It Must Come Out First

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that this walk with Jesus is a lifelong journey. From my own experience, it’s the journey of a lifetime.

The message tells us that we can only proceed upward step by step and stage by stage. “And we all having been unveiled in face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18) No journey is taken in one step; but step by step.

When I read this message, I think about Psalm 23:5 -“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Being transformed into God’s image and likeness involves constant intake of His Divine Nature, His Word, His Love for us. However, as we fill up with it, we must make room for more. (Proverbs 25:16) That’s why we must be doers, and not only hearers of the Word. In the hearing, we are being empowered with truth and wisdom. It’s in the doing, however, that our faith and character grow. Our spirits are strengthened, our hope is renewed, and joy rises up within us over our growth in Christ Jesus, and the things of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Romans 2:13)

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Glory In Everything & Every Way

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the glory of the Lord is the beauty of His Character. It is this, reflected to our surroundings, that gives everything a dazzling beauty. It brings glory to everything, in every way.

Some time ago, the Lord put into my heart to share my experiences and thoughts from this little devotional (God Calling) in a blog. With that, He led me to a scripture. (Matthew 10:8) “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” That’s why I have this blog; that’s why I post to it daily-and will, until He says it’s a wrap. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this blog has helped my growth as a Child of God! I can’t believe the difference between where I used to be in my faith, and where I am now. I still have some struggles, but all in all, I’m more and more into the Lord, and striving to be more and more like the Lord, than I am like the world.

There was another time, as I found myself in that spiritual desert, that He led me to this scripture: “I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.” The closer I got to Him, the more flowed in, and through me. I began to write poetry, songs, stories…I got my creative spirit back, and began to design and to create recipes…I gloried more and more in everything I found to do, and in every way imaginable. My little conversations with some of the birds around town bring me such joy! They are just one way in which the beauty, love, and joy of the Lord are revealed to me. It’s a joy to wake up each day-even now, on the sidewalk. I hope this song will lift you and keep you soaring all day long. Thank you, Steven Curtis Chapman.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

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

Money, Honey

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are not to value money the way the world does. We are to seek first, last, and always, the Kingdom of Heaven. “…and all these things will be added unto you,” the scripture says.

The message bids us us to get away from money values altogether. I think a better way to put it would be to say: Get away from valuing money altogether. When I read that statement, I think of guys and their power tools, their cars, and stuff like that. They almost worship them, don’t they? Yeah, women do too. I still drool every time I see a Lamborghini Countach. We have to be careful not to let money rule over our senses and good judgment. Money isn’t to be our master or god.

Unfortunately, money does answer everything, doesn’t it? Yes, it pays the rent and bills, living expenses, etc. But money, unless it is used according to God’s will and purposes, and for the sake of God’s glory, is actually just stuff under our feet that trips us up. By that, I mean that it’s like rocks, pot-holes, brambles, etc. Rocks get in your shoes and make your feet sore. I hit a pot hole once, and thought I’d ripped the oil pan right off the car. Brambles and burrs stick to your clothes and scratch your legs up. See the hassles?

But when we use money according to God’s purposes-which are pavement, provisions, preparations, and presents…oh, the places we can go, the things we can do, the peace, power, and pleasantness of life we can provide. Handling our money responsibly is part of God’s plan. It’s part of good stewardship. Good stewardship includes tithing and benevolence, planning for the future -we are to leave an inheritance for even our children’s children, and advancing the Kingdom of Heaven-making sure the Gospel is preached in all the corners of the Earth.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

When You’re The Burden

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus is the great burden bearer. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:8)

Whenever I read this message, I think about the woman who wept at Jesus’ feet. ”A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” (Luke 37&38) I’m doing a Bible study on “Your Glory,” and this is one of the scriptures that illustrates perfectly the dropping of our sins and burdens at the feet of Jesus. When I read about her wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair, I think about my “glory.” The Bible tells us that a woman’s hair is her glory. In effect, the woman was saying, my glory is as a rag with which to wipe the dirt off of your feet, Lord. Whenever I read that scripture, I think about that song, “Glory Days.” Whenever I hear that song, I have to laugh, especially at myself. Years have a way of clearing the fog off the mirror, don’t they? I said all that to say this. Sometimes, it’s you who are the burden. What do you do then? Drop yourself right at His feet, just like Martha’s sister Mary did. “She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to His message…” (Luke 10:39-42)

Jesus’ message, pretty much, is summed up in Psalm 23. Whenever I check-and recheck (sometimes it’s still hard for me to believe I could be my own trouble), I go to Psalm 23. I’ve learned over the years that I need to follow the guideline there, about the green pastures (fertile, rich, life-filled), the still waters/quiet waters (peace and not chaos or confusion), etc. When I get to that part about the table prepared for me, in the presence of my enemies, I’m usually ready to tackle the mess-even when it’s so “precious” to me. You see, I’ve learned that what’s on that table is exactly what I need to get me through the mess I’m in. We are all works in progress, subject to human limitations, etc., and sometimes, you are your own worst enemy. Imagine my surprise the first time I sat down at that table and saw me sitting across from myself. Nowadays, I just laugh and say Grace.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

No Punishment For Past Sins

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is no punishment for our past sins. When we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, all of that is removed-as far as the East is from the West-from us. They’re gone!

However, their impact and effects on us, our character, attitudes, choices, lives, have not been removed. They will be gradually wiped clean, and/or smoothed and polished into a beautiful soul. One that manifests it’s true being -created in the image and likeness of God, Himself-more and more.

Remembering that we go from strength to strength and glory to glory, we can begin to understand the admonition of the Lord. God brings us up in the admonition of the Lord, just as we are to bring our children up the same way. When a child errs, we help him/her to correct that error. We teach our children how to clean up messes, and how to do things correctly. This isn’t punishment; it’s training. God does the same with us. We can only act/react according to what we believe to be true. When we come to the Lord, we’re operating out of old truths-usually untruths, about ourselves and the world around us. God patiently works with us, allowing us to come face to face with the consequences of our actions, and face the truth that we need help to change things, or to do them correctly. When we turn to Him for that help, He’s always ready, willing, and more than able to teach and train us in the correct ways. King David wrote often about being taught the Lord’s ways, and His paths. And, remember, King David erred-and even sinned knowingly. But, King David also repented, went boldly the throne of God, asking forgiveness. God called King David a man after His own heart. We can learn and be inspired and encouraged by that.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Perfecting It All

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are works in progress. We are told to strive for perfection, by taking inventory at least weekly. We are to check our attitudes, character, shortfalls, weaknesses, etc. We’re also to look at that in regard to everything about our lives; from housework, or homemaking, to even self care. Now, here’s a surprise. You already are perfect in God’s eyes. (John 17:22) You’re precious and honored in His sight.

When Jesus says, “Be ye perfect, therefore, as your Father in Heaven is perfect,” we all skip over that word, “Be,” and we start frantically doing. Did you forget that God sees Jesus when He looks at us? Yes, He sees Jesus’ righteousness, Jesus’ love, Jesus’ compassion, mercy, etc. He attributes perfection to us the instant we come to Him. (Hebrews 12:1-24) is a wonderful piece that speaks to us regarding this. Verse thirteen tells us to make level paths for our feet. This is what that inventory is about. You check for any place, anything, that can be improved upon-even, and especially within. The outward often manifests where the inward (spirit) is…be it depressed, anger, sloth, confusion, etc. When we deal with those things, and include discipline and perseverance to correct them and the outward situations created by them, things change. This is called progress, which is the rule of the Kingdom of Heaven. 2 Cor. 3:18, in the New Living Translation Bible says it this way: “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” Also, Psalm 84:7 tells us we go from strength to strength until we appear before God in glory.

Sadly, I must tell you that we are all “only human.” This is to say we are subject to fatigue, depression, laziness, confusion; all those things that clog up the spirit within, and weigh us down. God knows that, though. He’s given us the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer. We can go boldly to the throne to confess and to get help. He doesn’t love us any less at any given point in time-not one second of our lives! You are already perfect in His eyes. His love, grace, and mercy are going to help us manifest that-in this life. As we manifest that glory to glory progression, it becomes the testimony that draws others to Him; and to Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Blessed By That Bond

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Happy August, everyone! Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the bond between one’s soul and our Lord, is truly a wondrous one. There is no glory on Earth that compares; nothing comes close.

That bond is a blessed one. We are blessed by, and through, that bond. When we cultivate our awareness of the Lord’s Presence in our lives, we begin to see more and more of His Presence in everything around us. Suddenly, you might feel His gentle touch in a breeze. You might hear His happy laughter in a gurgling brook. That awareness grows into a constant consciousness of the Lord, Himself, in our lives. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced.

I think we often miss the mark on this because we’re afraid to let ourselves go. We hang on to reason and what we consider to be normal, or acceptable, etc. You won’t regret letting go of yourself and cultivating that awareness of His Presence in everything around you. I haven’t yet; and I doubt I ever will. I believe He’s quick to remind me that He’s there, whenever a couple of days go by that I kind of forget it. Yes, people called Jesus crazy; His own mother and brothers did. Most will call us crazy too. Don’t let that stop you.

I’ve chosen this song by Third Day to go with today’s message:

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Saturday Silly – July 27, 2019

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I apologize this didn’t make it up at midnight. I was feeling pretty under the weather yesterday, and took the day off. At any rate. Saturday’s here…Thank you, Lord, for another week that you’ve walked with me.

I was on my way from breakfast this morning, and ran into a friend of mine. He preaches on the streets; you may have spotted him near the freeway exits and on-ramps. Anyway, he asked me if I knew how many books in the Bible start with the letter J. I hadn’t had my coffee yet. I have to laugh; I came up with two, and was at a loss for the rest. You see, I ‘m the kind of person that reads the Word, and knows the Word, but I’ll be hanged if I can remember what book, chapter, and verse I read that Word in. It’s all the same to me-God’s Word. Whenever I do my Bible studies and posts, I have to look them up to be sure I’ve got their placements right.

Anyway, I made my way to the park behind the library, and was having my coffee, and thinking about my next Bible study: Your Glory. “You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor” This is the verse that came to me. For the life of me, I could not remember where, in the Bible, I read it. This thought came to me: “coffee.” I thought, “What?” “Coffee,” it came again. OH! HEBREWS! I’m still laughing!

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Put Yourself Into The Hands of the Potter

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I chose this song by Casting Crowns for today’s music post. It goes perfectly with today’s message. I hope it inspires and blesses you, strengthens you, as much as it does me. I’m blinking back tears as I write this. Sometimes it’s so very hard to let go and let God…but oh, how He does love us, and oh, how awesomely He takes what’s meant for evil against us, and brings it, and us to a beautiful glory in Him. God bless you!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu