Keeping The Glory

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 106. The Psalm is a long one, recounting the struggles and backsliding of Israel. I’m not going to post the whole psalm, but I do want to focus on one verse.

Psalm 106: “They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass.” (ESV) This verse leads us right to the story of Nebuchadnezzar. He went from being one of the most powerful rulers on Earth, to wandering aimlessly through fields and eating grass, like an animal. That very thing can happen to us when we stray from God’s side. We come out from under that glory, and are then ruled by instinct; basically, animal instinct. Instead of the Holy Spirit controlling us, our flesh controls us. It’s not just losing it for a few minutes. It’s not just giving in to the craving for the cookies on occasion. It’s so much more than giving in to temptations. We slip out from under God’s glory when we cultivate and insist on maintaining an attitude that it’s alright to let sin rule over us. “It’s just sex. So what if they’re not married. So, what; everybody cheats on their spouse.” That type of attitude shift pulls us farther and farther away from God’s side, and closer and closer to that dangerous edge of the cliff. “If you are the son of God, throw yourself down; for the scripture says “He’ll give His angels charge of you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” -(Matt. 4:5-6)

Jesus replied to the devil that we are not to tempt the LORD our God. That’s a powerful statement regarding sin. Don’t ever take your salvation for granted. You might not lose your salvation, but I guarantee you God will call you to account. God will never bully you; He is a gentleman. But, He will let you have your way…until your way sends you running back His way. And, it will. He’ll be right there waiting with open arms; but God is not mocked. We reap what we sow. (Gal. 6:7)

The thing some people don’t realize is that you’re really, really playing with fire, when you let the devil get a foothold in your life. that’s why vigilance, diligence, and perseverance are so important. Turning immediately and getting back on the right course is what God wants from us. If we do wrong, correcting it, making it right, is expected of us. God is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him. (1 John 1:9) It is when we don’t do those things immediately, that we find ourselves headed for trouble.

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Even Before You’re Settled

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 105. It is another one recounting God’s presence with, and for His people. The psalm is a long one, but I’m focusing on verses 12-15; reading from the ESV.

“When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,
saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

There’s a powerful revelation in this scripture. Even before we are settled into the kingdom of Heaven, while we’re still wandering from one thing to another, one person to another, one belief to another, etc., God is still watching over us. When you read, “touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm,” keep in mind that you were destined to be an anointed one, a preacher, a pastor, a prophet, a choir leader, etc., from the beginning. Another interesting, and powerful revelation here is this: God will rebuke a KING, a leader, an authority, etc., on your account. And, He did that before you came home and got settled in. See? When Jesus said, “Fear not, it’s the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” He meant it. It was a done deal when Jesus said, “It’s finished.”

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How Great Thou Art

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 104; another one extolling God’s great love and power.

I hope you’ll read the psalm, and check each and every thing listed in it out. This psalm reminds me of a day when I stood in the ocean’s tide. Let me tell you how to get a clear picture of how immense God is: Stand in the ocean for a few minutes. I was absolutely overwhelmed with awe; awestruck, I was! I can also recall more than a few nights spent looking up at the moon and stars in the sky. In Montana, you can see them quite clearly. They blew me away every time I looked at them.

As you begin to think about all the things God does, and how much He loves His creation, you can suddenly find yourself snuggled up really close to Him. LOL Oh, my goodness, what an awesome God, and what an awesome love. And, oh, LORD/Lord, thank you so much for everything you are, and everything you do! If this psalm doesn’t stir your spirit up to absolute awe and sheer joy in being God’s child, I don’t know what will. Read it from the ESV; that’s the most up to date translation.

I can only think of one song to go with this message. Thank you, Lauren Daigle, for this beautiful rendition.

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Love Like That…Cont’d

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 99. It’s another praise, extolling God’s might, His works, and His heart for us. I hope you’ve gotten a little stronger assurance of God’s love over the last few posts. I posted this song some time ago, with one of my messages. The Holy Spirit moved me to post it again, for you to start your week out with. This is God’s heart for us, Let Him wrap His arms around you, and just bask in His love for you. Thank you, Joe Cocker, for your beautiful voice and style.

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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

Reason To Stay Close

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 94, and it’s really something to think about. Often, when we’re going through stuff, we don’t see God working in the storm. When I read this psalm, I think about Jesus sleeping in the back of the boat, while the storm was raging. The disciples thought for sure they were going to die. But, where God is, there is always perfect peace. We don’t often grasp that, but God is a god of order, and not chaos; of perfect peace. “Be ye therefore perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” It comes down to deliberately choosing not to allow your faith to be shaken.

“Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.” *(They are futile) (Psalm 94:8-11) (ESV) This lets us know that God doe see, hear, discipline, and rebuke those who need it. By this, we can see that God is working in the midst of it all.

Verses 12-14 assure us that God loves us, and will not let us go. “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.” The Holy Spirit will always convict us of our wrongdoing, and guide us back to the truth, life, and way; to the Word of God.

Verses 16-19 give us a clear picture of just how helpless we are against the wiles of the devil, without God by our side, and on our side. “Who rises up for me against the wicked?
“Who stands up for me against evildoers? If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” God is not only there to correct us. He’s there to encourage us when we’re unsure, and to comfort us when we’re struggling within. When we, as parents and partners, husbands and wives, teammates, friends, are there for those in our lives, like God is for us, life truly is better. Our relationships are empowered to be so much stronger and more joyful.

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Good To Praise, Indeed

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 92. It is a song for the Sabbath. That Sabbath rest is available to me every day as a child of God. So, this song is for every day.

Verses 1-4 confirm it. “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” Does that give you the impression that we are to remain at rest in the spirit? It does me; and the day I realized that, my life changed. My faith was strengthened so much, and a peace just filled me from head to toe. I know that I know that I know, that no matter what comes along, God’s got me.

Verse 6 reveals something to us, about God. “How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!” This is the very reason you can go back to the same exact scripture time and time again, and come away with something more. (Luke 24:44-45)

The psalm goes on to talk about how the enemies of God will all perish, and the wicked will fall. But, verses 10-15 tell us about the blessings of being a child of God. “But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” God anoints us daily with fresh oil, or power. If you haven’t seen the downfall of your enemies or evil assailants, you just haven’t heart it yet. Hang in there; God’s got perfect timing! When we are planted in the house of the LORD (firmly in His Word, and Way), we will always flourish and bear fruit, even in our old age. I read just today, in “Daily Bread,” about a woman who was still doing surgery at the age of 92. Is that awesome?! That’s God working in us. I absolutely love the last few words: “The LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” That tells me He will never steer me wrong, never let me down, never fail me. Oh, yes, it is good to praise Him, indeed!

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And, Here’s Some Of His Love

Psalm 91, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the most powerful revelations of God’s love toward us, and of our stature in this world.

I say, “stature,” because of those nine foot long beds I saw in the castles in Germany. To see the size of some of those men is awe-inspiring. I think about that scripture about the sons of Anak-the Nephilim. The Israelites saw them and they were, “like grasshoppers” in their own sight. We often see ourselves that way, in light of the tribulation or trouble we’re facing. No, no, no! In Christ Jesus, we’re as taller and mightier than anyone or anything! (Numbers 14:21), (Hab. 2:14), (Hab. 3:3), (Isa. 6:3)

I hope this is a psalm that you will post on a wall and read aloud. You will be so filled with peace, strength, and joy!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He Already Knows…

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 90. There are a couple of verses that spoke to me about how intimately God knows us, and how much He loves us.

Verse 8 is the first one I want to address: “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” Do you really think that God will be surprised or shocked when you confess to him? This verse made me recall the day that revelation hit me. Every night in those bars, Jesus was sitting right there watching; and waiting for me to wake up. Everything I was so careful, and successful in hiding from my parents, Jesus knew. Everything I was so careful to hide, (and successful at it for awhile) did not fool Jesus. There He was the whole time, watching, and waiting for me, with arms wide open. Believe me, anything and everything you did, and will do, Jesus already knows. He died for you anyway. He loves us that much! (Hebrews 4:16) – “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Verse 12 should get us thinking. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Do not take one minute for granted. I got up one morning and started my day, with my daughter and my brand new baby boy. He was one day short of being just two months old. It was a routine day for me and the kids. Then my phone rang. My dad had been killed in a tree trimming accident. Gone. Just like that.

That brings me to verse 14. “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” If you don’t have somebody to tell you everyday, how much you’re loved, let God tell you. It’s in the Bible. You are precious and honored in His sight. You are to die for! Go through your Bible and write down all the verses that tell us about God’s love toward us. Post them, or put them somewhere you can see them first thing. Read them out loud. They’re not only getting into your spirit, they’re giving notice to those in the spiritual realm that you know who, and whose you are. Believe me, it works! You’ll get your strength back.

The last verses are very powerful. “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” I stopped asking, “Why me,” some time ago. It was when I began to see the treasures that were there in the storms I went through in my life. I’ve had to thank God for everything I’ve gone through. God doesn’t put us through it; He gets us through it. And, you always come away with so much that you never thought you’d find inside you. He does show His work in our lives. And, if you let Him, He will establish the work of your hands. Finally, you will not believe how much you can do!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Oh, God, The Agony!

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 88.

O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me? Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.

Oh, my God! The agony of suffering the consequences of my choices and actions! It’s just too much for me, Jesus! It’s just too much, I tell you! Honey, it’s not His wrath that lies heavy upon you. No, no, no-God did not put you in the deep darkness, girlfriend (talking to myself); you got there all by your little ol’ self. Yes, dear, He does work wonders for the dead! As a matter of fact, He will bring you up out of that pit, just as soon as you get of your pity pot. And, yes, when you’ve departed from your way, you will rise up to praise Him. Absolutely, His love is declared in the grave, and his faithfulness in Abaddon-that’s why the demons tremble when you speak His Name! Having seen His wonders in some of my darknesses, I can tell you, YES, they are seen there. And yes, His righteousness does come through in the land of forgetfulness, which is where some of us spend a lot of time…you know, like the kids…”I forgot,” they say, when they know darn well they just did that “no-no” anyway! God will never cast your soul away, until the very absolute last second; and then it will be because you refused Him. He will never refuse you when you come to Him! Let me tell you, those dreadful assaults are your conscience and your karma. “God is not mocked; we reap what we sow.” The reason God allows those things to surround you like a flood, is so that, like Peter, you will cry out, “Save me, LORD/Lord!”

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