Limit Yourself – Limit God

And vice versa. Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we “have not because we ask not; or because we ask amiss.”(James 4:2-3)

There’s a statement in the message (quoting directly): “I desire to give you a gift, and if you are content with the poor, and the mean, and the sordid, then you are insulting Me, the Giver.” When I thought about this, I thought about all the scriptures dealing with money, and about what Jesus said about overly worrying about things like food, clothing, etc. (Matt. 6:30-32) He said that the pagans/gentiles run after all these things, and our heavenly Father already knows that we need them. We are to seek first, the Kingdom of Heaven. All that other stuff comes with it.

I believe the gift(s) God desires to give us are the many knacks, talents, ideas, strengths, and joys of creativity, peace, love, and joy He has put within us. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) How much we cheat ourselves out of when we settle for mere survival. Jesus said, “I’ve come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” That’s the difference between two plates of food and two beverages on the table…and the same meal served on a table bedecked with a tablecloth, and perhaps a little candle light and/or a vase with a rosebud or some other flower(s)…perhaps a little music softly playing in the background to create an ambiance. There’s a glimpse of that creative and romantic spark within.

We limit ourselves when we don’t open ourselves to possibility, because God is possibility. Without Him, it would not be possible for us to be saved, and saved daily from so much. We limit God when we limit ourselves. Jesus said all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27) Our poor world has such great needs; only a great, great God can meet them. We do Him a great injustice when we limit Him by limiting our vision, and our faith.

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

Be His Shadow

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the way to know the way to go, is to stay very, very, close to the Lord. He is the Way.

I had to laugh when I read the message, because it made me think of me with my grandmother. I was her shadow. The poor woman couldn’t make a move without me from the day I was born. I had a sister that was that way with me. We were like two peas in a pod for quite some time. That’s the way we need to be with our Lord.

When we practice that consciousness of Him in the world around us, we begin to sense His presence more and more. As we do this, we do find ourselves “shadowing” Him. LOL I’m pretty sure He loves it, too…because He sure can get some good stuff over on us, can’t He? He does on me, all the time!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu