Heaven On Earth

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Kingdom of Heaven is a spiritual one. We war not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness in the heavens. “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36) Literally, to bring the truths of the Gospels, of Jesus’ teachings to the world, is to bring Heaven to earth, then. Again, I have to cite Luke 4:18 -“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed..” This is what Jesus came to establish here; believers who would carry the message of truth and freedom to the lost and hurting. The message is a powerful one, and I hope you’ll read it for yourself at twolisteners.org

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Put Some Meat On Your Bones

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that spiritual strength and power comes to us through doing God’s Will. We are bid to make it our daily goal. It’s one of the reasons I do this blog. I have seen major changes in the way I deal with just daily living, just by doing this blog. My knowledge of, and relationship with the Lord have grown. Some of the things I’ve come away from and come away with surprise me-pleasantly, of course.

I hear people talk about wanting to “know God’s Will for them.” The best way to do that is to pray and ask Him what it is. Then, pay attention; because the Holy Spirit always leads, guides, and prompts us. Another thing that can be helpful is to look at the things that you’re passionate about, the things that you love to do, and the things that really interest you. God puts those things in us; and He does that for a reason. Something that helped me early on was to read about God’s heart for us, and to read what Jesus had to say about His purpose for being here on Earth. He also gave us the order to preach the Gospel, and said, “it’s enough for a servant to be like his Master.” He came to destroy the works of the devil, and to help us to have life more abundantly-real life. Something to remember is that ministry is so much more than those big revivals and miracle crusades, etc. Ministry can be something as simple as taking someone a meal, giving someone a ride, speaking an encouraging word to someone. When we put it in proper perspective, ministry the way God sees it, is living a life of love and caring for one another.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Torn Veils

Today’s (12/06/20) message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the way to conquer temptation is to see it as temptation.

As I read this message, I thought about Jesus, Satan, and three veils. I did a study on the veils recently. One veil is the one Satan wraps sin in, or covers our eyes with, to obscure the truth. He did this with Eve in the garden of Eden, when he told her that God knew she would be like Him when she ate of the fruit. Eve was already like God. She was created in His image; after His likeness. (Genesis 3:5) Jesus unveils our eyes so that we can see, not only the truth about the sin, but the truth about how to overcome it. (Luke 4:18) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed..” Through Him we have recovery of sight. When the temple veil was torn, it became possible for us to realize God’s glory, or divine nature, power, and authority, and ours, in Christ Jesus. Before that, God had to veil our faces so that we would not die when we saw His glory. (Exodus 33:17-22) (Luke 24:26) “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Heb. 12:1-2) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:18-29)

Temptation always comes with a veil. It will wrap the sin to make it appealing, and will obscure your vision, so you can’t see the truth clearly. I’m not talking about that 3 cookie break while you’re on your diet. Although, if you’re not careful, that can lead you right down to bondage. But, you’d be surprised how much you can learn about your enemy (Satan) when you look more closely at what’s behind the veil.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Stepping Into Christ

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus is our Savior every day, in every way. The message speaks to us of our refuge, our sanctuary, God. He is where we need to flee to from everything that threatens to overwhelm us.

He is where we need to flee to from ourselves. I think of Peter whenever I read this message. Peter, walking on the water, Peter, falling into the water, Peter, crying out to the Lord, “Save me!” We’re bid, in the message to enter that Presence of God and absorb His Divinity. It is that Divinity that has overcome the world, because that Divinity created the world. That includes us. It isn’t just the world around us that can cause us trouble. The world in us, or the flesh nature, can be horribly wounding, confusing, and overwhelming to our Divine nature, our spirit. Thank God we have Jesus to save us from ourselves.

The one scripture that speaks so loudly to me on this, is “The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:16) This is telling us that we have a license to sin. It says to us that Christ Jesus is our judge. Therefore, we need not fear the condemnation of men, nor worry about their opinions of us, how we rate with them, etc. We are freed from that in Christ Jesus. We’re also freed from self condemnation. It’s a journey; not a test. Nor is it a trial. The trial already happened in Jerusalem when they arrested the King of kings and condemned Him to death.

Realizing Christ’s mind is ours is a powerful revelation, and an awesomely electrifying surge of strength, spiritually. It means I can learn from Jesus, how He viewed the Heavenly Father, the world around Him, all the stuff He had to deal with and listen to, and do. Jesus is not just a meek and weak little lamb. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah! Kingly, regal, in authority; that’s Jesus, our Savior. He’s by no means a bully. But, He definitely knows who and whose He is, and what rights and responsibilities He has. He never wavered, never altered His order/way of dealing with things, etc. When we can do that….WOW!!!!! You can almost feel the bonds of the “world” and all its “stuff” fall off, and freedom bursting up from within. That’s how Jesus could tell us, “In the world you’ll have tribulation. But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) Thank you, Jason Upton for this awesome version of Freedom Reigns.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He’s Working On It! -And On You

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus does hear, and does answer! The problem is that our timing is not perfect; His is.

As I read the message, I thought of one day when I was married. My husband was late getting home. I got a little worried about whether or not he was alright. I could have gotten angry at him for keeping me waiting, for making me worry, but I didn’t. I just prayed that he was alright, and waited. Sure enough, a little while longer, and he came driving up. He’d stopped at the store to pick up some snacks and a movie he thought we’d all enjoy together. See, he was working on being a good hubby and dad.

When we don’t see things happening, it doesn’t mean they aren’t cared about, or aren’t being worked out by the Lord. It means we need to ask for more faith to trust Him, so that He can work them into the best outcome for us. Every time I read this message, I am reminded of how many times I freaked out, gave up, and gave in to the temptation to do it in my own strength – only to regret it later. I can laugh at myself now…and I can only imagine how Jesus must have laughed when it all finally did come together, and He saw my face. Thank you, Lord, for your patience!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Beautiful, Baby, Just Beautiful!

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that true beauty is that beauty of character and spirit. I hope you’ll read the message at twolisteners.org for yourselves – it’s a great checkpoint; especially as we’ go into the holidays, when everyone wants to look beautiful.

My prayer for the world on this Thanksgiving Day, is that we all remember every day is a day to give thanks to the LORD/Lord. And, that daily thanksgiving brings that glow of being cared for and oh, so very, very loved by the King of kings, Himself; and by our Heavenly Father. He’s beautiful, and in Him so are we…and so is life. I hope this blesses you as much as it does me every time I hear it. Jason Upton, thank you so much for this awesome, awesome album!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

And Destroy Them, He Will

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is very real activity going on in the Spirit realm. That’s why Jesus made it possible for us to have the very real and powerful force of God’s love within our spirit. He is called the Holy Spirit. The message if a very powerful, sobering, and encouraging one. I hope you’ll read it for yourselves at twolisteners.org

“How could they (the forces of evil, the world, and even Jesus’ followers) know that my (Jesus’) spirit was free, unbroken, unharmed?” -quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org That’s a good question, isn’t it? There’s a powerful revelation about the separation of spirit and body. In (John 4:23), Jesus told the woman at the well that God wants those who worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth. Everything happens in the spirit first. Just like wherever you let your mind wander, you’ll be sure to follow, the same happens in spirit – unless and until you allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, direct, teach, admonish, etc. you. (Matt. 2:41) tells us the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

How do we get and keep that unbroken, unharmed, and free spirit? We set our hearts and minds on the things above. (Colossians 3:1-3) Then, we make a decision to keep our focus on those things. Here’s a powerful statement about your authority and power over every tribulation, trial, and terror; over all the world: “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31) Those are Jesus’ words. When we think in Godly terms, we can speak and act as our LORD/Lord would. There is no force of evil, not one, that can prevail against the Word of God! Even when, to the world, it looks like it’s all over for you, but the crying, God’s got you! Ultimately, it will always be God’s will that prevails-whether this time or some other time. What I mean by that is that God isn’t a bully, and He won’t force His will on you. But, sooner of later, He will make you see clearly that you aren’t in His will. And, He’ll be right there when you repent. As for the world, and the forces of evil, we needn’t worry about either one; because God’s in control. Jesus said, “In the world, you’ll have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) As for the powers and authorities (principalities, hosts of spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places-in the spirit realm) “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)

Happy Birthday, Joe! May your day be filled with all things wonderful!

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

Saturday Silly-November 21, 2020

November is Aviation History Month. I love flying! I wanted to join the Air Force when I graduated from High School. Unfortunately, they weren’t allowing women to fly then. Nope; I did not join. When they did start letting women fly, I was a new mommy.

Of course, I did some research on aviation history, to share with you all. I found some fun facts on Aviation, listed in an article written by Steffan Kasula, in 2018. Boy, was I ever shocked when I found this little fact! Are you all ready for this? Okay, here goes. In 2015, there were 61,000 people airborne over the U.S. at any given hour. My goodness, I almost had a heart attack when I read that! I can’t believe all those pregnant women were flying around up there that close to delivery time!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

They’re All In Him

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need not waste time seeking answers to all the mysteries of the world; they’re all in Jesus. And, Jesus is in all of them.

We’re bid to seek Him; to seek to know Him more intimately. In that knowledge, we will find our Lord in all the mysteries of the world. When we see Him in those mysteries, they too, will be dispelled. In that knowledge, we will find that He has, and is, the answer to everything…every need, every gift, everything; and everyone, really. I hope you’ll read the message for yourselves at twolisteners.org – it’s powerful; and so exciting for us! Just think what kind of peace Jesus revealed in everything can bring; and what joy! That brings me to this song by Third Day. I will never tire of this one!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu