It’s Awesome When You Get It!

Teth Psalm 119:65-72

You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

I see five key points in these verses of the psalm. 1. “I believe in your commandments.” How many times does a child ask, “why”, about a rule, or when we say, “no”, to them? If you don’t understand the purpose of a thing, you can’t believe in it.

2. “You are good and do good.” This is not only a revelation about God, but also about His expectations and statutes; His law. When we understand they are good and for our good, because God loves us, we can, 3. receive them into our hearts, and 4. delight in them. 5.Have you ever asked God why He let you go down that road in the first place? I’m laughing because I have. They say that “hands on” learning is often the best way. And, “showing me is better than telling me.” When we experience the results of our actions, we get a clearer picture of why that law, rule, warning, etc., is there, don’t we? After my skinned knees and road rash from going my own way(s), I can say God’s law, God’s Word, and God’s ways are better to me than all the gold and silver in the world.

I think the hardest thing to get, especially when we come out of abusive and dysfunctional lives, is that God loves us for us. We can come just as we are, into His open and waiting arms every time, all the time.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Seek, And You Will Find Me

Heth Psalm 119:57-64

The LORD is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!

As I read this part of the psalm, I thought about the woman weeping at Jesus’ feet. I thought of the woman with the issue of blood, and the woman whose daughter was demon possessed. She was relentless! “I’m getting healing for my daughter,” was her attitude. Someone that stood out for me, though, is Zaccheus, the tax collector. (Luke 19:1-10) All these sought Jesus. Zaccheus climbed that tree just so he could get a glimpse of Him. Jesus honored Zaccheus’ seeking by requesting an invitation from him, to be a guest at his home. Looking for Jesus is what we are to do. But, don’t just look for Him, look at Him. The woman with the issue of blood did. She knew Jesus is the healer. “If I only touch his garment, I’ll be made well,” she said to herself. It’s by looking at our Lord, that we grow in desire to be more like Him. And, how can one help that? He’s beautiful! I absolutely love, love, love this song! I hope you do too.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Don’t Let Go Of His Hand

Zayin Psalm 119:49-56 (ESV)

Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O LORD.
Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
and keep your law.
This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.

I’ve often prayed, “don’t let me let go of your hand, Lord.” This part of Psalm 119 speaks of exactly that. No matter how loud the “noise” gets, hold fast to His hand! Whenever you pick up your Bible, you are taking Jesus by the hand. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1-2) (John 1:14) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Your Progress Is The Answer

Waw Psalm 119:41-48

Verses 41-42 “Let you steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then I shall have an answer for him who taunts me for I trust in your word.” I’m laughing because it’s not “Murphy’s law”, it’s your adversary, the devil. I’m also laughing because God never fails to save me from discouragement, fear, and even myself. Salvation isn’t just a one time deal. Jesus saves us every minute; in every circumstance. It means you might have to put on some praise music and battle your way through the fear, fatigue, whatever it may be. You may need to read some of the psalms and stir yourself up. I can promise you this: You will win! God’s word accomplishes that for which He sends it.

Verses 43-48 “And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.” -Don’t stand quietly by, stand on His Word and speak to the mountain, and/or the devil! “I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.” The path that God has us walking is level; we can step confidently. “I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will life up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.” -Remember those powers and principalities in the heavenly places? They cannot refute the Word of God! When we remind ourselves of God’s word about us, and His promises to us, we gain strength.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Back To The Psalms

We’re going back to continue with Psalm 119. Today’s post is just what we need! This ties in with the study on temporal and spiritual; the perfect way to wrap that up.

He (Verses 33-40)

This is actually an awesome prayer. How wonderful that God gives us this to strengthen us, and to help us to reset our focus on overcoming the adversity; whatever it may be. This one never fails to help me.

Verses 33-34: “Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” -Ever hear that saying that we live what we learn, and we learn what we live? For good or for bad, our hearts and minds are influenced by what we learn. What did your parents teach you? What didn’t your parents teach you? What have you taught, or not taught yourself? These are questions you may need to ask yourself if you’re trying to overcome that generational curse.

Verses 35-36: “Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!” -Do you know what God says about you? Do you know what belongs to you? Do you know all that God has promised you? You need to know; because just knowing how much God loves you can totally change the way you see yourself.

Verses 37-38 “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared (honored, respected).”

Verses 39-40 “Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!” -Let me tell you, when you decide to break away from the self defeating ways and habits, don’t expect to take a crowd with you. They won’t come Even self-reproach can be very tough to get past. But keep pushing. Get right back up if you fall, and get right back on track.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Why You Want Jesus

When we grow up in abusive and/or dysfunctional environments, or even when we spend time in them, we can be affected adversely by them. We may develop coping methods like denial, fixing, anesthetizing ourselves to the pain, fear, confusion, etc. These things are all signs and signals to us that we are lacking in peace, power, clarity and truth, and a lot of other things.

In Christ Jesus, we lack nothing! We lack nothing physically, mentally, emotionally, nor spiritually. 1. God does not make junk; your body is designed perfectly, to sustain you during your stay here on Earth. Just think about all the things like breathing, heartbeat, elimination of toxic wastes, digestion, and nourishment, that your body does, pretty much all on its own. You just have to put the food in. 2. You are a divine being, created in the image and after the likeness of God, Himself. God is love. Love brings and sustains life. 3. You have the mind of Christ Jesus. You have the light in you, and you are the light in the world. (Matt. 5:13-16) Matthew 5:3-11 gives us a picture of the divine nature. If you keep this list with you as you read through the Gospels, you’ll see that Jesus exhibited each one of those qualities, or character traits. Our parents are just like us; human. Some of them came out of abusive and/or dysfunctional environments. You can’t give what you don’t have. That’s how and why generational curses hang on for generations. It’s also why Jesus said you have to be born again in order to overcome them. It’s why you want Jesus!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Temporal or Spiritual – Part 2

Continuing with yesterday’s lesson, below is the list of twelve evil thoughts that Jesus said will defile us.

(Mark 7:14-23) What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

If you look carefully at these twelve, they all are things we learn as we’re growing up. Do you remember some of Mother’s gossip sessions? They may have shaped the attitudes we had toward some of our neighbors, relatives, etc. Most of the twelve fall under the category of poisonous sin, because they can twist and destroy our hearts and eat us up inside. They can also destroy others’ hearts. Poisonous sins are noxious, toxic, dangerous, and even deadly.

Sin actually falls into four types of categories. There are mortal sins, which have to do with rebellion against God. (Ezekiel 21:24) Obviously, you can also lose your eternal life and end up in the lake of fire with Satan when you openly and deliberately turn from God and worship Satan. There is also mortal sin, such as murder, suicide, and war. These all cause deliberate death. I already covered what poisonous sin is.

The last category of sin, and the one we deal with on a daily, hourly, and sometimes even minute by minute, is the sin that is defined as missing the mark, or goal. This covers stuff like that unmade bed and messy room-that stays that way for weeks or longer. It’s the sin that I try to avoid when I run past the cakes in the bakery, or put that smoked sausage back on the store shelf and opt for a small protein snack pack instead. Yes, I did; just this morning.

Okay, I’ll leave you with a couple of other references. (1 John 5:17-18) (2John 1:6) (Romans 5:12-18)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – June 11, 2022

I’ve had some really interesting experiences in my walk with the Lord, One of the most recent was on Easter Sunday this year.

I love fish! I love fish so much, I could eat it every day. I decided to have a fish sandwich for dinner on Easter Sunday. I like mine with a slice of cheese melted on top, a slice of tomato, onion, and a little honey mustard. People, let me tell you how happy my little mouth was as I ate that fish sandwich!

I was watching t.v. a short time later, and my tummy gurgled a little bit. Then I felt like something kicked me from inside. That’s when it dawned on me. “Oh, my God,” I thought, “It’s Resurrection Sunday!” I said, “Jesus, what did you do?!”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Temporal or Spiritual?

One of the things I learned, and I learned it the hard way, is that the powerful life is lived in and according to the Spirit/spirit. Jesus said that God wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. When you think about those two words, spirit and truth, you begin to get some idea how the two are connected. Would you know by looking at me that I have a chronic illness? Would you know by looking at me that I’ve survived two rapes? No, you wouldn’t be able to tell that by my outward appearance. That’s why we don’t “judge the book by its cover.”

Life in the temporal, in and according to the flesh, is a roller coaster ride, isn’t it? Yes, yes, yes, it is! Paul told us that in (Romans 7:15). Jesus illustrated that for us in (Mark 7:1-13). This is where He teaches us the difference between temporal and spiritual; between tradition and truth. In generations curses, we wrongfully accept tradition, because we don’t know the truth. Often, we even deny the truth because the familiar feels safe, and the new feels scary. Washing hands is not a commandment; it’s a good practice in terms of hygiene. We don’t want to eat with dirty hands because we don’t want to get sick. Eating with dirty hands, however, cannot defile us spiritually. What is sinful about eating with dirty hands is this: we are not loving ourselves like God commanded us to. Remember Jesus taught that all the commandments are summed up in the two-love the LORD with all your might, and your neighbor as yourself. So, that’s a heads up to us that we’re neglecting ourselves, and we need to make a change.

Jesus tells us, in (Mark 7:14-23), exactly what it is that does defile us. These things all come out of our hearts. What goes in is what comes out, and this is how and where those generational curses are sown, take root, and wreak havoc. Sometimes, they wreak havoc for many, many generations. I’ll post the list of the twelve things Jesus named tomorrow.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Back In The Saddle

Hello, everybody! I’m back after a nightmare cyber attack and some down time. Looking forward to picking up where I left off last July. Right now, all I have to say is PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD!!! He truly is the way-maker, rearguard, fortress, and comforter!

I have been continuing to study and work on my generational curses essays, which I hope I can put into a book for you all. Thanks to all of you who “caught up” on posts you might have missed earlier, and to my new followers, for hanging in there with me. God bless you all!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu