The Power Of Life & Death

Today’s message is part two of Psalm 12. As I was studying this, I found a connection between (Psalm 12:6) “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times“, and (Proverbs 6:16-19) “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.”

When we look at this in terms of the power of life and death being in the tongue, and in terms of what is in the heart determining what comes out, or manifests itself in our lives, we get a powerful revelation. This gives us a checklist to help guide and direct us in our dealings with others. This is especially important when we’re parenting children, and dealing with loved ones. But, Jesus also said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matt. 5:9) This checklist helps us to bring peace and life to a situation, rather than death and destruction. I’ve outlined them below.

Haughty eyes -When we think that we’re better than others, lording over them in arrogance. We’re not better than anyone else; we’re all better off than others at various times, in various situations, and ways because we are children of God and have His love, wisdom, and power and protection. See, that’s not anything that we did, or do, on our own.
A lying tongue -Lying weaves a web that everyone can be destroyed in. I believe this is something based in and brought on by fear. Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life; so we can see by this, that truth is the way to bring life, and to empower it.
Shedding innocent blood can also be done by a vengeful spirit, cruel words, and malicious intent. These are all destructive of spirit. “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) This is why we’re told to guard our hearts; the issues of life flow from the heart. (Proverbs 4:23) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Jesus told us that the good man out of the good stored up in his heart brings forth good, and the man out of the evil stored up in his heart brings forth evil. Words are seeds; and they take root in the heart.
A heart for wickedness is vengeful, malicious, against God and His law, likes to destroy, make trouble, and instill fear, doubt, dejection/manipulate your emotions.
A false witness is a slanderer, and instigator, troublemaker, and a gossip.
A sower of discord does the same thing through manipulation. Numbers 4-6 are all connected.
Feet that hastily run to evil belong to a scoffer or mocker, to one who has a heart for evil. This person joins in with evil-doers, has a mob mentality (many against one), and vengeance is this person’s first choice in response to an offense. Proverbs 12 gives us the promise that the root of the righteous will never be removed. This means that every generation of a child of God will have a remnant; from the very first-which was Adam and Eve, to the very last generation of this age. Praise God! This proverb is filled with teachings about justice, truth, mercy, and grace, as well as teachings about right attitudes, speech and counsel, and actions. Verse 11 admonishes us that working that field we find the pearls in (the Word of God) and implementing the things we learn from it, will bring us victorious life.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Say It To Yourself Say It To All Fear

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, is a powerful one! It addresses freeing ourselves from fear. I hope you’ll read it for yourselves; it’s so awesome!

There is one statement in this message that is a powerful, powerful weapon against fear, or any other evil that the forces of evil might come at you with! Quoting directly from the message: “But I am Love because God is Love, and I and the Father are one.” Perfect love casts out fear. That’s why Jesus told us to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect. Be perfected in God’s love; meaning, let God’s love fill you, overflow your being, and surround you completely, until nothing can shake your assurance that you are His child, and He is your Father…and that He loves you more than life itself! Today’s a great day to look up every scripture you can find about God’s love for you. Write them down and post them where you can see them daily. Speak them out loud, because faith comes by hearing. Speak them out loud and remind the forces of darkness who, and whose, you are!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Gifts Of The Quiet Times

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God does indeed redeem the time. Quoting directly from the message: “Your simple daily tasks done in My strength and Love will bring the consciousness of all your highest hopes.”

The message speaks of adding beautiful peace and joy to our golden years. But, when I thought about this, I thought of weariness that clings at times. I thought of disappointment and doubt in self, in my progress, even in the Lord, in those times I just could not understand that He was working all the while. There are many times it seems like not a prayer one is getting through, and not a thing one is being done about our complaints, our weariness, our frustration, etc. It’s in those times, that we need to seek that quiet time with Him, and get refreshed and strengthened.

I found a list of scriptures about being refreshed, renewed, and strengthened in spirit. I’m going to list them so you can look them up. Isaiah 40:31, my favorite: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 31:25, Psalm 29:11, Psalm 68:35, and Psalms 92:10. I’m sure there are so many more, but this is a pretty good start. These are the gifts of the quiet times. They empower us to just live our God’s will for us in His strength and love. When we do this, almost unconsciously we will rise, step by step, one step at a time, to new glories, and new triumphs.

Here’s Paul McClure with Waymaker. I hope you get stirred up in your spirit by this song-and remember, you’re not walking alone!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Yes, Ideal

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that in Christ Jesus, we are all righteous, perfect-in the future, wholly wonderful human beings-in the future. The message tells us, quoting directly from twolisteners.org, “For every man there is the ideal man I see in him. The man he could be, the man I would have him be.”

I got a really powerful revelation of what kind of change can be affected when I line up my desire, with God’s will, word, and ways, and follow suit with my words and actions. I saw it happen in my children, and in each of my mates. The key is in this, “the man I would have him be.” That means you have to think a little bit, about what you want to empower this person to feel like when you say this to him/her, or by what you do. The secular world calls it, “catching them being good,” and is based on the premise that praise empowers growth of self confidence and desire to excel.

We’re told to judge of Jesus’ heart when we feel others fail us. It is the way God deals with us. I’ve found so many examples of God’s forbearance and grace in dealing with us, as I’ve done my study on generational curses. God always seeks to empower us to rise above the world, to overcome the adversity, to win at living. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6)

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

Limit Yourself – Limit God

And vice versa. Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we “have not because we ask not; or because we ask amiss.”(James 4:2-3)

There’s a statement in the message (quoting directly): “I desire to give you a gift, and if you are content with the poor, and the mean, and the sordid, then you are insulting Me, the Giver.” When I thought about this, I thought about all the scriptures dealing with money, and about what Jesus said about overly worrying about things like food, clothing, etc. (Matt. 6:30-32) He said that the pagans/gentiles run after all these things, and our heavenly Father already knows that we need them. We are to seek first, the Kingdom of Heaven. All that other stuff comes with it.

I believe the gift(s) God desires to give us are the many knacks, talents, ideas, strengths, and joys of creativity, peace, love, and joy He has put within us. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) How much we cheat ourselves out of when we settle for mere survival. Jesus said, “I’ve come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” That’s the difference between two plates of food and two beverages on the table…and the same meal served on a table bedecked with a tablecloth, and perhaps a little candle light and/or a vase with a rosebud or some other flower(s)…perhaps a little music softly playing in the background to create an ambiance. There’s a glimpse of that creative and romantic spark within.

We limit ourselves when we don’t open ourselves to possibility, because God is possibility. Without Him, it would not be possible for us to be saved, and saved daily from so much. We limit God when we limit ourselves. Jesus said all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27) Our poor world has such great needs; only a great, great God can meet them. We do Him a great injustice when we limit Him by limiting our vision, and our faith.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Let It Play Within All Day Long

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is the prayer of faith that rises to God’s ears. The real prayer, we’re told, is the one that celebrates God’s love for us, and our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org “The prayer of real faith is the prayer of joy.”

Some days are tougher than others to get through. Something that has been of such a great help to me on those days, is to hear, and stir up that beautiful praise within throughout the day. I sing it, I hear it in my mind…all day long. The lord inhabits the praises of His people; and this is one of those songs that just explodes strength within. I hope you’re reminded of, and blessed by this on your next tough day. Thank you, Third Day; you make that walk so much easier and more beautiful for us all.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Block Them And Keep Going

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are far too hard on ourselves. The message addresses guilt, shame, and self-reproach. “But the LORD is with me like a fearsome warrior. Therefore, my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail.” (Jeremiah 20:11)

This is such a key revelation to us; especially when we’re dealing with generational curses. We bring a lot of baggage with us when we come out from under them. We may have been used to negative talk, thoughts, attitudes. Those persecutors (guilt, shame, reproach) are all right there and ready to whisper those same negative things into our hearts. Let me tell you what God’s Word will do: God’s Word will refute every tongue that rises to accuse you (negative criticism) (Isaiah 54:17)

When we fail, right there is Jesus’ love surrounding us. In the spirit, we have to hear that “it’s alright, let’s get up, and keep going.” When we do this, we begin to realize that it’s never really as bad as it seems. There’s always hope; and always a way, if you’re willing. As I’m writing this, I’m thinking of my very first cake. I misread the directions, and poured the entire bowl of batter into a bowl of cold water. My chocolate cake was about 1/2 inch tall, and my poor dad was the taste tester. He kept assuring me it tasted delicious, and said, “now that you understand, you’ll bake a great one next time.” But I remember how disheartened I was when I took that cake out of the oven. Had it not been for the love and kindness of my dad, I may have given up cooking and baking altogether. That would have been a shame; because I love to cook and bake!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Cure For Envy

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to “never be satisfied with a comparison with those around us.” -quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org. I hope you’ll read the entire message for yourselves-it’s awesome.

We’re told to review our character at least weekly, and to compare it to Jesus’ character instead. We’re bid to imitate our Lord, then. “Be perfect, therefore, as your Father in Heaven is perfect,” He said. (Matt. 5:48 – NIV)

When you remain mindful of this, you begin to check yourself whenever you feel yourself slipping. Spiritually, this is a very empowering thing. You begin to walk more securely in God’s ways. You become less and less insecure in regard to your “popularity”, and what others think of you. And, you get so busy growing and discovering all the wonderful things God put inside you, that there’s no room for envy. There is now only room for celebration and celebration with others over their triumphs, gifts, and talents, etc.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Right There, God Had Us!

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we do not need to plead with God to come to our aid. He says, “Your need is my call.” – quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org

During my studies regarding generational curses, I discovered a couple of things in the story of Adam and Eve and the devil, in Genesis 3:1-20. I used the NIV Bible. First, we’re all living under that curse. Secondly, that curse is also a blessing that saves us. Here’s how: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” What happens to those who embrace evil and wickedness? That enmity just might save your life. God ordained in us a loathing of evil and wickedness, to keep us from falling into it. God went one step further: “To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” This is exactly how our need for salvation, right then and there in that garden, was taken care of by God. Right then and there, God had us!

You see, if you look at that in the spirit, and remember that the church is the Bride of Christ, you see the woman that surrounds man. And who rules over the body of Christ? Is our desire for our husband? YES! YES! YES! Lord, Jesus, YES! Isn’t that awesome?!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu