Love Like That

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 98, and is a party in itself! Oh, what a wonderful example of joyous praise; and of a deep, deep love for the LORD/Lord! I’m reading from the ESV.

“Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”

Sometimes it’s hard to understand just how deeply God does love us. We have a hard time allowing ourselves to be as intimate with Him as we are with our spouse, our children, all our loved ones. But, that’s exactly what God wants from us; that intimacy, that boldness when we approach Him, that confidence when we need Him, that trust. Of course, that intimacy isn’t possible unless and until we allow God into that deepest part of our hearts.

One thing I love about this psalm is that it beckons even to the rivers to clap their hands, the hills to sing for joy. The sea is bid to roar and make a joyful noise to the King, the LORD. It makes me think about waking up in the mountains, just before sunrise. You can hear everything waking up, and it all comes together in a symphony of praise to God. The water begins to gurgle and run a little faster, the wind begins to whisper through the branches of the trees, and sometimes you even hear a bird whistle out there. It’s one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had. Each time we get a glimpse of God’s working in the world around us, we can see a little more of His deep, deep love for His creation. Even the colors of the sunrise and sunset are rich with His love for us; His desire to share His own beauty with us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Right In Deed, Indeed

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 58, and it’s a powerful one in terms of dealing with generational curses, and parenting.

“Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? *(Mighty Lords) Do you judge the children of man uprightly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.” (V-1&2)(ESV)

(Proverbs 31:9) tells us we are to judge rightly and defend the cause of the poor and needy. Our children see us as all powerful. Jesus looks at the heart, and condemns no one. He said, “I’m not come to condemn the world, but to save it.” So our first order is always to save. We save dignity, self-respect, courage, and conviction. Yes, conviction. You’ve heard that expression, “living right down to their expectation, of him/her.” That’s what happens to our conviction about right and wrong when we’re constantly accused, belittled, and punished. The opposite of these is saved/helped, encouraged and instructed, and rewarded with the self-respect, courage and dignity we all deserve.

When we suffer under parents who live out generational curses, our hearts store up all that stuff. The next thing you know, that stuff comes out when we’re parents. We need to fix our hearts on God’s love for us, nurturing our own spirits on it. What goes in comes out; so when we do that, we can be better parents to our children. The reward for us (righteous) is strong children who know who and whose they are, what love is, and what it isn’t, and that they are covered in and through everything. Finally, that the authority over things in their world is theirs, not the enemy’s. That’s where that thing about “the choice is yours,” comes from. The choice is ours; and when we make good choices, we are loving ourselves the way God wants us to.

PS – When I read the part about the recompense of the wicked, I think, not of celebrating. I think about praying for them. Verse 19 speaks of the righteous bathing their feet in the blood of the wicked. I think about all the things that used to trip me up, hinder me, slam me with fear, self-doubt, etc., and even cripple me with depression. Those are all things that come on us when we live generational curses. I thank God every day that those things are beneath my feet now. But believe me when I tell you, it’s a lifelong battle. There are still days when I have to fight my way through. But, if God is for us, who can stand against us?

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Advice For The Royals

Today’s message comes to us from Proverbs 29; and since you are a king or queen in the earth, it’s for you.

Proverbs 29: 2 tells us “when the righteous flourish, people rejoice, but when the wicked rule people groan.” Proverbs 29:14 “If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.” That tells me that there is joy in the admonition, encouragement, instruction, and discipline of the Lord. It also tells me that my children will benefit much more if I raise them under the admonition of the Lord. Just as people groan under wicked rulers (parents, boss, supervisor, mate, leader), all of creation is apt to suffer because of wicked rulers. The reason for that is found in Proverbs 29:7-“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” This why we have things like pollution, affecting air, water, earth, and the ozone layer that protects us from the sun. Proverbs 29:4 tells us that a king builds up his land by justice, but one who exacts gifts, or *taxes heavily, tears it down. Justice is not only the aim in a court of law; it includes weighing all things out correctly, looking at a thing from all sides, in order to achieve what’s best for all. Exacting a gift is forcing someone to give something to you. This is the cause of most rebellion; even in our children. Force, or duress, is not conducive of peace, which is necessary for learning. Proverbs 29:15 tells us that the rod and reproof give wisdom. The rod, in this case, is used to measure growth, progress, correctness of action. Reproof is instruction meant to correct thinking and action. Isn’t it much easier to learn something when you are made aware of your error(s) and helped to understand the correct way? Proverbs 29: 19 addresses that. “By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.” But, by instruction, and with help, correction can come about. The spilt milk example fits well here. We help the child to clean up the mess, and then figure out how to avoid spilling the milk again. Punishment needs to fit the crime. {You broke the window, and must pay to replace it.} Proverbs 29:12 is an admonition to be careful who you surround yourself with; and to check facts. “If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.” Proverbs 29:22 shows us the value of peace. “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. Ever wonder why your children seem to go from being in trouble to being in more trouble, to being in even more trouble? There’s a difference between loving discipline and harsh punishment. Proverbs 29:23 tells us that “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” I think of (Matt. 20:28) when I read this one. Jesus came to serve; not to be served. He gave His life to ransom all who believe and receive Him. Proverbs 29:25-26 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.” This is a warning against falling into “people pleasing,” or even expecting people to be pleased with you, actually. Trust in the LORD because He teaches us justice. (Right understanding, correctly weighing things out).

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

You Are Hotly Pursued

Today’s message comes to us from Psalms and Proverbs 7. The first part of Psalm 7, 7:1-9 is a prayerful song sung by King David regarding his enemies. Verses 1&2 give a very clear picture of how hotly you are pursued by the hosts of spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places. “Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.” (1Peter 5:8) tells us: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” When you watch lions hunting, you’ll see they go into hot pursuit of their prey; they don’t stroll after it. Never take your souls safety for granted. Satan wants to destroy it.

What’s really awesome in this psalm is verse 8: “The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity.” You know that saying, “and idle mind is the devil’s playground?” Yeah, ever find yourself battling with the same thoughts over and over? My battle with that when I quit smoking comes to mind. Even long after I’d given cigarettes up, Satan was lurking and waiting to lure me back there. I had an argument with my husband one day, and the first thing that came to my mind was: “I should just start smoking again; that will show them!” The next thing that came to mind was, “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!” I knew that my smoking would hurt me; not anyone else. (See how the Truth rushed in there?) The Holy Spirit nipped that one in the bud! When I think of this vindication, I think about catching my children doing right. Praise is doubly as important as reproof. Here’s why: Verse 9-“Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and mind.” The more we celebrate our doing right, the stronger the desire to do right becomes, and the less power the lure of evil, the wicked, and sin has over us. *This works on adults who are being renewed in the knowledge of God, as well.

Proverbs 7 Speaks of the adulteress, but when in spiritual context, it is the lure of sin and sinners. This includes false religion, idolatry, peer pressure, etc.) When we make our children strong against these in the LORD/Lord and His Word, they’re better able to resist and walk away. (2Cor. 10:5) tells us: “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.” The more truth you have within you, the stronger you are to stand against the wiles of the devil; and against deception.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Yes, Ideal

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that in Christ Jesus, we are all righteous, perfect-in the future, wholly wonderful human beings-in the future. The message tells us, quoting directly from twolisteners.org, “For every man there is the ideal man I see in him. The man he could be, the man I would have him be.”

I got a really powerful revelation of what kind of change can be affected when I line up my desire, with God’s will, word, and ways, and follow suit with my words and actions. I saw it happen in my children, and in each of my mates. The key is in this, “the man I would have him be.” That means you have to think a little bit, about what you want to empower this person to feel like when you say this to him/her, or by what you do. The secular world calls it, “catching them being good,” and is based on the premise that praise empowers growth of self confidence and desire to excel.

We’re told to judge of Jesus’ heart when we feel others fail us. It is the way God deals with us. I’ve found so many examples of God’s forbearance and grace in dealing with us, as I’ve done my study on generational curses. God always seeks to empower us to rise above the world, to overcome the adversity, to win at living. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Stepping Into Christ

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus is our Savior every day, in every way. The message speaks to us of our refuge, our sanctuary, God. He is where we need to flee to from everything that threatens to overwhelm us.

He is where we need to flee to from ourselves. I think of Peter whenever I read this message. Peter, walking on the water, Peter, falling into the water, Peter, crying out to the Lord, “Save me!” We’re bid, in the message to enter that Presence of God and absorb His Divinity. It is that Divinity that has overcome the world, because that Divinity created the world. That includes us. It isn’t just the world around us that can cause us trouble. The world in us, or the flesh nature, can be horribly wounding, confusing, and overwhelming to our Divine nature, our spirit. Thank God we have Jesus to save us from ourselves.

The one scripture that speaks so loudly to me on this, is “The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:16) This is telling us that we have a license to sin. It says to us that Christ Jesus is our judge. Therefore, we need not fear the condemnation of men, nor worry about their opinions of us, how we rate with them, etc. We are freed from that in Christ Jesus. We’re also freed from self condemnation. It’s a journey; not a test. Nor is it a trial. The trial already happened in Jerusalem when they arrested the King of kings and condemned Him to death.

Realizing Christ’s mind is ours is a powerful revelation, and an awesomely electrifying surge of strength, spiritually. It means I can learn from Jesus, how He viewed the Heavenly Father, the world around Him, all the stuff He had to deal with and listen to, and do. Jesus is not just a meek and weak little lamb. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah! Kingly, regal, in authority; that’s Jesus, our Savior. He’s by no means a bully. But, He definitely knows who and whose He is, and what rights and responsibilities He has. He never wavered, never altered His order/way of dealing with things, etc. When we can do that….WOW!!!!! You can almost feel the bonds of the “world” and all its “stuff” fall off, and freedom bursting up from within. That’s how Jesus could tell us, “In the world you’ll have tribulation. But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) Thank you, Jason Upton for this awesome version of Freedom Reigns.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Who Are You?

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to trust Him; to know His divine power. We are to seek safety in the secret place, where His glory dwells.

I was studying Isaiah 51 this morning. Verses 12 and 13 come to mind. “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy?” That’s such a powerful revelation; not only about God’s power, but about who you became when you became a child of God. Did you notice how he’a asking us about being afraid of man-as if there is a differentiation between man and us (the children of God)?

When that hit my spirit, it almost knocked me over. I thought about Jesus’ words: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24-ESV) There is no evil that can defeat us. Jesus has given us power over all the enemy; even death. Our God is an awesome God! By the way, that whole chapter in Isaiah is awesome too.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Simplicity Helps In The Striving

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Happy Birthday, America! God bless the USA! May we have a beautiful and peaceful day, and may the spirit of unity as men and women of the human race prevail.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is our friend, as well as our Heavenly Father, our provider, savior, healer, and judge. Getting to know Him in all those capacities really deepens and solidifies one’s relationship with Him. In knowing Him and walking with Him, we become like Him.

The end of the message tells us to seek simplicity in all things. As I thought about this in terms of relationships and generational curses, I was brought to the ten commandments. I thought about the precepts and statutes of God. He makes them perfectly clear to us, doesn’t He? This makes, and keeps, the doing and being simple; don’t you think? This is because we know what is expected of us, and what to expect from Him. (Psalm 93:5) “Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.”

When we apply this principle to overcoming generational curses, to parenting -remember that new-born child within you -keeping it simple by knowing (1) what to expect. For example, when you’re living in an alcoholic or drug addict’s house, you never know if that person is going to be sober or drunk or high, or how incapacitated he, or she might be. (2) What is expected of you as far as rules and requirements. This is the standard(s) and boundaries thing. (3) What do you expect in and from this situation, environment, relationship, etc. And, last but not least, what do you expect from you. Lining ourselves up with God’s Word, and His will for us, helps to keep the expectations realistic and simple.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

His Hand is Ever Over Our Lives

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s hand is ever working in, and over, our lives. The message ties in perfectly with Saturday’s message about straying.

In Saturday’s message, we’re bid to learn the overcoming power of Jesus. He wasn’t daunted by anything or anyone. He knew who and whose He was, what His standards and boundaries were, and what His destiny was. He also knew His purpose(s). We all serve many different purposes in life. They come according to needs-of others, and ourselves.

The way this message ties in with that one, is that it reminds us that there is a seal on our lives. We are sealed to God Almighty, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We are reminded that He leads us-out of darkness to light, out of despair to hope and victory, out of temptation to overcoming power. It is when we remember that seal is on us and our lives, that those standards and boundaries become clear and strong. That’s how I can drink one bottle of beer or one glass of wine and be done. I know who and whose I am, what my standard is, what my boundaries are, what my strengths and weaknesses are. I know who is right there with me when I am drinking that bottle of beer or glass of wine.

There is so very much strength in being mindful of that seal on our lives. If you walk out your front door with it in mind, you can walk away from anything! It isn’t that Jesus needs to be called to our sides. It is that we need to remain mindful that He is there. And, He’s not there to judge you or condemn you. He’s there to help you, to encourage you. He’s there to give you the strength to get up and walk away. It works in reverse too. He can give you the strength to go somewhere you need to go, or do something you need to do. Remember, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we stay mindful of Him and His seal on our lives, His strength can, and will be perfected in us, to overcome the weakness.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Give God Some Room

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, brings us a lesson on the law of Divine Supply. We are bid to empty ourselves. We are bid to trust, or rely, on God alone, seeking no other help.

The message bids us to empty our vessels quickly to insure Divine Supply. We are also warned that the more that’s retained by us, the less to be gained from God. That’s because we need to make room for God in our hearts, minds, and hands, in order for Him to be able to work through us. I’ve covered this before from a physical, or material viewpoint. But, God want those who worship Him, to worship in spirit and in truth. We also know that everything manifests first in Spirit, then outwardly. So, this is the spirit part of the lesson of Divine Supply.

When I read the message, I thought of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5-3) Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to poor in spirit. The hungry and thirsty for righteousness will be filled. The pure in heart will see God, and the peacemakers will be called children of God. There’s more, but these points are the ones I want to focus on in this message. They all have to do with emptying ourselves. I have to empty myself of pride to be humble before God, or anyone else, for that matter. Being poor in spirit is exactly that; humility. I have to empty myself of an evil-doer’s mindset, of anger, envy, hatred, dishonesty, etc., to become hungry and thirsty for righteousness. I have to empty myself of doubt and fear to become pure in heart, so I can see God working in my life, and in all that’s around me. I have to empty myself of indifference. laziness and selfishness, to become a peacemaker. Peacemaking not only entails non-violent solutions and such. Peacemaking also entails ensuring the best possible environment for success. Taking dinner to a home-bound senior, or cleaning house for someone who is ill and cannot, is also peacemaking. You are bringing peace to that person’s soul by relieving him/her from loneliness, anxiety, etc. Those things all trouble one’s spirit.

The second thing I thought about when I read today’s message, was something else Jesus said. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Have you ever had a disquieted soul? “What am I going to do now?!” “How are we going to manage without that job?!” “What?! How am I going to feed four more people on such short notice?” -They were in the living room and my husband invited them to stay for dinner. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of time spent with them. But I knew the roast I’d planned for that evening wasn’t going to feed us all. This is where that “Come to me” comes in. Instead of roast, we had stir fry-enough for all, and we feasted. I didn’t know Jesus likes Chinese food, did you? LOL The idea came to me after I looked up and whispered, “Lord, help me feed these people.”

The problems come when we become dependent on material supply. When we do this, we fall into doubt, anxiety, even greed and envy. That’s when we disable Divine Supply. I’m not talking about needing help with basic human needs. This goes much deeper. We cannot measure our ability, or judge our ability according to material supply. When we do that, we’re allowing the supply to rule over us. We are supposed to rule over the supply. The roast turned stir fry is an example of that. It isn’t needing the material supply that’s the problem. The problem is allowing the supply, or lack of it, to control our lives, or dictate to us who we are. We are children of the Most High God. We can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Coypright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, August 7, 2019, 2:52 p.m.