Break Through The Bars

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, speaks to us of the imprisoned God. Praise, we’re told again, brings God on the scene. Praise opens the doors to the throne room of God, giving us a glimpse of who He is, who we are in Him, and all that He has put inside of us. I hope you’ll read the message for yourselves at twolisteners.org -this is one we all need from time to time.

When I read the message, this scripture comes to mind: “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” (Hosea 10:12) We often don’t reach our full potential in things because we’ve imprisoned the son of God within us. I’m not talking about Jesus; I’m talking about you and me. Although, we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. We’re created in God’s image and after His likeness. That means we can be awesome when we’re working with God, instead of against Him. (Psalm 139: 13) tells us: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” God knows each and every one of us, our strengths, weaknesses, gifts, favorite things, things we don’t like, etc. He knows us intimately; even better than we know ourselves.

Here’s where that fallow ground comes in. Quite often we are, from birth, guided and led, coaxed and cajoled, and yes, often coerced into becoming people we really don’t want to be. We end up becoming people pleasers, suffering from anxieties, harboring resentments , and living bitter and unfulfilled lives. We spend most of our lives trying to become someone else’s version of awesome. When we sow righteousness for ourselves, we’re sowing God’s thoughts about us, and His Word to us into our hearts. We reap His steadfast love within us. We grow in His love for us, and we learn to love ourselves like He does. The Word of God, and His love will even break up all that fallow ground (hard, unplowed), if and when you can’t do it yourself. Breaking it up involves tearing down the strongholds and wrong attitudes and thoughts that we’ve been fed. Then, God can come in and rain righeousness on us.

Here’s a short list of some bars that surround us and keep us locked away from our full potential: “You’re never going to amount to anything.” “You can’t do anything right.” “Your brother’s/sister’s the smart one.” “I don’t know why I bother; nobody cares anyway.” “It’s too late in my life.” “I’m too old, young, shy, stupid, fill in the blank.” Are you getting the picture? These all come back to that fallow ground; to the lies we’ve allowed to be covered over, and allowed our potential to be packed down under.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

In Meekness Lies Victory

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is the meek who inherit the earth. Meekness is willingness to be taught, or guided/led. It is the stopping all thought, all action, and laying down our will and our understanding. It is giving ourselves over to God’s Will.

Do you know that we cannot fail when we do that? In that meekness, we gain strength, we gain knowledge, we gain courage…whatever it is you need in those moments, God’s got it for you. He can’t give it to you, though, if your hands are tightly clutching everything you know, everything you think, everything you feel. I wrote a psalm once, and one of the lines comes to mind as I read this message. “You could have left me there, in my own understanding, but you took my place for me…” When we yield our will, God can step in and do exactly that. His mind (the mind of Christ) takes the place of ours. His courage comes to your heart. His peace and faith wash over you. It is in that meekness, that our victory lies. “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” (2Cor. 12:9) Whenever self decreases and allows God to increase, strength comes…perfectly.

This is one of my favorite songs; especially when I’m in need of laying down my will and letting God work in, and through me. Thank you, Gaither family.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Just Don’t Let Go Of His Hand

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God knows where both you and He are going. We’re told that God does indeed guide us. But, He guides us with His eye; not ours.

Whenever I read this message, I think about being a little girl and walking with my uncle. I didn’t know my way around town. He did. I didn’t even know the street names, or which shortcuts got us where faster. He did. And then, there were those days out with my grandmother. I had no clue what all we had to get done before we went home. She did. She had the route and all the stops planned out; even a stop for a favorite treat once in awhile. This is what it’s like to walk with God. He knows so much better than we do. He’s known the end from the beginning, including all the changes in between. One thing I was always sure of when I went out about town with my uncle or my grandmother. I knew I was loved, protected, and in great company! God loves you! So, just don’t let go of His hand.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Staying In That Rest

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to come unto the Lord and rest…and to remain in that rest. Quoting directly from the message: “Rest knows no fear. Rest knows no want. Rest is strong, sure.”

That tells me that when fear assails me, I must fight it. When I feel lack of any kind, I must fight it. I’m talking about lack within. Lack of energy, lack of desire, lack of gratitude, etc. Fear and lack go hand in hand. “Rest is strong, sure.” That means that I keep on keeping on, regardless of what it looks like, what someone says about it, what the general consensus may be, etc. I stand on the Word of God.

No, we’re not to just go along lackidaisically. But we don’t need to be immobilized by fear of anything. We can be sure that God will provide, protect, lead, and guide us, etc. We are to walk in that faith, not changing banners, but holding fast to the promises of God. We are not moved, or motivated by fear. We are held up, made strong, equipped by in the Word of God, and our faith in it. The more readily we attack and fight fear and inner lack, the stronger faith becomes, and the more powerful the soul rest is.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

His Name – Still Powerful Today

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus’ Name is still as powerful today as it was all those many years ago.

As I read the message, I thought about all the times I had to remind myself of that. His Name is still as powerful today, as it was the day I got saved. I thought about my grandmother, and her testimonies of Jesus and His love. It occurred to me, that every time she spoke His Name to me, the power of that Name was drawing, guarding, and guiding me to where I am today. Jesus said He would draw all men unto Himself when He is lifted up. Nowadays, trusting in that wonderful Name is as natural as breathing. It doesn’t occur to me to doubt; not for a second. I know He’s got my back, no matter what may come along.

The message tells us that the consciousness of His Name can lift the mood, change the atmosphere, and elevate thought, attitude, conversation, and, even actions. I’ve had countless experiences that went from “nothing goin’ on,” to “oh, wow, this is going to be fantastic!” -just because I heard that Name in a praise song, or because I, or someone else, spoke it. Jesus…what a beautiful Name it is, indeed. It has the power to stop you dead in your tracks, back you up just a little, and wrap you in it’s warmth, peace, and love. Sometimes, that’s exactly what one needs, isn’t it? It has the power to open doors, and to close them. It has the power to raise a dead thing to life, or to lay something that should be dead and gone to rest…and finally set you free from it.

The message bids us to be ever conscious of His Name, breathing it. It is, in the spirit, our very breath, I believe. Here’s a challenge. Find three or four songs about Jesus’ Name. Play them back to back, and just bask in the joy, peace, power, and love that it brings with it. Now, have a wonderful day!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu