Stir Yourself Up!

Tsadhe (Psalm 119:137-144) (ESV)

Righteous are you, O LORD,
and right are your rules.
You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.

When I read this section of the psalm, I’m reminded of King David. I’m also reminded of the many times I’ve read aloud from the Psalms when I was discouraged, or feeling overwhelmed. There are actually some folks who would be surprised that one has to do that. When you have a heavy burden on your shoulders and you feel like you’re barely hanging on, with your absolute last ounce of strength-whether physically, or, and especially, in spirit, it’s okay to tell the LORD/Lord about it! When we speak the Word into our situation(s), we hear it. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And God’s Word is alive and ready to accomplish what it’s sent for. (Rom. 10:17) (Heb. 4:12) I’ve said before, when we take up the Word of God, we’re taking Jesus by the hand. Take that, devil!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

I Was

I wrote this psalm last Sunday, after a day filled with Bible study. I thought I’d share.

Were you there at Calvary: when Jesus died to set us free? Whenever I get the victory, I was.

Were you there when He hung on the cross; separated from God to save us lost? The day I realized what that cost, I was.

Where you there when they laid Him in the tomb? When He went to Heaven to prepare a room for you and me? Whenever I look up and see there’s yet a horizon, I was.

Whenever I look into those eyes, and Jesus’ love dispels the lies I used to live, I remember everything the Beautiful One gave that day; and still gives today. I see myself on Calvary, in His Heart.

Were you there that day on Calvary, when His blood covered every sin conceived? Oh, when I think of Jesus love for me, I was.

Thank you Lord, for loving me.

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, February 28, 2021, 1:24 p.m./Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, March 6, 2021, 2:45 p.m.

This Present Darkness…

Has been with us for such a long time already. Today’s message comes to us from Psalms 12. Psalm 12 gives us a picture of what happens when, as is told us in verse 8, what is vile is honored among the children of man. When I read about the lies and flattering lips, I think about some of the ways we’re lured into sin. In terms of generational curses, and dysfunction, I think about having learned all the wrong ways. I think about denial, living behind facades, etc. We live this way when we fear, doubt, or feel dejected. Those things are meant to put us beneath the devil’s feet. He is to be beneath our feet. I spoke about poverty of spirit in a previous message. Generational curses and dysfunction and denial plunder our spirit. We are robbed of dignity, sense of worth, or value, our confidence, self-respect, the power to choose, and power to BE ourselves. The word power here, denotes strength and capability. Pure words are true, they show the way, and they infuse us and empower us with life.

The powers, principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness , if you can picture it, kind of circle humankind, like a shark circles its prey. They’re always ready to snatch their next victim. When what is vile is exalted among the children of man, we open doors to bondage and destruction of life/lives. Some of these things are demon worship, witchcraft, adultery, illicit sex, hedonism, pornography, hatred and violence, racism, sexism, etc. These things make everyone involved vulnerable to the bondage and destruction, or the fallout from them.

Check back tomorrow for the second part of the message on this Psalm. I found an interesting connection between verse 6 and proverbs 6, that brings an awesome revelation and lesson.

In this present darkness, and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. who fought to bring light into it, I offer this song. Thank you, Jason Upton. This is so beautiful; and remember, we’re not alone either.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Stir Yourself Up Before The Enemy

Today’s message comes from Psalms and Proverbs 9. Psalm 9 is an awesome way to stir yourself up right in the midst of adversity; right in the height of the storm. Our enemies are fear, doubt, shame, guilt, dejection, etc. It is with these things that the enemy strikes us, and through them, that he binds us. I believe that the crown of thorns they pushed into Jesus’ head, represents a hedged in mind. Then, your hands are helpless, and your feet lame. You can’t do anything, and can’t go anywhere except where the enemy wants to take you; which is Hell-here on Earth, and then in eternity. I love verse 6 of this psalm: “The enemy has come to eternal ruin…” Jesus did that through His death and resurrection. “…the very memory of them has vanished.” The longer you walk whatever it is, out with the LORD/Lord, and according to His Word and Ways, the weaker the power of that sin, that dysfunctional mindset, that fear, etc., becomes. Pretty soon, it’s all gone! Hallelujah! I have no more thoughts of smoking, and no more thoughts of running to drown my sorrows, frustrations, etc., in alcohol. The “triggers” have been rendered powerless by, and through, God’s love. Verse 9 assures us that we are never forsaken by God; He is a stronghold in times of trouble, and especially in oppression-be it physical, mental, or spiritual. Verses 10-14 tell us that God lifts us up from the gates of death. Every bitter end is a death. But, thanks to Jesus, through His resurrection, we have a hope of a new beginning. When one door closes, another opens. Some bitter ends include divorce, loss of another kind, perceived failures-dreams, goals, etc. God lifts us to the next level – even from those. Verse 16 tells us the wicked are ensnared by the work of their own hands. This is why we’re told not to lean on our own understanding. We live what we learn, and we learn what we live. Let’s live with, and for, God.

Proverbs 9 speaks of the seven pillars of wisdom. I came up with these: 1. Honor the LORD 2. Receive instruction/take it to heart 3. Increase in learning 4. Obtain guidance/seek the LORD/Lord 5. Treasure God’s commandments 6. Walk in integrity 7. Hold fast to steadfast love and faithfulness – He is faithful and has promised never to forsake us or leave us. And He loves always, and anyway. We should too! He is love…so should we BE. Jesus said, “be perfect, therefore, as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” When we surround ourselves with these pillars, and stay within their boundaries, we can overcome the world.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Today I Have Begotten You

Today’s message comes from Psalm 2 and Proverbs 2. I hope you’ll feel closer to the LORD/Lord when you finish with it. See how much the Father loves us.

Psalm 2:7-9 tells us: “I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Is that awesome?! This is David speaking by the Spirit. He was speaking of Jesus and you and me. Jesus is the One who gave us the power to become God’s children in His Name. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (John 1:12-13)

Proverbs 2:1-5 tells us: “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” One must accept the offer Christ gives us, and receive Him in our hearts. Jesus taught about receiving God’s Word into our hearts and applying them, in Matthew 13:3-9. Proverbs 2:6-15 explains to us why we need God’s wisdom to live by. We are kings and queens in the Earth, and if we are to rule over our lives according to God’s Word, we need His wisdom to overcome the evil and darkness Satan has brought to the earth. Jesus called him the “ruler of this world.” –The world that does not know Christ Jesus, or has rejected Him; that is. It’s also the world that we may have grown up in, or may have gotten ourselves into. With God’s love and His wisdom, we can overcome all three. Here’s Red Letters by David Crowder. I hope it blesses you as much as it does me-every time I hear it. If you don’t know Jesus, you don’t know what you’re missing! He loves you so very much! Don’t stay in that darkness; call out to Him and come out into the sunshine of His love, His peace, His joy! He loves yo, and so do I!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Love Them Like He Does

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God provides for his children and the unbelievers alike. We are to do the same; blessing all we can with the temporal and material things as we are blessed. All must, of course, be done lovingly and compassionately. And we must live in true forgiveness. Jesus said, “A new command I give you; love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) “Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.” (Romans 12:8) Jeremy Camp again with “Christ In Me.”

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.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Gifts Of The Quiet Times

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God does indeed redeem the time. Quoting directly from the message: “Your simple daily tasks done in My strength and Love will bring the consciousness of all your highest hopes.”

The message speaks of adding beautiful peace and joy to our golden years. But, when I thought about this, I thought of weariness that clings at times. I thought of disappointment and doubt in self, in my progress, even in the Lord, in those times I just could not understand that He was working all the while. There are many times it seems like not a prayer one is getting through, and not a thing one is being done about our complaints, our weariness, our frustration, etc. It’s in those times, that we need to seek that quiet time with Him, and get refreshed and strengthened.

I found a list of scriptures about being refreshed, renewed, and strengthened in spirit. I’m going to list them so you can look them up. Isaiah 40:31, my favorite: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 31:25, Psalm 29:11, Psalm 68:35, and Psalms 92:10. I’m sure there are so many more, but this is a pretty good start. These are the gifts of the quiet times. They empower us to just live our God’s will for us in His strength and love. When we do this, almost unconsciously we will rise, step by step, one step at a time, to new glories, and new triumphs.

Here’s Paul McClure with Waymaker. I hope you get stirred up in your spirit by this song-and remember, you’re not walking alone!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Wise Enough To Seek Him Still

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to make time to seek the Lord. The message tells us that all men seek Jesus; but not all know that it’s Him they seek.

He is the answer to all their hurting, sorrowing, confusion, and troubles. It’s our mission, and great privilege, to show them God’s love for them by our living, and our testimonies. But, if we want to live powerful lives for the Lord, we, ourselves, must not forget to seek Him. This is why we have the privilege of prayer; and remember that God walked with Adam and Eve daily in the garden of Eden. We also have the privilege and power of praise to bring us into God’s Presence. Jesus sought time alone with the Father often. We should follow His example until we are conscious of His Presence with us, and around us every minute. I found this wonderful old song, done by the Soweto Gospel Choir. The song often comes to mind when I think of where Jesus found me, and brought me from. I hope you are as blessed by it as I am.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Turn It Into Love

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that only love lasts. Only those things done in love will remain. If it isn’t inspired by love, then it is not of godly quality, we’re told.

The message references (1 Cor. 13:1) “f I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” That shakes things up a little every time I read it.

When I read the message, I thought of Jesus and the crippled man He healed. (Matthew 9:1-5) “Which is easier to say, “your sins are forgiven”, or “get up and walk?” Both got the man up on his feet, but one is inspired by love (mercy and grace) – the gift. The other is impersonal and uncaring; and, in that context and tone, demanding. Said the way the Lord, Jesus said it, it inspires hope, peace and courage, and faith. The message tells us that the true test of all our works is this: Is it inspired by love? I had occasion to pray and ask God to strengthen me in this area, just this morning. “Go first and learn what this means: “I desire mercy; and not sacrifice.” (Matt. 9:13)

It’s not easy, and getting harder and harder, to walk this way without faltering, isn’t it? The message bids us to turn out everything unloving in our hearts and lives, so that we might bear much fruit. That’s a two-fold statement. First, we are to strive to always be loving; to let our words and actions be inspired and measured by love. But, what goes in comes out. Therefore, we must also turn out everything that is in our heart, thought life, encounters with others, the television, etc., that is not loving. There are people you may need to spend less time with, there are things you may need to put away, and there are things you may need to change in order to keep unloving things out of your way. This even translates to our home environments and routines. All that negative stuff, and negative energy is distracting and destructive of peace; which is essential for love to thrive. We can get all caught up in hectic and half-hearted spirals of “living” if we’re not careful.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu