Today’s message comes from Psalm 42. The question is asked, “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” I don’t know about you, but I can tell you from my experience why mine was. I was listening to the wrong voice! Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me!.” (John 10:27) See how all those negative old thoughts and attitudes and doubts and fears come creeping in? That’s not by accident; they come by design of your enemy, the devil. In verse 4 of the psalm, King David stirs himself up in the LORD. “These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.”

There’s power in numbers. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matt. 18:20) I love that two or three thing. You know, sometimes you just can’t get in to the house of God. COVID showed us that, didn’t it? I love the evening services because there’s more praising going on, I think. But the commute prevents me from going, because I wouldn’t get back where I need to get my gear in time. Since COVID, I don’t even know if there is an evening service. Back to the two or three gathered in His Name…Jesus promised He’ll be with us always; there’s one. Then, we have the Holy Spirit; there’s two. And there you are…that’s the third person. See how awesome our Lord is?! You always have the three you need, even if you’re all alone! Don’t get me wrong. Absolutely, your church family is important, and you can get so much support and encouragement, and comfort, just in being with them in church. But, even if, or when you can’t God’s got you covered.

When I read this psalm, I thought of Jesus’ words: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Can you just see yourself as a little chickadee, tucked under those wings, and laughing joyfully…unaware even of the muffled voice of the adversary? Under those wings is where the party is! Be willing. Just be willing.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, March 30, 2021, 3:27 p.m.

Today’s message comes from Psalm 41. Verses 1-3 are a promise to us: “Blessed is the one who considers the poor!*weak In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.” One of the duties of a king/queen is to care for the people’s well-being. As a child of God, a king or queen in the earth, it is our duty to consider the needs of others who may not have the strength we do, the means we do, etc. This is in addition to being good stewards of God’s creation. Something my dad taught us what that we should always leave a place like we found it-or better than we found it. That means going a little further than is expected of you. Imagine if everyone refused to litter and put their litter in the proper receptacles instead. Much more time for other things…God honors your mindfulness; which is what consideration is.

One of the reasons we have such a huge garbage problem among the homeless concentration in Las Vegas, is that there is a lot of spiritual sickness among homeless people. Some have been battered by life, to the point of giving up. They’ve forgotten who they are. That’s exactly what Jesus came to remind us of. He came to restore our authority and power over the world and its woes. That’s just one example. Sin causes sickness and damage to your soul; whether self-inflicted, or inflicted by others. By the same token, soul, or spiritual sickness, causes sin. When you don’t know whose you are, you don’t know what you’re worth. When you don’t know what you’re worth, you don’t know where to draw the line. When you don’t know where to draw the line (standards & boundaries), you’ll almost always fall beneath your standards and boundaries. You’re very vulnerable to all kinds of evil and evil-doers.

In verse 4, King David asks the LORD to heal him. “As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you!” Healing comes in many ways. Correction can be healing because your error in action or thought is revealed, and you’re taught the right way. This is especially true of people who come out of dysfunctional environments, and with poor coping skills. Punishment destroys the soul unto death. Jesus is living proof of that. He bore the punishment of the world’s population, being flogged, spat on, jeered at, and finally crucified on the cross. He died there. Everything we see in His physical suffering, is what happens to our spirit and soul because of sin. Jesus, in (Matt. 9:13) said, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” The admonition of the LORD/Lord reveals truth to you about the sin, your part in it/where you are with it, and how to overcome it. (John 4:6) gives the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. When Jesus said, “you’ve had five husbands and the one you have now is not your husband,” He could have meant a number of things. 1. He doesn’t love you and is using you-that’s not a husband. 2. You’re living in sin out of wedlock. 3. You’re so used to your marriages ending that you don’t even care to do it right anymore. You’re willing to settle for sin. Can you see how the spiritual sickness, or weakness might be affecting her? And, of course, living like that, would add guilt and shame-another blow to spirit.

When we’re trying to uphold certain standards and boundaries, we have to be careful who we surround ourselves with. Fair-weather friends and gossips are not going to be much help to you, in overcoming your sin. Verse 8 is Satan getting busy on wearing you down. That lie about you’ll never get through this, you’ll never amount to anything, you’ll fail like you always do, etc. Don’t you buy into it! God is gracious and will raise you up! But vengeance is His, not ours. And, then again, the best vengeance is to live well. Finally, it is your integrity (diligence, discipline, and steadfastness) that will raise you up above your enemy. Celebrate and testify to each tiny victory…they all lead to the big one!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, March 30, 2021, 3:05 p.m.

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 40. The whole psalm, really, is King David’s testimony about God’s love and goodness; His faithfulness toward us. The very first verse covers waiting patiently. LOL I used to just get frantic, get attitudinal, get mad…and get into trouble trying to do it myself. Somehow, I figured out that God has perfect timing, and He knows when I’m ready to receive His help. LOL

God’s timing is not the same as ours. They say that patience is a virtue. It’s also a great work-out aid. Patience exercises our faith. We get to practice casting down those strongholds (attitudes and thoughts) that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. (2 Cor. 10:5) Faith, practiced deliberately this way empowers our patience. God always draws/brings us up and out. He brings us to the higher level of thinking and doing, and makes our steps secure. Some versions say, “He set my feet in a broad place.” That means He gives us plenty of room to maneuver in the battle. (Remember we are at war.)

Finally, here’s a really awesome thing I learned some time ago. God inspires and empowers your trust and faith, and your praise. You cannot help but testify to God’s love and goodness toward you when He brings you out of something. There’s power in your testimony. It seals you to your desired result. When you speak your victory out loud-you know, the one God just helped you get over that bed making thing-LOL, you are sealing complete victory over it. (Genesis 1:3) “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Hallelujah! That was soooooo GOOOOOD when it hit me! You may have to deal with the same thing more than just a time or two before you’ve got it down, but your victory over it is sealed. Satan may slow you down, but he cannot stop you! I love this song by Hillsong! It seems to fit this message perfectly.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, March 28, 2021, 3:05 p.m.

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 39. It speaks to us of the dangers of arrogance, and of taking things for granted. God holds every heartbeat in His hands; every breath you take is in His control. We own nothing unless God gives it to us. He is the one who gives us the power to get wealth. And, true wealth is the understanding of that. It’s easy to get caught up in rejoicing in our power to do things, like hold down two jobs, etc., and forget who gives us that power. He gives it, and helps us sustain it. We are stewards of the earth, and even our bodies are not our own. We’re servant kings and queens. Jesus said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.” (Luke 12:42-43) It’s a good idea to keep that in mind, no matter what we’re doing, or what position we’re holding.

Verse 11 of this psalm is such a powerful revelation, regarding the absolute necessity and redeeming/saving power of discipline and rebuke. “When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him;” When we’re trying to overcome those old ways, old habits, old thoughts and attitudes, etc., it’s crucial that we are very disciplined about rebuking them whenever they try to come back. We need to de diligent about correcting them and our actions immediately. This is where the Word of God comes in to purify and prepare the field. He burns down all that old stuff, and plants the new seeds, and He pulls those weeds right up when they rear their nasty little heads. Everything you loved so much about the old you will be completely consumed by God’s truth, love, and discipline.

This is where we need to be diligent about catching the slip/trip/fall temptation. *Not making the bed one, or even a couple of days, can happen-things get hectic, and we are mere humans. But, when you find yourself opting for skipping that chore so easily for more and more days…you’ve got an old mindset trying to come back to you. Diligence, perseverance, and patience will get us back on track.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, March 28, 2021, 2:45 p.m.