Be Poor & Needy In Spirit

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 113. When I read it, I thought of the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) My focus is on verses 7-9, but the whole psalm is an awesome praise.

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD!”

Isn’t it interesting how, when we’ve burned ourselves out, and all that’s left of what we thought was so wonderful is ashes, that we can find the strength to cry and cry out to God? That’s when we realize that we’re poor and needy. Thank you. Lord, for helping me to learn that I’m no less poor and needy when I’m riding high…because I wouldn’t even have the horse if it weren’t for you. Oh, how much time and joy was lost because I didn’t know that much sooner. The flip side is that you are no less than those who have learned that, and have lived it for however long. You’re brought right in to the table and seated among the princes and princesses! And, yes, God will make you a mama, or a daddy, to countless children (spiritual); because that’s why we are blessed. Our descendants are as numerous as the grains of sand on all the beaches of the world. He decreed it when He made His covenant with Abraham.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Even Before You’re Settled

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 105. It is another one recounting God’s presence with, and for His people. The psalm is a long one, but I’m focusing on verses 12-15; reading from the ESV.

“When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,
saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

There’s a powerful revelation in this scripture. Even before we are settled into the kingdom of Heaven, while we’re still wandering from one thing to another, one person to another, one belief to another, etc., God is still watching over us. When you read, “touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm,” keep in mind that you were destined to be an anointed one, a preacher, a pastor, a prophet, a choir leader, etc., from the beginning. Another interesting, and powerful revelation here is this: God will rebuke a KING, a leader, an authority, etc., on your account. And, He did that before you came home and got settled in. See? When Jesus said, “Fear not, it’s the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” He meant it. It was a done deal when Jesus said, “It’s finished.”

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Ah, That Tongue Thing Again

Today’s message comes to us from Psalms and Proverbs 15. Psalms 15:1 Asks the question: Who shall be welcomed and able to dwell with God, in His presence; and who will be able to walk in the power of the Kingdom of Heaven, or the Holy Spirit? We have a whole list that begins in verse 2, and ends in verse 5.

“The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.” (NIV) *Most other versions do not include the word poor in that statement about lending money without interest. Also, that word despise means to avoid, in this sense. God hates the sin; but He loves the sinner. However, we can fall into some dire straits by hangin’ out with the wrong crowd; and by letting the wrong people into our inner circle…*living proof, I am.

When we move on to Proverbs 15, we find all kinds of revelation and admonition about keeping our hearts pure and our speech edifying, and honorable (Eph. 4:29) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Verse 15:19 addresses sloth. Sloth is laziness. When we get lazy-in doing, in learning, and in being perfected in love, we’re in dangerous territory. Sloth/laziness will immobilize you, imprison you, and incapacitate you. All three of those are interchangeable in order.

I hope this song by MercyMe blesses you today. We don’t have to fall to the circumstances; we can, in Jesus’ Name, overcome them all.

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Foundations Are Crucial

Today’s message comes from Psalms and Proverbs 11. Psalm 11 is King David stirring himself up in the LORD. He says, “In the LORD I take refuge! How can you say to me flee; and if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?!” In other words, “I am not afraid!”

That foundations thing got me. That’s right where the enemy strikes! You see, he loves to bring the house down. When I read that, it’s verse 3, by the way: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”-I see a warning there for us. We need to protect the foundations (standards and boundaries). Jesus is our foundation; He is the Word of God. (Luke 6:47-49)

Proverbs 11 gives us a list of some things to think about. 11:3 tells us that integrity guides the upright. Integrity is that adhering to truth, keeping your word, and knowing when to keep quiet, etc. We’re told that righteousness keeps our paths straight. This makes it harder to get lost or distracted. 11:6 tells us that the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. (pornography, illicit sex, greed, etc.) You can get yourself into some real trouble trying to be a people pleaser, or needing to be “in” the “in” crowd, too. 11:9 -Knowledge delivers us from falling victim to those things. This is where the knowledge of good and evil, and the wisdom to discern between the two are important. But, more important is the knowledge of God, which is wisdom. We have the Holy Spirit as guide and counselor. thankfully. Verse 11:30 tells us that the fruit of righteousness is a tree of life. When I read this, I think of Jesus’ words in (Luke 13:19) “Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

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Every Day With Him Is Wondrous

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to seek to see the wonders of, and in, God’s Kingdom. When we do this, the scales begin to fall off our eyes, and we are able to see more and more of the wonders in, and of, His creation.

Here’s Mercy Me with an old favorite of mine. By the way, I dance with, and for Him every day! Oh, how I love you, Lord!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Don’t Sweat The Gray Skies

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s with us, even on the seemingly futile days. But, just because the skies are gray, doesn’t mean Heaven’s not still there. God never changes, and He’s not a liar.

We may not see Him working, but He is. I’m living proof. So many days when I thought I’ll never get this down and win this battle, He was right there working with me and in me. I didn’t realize back then, that it begins within, in your spirit. I was living life from the outside in. Isn’t it funny that here on Earth “inside-out” is wrong? In the Kingdom of Heaven, life is lived from the inside out.

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Heaven On Earth

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Kingdom of Heaven is a spiritual one. We war not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness in the heavens. “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36) Literally, to bring the truths of the Gospels, of Jesus’ teachings to the world, is to bring Heaven to earth, then. Again, I have to cite 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..” This is what Jesus came to establish here; believers who would carry the message of truth and freedom to the lost and hurting. The message is a powerful one, and I hope you’ll read it for yourself at twolisteners.org

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Sorrow Leads To Joy

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, speaks to us of Jesus’ suffering. He was despised, rejected, even by His own, betrayed, beaten, mocked, spat on, and crucified. So each one of us are, or will be, in various ways during our lifetime. Spiritually, that’s a given for every single child of God. Satan does not like us; and he will set out to destroy everyone who becomes a child of God.

We are bid not to measure things by the world’s standards, the world’s valuations; but by Heaven’s standard. That standard is love. (1 Cor. 13) We’re told to see the mob, the jeering, mocking, the cruelty of the guards and the Pharisees, the fear of the disciples-especially Peter. There’s a beautiful revelation in those accounts of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It’s summed up in Proverbs 4:18, which is referenced with yesterday’s message. “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” Jesus is that glimmer of light in the darkest darkness. The Kingdom of Heaven shines before us to give us hope all throughout the dark night, until that sun, and the Son/son, is fully risen.

In spite of, and because of, all that Jesus willingly gave up for us, when it looked like the battle had been won by Satan, Jesus rose from the tomb! He, then, ascended to the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Whatever we go through, we have the same hope; for the future when Jesus comes to take us home. But also, for the very next instant when Jesus takes over and brings us to the victory over the adversity. There is NO tomb that you cannot rise up out of! This is one of my most favorite songs ever! Thank you, Dallas Holm! This is SO AWESOME!!

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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)

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Limit Yourself – Limit God

And vice versa. Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we “have not because we ask not; or because we ask amiss.”(James 4:2-3)

There’s a statement in the message (quoting directly): “I desire to give you a gift, and if you are content with the poor, and the mean, and the sordid, then you are insulting Me, the Giver.” When I thought about this, I thought about all the scriptures dealing with money, and about what Jesus said about overly worrying about things like food, clothing, etc. (Matt. 6:30-32) He said that the pagans/gentiles run after all these things, and our heavenly Father already knows that we need them. We are to seek first, the Kingdom of Heaven. All that other stuff comes with it.

I believe the gift(s) God desires to give us are the many knacks, talents, ideas, strengths, and joys of creativity, peace, love, and joy He has put within us. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) How much we cheat ourselves out of when we settle for mere survival. Jesus said, “I’ve come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” That’s the difference between two plates of food and two beverages on the table…and the same meal served on a table bedecked with a tablecloth, and perhaps a little candle light and/or a vase with a rosebud or some other flower(s)…perhaps a little music softly playing in the background to create an ambiance. There’s a glimpse of that creative and romantic spark within.

We limit ourselves when we don’t open ourselves to possibility, because God is possibility. Without Him, it would not be possible for us to be saved, and saved daily from so much. We limit God when we limit ourselves. Jesus said all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27) Our poor world has such great needs; only a great, great God can meet them. We do Him a great injustice when we limit Him by limiting our vision, and our faith.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu