parent. I would have been armed with the knowledge I needed to overcome the generational curse(s) I grew up under. Let me tell you, if you grew up in a dysfunctional home, if there was abuse of any kind, or neglect, you need to know that you may be scarred by what you lived with and through. But, guess what! The good news is you really can be born again. This time, you can have the best Father that ever was or will be. Each one of us has the chance to make changes for the better. Each one of us has the responsibility to make changes for the better, for our children; and, for theirs.

Love you from Café du Mondieu