Only You Know The Answer

Today’s message comes to us from Psalms and Proverbs 13. In this one, King David is asking some questions. Psalms 13:1 asks the question: “How long, O, LORD? Will you forget me forever? (Isaiah 49:16) God tells us: “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. *When you think about your soul being a city, this applies; God’s speaking of Zion. The next question is “How long will you hide your face from me? God says, “How long will you keep your eyes closed and your back turned to me?” (Ezekiel 12:22) Now we’re getting into that pity party…”How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?” God’s answer: “How long do you want to?” (John 5:6) And, here comes the finger-pointing, blame game, excuses, excuses…”How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” God’s answer: “How long will you bow to him?” He’s been condemned (John 16:11), and He can, and will be driven out (John 12:31) You know the answer to that one, because you have, in Jesus’ Name, authority over him. The above answers are all TRUTH.

Now, King David prays, “Consider and answer me, O LORD, my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, ‘”I have prevailed over him.”‘ We know the answer to that one too, don’t we? Yes! Read (Luke 6:46-49) and (Isaiah 61) This is the WAY.

Oh, wait! What’s the last verse in this Psalm? “But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” That’s right; it’s a done deal! Sing to the LORD a new song. We don’t sing dirges, we sing Praises! And, Hallelujah! This is LIFE!
Proverbs 13:4 tells us that the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. So seek God and delve into His Word. Proverbs 13:9 tells us that the wicked will lose their light and be left in darkness. So, don’t fret yourself over them. Seek God and praise Him because you know who wins in the end. Proverbs 13:17 tells us the faithful messenger brings healing. Is God’s Word a faithful messenger? Finally, Proverbs 13:24 tell us that the rod of reproof is crucial. God’s rod of reproof, corrects us, showing us our error, and how to do it right. We are disciplined, or discipled to seek God and learn from Him, the truth, the way, and the life.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

See That It Is Finished

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to lay our sins, failures, shortcomings, all we need to let go of, on Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. It is in Him that we find the forgiveness we need, as well as the perfect healing and resurrection we need.

As I read this message once, when I was really struggling through some things, I saw Jesus on the cross. I heard Him say, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) At first, I thought, how strange that you would bring that to mind, Lord…because, NO IT ISN’T! I’m going through hell here! Then, I got it. As soon as your version dies, as soon as your fear dies, and as soon as your feeling of entitlement dies, it will be finished…because then I CAN HELP YOU WITH IT! I said to the Lord, “I’ll just shut up now, if you don’t mind.” (Job 40:3-4) Yeah, I’m pretty sure He laughed as He shook His head.

When we realize and accept that when we take it to the Lord, it’s finished right there, and then act on that accordingly (obediently), we find that healing. (Mark 11:24) Then we can begin to rise from that pit of despair to the path(s) that will lead us to the victory. That’s our resurrection from that pit.

PS – Happy Birthday, Hanna Banana! Love you! I forgot to add this yesterday-sorry.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Oh, That Touch

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that our Lord is ever present with us. We are reminded that His touch brings, not only healing, but guidance, and comfort. It isn’t just healing, guidance, and comfort that that touch brings us. Sometimes, I feel that touch as I’m doing my Bible study. I always come away with a wonderful little nugget of truth that empowers my walk with Him. I hope you’ll read the message for yourselves at twolisteners.org

That little nugget of truth came through that touch recently. I was doing my study on generational curses, and was led to Genesis 2:15-17. I believe, since we are created in God’s image, after His likeness, we already have the knowledge of both good and evil within us. (Genesis 1:26-27) We just didn’t have the wisdom we needed in regard to good and evil. Remember God walked and talked with them in the cool of the day. So, it is possible that Satan thought he’d get a head-start on destruction.

One of the keys to overcoming generational curses is mastering the knowledge of good and evil. It is not the knowledge of good and evil that will kill you. It is eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil that will either kill you, or bring you life. Eating the fruit of the knowledge of good will destroy your fleshly, worldly, and evil tendencies. It will also destroy the fallout, or spiritual damage to you caused by the evil in the world around you. Likewise, eating the fruit of the knowledge of evil will destroy good in your life, and even the desire in you, to do good.

Example: You see someone homeless on the street. You’ve just purchased breakfast, and got a two for one deal. The fruit of the knowledge of good is your desire to offer this person the other breakfast. (compassion) You do (partaking of the fruit), and a little faith and hope comes alive in that person. (There’s somebody who does care) The other example: The scenario is the same. Only this time, you think about being able to sleep in, and having this extra breakfast tomorrow morning. You won’t have to stop for it on the way to work. (Self, Selfish) You do not offer it to that person, but go on your way (partaking of the fruit of evil) Not that thinking about yourself is evil, but when you see a person who’s homeless and obviously hungry, and you do have enough…isn’t ignoring that and walking away what Satan would do?

That little “touch” made me realize how much easier choosing is when we see exactly what it is being offered us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Divine Giver

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to be kingly givers. I encourage you to read the message for yourselves at twolisteners.org, because it is an awesome one.

Jesus, in the message, says to us, “I am Love and Joy and Peace and Strength and Power and Healing and Humility and Patience.” -quoting directly from God Calling. We’re told that our nature must be the same as His. Then, also, our Lord says to us, “You live with Me, and then My Life accomplishes the miracle-change.” -again, quoting from God Calling.

I re-potted and nursed a plant for a co-worker once. I grew up with a grandmother who loved to put little gnomes in her garden, and I had found a couple of miniature gnomes in a store. I put one in with one of my potted plants. The other, I put in with my co-worker’s plant. I thought it might bring her a little joy. We so often miss the opportunity to elevate our giving to touching someone’s soul. And, we so often forget how great a difference giving a little bit of our own heart in our giving, can make in someone’s life. We must be as generous with our spirit as we are with everything else.

I had such an awesome Sunday worship last Sunday. I want to share this song with you. It is so beautiful, and touched me so deeply. This is exactly what this message is about. Paul Wilbur, thank you so much!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Know That It’s All Yours & Thank Him

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s children are, indeed, very rich. We’re bid never to think or say we can’t afford it. Always, instead, focus on God’s faithfulness to us.

When we say we can’t afford it, we’re actually cutting off supply. We really do need to get those negative words out of our vocabularies! But, what if we say, “I will need to save up for that. Maybe I can change some things in the budget. Maybe I can take on a little extra work.” That’s possibility thinking, or hope. Then, we follow through; putting our faith into action, and trusting God to bring it all to pass. The heart of man plans his course, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Prov. 16:9) (ESV) Notice that you must plan in order for God to work it out.

Something I’ve found to be helpful in trusting God for supply, is to affirm to myself daily that in Christ Jesus, it truly is all mine. The second thing is to just thank God daily for it. Healing in my body, heart, mind, and soul includes adequate nourishment-and folks, I FEAST! I really do. It never fails that some of my favorite things, and good for me things are marked down when I get to the store. Sometimes, I’ve even had a craving for something in particular, and sure enough; someone drives up and hands it to me. God’s awesome! As long as I have wholeness/soundness in my body, heart, mind, and soul, I know I’ve got what I need. The rest manifests as God chooses to give it; and He does know best. He has perfect timing, too.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Feeling His Healing Touch

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to wait quietly before the Lord, until we feel that healing power of His touch flowing into, and through us. The only way I can describe that feeling is that it’s as if your entire being is vibrating and glowing with a wholeness and joy that’s unimaginable. It’s almost unbelievable; this feeling.

I learned, some years ago, not to wait until things are overwhelming, or I am at the very end of my rope, with the knot coming undone. Rather, first thing daily, I seek the Lord’s face. I sometimes don’t get to my daily prayer until later, because I’m wrapped up in that time with the Lord. I also learned to turn into that place and wait there the very minute I feel as if the boat’s swamped.

When I read the message, I thought about the woman with the issue of blood. She only touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, and was healed. She touched the Lord. I believe that His Presence there strengthened, not only her resolve, but her efforts to be healed. Have you ever needed peace in the midst of a tumult? And the minute you turn toward the Lord, seeking His Presence, you feel strength come to you. Now, you’re determination to get through is strengthened. Now, you can almost see the sharpness of the Word, as you open your Bible. Now, your voice is strong and clear as you speak to your mountain. John 17:26 – “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” No wonder that strength is there almost immediately…actually, it’s there all the time. We just forget, or lose our connection to it.

I chose this wonderful old song by Tata Vega to go with today’s post. It still fills me with such joy!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Only Wide Enough For Two

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us, as Jesus did, to enter by the narrow gate. Actually, the message speaks of walking a narrow way, or path.

When you put this together with the rest of the message, which is about physical weariness, frustration, and mind and soul weariness, the narrow gate and path make sense. The narrow gate is one that only opens wide enough for one to pass through. That one is you. The narrow path is also only wide enough for you to walk down. But, in terms of your spiritual well-being, and the growth of your faith, you need to seek the Lord alone. That’s true especially when one’s soul is troubled. Jesus deals with everyone, one on one. You need to leave the crowd on the boulevard, and travel that narrow path to the narrow gate alone. It’s there that you’ll find the Lord waiting. It’s there that you can enter in to the healing presence.

Even in the midst of the largest congregations and meetings, you must enter in to the presence of the Holy Spirit alone. God want those who worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth. So, while the entire congregation is there in the meeting, each one must seek Him and enter in, alone. Finally, the path to healing, for anyone, must be walked alone-with the Lord. Even the path the leads to the narrow gate is not too narrow that He won’t walk it with you. He’s the one who will give you the courage and determination to walk it. He’s also the one who will give you the courage and determination to walk the path to victory. You are the one who needs to walk it out, so naturally, it’s only wide enough for you and Jesus.

All those well-meaning family members and friends can be a hindrance on that path to healing. They can trip you up because they don’t want to hurt you; or, sometimes because they do. They’re famous for allowing you to keep those rose colored glasses on-when you really should take them off. Sometimes, that’s because they’ve got their own pair of rose colored glasses on. That’s why you need to walk it yourself. When you get honest with yourself, that wide way you’ve been going and living, begins to narrow down pretty quickly. Sometimes it’s painful, but Jesus is right there with you. And, as your healing progresses, you’ll find the new path ahead of you will widen as you’re ready to handle it.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Healing in His Presence

eden08122015

This is an old favorite of mine…In the Presence of Jehovah…What a beautiful place to be! Thank you, Terry MacAlmon for your music ministry to us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu