See That It Is Finished

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to lay our sins, failures, shortcomings, all we need to let go of, on Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. It is in Him that we find the forgiveness we need, as well as the perfect healing and resurrection we need.

As I read this message once, when I was really struggling through some things, I saw Jesus on the cross. I heard Him say, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) At first, I thought, how strange that you would bring that to mind, Lord…because, NO IT ISN’T! I’m going through hell here! Then, I got it. As soon as your version dies, as soon as your fear dies, and as soon as your feeling of entitlement dies, it will be finished…because then I CAN HELP YOU WITH IT! I said to the Lord, “I’ll just shut up now, if you don’t mind.” (Job 40:3-4) Yeah, I’m pretty sure He laughed as He shook His head.

When we realize and accept that when we take it to the Lord, it’s finished right there, and then act on that accordingly (obediently), we find that healing. (Mark 11:24) Then we can begin to rise from that pit of despair to the path(s) that will lead us to the victory. That’s our resurrection from that pit.

PS – Happy Birthday, Hanna Banana! Love you! I forgot to add this yesterday-sorry.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

In Meekness Lies Victory

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is the meek who inherit the earth. Meekness is willingness to be taught, or guided/led. It is the stopping all thought, all action, and laying down our will and our understanding. It is giving ourselves over to God’s Will.

Do you know that we cannot fail when we do that? In that meekness, we gain strength, we gain knowledge, we gain courage…whatever it is you need in those moments, God’s got it for you. He can’t give it to you, though, if your hands are tightly clutching everything you know, everything you think, everything you feel. I wrote a psalm once, and one of the lines comes to mind as I read this message. “You could have left me there, in my own understanding, but you took my place for me…” When we yield our will, God can step in and do exactly that. His mind (the mind of Christ) takes the place of ours. His courage comes to your heart. His peace and faith wash over you. It is in that meekness, that our victory lies. “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” (2Cor. 12:9) Whenever self decreases and allows God to increase, strength comes…perfectly.

This is one of my favorite songs; especially when I’m in need of laying down my will and letting God work in, and through me. Thank you, Gaither family.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Learning Restraint

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there’s a time, a place, and a way. God, knows all; especially all hearts. We are told that His power to save increases as our understanding of His Salvation increases. He never forces Himself on anyone; never rushes in too soon to save us. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t want to help us. It simply means that we will be helped more by learning and doing ourselves. It’s the “hands on” learning experience that strengthens us; building up the confidence, or faith, we need in Him and in ourselves. Part of being a child of God, a parent, a friend, is exercising that same restraint.

We are reminded that God’s power is limited only by our lack of vision. This makes me think of Jesus and the man at the pool at Bethesda. When Jesus saw how long he’d been lying there like that, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6) There’s a powerful revelation in that; especially when we’re dealing with generational curses. We have to ask ourselves that same question.

There’s another statement Jesus made that comes to mind here. He said to a lame man that He had healed, “See, you are well.” (John 5:14 ESV) If you take the comma out of that sentence, you get this: See you are well. This has to do with vision. It has to do with a new horizon for you. Look forward to where you want to be (your horizon), and see yourself well, successful, etc. This is the transformation part of being saved. (Romans 12:12) We change our thinking and walk in the new ways. We don’t have to wait to walk in the new ways. God sees us as righteous, victorious, and glorious the instant we accept Jesus as our Lord, and become God’s children. However, restraint is also necessary here. We need to learn to wait on the Lord, and let Him lead us at times. We also need to keep in mind that He may withhold things until we are ready for them.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

It Is Wherein We Must Dwell

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we must dwell in God’s Presence. Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17 ESV) When things start to go sour, when fears begin to assail, when tears begin to fall, that place within us where God’s Spirit dwells is where we must run to.

Dwelling there is a matter of presence of mind, persistence of will , and perseverance in effort and practice. We must be aware, and catch ourselves when we feel the tugs and bonds of the world pulling at us. We must choose and make a conscious effort, then, to reenter that presence of the Spirit of God. Finally, we must make it daily practice to start the day, and end the day in that Presence. In the Garden of Eden, God walked and talked with them in the cool of the day. (Genesis 3:8) (Lev. 26:12)

This is such a beautiful way to enter in to the Presence of the LORD/Lord. I love the whole album; but this is one of my favorites. Thank you, Paul Wilbur.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

One Step At A Time

Today’s message from God Calling – A. J. Russell, reminds us that the way we walk is one of uncertain future and faltering steps.

The Way is, however, not one of uncertain future. Nor do God’s steps falter. We are bid to put all fear aside and trust Him wholly. “Know,” says the message. We are admonished to walk assured of God’s promises; that He is leading, and that He will reveal Himself and His will and way to us.

The key to walking in assurance and power is to walk one step at a time. I don’t worry about whether or not God’s going to wake me up on this side – because I know that whether here or there, I will be with Him; and He will be with me. He is with us always, knows the end from the beginning, and has already prepared the victory for us. We have but to walk it out. And, the reason we do that, is to learn our true identity in Christ Jesus, and to master that identity as kings and queens in the earth. When we keep that mindset, holding fast to the truths in the Word of God, it gets a little easier to walk in assurance. One day, you realize that you’re no longer even wondering about the future, because you already know God is your future.

Someone asked me recently what I thought of all the suffering I’ve done. I told them, “I see it all practice to help me as a queen. -“Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matthew 2:15) You see, Jesus came to serve; not to be served. That’s the mark of a great ruler; don’t you think?

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

How To Work In Peace

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that disorder and chaos, within or round about us, does not foster effective and successful work. It also stifles and squashes creativity.

The way to work in peace is to have a peaceful work space and atmosphere. That means organization and clean work area(s). Making sure all needed materials are at hand, and organized, and work tools are at hand and ready to use is the next step. Sometimes you may even have to send calls to voicemail, so you can work uninterrupted. This is what God did for us in the Garden of Eden. He put everything needed there, and helped Adam put it in order (naming the animals is labeling everything).

Creating order and peace within is a little harder to do; especially when there are issues you’re dealing with. One of the challenges I had as a battered woman was keeping my mind on task, and not getting ahead of myself in the project I was working on. You’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop then, so your mind races over a million things all throughout your work time. Praise music, or music that soothes your soul and slows your mind down helps quite a bit. it’s also important to continue to increase your spirit in the Word of God, and in positive activities and things that give you energy and increase your self-confidence. As we grow in these, we’re filling up the empty spaces and replacing the negative thoughts and attitudes we’ve had in the past.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:12 ESV) This scripture comes to mind when I read this message. The “world” refers not only unbelievers. It’s also “your world”, and all the things that are going on in it; especially the negative and/or unsettling things. That’s why we’re told: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Walk In His Love

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to walk in God’s love. I learned that this is a two-fold thing. First, walk in the consciousness of God’s amazing love for you. This elevates spirit, heart, and mind. The elevation of those manifests itself in your body, your space(s), your entire life.

This is one of my favorite songs by Chris Qualala. I hope it blesses you as much as it does me.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – September 5, 2020

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that progress is the law of the Kingdom of Heaven. We are bid to rise ever higher and to strive to be ever better. Be better today than yesterday -this mindset actually freed me from fear of other’s opinions, from the competitive spirit, and from being a “cookie cutter” copy of everybody else. Only compete with yourself; then you’ll always be better. Don’t measure yourself up against anyone; measure yourself up against yesterday’s you. And don’t be so hard on yourself.

I was discussing this with a friend of mine. I said to her, “The message made me think of Lot and his family. He was the guy living in Sodom and Gomorrah. Try as I might, I just can’t figure out what happened with those two girls. I mean, talk about going two steps forward and three steps back! God sends two angels to save them from the disaster, rains down fire and brimstone and totally demolishes, not one, but two towns, and what do these two do on the mountain? It never occurred to either one of them to ask God to send them husbands. They could have had a Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt! God can do that!!!” My friend said, “Yeah, and don’t forget about their mother. She was the pillar of the community; worth her weight in salt.” Hmm…I’m sorry, I had to laugh! She’s a Bible study leader. My friend, not Lot’s wife.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Ultimate Healer

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God never causes us more pain than is necessary. As I read the message, I am reminded of Jesus’ sermon on the mount… Matthew 5:3, to be exact. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Poor in spirit, here, is humble, I believe. Like a child, we must be trusting.

Matt. 5:4 also comes to mind. It deals with being comforted. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Have you ever seen a child who is not happy? Let me tell you, that child will be comforted, or else! Am I right? Yeah, and I’ll tell the truth-I RUN to Jesus when I’m not happy! I RUN when it’s not working right! I RUN when I don’t want to run! Your pain will cause you to seek the cure!

We are reminded that it is directly, or immediately when we pray or call out to Him, Jesus is on it. Actually, it was already worked out in the beginning. That’s a powerful boost to one’s faith, when you can grasp it. However, in this world, in the physical, it is worked out in flesh and blood, isn’t it? That’s the hard part. Getting your mind, heart, and will to line up with God’s promise, and His power. This is where Matt. 5:6 comes in – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Yes, Jesus will tell you the truth every time-whether you like it or not-because you need to know the truth, so you know the way that promotes life, protects life, and empowers life. And when we humble ourselves before the Lord, and let Him teach us, (Matt. 5:5) it’s always alright…and all right -within and round about us-as much as is in our little world, anyway. That empowers us to effect the rest of the world positively. See, Jesus is the ultimate healer!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Sit, Rest, Let Him Refresh You

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell reminds us that the best cure for exhaustion, physical and spiritual, is rest. We’re told that sometimes that exhaustion is actually the guiding of the Spirit.

My Bible study this morning included Psalm 147. The whole psalm is awesome; but verse 13 comes to mind when I read the message. “For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you.” Here’s why; quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org: “Many wonderful things would not have happened but for the physical weariness, the mind-weariness of My servants, which made the resting apart, the giving up of work, a necessity…” You see, often, it is during those times that the Holy Spirit steps in to refresh our spirit, that creativity is replenished. We are creative beings, and those ideas and plans are like children. When the mind is purged of all that clutter, creative and logic processes are restored to tip top working condition. The logic is where the step by step stuff comes in…you know…”connect the piece marked A to the bottom of the piece marked C“…and so on. Some of my most delicious dishes, and most beautiful crafts were created after a half hour of praise music or a “Lord, I’m just too tired…”-and a short nap.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu