He Think’s He’s Got You Fooled

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 36. It gives us a picture, again, of evil and evil-doers. Keep in mind, God’s not talking about the average person here. Evil doers are those who choose to embrace evil and do evil rather than good. Verses 1-4 tell us that, “I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.” I’m using the (NIV) for this psalm. These people are just as committed to doing evil and harm, as we are to doing good and walking with the LORD/Lord. This is why we have to pray and ask for discernment. This is why it’s so important to know the Word of God, and to know God personally. God’s Word is what we measure everything against. If it doesn’t line up, you’re getting a “head’s up.” We use this standard with everyone, including ourselves. In verses 5-9, King David is recounting God’s goodness toward us, and the abundance of wisdom, peace, love, strength, power, and joy that we have as His children. If you don’t have joy, and you’re a child of God, you need to seek God and figure out what’s going on with you!

I like Verse 11 of this psalm. “May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away..” I don’t know how many times I’ve prayed and said, “Lord, please don’t let me let go of you.” Sometimes I’m just like a little kid; slipping my hand out of Daddy’s and wandering off…usually in the wrong direction, and getting lost. That hasn’t happened in quite a while, but, I think that’s only because I pray that when I see trouble coming now. That part about the foot of the proud coming against me, is a two-fold thing. We need to pray that the foot of the proud doesn’t come on us, as well. Something I’ve learned over the years is that, the Word of God makes you more humble. I’m always filled with joy when I get it right; but it never fails to humble me. What a wonderful Savior, to love us so much, and with such patience for us!

Verse 8 is a powerful and inspirational one for me. In terms of family life, we need to cultivate abundance for our souls to feast on, and rivers of delight for ourselves and our loved ones. I think of little niceties and surprises when I think of delights. It’s such a joy to hear the happy squeals and peals of laughter of their joy! I also think of holidays, Four-H events, and the simple Sunday afternoon barbecues. That’s where the soul feasting goes on.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – October 31, 2020

Ah, my buddy Sadie Snide and I were on the bus together recently. As we passed an auto shop, Sadie spotted a big sign that read, “Air Check.” There was also a long line of cars in their parking lot. “Ha, ha,” Sadie laughed. “I bet all the blondes in line are cleaning their ears,” she said. I had to laugh with her. Then she looked at me and said, “Oh, I’m sorry, honey, I forgot you’re a blonde yourself.” I looked her dead in the eye and said, “No, I’m not either; I am a Platinum Brunette!” She stopped by this morning with a box of Q-tips for me.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Loving Him More Builds Faith

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is in every experience we have in life. His love is always there for us. Each experience, be it a good one, or one that makes you feel like the world’s coming apart at the seams, brings forth another particular aspect of God’s character. It also illuminates that character in us. Sadly, I must admit that it sometimes does not shine nearly as bright in me. Thankfully, God is loving, merciful, and patient. He always picks me up and dusts me off…and sets me on my feet again. “Keep going,” I can hear Him whisper.

As we love Him more, we seek Him more, and our faith in Him grows. As our faith in Him grows, we can’t help but love and seek Him more and more. What a wonderful Savior! I said this year’s blog would be more about walking it out. If there is one thing that draws me nearer to God every time and any time, it is praise and worship. Even one little line of a praise song can bring Him on the scene. LOL I’ve found this one from Elevation Worship. I hope it will bless you.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Expecting Good In Everything

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to cultivate an attitude of expecting something good to happen, instead of something bad. This is the difference between hope and fear. We hope for good, we dread the bad that might happen, or could happen. “Waiting for the other shoe to drop”, is how the world sees it.

This falls in line with not imputing wickedness to others. Rather, we look for the good in them; in their intentions. As we cultivate this attitude of righteousness (people/intentions) and good (blessings and joys), we grow in peace and peacefulness in dealing with others. One of the best tools for developing this expectancy of good rather than evil, is simple thankfulness. Then, purposefully seeing the good in what’s already there (morning coffee, birds singing, roof over your head, etc.), teaches us to seek something good, and something good to do, in all things we deal with and do.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

They’re Stepping Stones

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that those downfalls, those sorrows, those turbulent and tumultuous events, even the catastrophic events that happen in our lives, are all stepping stones, or safety lines.

It may not seem like it, but all those things can serve to draw us or draw us back to the Lord’s side. They’re like those road signs-great big arrows that say, “This way to…” -hopefully, the exit, right? Yeah, I can’t even count how many of those things I’ve seen. Fortunately, I finally learned to heed them. You still have to go through, but you know with God, you’re going to get through!

They’re not tests and trials that God puts us through. They really aren’t. They’re actually tests and trials that God gets us through. He’s not the tempter. But Jesus did say, “in the world you’ll have tribulation.” He overcame the world; so we can be confident that we can overcome. And each time we overcome, it brings us closer to the Lord. It gives us new and better understanding of Him. It strengthens our faith and our courage to walk in faith.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu