A Plan Of Action

Samekh (Psalm 119:113-120)

I hate the double-minded,
but I love your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.

This double-mindedness, which is actually being undecided, is exactly what yesterday’s post addressed. Something I found helpful was that if I actually write down my decision, I can sometimes see some areas where I might trip, slip, and fall. I can also come up with ideas to avoid them, or correct myself and get back on track. That law thing keeps coming back into play, doesn’t it? When I think of this, I think of Jesus’ words, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 7:12) This is the law of sowing and reaping. You can’t plant an apple tree and get oranges. The NIV says, “So in everything do unto others…” This tells us that we need to sow to reap the desired goal. I want an orderly, peaceful space to come home to, so I will create, and maintain that order. Hoping in God’s Word is easier when we speak it into our lives, into the situations and circumstances. One day in Heaven, we’ll be surprised to see what all we avoided just by speaking that word before we went to that interview, or whatever event may have been on the agenda. When I think of God holding me up, I remember my Mom and Grandma pulling me up/ holding me up when I stumbled. It did make me have more regard for that admonishment: “pick your feet up, and watch where you’re going.” My flesh does tremble when I think of God’s judgments. But, I don’t tremble in fear; I tremble in awe of His lovingkindness and patience toward us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Out Of The Mouth Of Babes…

“You have ordained praise.” (Psalm 22:3, Psalm 8:2, Matt. 21:16) Psalm 22:3 reads: “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22 begins with, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?”

When I think about my own life, I have to take the comma out of there. “Why are you so far from saving me from the words of my groaning?” There; that’s the truth. That all makes me think of Jesus’ words: “Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:17) The groaning only feeds the devil. The praises hurt his ears! Every time; praise God every time! And, yes, there have been times when I had to ask God to help me stop groaning and just grow me up!

Psalm 22 is actually a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross at Calvary. It’s also a picture of us in this world. Don’t expect friendship from the world. Jesus told us that the world will hate us because it hates him. However, God has us from the moment of conception, in our mother’s womb. Verses 22-31, again, is that recounting of God’s love, His power, His peace, His purpose, and His plan for us. I had a friend who had a bumper sticker that read: “Question reality.” Children don’t really question us, do they? They trust that we’ve got their best interests at heart; and they’re almost always so eager to learn from us. -until they’re 13 and know everything, and we now know nothing…LOL We need to do the same when it comes to the LORD/Lord. We need to trust Him. When you’re being assaulted by evil, losing your strength, and feel as if you’re unable to answer back, it becomes painful to walk uprightly, or to stand firm. Believe me, it’s designed that way by the forces of evil. They want you to lose your conviction, your courage, compassion, commitment, your course, and your control -because they want to destroy your divine character. Hold on to those truths in verses 22-31. This is how Jesus got from Gethsemane to Calvary, and on to the tomb and His resurrection. He stayed focused on God’s Word and God’s Will. He held fast to every truth He knew about God. He’s the one who said the truth will make you free. It freed Him from all that the forces of evil were trying to do to stop Him from destroying that curse, and saving mankind from eternal damnation. We deal with tiny ordeals compared to Jesus. But we have the same promises. We have to do it the same way He did. You can bet on the fact that evil will assault you like nobody’s business as soon as you get to doing something for God. We can win against evil by learning to recognize their tactics, and by standing firmly on God’s Word, His Will for us, and His Love for us. This is so important in a world that’s getting darker and darker.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Guided Into Awesome Things

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God has already worked it all out. You have but to trust Him, and let Him guide you to, and through it all. Since I finally got this settled in my spirit, I have such freedom from anxiety, such peace in living; no matter what’s going on or what’s assailing me. This is when you know you’re letting the Holy Spirit work in and through you.

When we stick to what God says He has planned for us (plans to prosper, and not to harm us), we have a destination, or state of mind to focus on, and strive toward. No matter where you find yourself emotionally, if you look toward that point, you will regain your balance, peace, and energy. It’s like looking at the directional board at a mall…You are here…and there’s where you want to be…and here are the steps/ here’s the way to get there.

That perpetual guidance the message speaks of, brings to us the peace and power to create, and be creative. I have dreamed up, and created some of the most amazing things; and I know I never would have, had I not stopped the frenzied efforts to get somewhere on my own steam, and just let God lead me and guide me. Proverbs 16:33 tells us: “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” This principle works in every aspect and area of life, if you let it. I hope you’ll read the entire message for yourselves at twolisteners.org

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Yes, But Spend It Wisely

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that money is meant to be used. Like everything else, we get to choose how we use it. We, as children of God, are encouraged to give, give, and give some more; keeping ever an “empty vessel.” This should be our attitude in regard to all the wealth we have; not just about money.

First, let me say this about money: Money is not the wealth. The wealth is the wisdom and integrity with which we use the money. I believe, in being encouraged to keep an empty vessel for God to use, we’re being told to always be ready for God to use us. Don’t get so filled up with yourself and all your stuff that you have going on, that God doesn’t fit in there. You don’t want things to be so tight that God can’t get a plan in edgewise, right? Yeah. That means budget some of that money especially for doing God’s work. That takes us a little beyond the tithe, which is for use in the upkeep of God’s House. God wants to reach every heart He can, and He has told us that His plans are to prosper us. When He prospers us, we are better able to prosper the Kingdom of Heaven, by reaching out to others. Think of that business idea you’ve got. When that comes to fruition, think of the jobs you can create, the people you can help, and the people that might be reached for God…all because of your obedience and faithfulness.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Just Don’t Let Go Of His Hand

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God knows where both you and He are going. We’re told that God does indeed guide us. But, He guides us with His eye; not ours.

Whenever I read this message, I think about being a little girl and walking with my uncle. I didn’t know my way around town. He did. I didn’t even know the street names, or which shortcuts got us where faster. He did. And then, there were those days out with my grandmother. I had no clue what all we had to get done before we went home. She did. She had the route and all the stops planned out; even a stop for a favorite treat once in awhile. This is what it’s like to walk with God. He knows so much better than we do. He’s known the end from the beginning, including all the changes in between. One thing I was always sure of when I went out about town with my uncle or my grandmother. I knew I was loved, protected, and in great company! God loves you! So, just don’t let go of His hand.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Money, Honey

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are not to value money the way the world does. We are to seek first, last, and always, the Kingdom of Heaven. “…and all these things will be added unto you,” the scripture says.

The message bids us us to get away from money values altogether. I think a better way to put it would be to say: Get away from valuing money altogether. When I read that statement, I think of guys and their power tools, their cars, and stuff like that. They almost worship them, don’t they? Yeah, women do too. I still drool every time I see a Lamborghini Countach. We have to be careful not to let money rule over our senses and good judgment. Money isn’t to be our master or god.

Unfortunately, money does answer everything, doesn’t it? Yes, it pays the rent and bills, living expenses, etc. But money, unless it is used according to God’s will and purposes, and for the sake of God’s glory, is actually just stuff under our feet that trips us up. By that, I mean that it’s like rocks, pot-holes, brambles, etc. Rocks get in your shoes and make your feet sore. I hit a pot hole once, and thought I’d ripped the oil pan right off the car. Brambles and burrs stick to your clothes and scratch your legs up. See the hassles?

But when we use money according to God’s purposes-which are pavement, provisions, preparations, and presents…oh, the places we can go, the things we can do, the peace, power, and pleasantness of life we can provide. Handling our money responsibly is part of God’s plan. It’s part of good stewardship. Good stewardship includes tithing and benevolence, planning for the future -we are to leave an inheritance for even our children’s children, and advancing the Kingdom of Heaven-making sure the Gospel is preached in all the corners of the Earth.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

What Are You Doing It For?

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us the we need to check our motives from time to time. It’s easy to get caught up in the “keeping up with the Joneses” game; easy to get caught up in all the right things, but for the wrong reasons.

The Bible tells us that we cannot serve both God and Mammon (money). Yet, the Bible also tells us that money answers everything. No, that isn’t a contradiction. Money does answer everything in this world. We need it to survive in this world. There’s rent to pay, bills to pay, we need food and clothing, etc., etc., etc. The world operates on money. The reason it’s called currency is that it keeps the economy flowing, The economy is part of life in this world. It’s the base from which society operates. However, in God’s plan, money is to serve us. We are to master our money, and not vice versa.

When we master our money, being good stewards in regards to tithing, giving, being financially responsible, etc., we are serving God with our money. God knows we have to have it to survive down here. But, God is till God over us, and over our money. God sends the supply; He is the source. The money is just a resource to be used as needed.

It’s easy to get caught up in the competitions for titles, in the race to “fit in” with the affluent crowd, and the putting on of all kinds of airs. That’s when you know it’s time to recheck your motives, and time to line yourself back up with God’s will for you and your money. I’ve known people who had to cut up the credit cards and take on a second or even third job because the clothing bill maxed out the cards…because it just wasn’t acceptable to be seen wearing the same outfit or even the same piece of clothing twice. What kind of people are you hanging around with? And what are you trying to prove? That’s living by the world’s standards; not by God’s. And, right there, you are serving Mammon-which also, in, and according to the world, signifies affluence. Yes, God does want you to have that beautiful dress, girlfriend. He doesn’t want you to be enslaved to a second or third job to get it, though. That’s why we have things like budgets, savings, and the like. Don’t get so caught up trying to “fit in,” in this world that you become a slave to it’s standards. Remember, you are the head, and not the tail. You are the master over the money; not vice versa. Make it serve you, so you don’t end up serving the wrong god.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu