Look Not To The Left Or The Right

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to walk by faith in Jesus’ keeping power.

God’s power will never fail us; but we fail to keep our minds fixed on Him. Again, Peter walking on the water comes to mind: “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matt.14:30 -NIV) Looking neither to the left nor right, but keeping our minds and hearts fixed securely on our Lord and our Heavenly Father, is the way to get through every day with so much less stress! What a burden is lifted off one’s shoulders when we get this right.

The next thing that comes to mind is putting on the whole armor of God. (Eph. 6:13) I think the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness are the most important. You see, this is where our head and heart is at. The shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit-which is the Word of God, do us no good whatsoever, if we do not believe and receive that Word; that truth. This is where building our spiritual strength comes in. We have to feed our spirit with the truth; which is, that we are children of God, the head and not the tail, nothing can separate us from the love of God, and nothing can stop God’s purpose for you! If you have to write this down somewhere and read it aloud every morning, do it until it’s the first thought you think when you wake up. It works. Keep it with you and remind yourself that whenever you’re feeling anxious or stressed. Before you know it, you’ll be sailing through most of your days joyfully. Read about God’s love in the Psalms and the Prophets, about His keeping power, and about His fierceness in dealing with our adversaries. (powers, principalities, hosts of spiritual wickedness) (Eph. 6:12)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Abide, Then, In Perfect Love

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to make our Lord, Jesus Christ the one abiding presence we are conscious of all the time. This means we need to abide, then, in perfect love; because that’s what Jesus is. God is love, and Jesus said when we see Him, we’ve seen the Father.

The message tells us that it is God’s eternal life flowing through us that is the miracle working power. Please read the message at twolisteners.org – it’s a powerful one. When we have that life eternal flowing through us, we have wholeness within; real life within. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3 -NIV) This spills over into every aspect of our lives, and touches the lives of others.

Fear is the greatest obstacle to remaining in this consciousness of God’s presence. Why? I believe it is because we do not know God personally. We try to be good Christians; but forget that we are Children of God. He’s our Daddy! As I’ve read, especially in the Psalms and Prophets, I’ve seen more and more clearly God’s heart for us. In Jeremiah 4:19 God says: “My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the pain in my chest! My heart pounds within me; I cannot be silent. For I have heard the sound of the horn, the alarm of battle.” (BSB) That battle is the battle against fear and condemnation, against doubt, and detachment. Nothing can separate us from the love of God; but we can, and do stray-especially when we’ve done something wrong and are afraid. But Jesus said, “”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1John 4:18-NIV) Being made perfect in love includes knowing our Heavenly Father’s deep, deep, steadfast, and awesome love for us! The more intimately you know Him as Father-I call Him Daddy-the less fear you will have in your life! The more, peace, joy, and power you will gain.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Preparing The Soil

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to spend more time preparing the soil. Jeremiah 4:3 tells us to break up our fallow ground and don’t sow among thorns.

There are two things that come to mind when I read this scripture. First, fallow ground is unplowed. That means the seed won’t get into the soil because the ground is unpenetrable. If the seed doesn’t get into the soil, it doesn’t get the nourishment required for it to take root and grow. It will just lie on the surface of the ground and be blown away by the wind, or scorched by the sun. It’s important to create the right environment; one that will promote growth and success. This works in every aspect of life; breaking generational curses included. Secondly, we’re told not to sow among thorns. Those thorns represent nay-sayers, or unbelievers, those that keep pulling us back into destructive ways and things, etc. This, also, is very important when we’re breaking generational curses off, and/or breaking bonds of addictions and dysfunctions.

When we spend time preparing the soil, we’re sure to reap the blessings we were ordained to reap.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Faith Is Also Its Own Reward

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us of God’s promise that our faith will be rewarded.

As I read the message, in the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic and everything that’s been affected by it, I must say some thank yous. Thank you, Lord, for keeping us in the palm of your hands; first of all. Thank you, to all those who keep right on giving, right on caring about the rest of the world, and right on doing your best to help everyone get through this thing. I’ll never be able to express how much I appreciate you, and how deeply grateful I am to you.

I also think about Noah, Abraham, Moses…and our Lord, Jesus. What awesome faith they showed us! I’m always blown away when I think about Jesus; about the strength of His faith; and His love. He could have called the whole thing off at any given point in time. But He didn’t. And when I think about that, I think about the times I’ve trudged onward. I don’t know how I got through any of it, except by God’s grace strengthening my faith as I went along. The Bible does say we reap what we sow, right? Yeah, that little faith seed becomes a beautiful and majestic tree over the years, doesn’t it? Faith is its own reward. Isn’t it cool how God works all that stuff out so perfectly?!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Sentimental Silly-July 25, 2020

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is the boss-the controller of every second of every minute of every day. We are asked if we can see how wonderful life really is with Him.

It got me thinking back to our military days. We don’t always like what’s happening. I hated having to move away from friends; and it seemed as if that’s exactly what we were always doing…moving, moving, moving. I was the oldest kid in the family, and, naturally, not very impressed with some of the stuff my younger siblings pulled. My mother was always good for embarrassing this teenager too. But, just when you think you’re at the end of your rope, God throws the curve ball…and everybody’s roaring with laughter. This very thing happened on one particular journey. Six women in the family; and all had to use the restroom. At this particular place, there was ONE restroom for ladies. Also, we were on a time constraint; my dad did not like to get off schedule traveling. So, there was I, on the potty, while my sister was washing her hands-both of us crammed into this little stall. My mother was supposed to be holding the door ajar slightly, so the next girl could duck in quickly when ready. Something happened, and she got distracted and let go of the door, which opened wider all by itself. Just at that instant this gorgeous guy happens by. He’s looks in at me, and says, “Hi.” I’m smiling at him, thinking how cute he is…”Hi,” I said back to him. That’s when I remember I’m on the potty with my pants down around my ankles. Needless to say, I didn’t need any blusher when touched up my makeup.

It gets better, we had dinner there. After dinner, we all piled into the car, and Dad had to go into the restroom. He came out of the restroom, and headed straight for this station wagon that looked exactly like ours – but wasn’t. We were all roaring as he started to tell the poor lady in that car she needed to get out; just before he realized she was the only one in it, and he was at the wrong car.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Interludes Of Peace

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to protect our peace at all costs. We’re told to stop everything and regain our peace whenever it’s been disturbed. As I read this message, I think about Proverbs 4:23, which tells us to guard our hearts above all else because everything we do flows from it.

I found, some time ago, that little interludes of peace throughout the day help to keep me unruffled. These can include a few minutes of some quiet instrumental music-I love bamboo flute music for calming and refreshing my spirit. I used to take a short 30 minute “awake nap” after work each day. This helped me to switch gears and get back into Mom mode. Of course, an evening drive after dinner, or even a sunset picnic out in a quiet area make for a wonderful interlude of peace. I wrote a song titled “Little Wild Rose,” after a drive in the country with my then husband. See how that works? Creativity is always refreshed after an interlude of peace.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Foretaste of Divinity

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s standard is the only standard we are to strive to live by, and up to.

Isaiah 53 comes to mind when I read the message. It speaks of Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is the firstborn of many. That many includes you and I…because, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12-13) (ESV)

Isaiah 53:2 is a powerful revelation about how God can take you, from the dry ground of living under a generational curse, or under sin, and cause you to be the root of a new generation. A new generation under the love and admonition, and walking in the power and authority of Jesus Christ. Isn’t that awesome?! You can have a better life; your children, and their children…generations after them, can have better lives. Isaiah 53:11 is a confirmation of that: “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” (ESV) That means God can take all that turmoil and pain within you, and give you His knowledge. That will give you the power to help others to stand and walk uprightly (in power and authority). That’s what it means to “bear the iniquities” of others. We help them to overcome the adversities and barriers that keep them from living successfully.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

There Is No Failure In Eternal Time

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are operating in Eternal Standard Time. “There is no age in eternity,” says the message. Praise God! Praise God! I knew it all along! I’m 39 again, again. LOL

The message bids us not to feel pitiful; to have not pity for ourselves. Rather, keep going forward, unafraid, and joyously. We are completely quipped and completed protected by our Heavenly Father, and all the hosts of Heaven know our names. Isn’t that awesome?!

That brings me to this, from Isaiah 50:4 (ESV) – The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

Two of the best places to get renewed and refreshed in spirit, and strengthened in faith and courage, are the Psalms and the book of Isaiah. There’s always another little nugget I find whenever I read them. That’s what Isaiah was talking about in that verse. Both Psalms and Isaiah tell us about the LORD’s love for us; of His protectiveness over us. We learn of His foreknowledge of all things; and, believe me, He’s got us!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu