Who Are You?

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to trust Him; to know His divine power. We are to seek safety in the secret place, where His glory dwells.

I was studying Isaiah 51 this morning. Verses 12 and 13 come to mind. “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy?” That’s such a powerful revelation; not only about God’s power, but about who you became when you became a child of God. Did you notice how he’a asking us about being afraid of man-as if there is a differentiation between man and us (the children of God)?

When that hit my spirit, it almost knocked me over. I thought about Jesus’ words: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24-ESV) There is no evil that can defeat us. Jesus has given us power over all the enemy; even death. Our God is an awesome God! By the way, that whole chapter in Isaiah is awesome too.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Yea, Tho I Walk Through The Valley…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are human, fallible, and that our steps will falter at times. When I read the message, I thought of Peter walking on the water.

If Peter had never taken another step, his life would never have turned out the way it did. Before his life was over, Peter’s mere shadow falling on someone was powerful enough to heal them. Then, there was Peter, denying Jesus. He betrayed the Lord just as much as Judas had. Judas killed himself…never too another step. Peter wept; his heart wrenched with the pain of his cowardice and shame. Then, Peter jumped out of the boat to swim to Jesus on the shore. He was filled with joy at the Lord’s presence. What a beautiful moment! Breakfast with Jesus; I can’t even begin to imagine what that joy bursting within Peter might have felt like…after all that stuff…Wow! Peter might never have known that joy, had he not taken another step after those faltering steps on the water.

The message is that the 23rd Psalm is so very true. The Lord does lead us beside still, or peaceful waters. He does restore our souls. He does lead us in paths of righteousness. His rod and his staff do comfort us when our steps falter. Faltering steps are found in the Valley of the Shadow of Death-especially in the spirit. The shadow is the temptation to quit, to give up, to curl up, and to end up right back where we started from, or someplace even worse. Judas is the prime example. But Jesus is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins. His strength is made perfect in, and through our weaknesses – when we allow Him to save us and bring us through. Remember Peter’s words? “Lord, save me!” We can do the same thing, and boldly; because there is now no condemnation in Christ. We need to take a hint from that. There should be no self-condemnation in us then, either. Remember Jesus’ words to all he healed, and to the woman he save from being killed? “Go in peace.” Go means take steps; keep heading for your horizon, your goal. You are on your way to somewhere, because this is not your home.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

They’re Just Gone From Here…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that our loved ones are not gone. They are just gone from here. But they are freed from all human limitations, rejoicing, and serving the Lord in Heaven.

The message tells us that they can also protect us, minister to us, and even intercede for us. This is where all kinds of arguments get started, isn’t it? I believe this is true. In the Bible, we can read about the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man asked that someone be sent to his family members on Earth, to warn them. Another Lazarus in the Bible died, and his sisters, Mary and Martha were quite upset with Jesus about it. Jesus told them Lazarus was only sleeping. He told Jairus the same thing about his daughter. The Bible tells us that Jesus conquered death and the grave. We’re told that He has the keys to death and Hades. Those are just some examples of scriptures that tells us death is not final.

I have had countless experiences such as hearing my mother’s voice-from memory, warning me about something, as I’m trying to decide what to do, whom to believe, etc. There have been times when I was sick, and heard her voice in my sleep, comforting me like she did when she was alive. There isn’t a holiday that goes by without my feeling her presence in the kitchen as I’m cooking. Whenever I see a bouquet of red carnations, I can see her smiling; they were her favorites. Those are some of the ways in which our loved ones stay with us. We also keep them alive here with us when we share memories of them with friends and family. It’s especially important to share those with the next generations. But, have you ever just had this feeling, or something just told you not to go somewhere or do something, etc.? Could that have been dear old Mom or Dad? I can’t say for sure it was. But I can say for sure that God can do anything; and will do whatever He has to, to protect us. As for that interceding part…well, all I have to say is, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Gramps, and all of my buds who got that before me, if you do. I need all the help I can get!” I believe with all my heart, they’re not gone; just gone from here.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

That Kingdom Is Yours Here Too

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“Behold, the Kingdom of Heaven/God is within you…”

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we will have trials and tribulations…but we are still kings and queens in the Earth, even then. The message bids us to accept the trials and tribulations, and to step into the kingdom that’s been prepared for us-even in the midst of them.

I don’t know how many times I’d read that same message before I finally caught that. That Kingdom has been prepared for us, right here on Earth too. Jesus, although He came in human form, was still God. He was King of kings when He was making His way through the birth canal. He was Lord of Lords hanging on that cross, and dying on that cross. If He wasn’t, He wouldn’t have risen from the grave.

Just as Jesus defeated, even death, we can defeat every dead thing in our lives. We can defeat death; break it off of our families, our marriages, our own souls. “Behold, the Kingdom of Heaven/God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) Nobody can take it away from you! No trial, no tribulation, no sickness, no death can take if from you! That’s what Jesus did for us, even long before He died on the cross. Just think, you were a king or queen in the making, from the very beginning!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He’s Only Just Begun

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus doesn’t stop saving us when we get saved. I hope you’ll all check the twolisteners.org website out and read the entire message, to help you understand what I’m talking about.

Salvation is an ongoing thing. We get saved from death when we come to the Lord, accepting Him as Lord and Savior. (John 5:24) But we also get saved as we’re going along and trying to walk out this new life with Him. I can’t begin to tell you how many times Jesus has saved members of my family…from me. He’s always saving me from myself; you know, the salty fries I’m not supposed to eat, the cookies that I really only need two of…Yeah, and then there are the two sizes too small pants…worked when I was 25. But, if I tried that now, I’d have to call 911 just to get me back out of them. Then again, maybe not. Denim is so thin nowadays, I might be able to just bust out myself. Jesus knows this. So, He sends a little angel to whisper in my ear and remind me I have better sense than that. He’s my Savior every day, all day long, He is.

The point I want to make is this: Guess what, Mr./Mrs/Ms. Christian-you’re not perfect yet. You still need Jesus just as much after 20, 30, 40 years, as you did when you first came running to Him. And guess what else-He loves it! He loves it when you are bold enough to come running and say, “Lord, I need you, cuz I really messed up…” We shame and guilt ourselves out of that quite often, because we get under the mistaken impression that Salvation makes us perfect. It does in God’s eyes, because He sees Jesus when He looks at us. He sees Jesus’ righteousness; we don’t have any outside of Him. (Romans 3:10) But God also remembers that we’re just babies spiritually. That’s why Jesus is our Savior until that great day. (Philippians 1:6) He’s always ready, always willing, and always able, more than able!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Knock ‘Em Dead!

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that praise is the devil’s death knell. I’ve already told you about how it changed the whole atmosphere in my home when I was going through depression.

What you might not know is that wonders happen in the spirit whenever you praise the Lord. Sometimes they manifest right there where you’re praising Him too. God inhabits the praises of His people. Where God is, miracles are. Where God is, peace is. Where God is, love, laughter, joy is. I’m listening to Third Day right now, as I’m posting this message. Sunday’s I spend at least one hour just praising the Lord. When we praise the Lord, we’re doing spiritual warfare as well. We’re raising the banner of the LORD, God Almighty, Himself. It is the devil’s death knell because it does bring God right on the scene. Praise is one of our greatest blessings.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Life Cannot Be A Failure

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we have the right to claim God’s power. We have the same authority here that He has, thanks to Jesus. We’re bid to lay claim to all that is ours in His Name. We’re also reminded that walking in authority, and wielding the kind of power-also known as faith-requires discipline. That’s where the stop, drop, and get back up with the right attitude comes in. Stop that doubt, fear, or what have you in it’s tracks. Drop everything and get back into authority. When you get back into your authority, you will find, and manifest, the right attitude.

There’s a statement in the message: “You are feeling you have learnt so much that life cannot be a failure. That is right, but others have to wait to see the outward manifestation in your lives before they realize this Spiritual Truth.” I want to focus on “life cannot be a failure.” Ladies and Gentlemen, Jesus Christ is the truth, the life, and the way to both. I don’t care where you’ve been-it was for a purpose. I don’t care what happened to you-it was for a purpose. I don’t care how many times you’ve blown it -it was for a purpose. God took dirt and made a man; and brought him to life. He can surely use your dirt, don’t you think? Yes, and He can make a man, or woman, out of that. Look what He did with that woman at the well! How many people became believers because of her?

Remember Jesus rose and was glorified. In the resurrection, we will rise in glorified bodies. But resurrection isn’t just for then. Resurrection is for today; for right this minute, if you need it. LIFE CANNOT BE A FAILURE-your life can be a failure as long as you don’t give up. You have to seek the life within the death you’re experiencing. It’s there because God is in all and is all. God was in Christ’s death; His power resurrected Him. He’s in every death you may experience in your life. How many people were saved through Jesus’ death? Any and all that believe in Him. Everything you’ve been through has the power to bring life to others when you allow God to use it. Right where you’re at right now, just determine to find the life in it, and let God bring you through it. Then, let Him use it to help someone else through you. Your life was ordained to be eternal, and eternally powerful, life filled, beautiful! PS -Yes, Maam, yes Sir, I am speaking from personal experience. And I thank God every day for it all!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

U.S. The Independent San Diego synagogue shooting: Woman killed after ‘teenager opens fire’ on worshippers celebrating Passover

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I’m terribly saddened by the news of yet one more hate crime. Your congregation is in my prayers daily, and I stand with you all in spirit. The woman who died saving the Rabbi’s life showed remarkable courage. My condolences to her family; you are also in my prayers daily.

May we always remember there is only one supreme being; God. May we come together, and stand together, as one nation and one race-the human race.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu