Be Poor & Needy In Spirit

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 113. When I read it, I thought of the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) My focus is on verses 7-9, but the whole psalm is an awesome praise.

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD!”

Isn’t it interesting how, when we’ve burned ourselves out, and all that’s left of what we thought was so wonderful is ashes, that we can find the strength to cry and cry out to God? That’s when we realize that we’re poor and needy. Thank you. Lord, for helping me to learn that I’m no less poor and needy when I’m riding high…because I wouldn’t even have the horse if it weren’t for you. Oh, how much time and joy was lost because I didn’t know that much sooner. The flip side is that you are no less than those who have learned that, and have lived it for however long. You’re brought right in to the table and seated among the princes and princesses! And, yes, God will make you a mama, or a daddy, to countless children (spiritual); because that’s why we are blessed. Our descendants are as numerous as the grains of sand on all the beaches of the world. He decreed it when He made His covenant with Abraham.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Then It’s Not A Hill Of Sacrifice

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we must be ready to go to the very top of our Hill of Sacrifice, and to the very last moment before we see God’s deliverance. Abraham’s story is referenced here. “God, Himself, will provide the sacrifice,” he told his son. (Genesis 22:8) We’re told that this test of faith must come to all who believe in Jesus; to all who walk by faith.

Something I learned some time ago, is that the sacrifice was already provided, and made, on Calvary. Yes, I know, you all know that. But do you know that when you get that, you truly will be delivered – not just from your sin, but from anxiety about all the things this world can have us caught up in? Your days will start with prayers of thankfulness. Your requests to God will be mostly about remaining in His Will for your life. And, your energy and excitement levels will both rise. When you’re able to just get up and go about the business of being who your are, and who you are in Christ Jesus, that hill of sacrifice turns into the slope of surrender. It’s not a hill of sacrifice anymore. And, though we still have the tribulation that comes with being in the world, it really is all downhill from there. Because it is now the vantage point from which you see your new horizon(s).

I hope you’re all getting in some praise time with your own choice of music, by the way.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Preparing the Soil

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the ground must be readied before God can drop seed blessings into it. I’m reminded of the parable Jesus told about the sower and the seed, and the different kinds of soil.

Prayer and praise does much to prepare the soil, or one’s heart. That’s true whether it’s our own heart or someone else’s we’re trying to open to the Lord. Then, I think about Abraham, too. And before him, Noah. These two men believed, and walked in obedience to their calling. How many know that whenever God tells you to do something, that’s a calling? Steadfastness, diligence, and discipline in faith and obedience to whatever God calls us to do, even in our daily living, also prepare the soil for blessing. That soil can be a heart, a place, an upcoming event, etc.

It all happens in the Spirit/spirit. When I think about that, I think about Jericho. How many times did God have them march around that city…before the final time, and that shout? Soil preparation is kind of a wind up or warm up for the actual game, in some ways. The blessings come in the form of readiness, growth, maturity, confidence, fitness, or ability, peace, and joy, or excitement. If you can’t get excited over what God’s called you to do, you better make sure it was Him who called you. God not only gives us the desires of our hearts, He gives us the heart to desire good things. Anytime God calls you to do something, you know it’s got to be a good thing. You can’t help but get excited about it.

Finally, I think about tilling and weeding, and plowing a garden. That readies the soil for the seeds. I remember finding all kinds of things as we worked the ground. People have found arrowheads, awesomely shaped rocks, old coins, wonderful little treasures. One of the greatest treasures you can find in preparing the soil, or your heart, for God’s blessing, is yourself. You might discover some wonderful things you never knew were in you.

Here’s a great song for today’s post: Again, Third Day is the group to thank for this awesome song.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Reward of Faith

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that faith is, indeed, rewarded. Abraham, by faith, believed God, and did become a father. Moses’ faith is also cited. Their faith was the reward, or at least, part of it, because it is what kept them going. It is what strengthened them and their resolve. And, in turn, those (strength and resolve, determination) strengthened their faith. I want to go with Abraham’s faith.

Abraham’s faith was counted unto him, by God, as righteousness. Quoting from Dictionary, here are some of the definitions I found: goodness, virtue, uprightness, decency, integrity, worthiness, high-mindedness, nobility, noble mindedness. Yes, there are also those like: sinless, innocence, piety, and morality.

The ones I want to focus on are the ones in Italics. They are the ones that strengthen and empower faith. They make faith it’s own reward. They have to do with so much more than piety, being sinless, with innocence and morality. Piety, innocence, and morality are seeds sown to Heaven and to our own spirits.

The list in italics are seeds that empower faith, not only in our own lives, but the lives of those with whom we have contact. They can influence and change lives. They are sown to Heaven through our doing and giving involving other lives. They are also sown to our own spirits, as well; empowering our own faith and spiritual growth and maturity. It’s a little like the feeding of the thousands by Jesus. You put it in His hands, believing Him, and thousands are fed…with plenty left over. Faith multiplied and magnified is the reward of faith. We have then, not only more seed to sow, but much stronger crop, and better fruit…greater harvests.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu