It Is Wherein We Must Dwell

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we must dwell in God’s Presence. Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17 ESV) When things start to go sour, when fears begin to assail, when tears begin to fall, that place within us where God’s Spirit dwells is where we must run to.

Dwelling there is a matter of presence of mind, persistence of will , and perseverance in effort and practice. We must be aware, and catch ourselves when we feel the tugs and bonds of the world pulling at us. We must choose and make a conscious effort, then, to reenter that presence of the Spirit of God. Finally, we must make it daily practice to start the day, and end the day in that Presence. In the Garden of Eden, God walked and talked with them in the cool of the day. (Genesis 3:8) (Lev. 26:12)

This is such a beautiful way to enter in to the Presence of the LORD/Lord. I love the whole album; but this is one of my favorites. Thank you, Paul Wilbur.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

How To Work In Peace

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that disorder and chaos, within or round about us, does not foster effective and successful work. It also stifles and squashes creativity.

The way to work in peace is to have a peaceful work space and atmosphere. That means organization and clean work area(s). Making sure all needed materials are at hand, and organized, and work tools are at hand and ready to use is the next step. Sometimes you may even have to send calls to voicemail, so you can work uninterrupted. This is what God did for us in the Garden of Eden. He put everything needed there, and helped Adam put it in order (naming the animals is labeling everything).

Creating order and peace within is a little harder to do; especially when there are issues you’re dealing with. One of the challenges I had as a battered woman was keeping my mind on task, and not getting ahead of myself in the project I was working on. You’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop then, so your mind races over a million things all throughout your work time. Praise music, or music that soothes your soul and slows your mind down helps quite a bit. it’s also important to continue to increase your spirit in the Word of God, and in positive activities and things that give you energy and increase your self-confidence. As we grow in these, we’re filling up the empty spaces and replacing the negative thoughts and attitudes we’ve had in the past.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:12 ESV) This scripture comes to mind when I read this message. The “world” refers not only unbelievers. It’s also “your world”, and all the things that are going on in it; especially the negative and/or unsettling things. That’s why we’re told: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Kingdom Within First

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, addresses money values. It goes hand in hand with my post from September 10th. If you haven’t read that, I hope you will. This message builds further on that one.

The message speaks about seeking God’s Kingdom first, and securing our will, or setting our will, on that. Lining up our will with God’s is crucial. The next thing we’re told, to desire nothing less than that; and to desire nothing less than to advance His Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 “-Seek first the kingdom…”, and Matthew 6:22 are referenced.

Matthew 6:22 is the one I want to go to: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” This is the very reason we need to seek God’s Kingdom first. It is the very reason that we need to strive to advance that Kingdom within us-first and foremost. You see, we prosper as our soul prospers. When we do this, the fear, the greed, the lack of self-respect and dignity, and the insatiable need to fill the voids, are destroyed. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5) See, the Father really does know what it is that you really need first. He loves us so! He loves us so!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Giving Comes From Him

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to give all we can, in every way we can. We are to imitate the greatest giver(s) of all time; Jesus, and our heavenly Father, who gave His own son for us.

Jeremiah is the prophet I’m currently reading for my study on generational curses. Chapter 30:18-22 speaks to me of what a great giver God is. It shows how mindful He is of us, our needs, our trials and tribulations. This is how we should think when we are presented with opportunities to give. After all, we are blessed in order that we might bless others as well. Jesus said, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

As you read these verses, we can see God’s heart is to lift up, to rebuild/restore dignity, joy, and peace, to prosper a soul, and to honor humanity, as it was designed by God. That leader spoken of is Jesus Christ, our Lord. “I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) When I think about that in light of everything we face in the world, and how much of a difference one kind word, even a smile, or a helping hand can make for someone…I am inclined to bow before the Lord first, at every opportunity, and ask Him just to do it through me.

I’m also so grateful for all those beautiful people who give in almost every step they take. You are an inspiration to me when I want to just give up and throw in the towel. Thank you, all!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

See His Face Every Time You Look

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to stay as near to God as we can. This closeness, and intimacy is what keeps us from straying. That nearness builds our intimate knowledge of, and faith in our LORD/Lord.

Isaiah 49: 14-16 comes to mind when I read this message this morning. First, let me say, YOU are Zion-God’s chosen dwelling place forever. Think in terms of Spirit and Being. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, whenever you read something about Zion, listen closely-God’s talking about you.

Isaiah 49:16 says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” This is how we need to view our relationship with the LORD/Lord. Every time you look at your hands, see His Face! See His Hands, His Back, and the blood running from His Head. Then, see the glorious crown He wears now; it’s the one you as God’s child, are also crowned with. Don’t let anyone or anything, take that from your head-ever! Order your heart, mind, soul, your world by it, and reign. Please read the message at twolisteners.org for yourselves-it’s a powerful one.

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

Be Quiet And Praise Him

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to trust God. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46) -and I encourage you to read the whole Psalm; it’s awesome. Psalm 27 is also a great one. There, King David asks, “Whom shall I fear?” “Of whom shall I be afraid?”

I discovered sometime ago that reading these out loud not only stirs my spirit up in faith, courage, and even patience, but it also puts the spiritual realm on notice. The powers and principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness are very real. (Read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis) In Jesus’ Name, we have authority and power to over-rule them. (Luke 10:20) All that being said, put whatever it is in God’s hands, and just be quiet and praise Him. It is, after all, the Lord’s Day! This is one of my favorite praise songs. Thank you, Chris Tomlin.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Oh, What A Joy It Is

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to put our lives into God’s hands and trust Him.

Learning to trust His will for us is not an easy thing. He has promised that His will is to prospers us, and not to harm us. I have seen, more and more, God’s will for us, in learning God’s ways with us. You see, the first step in overcoming your past, truly is to be born again. Jesus said so. When you’re born again, you become God’s baby. So, let God raise that baby.

In studying God’s Word, and learning His ways with us, we can apply those to the way in which we deal with ourselves. An example is the spilt milk. You might have had parents that got angry and yelled at you, and imputed wickedness to you – “You’re always making messes!” God’s way is much different. He sees your heart, fearful and trembling inside you, and probably ashamed for being clumsy (self-condemnation). God rushes in to save you from that fear and condemnation. He says, “That’s okay; accidents happen. Let’s clean it up.” Now, He’s helping you to clean up the spilt milk. And, when it’s over, you get a pat on the back and a high five for it. The Bible tells us that God lifts us up and sets us in a broad place. That means you have room to grow; like you just did. God empowers us to come boldly to Him for help. He empowers us to walk uprightly before Him, by making things right, or setting things aright again. He builds our spirit up-always! Isn’t that awesome?! And the more we live in His ways with us, the stronger we become within. The stronger we become within, the stronger our walk in His Way becomes.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Feeling Plenty Goes With Gratitude

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are not paupers in the Kingdom of Heaven. Rather, we are daughters of a King; the King of Kings, to be exact.

We are bid to feel the plenty that we have; to think thoughts of plenty. When I read this message for the first time, it turned me around completely. I realized that, at best, I had been merely accepting of whatever I had. My thinking changed completely; from acceptance, to expectation and gratitude.

That feeling of plenty goes hand in hand with gratitude. The expectation comes in as Jesus told us to do: “Seek and you shall find, ask and it will be given you, knock and it will be opened to you.” I’ve told the story about the roast for four turned into stir fry for ten before. That’s the illustration of expectation. I didn’t see the roast as a roast anymore. Rather, I saw it as a meal for a half dozen more people; a bigger meal. I did ask Jesus to help me feed all those people. The idea for stir fry came to me. I had knocked on opportunity’s door, and it had been opened to me. What a beautiful evening we all shared. Yes, I did thank the Lord.

Making gratitude your attitude frames the day for plenty to manifest. It empowers you to seek positive solutions and possibilities. It will manifest in every area of your life, too. You’ll find a way to streamline that project, and get it done a little earlier. You’ll happen across a lunch special and be able to treat a coworker. You may be able to leave work a little earlier because you saved time on that project, and that gives you the time to set a special table for hubby and yourself, or for the whole family. Are you getting a picture of what I mean?

When we train our minds and mouths to speak plenty instead of lack, positive instead of negative, etc., we begin to sow seeds that will bring us plenty…abundance of life, and abundance in life.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He’s Really Good With Tangles

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus can do what seems to be the impossible. We are reminded that it is in quietness and trust that our strength lies. We’re also promised that from the second we put it into God’s Hands, the working out, the cure, the victory is being brought forth.

When I read this message, I think back to the one that was illustrated by a skein of yarn in Mother’s hands. I had to laugh, recalling how often my skein of yarn would get tangled, and I’d have to work that tangle out before I could go on with my project. When you’re a child, you usually have to take those tangled things to Mom or Dad. But there’s never any doubt in your mind that they can fix it, is there? That’s the way we’re supposed to trust God. I’ve had occasions to pray, and then stand silently and trust God. You know what? God always speaks back with His Word. There’s always the assurance and the reassurance-that He hears, He sees, and He’s on it!

That being silent, and the being still-meaning, don’t put one end of that skein in His hands, and then run off with the other end in hand, and try to fix it yourself…that’s the toughest thing to do sometimes. “Just be still and know that I am God.” And, you’re still His child. And, He’s still in control-not only of your life, but of all life, and all of life. That means God’s got His Eye, and hand, on the trouble, the trouble-maker, AND, on every single reason to doubt, to fear, to give up, to let go. Take that, you tangle!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu