Ooh, The Picture’s Clearer

Today’s message comes from Psalms and Proverbs 14. Both give us a clearer picture, yet, of evil, and evil doers. We’re also shown how easily we can backslide and get lost. We are reminded that the LORD is our refuge. He has restored our fortunes through Christ Jesus. Jesus redeemed us, and everything that belongs to us, when He died on Calvary for us.

Interestingly, Proverbs 14:9 tells us that fools have no conscience, or shame. Proverbs 14:19 is a three-fold revelation. “The evil bow down before the good; the wicked at the gates of the righteous.” First, this confirms our dominion over them/victory over them in Jesus’ Name. Secondly, they do this in mockery-so be on your guard. Thirdly, they cannot stand in the Presence of God, nor can they prevail against us. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) This makes me think of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man sure changed his tune when faced with the truth, didn’t he?

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It Must Come Out First

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that this walk with Jesus is a lifelong journey. From my own experience, it’s the journey of a lifetime.

The message tells us that we can only proceed upward step by step and stage by stage. “And we all having been unveiled in face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18) No journey is taken in one step; but step by step.

When I read this message, I think about Psalm 23:5 -“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Being transformed into God’s image and likeness involves constant intake of His Divine Nature, His Word, His Love for us. However, as we fill up with it, we must make room for more. (Proverbs 25:16) That’s why we must be doers, and not only hearers of the Word. In the hearing, we are being empowered with truth and wisdom. It’s in the doing, however, that our faith and character grow. Our spirits are strengthened, our hope is renewed, and joy rises up within us over our growth in Christ Jesus, and the things of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Romans 2:13)

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Saturday Silly – August 1, 2020

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Happy August, one and all! August is Romance Awareness Month. I mentioned this to a friend of mine. She told me she’s known this for awhile. “As a matter of fact,” she said, “I mentioned this to Archie (her husband), when I first found out about it.” Then she laughed and said, “He must have thought I was hinting for more romantic attention. That evening, we were watching television, and when I said, “dip, please, he got up, took me in his arms and dipped me.” I thought, well that’s a new way to enjoy your chips, isn’t it?

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Forgetting Myself

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us not to expect a world in which all is in harmony with us. Rather, we should humble ourselves, forgetting ourselves, and remembering God instead. I thought I got this the first time I read it. But it goes so much deeper and reaches so much farther than just striving to do things God’s way. It’s about so much more than trying to be a good Christian.

Forgetting myself and choosing God instead frees me from injury to ego, and to my spirit. When I choose God’s way, I’m looking through His eyes, I’m operating according to His heart (grace and mercy, and compassion). This frees me from feeling rejected, or from fear, and even anger or indignation. When I’m operating out of God’s heart and according to His will, I can more easily perceive the other’s need, the other’s heart. I don’t even hear the insult(s) or feel the disdain and/or rejection.

Romans 15:3 – “For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” That’s a powerful revelation for us. When we operate out of God’s heart, forgetting our “self,” those insults and rejections, the fears and doubts, the weariness and hopelessness are absorbed by God, Himself. They are changed by His mercy and grace, becoming tools and stepping stones for us. Through them, we are empowered to feel and extend mercy, grace, love, peace, power.

Our task is not to force others to come into accord with us, or to be in harmony with us. Rather, we are to come into harmony, or to remain in harmony and unbroken accord with God. When we do this, we maintain our own heart’s peace. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:32)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu