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

Increasing Your Days

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 61. it’s a psalm of King David’s, and a short one, so I’ll post the whole thing for you.

(Psalm 61 -ESV) “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

The NIV reads: Increase the days of the king’s life. I like that word better than “prolong.” Here’s the reason: Increase also means to make greater in size, intensity, or degree. This tells me that I don’t have to live an ordinary, or humdrum life. When we allow God to lead us to that rock that is higher than we are, we can increase in every way. -Dear Jesus, I do not need to increase an;y more in size, by the way. Jesus said, “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31)

King David prayed that he might be enthroned before God forever. This is what Paul meant when he said, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24) In this way, we are truly enthroned before the LORD, because He sees our striving and serving.

When we allow steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over us, and to guide us, we learn to go the extra mile; we learn to give that extra whatever it is that makes for excellence. An example would be not only doing the dishes, but drying them and putting them away, cleaning the sink, sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor, etc. for Mom or Dad, or for your mate. That’s an increase in your thoughtfulness, in the quality of your work, and in your sense of self-worth-because you’re striving to do an excellent job. This is growth on your part. Can you see the increase? When we make a habit of following the path of love and faithfulness, we increase our days with so much love, peace, and joy. And in a family, we actually increase everyone’s days.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Silence Can Be Deadly

Today’s message comes to us from Psalms 28. Psalm 28:1-2 are so powerful! “To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.” (your innermost sanctuary) This tells me that when I lift my hands up, I’m appealing to my Daddy’s heart for me. Hear me, Mom, Dad! And, answer me; answer my need for reassurance, admonition, correction, instruction, encouragement, etc. Remember Job? Yeah, God answered him, didn’t He? LOL My favorite line from that whole book is when Job says, “I’ll just shut up now.” I giggle every time I read it. And, yes, I’ve said that same thing myself; more times than I care to disclose. God walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Your silence can be lethal. Interaction stimulates even infants in the womb. Admonition, encouragement, instruction, empower us with knowledge, wisdom, and courage. Correction reveals error and makes way for instruction and encouragement. It also reinforces standards and boundaries; helping to realign us with truth and integrity. All of theses empower bonding in love, and cement relationships. Relationship empowers boldness. Verse 2 Begins “Hear the the voice of my please for mercy.” You can tell by the way that voice sounds what’s going on inside that person. (fear, desperation, frustration, overwhelmed, etc.) Those pleas for mercy. Mercy is defined as: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. (definition from Oxford Languages) We need to stop the onslaught dead in its tracks and make it manageable. My oldest daughter was just overwhelmed by a Math lesson dealing with decimal places. I drew a chart for her, like the one I’d learned decimal places on, and showed her how to use it. She aced that section in her math class. She hadn’t been shown that in class.

Psalm 28:3 is a powerful revelation about inappropriate places, people, and things. Some I thought of were bars, parties, gossip sessions, adult conversation, and age inappropriateness. That stuff comes back on us; we’re sowing seeds, and we will reap. That 9 year old that acts and sounds like a 37 year old comes to mind. Jesus did not take us to Hell; He went there for us. Psalm 27:7 is the next powerful one here. It gives us a revelation of two things. First, you must trust God to be helped by Him. (How can you believe and obey Him if you don’t trust Him?) Secondly, you must be trustworthy in order for your children, mate, friends, and others to feel they can be helped by you. (Why would, or should they turn to you if they can’t trust you?)

Proverbs 28 tomorrow.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Our Father; Full Of Mercy & Grace

First, let me apologize for this being delayed today. I needed to take some time off yesterday due to a foot problem, and didn’t get to do my posts as I wanted to.

Today’s message comes from Psalms and Proverbs 6. Psalm 6 gives us a picture of how detrimental to our soul, that sin can be. It also gives us an assurance that God sees, and hears-even when we’re besieged by sin-ours or that of others. When we cry out to the LORD/Lord, be it in fear, in dismay, at the end of our rope, etc., He answers us according to His steadfast love, with mercy and grace. When we fall into sin, or our heart gets a little hardened, and we finally come to the end of ourselves, God does not rebuke us or chastise us, in anger. God hates sin; but He loves the sinner. Verses 8-10 show us that just the knowledge that you are heard and cared for by God, gives hope and strength. That’s a good reason to stir your spirit up in the knowledge of God’s love for you every day!

Proverbs 6 gives us an idea of how much God hates sin and sinfulness. Verses 16-19 outline seven things, specifically, that God hates. Thus, going back to verses 1-11 admonish us to be careful of getting entrapped in sin, especially with our own words. (Words have power) We encouraged to bolster ourselves timely with God’s Word, to ensure a good harvest, or good fruit. We need to turn back immediately when we find ourselves in temptation, or in sin. The earlier we turn back, the more adversity and soul anguish we can avoid.

Proverbs 6: 20-25 let us know that the Commandment (standard and boundaries) is a lamp and the teachings of the LORD/Lord, a light to preserve us. Reproofs are admonitions, or warnings that we need to correct our actions. Correction is a way of life; we are not infallible. Correction empowers life, and life (truth, way, life) empowers self-correction. God’s admonition protects our soul, and empowers us with clarity, and strength to turn away from sin. If you look at verses 27 & 28, and think in terms of things that go against God’s standards and boundaries, you can see the danger of seduction by sin. The longer you dwell on something, the more apt you are to be swayed by it, to take it to heart, and to be ensnared by it, if it’s sin. Wherever you mind wanders, your heart is sure to follow, and then, there you’ll be. Wander into God’s Word, His Love, Peace, and Joy.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

And Destroy Them, He Will

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is very real activity going on in the Spirit realm. That’s why Jesus made it possible for us to have the very real and powerful force of God’s love within our spirit. He is called the Holy Spirit. The message if a very powerful, sobering, and encouraging one. I hope you’ll read it for yourselves at twolisteners.org

“How could they (the forces of evil, the world, and even Jesus’ followers) know that my (Jesus’) spirit was free, unbroken, unharmed?” -quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org That’s a good question, isn’t it? There’s a powerful revelation about the separation of spirit and body. In (John 4:23), Jesus told the woman at the well that God wants those who worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth. Everything happens in the spirit first. Just like wherever you let your mind wander, you’ll be sure to follow, the same happens in spirit – unless and until you allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, direct, teach, admonish, etc. you. (Matt. 2:41) tells us the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

How do we get and keep that unbroken, unharmed, and free spirit? We set our hearts and minds on the things above. (Colossians 3:1-3) Then, we make a decision to keep our focus on those things. Here’s a powerful statement about your authority and power over every tribulation, trial, and terror; over all the world: “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31) Those are Jesus’ words. When we think in Godly terms, we can speak and act as our LORD/Lord would. There is no force of evil, not one, that can prevail against the Word of God! Even when, to the world, it looks like it’s all over for you, but the crying, God’s got you! Ultimately, it will always be God’s will that prevails-whether this time or some other time. What I mean by that is that God isn’t a bully, and He won’t force His will on you. But, sooner of later, He will make you see clearly that you aren’t in His will. And, He’ll be right there when you repent. As for the world, and the forces of evil, we needn’t worry about either one; because God’s in control. Jesus said, “In the world, you’ll have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) As for the powers and authorities (principalities, hosts of spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places-in the spirit realm) “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)

Happy Birthday, Joe! May your day be filled with all things wonderful!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He Doesn’t Need To Hear It…

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that your heart’s cry is heard over everything in Heaven. Is that an awesome revelation about God’s love? I have to say thank you for that! Thank you, Jesus!

When I think about this in terms of generational curses, I think of Jesus’ words, “But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21-22) What does that have to do with a voiceless cry? Well, when you see that child that just spilled the milk, or just set the toaster on fire, or just filled the tub with the entire box of detergent, and every piece of clothing he could get his beautiful little hands on, does your heart go out to him/her? How could you not be hurting for that frightened child, and want to rush in to save him/her? How could you not fall absolutely head over heels in love with that little helper, and praise him for his little heart?

God responds to us in exactly that way. He looks at our hearts, and He knows our hearts. He also knows that the enemy’s greatest weapon, and his favorite one, is fear. It is never God’s intention to inspire fear in us; never! When God speaks to us about punishment; it is because we are about to reap what we have sown. When God admonishes us, it is always with the intention of getting us to repent and correct our behavior. And, God is always right there, ready, and so very willing to help us get up and back into right standing; to overcome whatever it might be. The admonishment of the Lord, (Eph. 6:4) saves us from our fear and frustration, and empowers us with instruction and training, to overcome the obstacle between us and growth, or progress.

This works when you’re retraining that wounded child within you, as well. That ties in with those powers I talked about a couple of days ago -the power of laughter, patience, protectiveness, etc. God never sees us as failures. He always sees us as victorious; because, in Christ Jesus, we are-in everything!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Maybe The Problem Isn’t Your Ears

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we never ask anything of God, that He does not respond to. He hears every prayer, every complaint, every whine, every whim, every cry. The answer is there. Unfortunately, we often fail to hear it.

Maybe the problem isn’t your ears. It could be your heart. Do you have something you need to tell God? I used to ask my kids that whenever they got distantly quiet, and stopped asking of me, or seeking to speak to me. Sometimes, we load ourselves with guilt over stuff that really doesn’t even matter -at least not that much. We allow ourselves to get distracted, doing, doing, doing…and we do, like, a run by praying. You know, you’re actually going a hundred miles an hour in your mind at church and, “God, please make that jerk boss of mine see my point tomorrow, thanks and amen…SEE YA!” Maybe you need to just STOP everything, spend some time in praise and worship, and just get all the clutter and mutter out of your heart…get your peace back on-and in you. It’s always soooo much easier to hear God when the world is quiet!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Lord, Help Me To Be Weak

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2Cor. 12:8-10) I posted not too long ago, about asking the Lord to strengthen our faith. “Help my unbelief, Lord,” cried the man whose son was demon possessed. (Mark 9:24) Over the years, I’ve found that He also answers when we ask Him to help us to be weak…in order for His strength to come to, and through us. I know how hard it is at times, in those times, to be the weak me, the real me-even before Him. But, thankfully, He does see our hearts; and rushes right in the instant we cry out to Him. I found this song as I was submerging myself in praise and worship recently. Once again, Thank you, Hillsong, for your faithfulness in helping us to praise and worship the LORD/Lord. I hope you are as blessed by this song as I am!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

It’s Not a Mistake; It’s an Opportunity

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is a good God, loving, kind, and so very patient with us.

The message speaks to us of mistakes. We sure make a lot of them, don’t we? Sometimes they’re pretty embarrassing. Sometimes they’re costly to us, especially in the way of spirit. I’ve made a few I didn’t know how I was going to recover from; they took me a pretty piece downward. I’ve even had some roadrash on my face.

Here’s the good part about those mistakes. They are opportunities to learn and grow; and to grow in our relationship with the LORD/Lord, and in faith-in Him, and ourselves. God’s love shields us from the power of the pain, the embarrassment, the shame, guilt, and the fear that comes when we’re overwhelmed, and it all comes crashing down. The problem is that we don’t step into that little space that is enclosed roundabout by that love of God. We all too often choose to suffer; to allow the mistake to torture and immobilize us.

The thing to do is to seek God in the mistake. Seek the things He’s put there for you to learn and grow by. Seek that little mirror shard, that will show you just how loved and believed in you still are-by God. These are the treasures in your mistakes that turn the disaster into a springboard for you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, have a good cry, or better yet, a good laugh…and carry on, my friend. Carry on. God’s still right there with you, and ready to keep walking it out with you, until you get where your’e going. When we allow ourselves to be held by the mistakes and their fall-out, we become blinded to the possibilities, and the power to be found through them.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu