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.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Admonition Of God’s Love=Power

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 64. It speaks to us about the power of the admonition of the LORD/Lord. In terms of generational curses, it gives us a glimpse of the destruction caused by anger and violence.

Psalm 64:1-6 paint that picture for us. “Preserve my life, O, God, from dread of the enemy. How many times did you dread going home, or dread your mother, father, or even your mate, coming home? We can either be a child’s (or a mate’s) best friend, or his/her worst enemy. We need to ask ourselves, “Am I instilling and inspiring fear and animosity; or am I inspiring and instilling courage and security in this relationship?”

Let me tell you what the enemy’s secret plots are. They are to kill, to steal, and to destroy you and everything God has for you. Not only that, but the enemy wants to destroy every generation after you! The goal is to destroy love-love for God, for yourself, and for others. Love is the divine in man, because God is love. You are created in His image and after His likeness.

Verses 3 and 4 tell us they: “whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear.” Have you ever chewed out your mate, or your children, and couldn’t even believe the stuff coming out of your own mouth? That often comes from a generational curse. Let me say this now: A generational curse isn’t some mysterious religious thing. Generational curses are wrong and destructive habits, beliefs, attitudes and ways that we pass on to our children-because they were passed down to us from our parents. There is a spiritual significance to those things; but that’s because the devil knows your weaknesses just as well as God does. Now, look at the part of that scripture describing ambushing the blameless, and suddenly. That has to do with two things. First, God doesn’t impute evil to us; so we should always assume the best intention of our children, our mates, etc. Secondly, remember what I just mentioned above? You had the very best intention when you started out with that correction…and the enemy just jumped right in there with anger and bitterness, and reminding you of “your rights,” etc. Now all those feelings of being unappreciated and disrespected just blew up inside you, right? Yeah, the enemy, Satan is the accuser, and he will seek out injustice within you-your mind and heart. But, there’s good news! Gods Word will always refute and defeat the accuser!

Verses 9 & 10 tell us that the admonition of the LORD/Lord causes us to think about, explore, and be willing to implement His Word and Ways. By and through God’s steadfast love, mercy, and grace, we are emboldened to approach Him-not only that, but to RUN to Him! We’re emboldened to exult in His love for us, even when we mess up, because we know and cannot be shaken in our knowledge that God loves us! When we deal with our loved ones the way God does, they’re emboldened to run to us and exult in our love as well-even when they mess up.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

After His Likeness

Today’s message comes to us from Psalms 31. It gives us a picture of just how important those standards and boundaries are; and why growing up in the admonition of the LORD/Lord is best. He is, after all, our salvation-every day. (Psalm 31:1) (NIV) “In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” 1. Know that that trap was set for your child in the garden of Eden. Our children lives are in our hands. What you teach your child today, might just save his/her life tomorrow. We let them down when we do not have standards and boundaries in place, and when we don’t enforce them. These empower us with self-control, peace, boldness, love, knowledge that pertains to daily living (rules, etc.), as well as knowledge that pertains to their needs and wants, fostering their personalities. This would include sports, hobbies, arts, social life, etc. Verse four also gives us a heads-up regarding their friends, teachers, leaders, etc. We need to screen them carefully. When we do this, they can walk powerfully in life. Verses seven and eight tell us this. “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” Verse ten lets us know that our attitude toward sin will either empower us, or destroy us. The choice is ours. You iniquity will cause you afflicted by temptation, weakness, and sorrow and grief. As the former wife of a drug addict, I still mourn all the losses this man experienced. And, we all know that water trickles, runs, and rushes downhill, right? Verses 11 & 12 show us, again, how Satan works to twist your thinking, to bend your will, to gain that foothold. This makes me think of a broken vessel, a city suffering for famine of the Word of God. Verse 14-18 give us a prayer to pray in times of weakness and/or stumbling. Verse 19-24 is how every prayer should end. We stir ourselves up in spirit by remembering God’s goodness toward us, and reciting His promises to us. We speak to the mountain!

Proverbs 31 is a picture of the kind of wife – and husband (there is no male of female in Christ Jesus) one should strive to be. I remember tales of my grandmother going out with grandfather to help him with his work; and vice versa. My grandmother would laugh when she talked of my grandfather and how he coddled the children; especially when they were in trouble with Mama. LOL

I did a study on Proverbs 31 last year, and posted it on smashwords.com Here’s the link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/896505

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Bold As A Lion

Today’s message comes to us from Proverbs 28. Proverbs 28:1 tells me that I am bold as a lion. As a child of God, I should be. Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah. I’m being conformed to His image. My God says I have nothing to fear because He is my refuge and my strong tower, my help in times of trouble. Jesus also promised He will never leave me or forsake me; but He’s with me always. There’s also that first verse in Psalm 27, where King David asks, “Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?” God is our light and our salvation.

Keeping that in mind, Proverb 28:2 gives us a clear picture of whom should be our leader; or what kind of leadership we should have: “When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.” Turn a couple of things around here: “When a land has many rulers, it transgresses.” This speaks, not only of idolatry. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 33:12). When you think about opposing views (Mom says no, Dad says yes), too many things on the agenda (Distraction), and everyone trying to run the show (everybody’s job gets done except his/her own-and you have constant friction as a result of personal agendas), what you have is a big mess waiting to happen. All that stuff inspires confusion, anger, bitterness, envy, and malice. (2 Cor. 13:11) – “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” As parents, you cannot create a stable and peaceful environment if you’re not of one accord, and constantly oppose each other. Stability, knowledge, and wisdom go hand in hand; each one empowers the others.

Proverbs 28:4, 5, and 10 remind us that our duty, and especially as parents, is to fight wickedness; to strive against it. The knowledge of the LORD brings us the understanding of justice, we’re told in verse 5. Verse ten is a revelation about sowing and reaping. “Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.” Parents will suffer the consequences of misleading their children into sin. (teen pregnancies, drugs and alcohol, sloth, disrespect, idolatry, etc.) Proverbs 28:13 is a powerful revelation about what might be hindering your progress; especially in terms of overcoming. Proverbs 28:18-19 remind us that integrity (truth,honesty), which requires boldness, by the way, delivers us from sin. This is also a two-fold thing. Integrity should also help you recognize your sin, and help you overcome it. Proverbs 28:23 tells us that correction is better than flattery. We prosper as our soul prospers. You are your land. Be bold as a lion in maintaining its standards and boundaries!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Torn Veils

Today’s (12/06/20) message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the way to conquer temptation is to see it as temptation.

As I read this message, I thought about Jesus, Satan, and three veils. I did a study on the veils recently. One veil is the one Satan wraps sin in, or covers our eyes with, to obscure the truth. He did this with Eve in the garden of Eden, when he told her that God knew she would be like Him when she ate of the fruit. Eve was already like God. She was created in His image; after His likeness. (Genesis 3:5) Jesus unveils our eyes so that we can see, not only the truth about the sin, but the truth about how to overcome it. (Luke 4:18) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed..” Through Him we have recovery of sight. When the temple veil was torn, it became possible for us to realize God’s glory, or divine nature, power, and authority, and ours, in Christ Jesus. Before that, God had to veil our faces so that we would not die when we saw His glory. (Exodus 33:17-22) (Luke 24:26) “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Heb. 12:1-2) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:18-29)

Temptation always comes with a veil. It will wrap the sin to make it appealing, and will obscure your vision, so you can’t see the truth clearly. I’m not talking about that 3 cookie break while you’re on your diet. Although, if you’re not careful, that can lead you right down to bondage. But, you’d be surprised how much you can learn about your enemy (Satan) when you look more closely at what’s behind the veil.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

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)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

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

Be Assured; You Are Blessed

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are, indeed, blessed by our Heavenly Father. Quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org: “Assurance is the calm born of a deep certainty in Me, in my Promise, in my power to save and keep.” We are bid to gain this calm, and to hold fast to it always. Psalm 46:10 is referenced: “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” When I read that, I see that nothing can separate me from the love of God; and nothing can stand against Him. And, God will be exalted in my body, or in me, when I allow Him to be. God cannot do anything in you, or for you, until you trust Him to. When we turn to God to strengthen our faith in Him, and that calm returns, the work can begin and be done. I am reminded of the boy with the unclean spirit, whose father cried to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

I broke that verse (Psalm 46:10 down word by word, once. It changed my whole perspective of who I am in Christ Jesus, and the power I do have in His Name, His Word, in Him. “Be perfect therefore, as you Father in Heaven is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48) Still -“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37) And – “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah (32:27) Know – “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” That – That God! -The One who is truth, life, and the way. The One who does have your best interests at heart! I Am – He’s not I Was, He is everyday, all day long! God -There are numerous scriptures that attest to this. But, the one that empowers us the most is this one: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26)

I hope you’ll be encouraged to look up every scripture about God’s love, His promises, His power, His fierce protectiveness over us. I hope you’ll write them down and speak them out loud, if you have to, every time you have to. The Word of God is alive, and every time you speak it, it will accomplish what God would have it to accomplish – IN YOU…IN YOUR LIFE.

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

Seek It Within Yourself

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to trust in the goodness of God. When we become children of God, we have that goodness put into our hearts. We are created in His image, and after His likeness; so we now can begin to grow into that image and likeness. (Genesis 1:26) “Be perfect therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect,” said Jesus. (Matt. 5:48)

“I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:14) This is what God longs for us to have every day of our lives; souls that are feasted on the Word of God, and wholly satisfied by and with His goodness. The way we obtain that is to seek the goodness of God within us. As we discover them, we lose things like that sense of condemnation (by self or others). We lose things like fear; especially, of things like rejection, failure, loss of control and freedom, and even loss of time. We also begin to actually lose lack (within and in our lives); and begin to experience more and more fullness of spirit, life, peace, joy, all the awesome things God has for us.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) The first thing to do when things go wrong, is to look for that kingdom within; for that goodness of God in you. Perhaps you need patience, or courage, or comfort, or just an idea. It’s there within you. Getting quiet and just waiting for the Lord, for a minute, brings the peace we need to see those treasures; the goodness, and good things of God. I hope you’ll take time to read the message at twolisteners.org – it’s one that can revolutionize the way you see yourself.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu