For Giving You Power Through It All

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that forgiveness is not an option. We are bid to forget all that lies behind us, and to fill our world with love and laughter.

I had to change my definition of forgiveness some time ago. I had to expand my understanding of forgiveness. That’s when I learned about the power, peace, and possibilities found in forgiveness. How can you lead someone out of a forest you’ve never been in yourself?

First of all, to forget the past is to be doomed to repeat it. However, the parts of it we need to forget are those very ones that held us bound to the ground, in pain, and immobilized by fear, guilt, shame, etc. That’s what forgiveness helps us to do. We are empowered by forgiveness, so that we are able to break the hold those things have on us; to let them go. That’s really all that forgiveness is; it’s letting go of the things that hurt and the ones who hurt us. Not necessarily in the sense of letting go of those who hurt us; but letting that “debt” go. Just as God forgave us through Christ Jesus, we can, through Him, forgive those who hurt us.

In order to do that, we need to change our definition of forgiveness, expanding it to it’s full meaning. You see, God uses all those things we go through for giving us power in regard to them, and in spite of them. We are blessed to be a blessing. When we are able to let go of the hurts, and of those who hurt us, we are empowered to be a blessing through them.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He’s Not A Fair-Weather Friend

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus is that friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

The message speaks to us of perfection, referencing what Jesus said about being perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect. Quoting directly from the message: “Perfection, that perfection I enjoined on all, the being perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect, is the being like the Great Friend and in turn becoming to others a Great Friend too.” When I think about that, I think about how many times Jesus has let me down…which is NEVER! I think about every time that I’ve needed something, didn’t know how I was going to get it, or how I’d be able to do it, or take care of it, etc. I’d pray, especially in the early days, frantically, earnestly, and sometimes tearfully. Jesus ALWAYS came through! Heartbreaks, heartaches, bone-weary body, mind, and soul, Jesus was my comforter. I lost count of how many nights He “tucked me into bed.” I’ve felt those arms around me when I didn’t think my legs would hold me. I heard that soft and gentle voice speaking words of encouragement and love when the world seemed overwhelming. And I have heard that laughter and almost seen with my own eyes, a Savior, doubled over at some of my “moments.” Yes, I have; in the Spirit, I sure have. And, oh, how beautiful to be so loved and cared for. What a great friend, indeed, is Jesus!

The other part of Proverbs 18:24 says, “a man with many friends may come to ruin…” That’s a warning to us to choose carefully, whom we call friend; and about the people we allow in our inner circle. That warning expands into what/whom we choose to listen to, learn from, etc. The whole message is a powerful one, and I hope you’ll read it for yourselves at twolisteners.org. Jesus’ words to us were pretty simple and straight forward. We fail them when we over-think and complicate them.

Love you from Cafe Du Mondieu

Knock ‘Em Dead!

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that praise is the devil’s death knell. I’ve already told you about how it changed the whole atmosphere in my home when I was going through depression.

What you might not know is that wonders happen in the spirit whenever you praise the Lord. Sometimes they manifest right there where you’re praising Him too. God inhabits the praises of His people. Where God is, miracles are. Where God is, peace is. Where God is, love, laughter, joy is. I’m listening to Third Day right now, as I’m posting this message. Sunday’s I spend at least one hour just praising the Lord. When we praise the Lord, we’re doing spiritual warfare as well. We’re raising the banner of the LORD, God Almighty, Himself. It is the devil’s death knell because it does bring God right on the scene. Praise is one of our greatest blessings.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu