Choose To Open It

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 95. We’re encouraged to enter the gates of Heaven with thanksgiving and praise on our lips-and in our hearts. We’re also admonished not to harden our hearts if/when we hear His voice.

These are the two things I want to focus on. Not too long ago, I began to sing my praise to the LORD/Lord before I say my morning prayer. I can’t tell you how much more peace and joy I have within, how much stronger I feel that bond with the LORD/Lord, and how much more energy I have. I believe we set the tone for the day through praise and prayer. It’s so much better than setting the tone for a bad day by grumbling and complaining. LOL I think it helps us to open our hearts to receive whatever God has for us. Not only that, but it also helps us to “see” more of God’s hand in everything around us. Jesus spoke about the seed and the sower, and the ones who could receive the word spoken, and put it to work for them. He also showed us what happens when we allow our hearts to be hardened. We can’t receive the seeds God wants to plant there. (Matt. 13:3) Choose to open your heart. Choose to begin your day with praise and thanksgiving. It’s like running to jump into your Daddy’s arms first thing in the morning.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He Think’s He’s Got You Fooled

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 36. It gives us a picture, again, of evil and evil-doers. Keep in mind, God’s not talking about the average person here. Evil doers are those who choose to embrace evil and do evil rather than good. Verses 1-4 tell us that, “I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.” I’m using the (NIV) for this psalm. These people are just as committed to doing evil and harm, as we are to doing good and walking with the LORD/Lord. This is why we have to pray and ask for discernment. This is why it’s so important to know the Word of God, and to know God personally. God’s Word is what we measure everything against. If it doesn’t line up, you’re getting a “head’s up.” We use this standard with everyone, including ourselves. In verses 5-9, King David is recounting God’s goodness toward us, and the abundance of wisdom, peace, love, strength, power, and joy that we have as His children. If you don’t have joy, and you’re a child of God, you need to seek God and figure out what’s going on with you!

I like Verse 11 of this psalm. “May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away..” I don’t know how many times I’ve prayed and said, “Lord, please don’t let me let go of you.” Sometimes I’m just like a little kid; slipping my hand out of Daddy’s and wandering off…usually in the wrong direction, and getting lost. That hasn’t happened in quite a while, but, I think that’s only because I pray that when I see trouble coming now. That part about the foot of the proud coming against me, is a two-fold thing. We need to pray that the foot of the proud doesn’t come on us, as well. Something I’ve learned over the years is that, the Word of God makes you more humble. I’m always filled with joy when I get it right; but it never fails to humble me. What a wonderful Savior, to love us so much, and with such patience for us!

Verse 8 is a powerful and inspirational one for me. In terms of family life, we need to cultivate abundance for our souls to feast on, and rivers of delight for ourselves and our loved ones. I think of little niceties and surprises when I think of delights. It’s such a joy to hear the happy squeals and peals of laughter of their joy! I also think of holidays, Four-H events, and the simple Sunday afternoon barbecues. That’s where the soul feasting goes on.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

This Present Darkness…

Has been with us for such a long time already. Today’s message comes to us from Psalms 12. Psalm 12 gives us a picture of what happens when, as is told us in verse 8, what is vile is honored among the children of man. When I read about the lies and flattering lips, I think about some of the ways we’re lured into sin. In terms of generational curses, and dysfunction, I think about having learned all the wrong ways. I think about denial, living behind facades, etc. We live this way when we fear, doubt, or feel dejected. Those things are meant to put us beneath the devil’s feet. He is to be beneath our feet. I spoke about poverty of spirit in a previous message. Generational curses and dysfunction and denial plunder our spirit. We are robbed of dignity, sense of worth, or value, our confidence, self-respect, the power to choose, and power to BE ourselves. The word power here, denotes strength and capability. Pure words are true, they show the way, and they infuse us and empower us with life.

The powers, principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness , if you can picture it, kind of circle humankind, like a shark circles its prey. They’re always ready to snatch their next victim. When what is vile is exalted among the children of man, we open doors to bondage and destruction of life/lives. Some of these things are demon worship, witchcraft, adultery, illicit sex, hedonism, pornography, hatred and violence, racism, sexism, etc. These things make everyone involved vulnerable to the bondage and destruction, or the fallout from them.

Check back tomorrow for the second part of the message on this Psalm. I found an interesting connection between verse 6 and proverbs 6, that brings an awesome revelation and lesson.

In this present darkness, and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. who fought to bring light into it, I offer this song. Thank you, Jason Upton. This is so beautiful; and remember, we’re not alone either.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Yes, But Spend It Wisely

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that money is meant to be used. Like everything else, we get to choose how we use it. We, as children of God, are encouraged to give, give, and give some more; keeping ever an “empty vessel.” This should be our attitude in regard to all the wealth we have; not just about money.

First, let me say this about money: Money is not the wealth. The wealth is the wisdom and integrity with which we use the money. I believe, in being encouraged to keep an empty vessel for God to use, we’re being told to always be ready for God to use us. Don’t get so filled up with yourself and all your stuff that you have going on, that God doesn’t fit in there. You don’t want things to be so tight that God can’t get a plan in edgewise, right? Yeah. That means budget some of that money especially for doing God’s work. That takes us a little beyond the tithe, which is for use in the upkeep of God’s House. God wants to reach every heart He can, and He has told us that His plans are to prosper us. When He prospers us, we are better able to prosper the Kingdom of Heaven, by reaching out to others. Think of that business idea you’ve got. When that comes to fruition, think of the jobs you can create, the people you can help, and the people that might be reached for God…all because of your obedience and faithfulness.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

No Such Thing As Accidental

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there’s no such thing as accidental, or coincidental, in the Kingdom of Heaven. Every meeting is orchestrated, and ordained, by God. He knows every heart, knows every human being, and knows exactly who He needs to send, on what path, and to whom. And, there’s no such thing as suffering for nothing. Everything you suffer is redemptive; if not for you, for someone else. We choose, though, whether it will count for something, or not. I hope you’ll read the message for yourselves at twolisteners.org – it’s brings me such strength whenever I read it. I found this song during my praise time, and it speaks exactly to what this message is about. Thank you, GWMA Women of Worship, for sharing this with us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

It Is Wherein We Must Dwell

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we must dwell in God’s Presence. Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17 ESV) When things start to go sour, when fears begin to assail, when tears begin to fall, that place within us where God’s Spirit dwells is where we must run to.

Dwelling there is a matter of presence of mind, persistence of will , and perseverance in effort and practice. We must be aware, and catch ourselves when we feel the tugs and bonds of the world pulling at us. We must choose and make a conscious effort, then, to reenter that presence of the Spirit of God. Finally, we must make it daily practice to start the day, and end the day in that Presence. In the Garden of Eden, God walked and talked with them in the cool of the day. (Genesis 3:8) (Lev. 26:12)

This is such a beautiful way to enter in to the Presence of the LORD/Lord. I love the whole album; but this is one of my favorites. Thank you, Paul Wilbur.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu