The Key of Knowledge

Today’s post hopefully will give us an idea of what the key of knowledge is. As usual, I’m reading from the ESV -English Standard Version. It is the most accurate translation to date. We’re studying based on (Luke 11:45-52) Verse 52: “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

What, exactly, is the key of knowledge? Well, if you’ve been reading along, I’m pretty sure you could venture a good guess. A mother and father are priests in the home. We can see in God’s Word , that knowledge is a serious thing to God. We’re responsible for seeing to it that it stays true, and is passed on to the next generation. (Malachi 2:7) For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

(1Cor. 13:1-3) If 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. -This tells us that love is vital, not only to being, but to being successful. Love always aims for a gain in understanding, reconciliation, growth, and progress. When we work it out this way, everyone wins. It also strengthens faith and empowers boldness/courage, dispelling fear and mistrust. (2Peter 1:5-10)

The way we gain the key of knowledge, is by knowing God the Father, and our Lord, Jesus. (Romans 3:10) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (John 14:7) (Philippians 2:5-7) (1John 4:16) –God is love, and we are created in His image, after His likeness. (2Peter 1:3-4)) His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. That divine nature gives us the power to understand things like love, peace, justice, mercy, and grace. Jesus said, “Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” (Matt. 9:13) Yet, just like at Golgotha, there has to be a sacrifice to atone for the sin. Oh, yes, there does.

Do you remember when Jesus told the woman at the well that God seeks those who worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth? (John 4:23) (1John 4:10) In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Other versions use the word “sacrifice,” instead of “propitiation.” What do we sacrifice? We sacrifice our fatigue and the urge to say something that’s not edifying, but hurtful (God forgive me, please)-yes I have been there. We sacrifice a few minutes of time to make sure that child, or even that grown person, is okay, and to help clean up the mess, or correct whatever the error may be; or to just help that one with whatever he/she may need. We sacrifice our ego, our self, just like Jesus did. When we do that, we are building one another up in love rather than tearing each other apart. There are a few more scripture references below. PS -Be helpful to yourself too, by sacrificing the urge to indulge in that negative self talk and attitude of self-loathing. (James 3:17) (Luke 6:36) (2Cor. 6:6) (Heb. 12:11) (Romans 3:25)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

If He Doesn’t, We Don’t Either

Today’s message comes from Psalm 5, and from Proverbs 5. Psalm 5 begins with a prayer, actually. “In the morning, you hear my voice; I prepare a sacrifice for you, and watch,” the psalmist says. Beginning your day with God is absolutely revolutionizing to your life! I can tell you that from personal experience. Try it for one month, and make sure you note the changes you begin to experience, in your attitudes, your strength, patience, etc.

Psalm 5:4 -6 tells us: “For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” If God doesn’t delight in it, we shouldn’t either. And, if you think about it, and are honest with yourself, none of us does delight in wickedness when we’re on the receiving end; do we? Sin, as I’ve said before, comes in three ways: 1. Sin others commit against us. 2. Sin we commit. 3. Sin fallout-which is the way the sin in the world affects us and our lives. But, we have a hope in Christ Jesus. Psalm 5:7-8 say to us, “I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house…” This is a powerful revelation about the power of love and faithfulness. When we exercise love faithfully in our dealings, and are faithful to the Word of God; to His ways, we surround ourselves, and those we deal with, with protection against the sin and wickedness. The last two verses of the psalm are awesome! “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” There is jubilation and rejoicing over being loved. When we walk out our new life with the LORD/Lord, as we walk it out, there is, truly, less and less struggle, and more and more joy and peace.

Proverbs 5 is, again, a father’s admonition to his sons. This warns about “the forbidden woman.” if you think in terms of standards and boundaries, this woman represents false teaching, cults, and ways and practices that are contrary to God’s Word and His Ways. This includes some of those peers who consider themselves “cool,” and those friends who really aren’t your friends in the end. Proverbs 5:5-6 tell us what’s actually going on with them: “Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.” The rest of the proverb tells us there are consequences to sin and iniquity. Iniquity is your attitude toward sin-be it your own, or someone else’s. Verse 22 tells us: “The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.” Lack of discipline is actually a destroyer. It causes us to struggle needlessly, and sometimes even destroys dreams and goals. That’s a powerful revelation to parents about letting our children just run amok. Lack of discipline makes your child ignorant, foolish, powerless, and easy prey for evil. It makes us easy prey for the devil.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

In Love, It’s Not Suffering

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, remind us that, if we offer up our day’s events and happenings to the Lord, a blessing attends all we do. Then it becomes a sacrifice that is redemptive.

That’s the way God redeems the time. It’s the way we learn the joy in “suffering.” When I allow that 10 minutes of interruption of my schedule, to help that little neighbor lady get her cat out of the tree…If I just let God have that ten minutes, it becomes a gift to that little lady, and a sacrifice that’s acceptable to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:2) “and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”

We so often think of service to the LORD/Lord as big campaigns, missions, and ministries. Truly, service to the LORD/Lord, is living daily in, for, and out of His love.

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

Quicker To Turn To Him

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, assures us that God does not intend for trials and difficulties to arrest our progress. Rather, God uses them to increase our speed.

When I first read this message, I was a little confused; to be honest. Reason being, is that God does not do things in a hurry! He has perfect timing. He also knows how discombobulated I get when I’m rushed. I discovered, through trial and error -(keeping it real), that the increase in speed is meant for our turning to Him in those times of difficulties. God is talking about the little difficulties in daily living, in this message. We’re admonished that we must never let any difficulty conquer us. Rather, we must conquer it.

We’re bid to call on new forces and use new powers in those times. What are those forces? Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ the Lord, and the Holy Spirit. They’re all we need. Our Heavenly Father is sovereign and in control of it all. Jesus gave us His Name, and made known to us everything the Father has given Him. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, sent especially to teach, lead, guide, convict, and comfort us. What more could a girl ask for, eh? What more could a man ask for, for that matter.

There’s always a new power to be discovered within. In the message, we’re told to call them into action; and speedily. You might not think of these as powers, but they really are powerful weapons and/or tools in the spirit. There is the power of prayer, praise &worship, sacrifice – you know, when you give up that Prime Rib dinner so the kids can enjoy Pizza out, during their sleepover party. There’s the power of laughter; which keeps your little sis alive after she spits a wad of bubblegum into your hair-in the middle of the Tokyo airport, in front of about a half troop of soldiers who will be on the same plane as your flying on. LOL

(Luke 21:28) “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” When we lift our heads, we can see a little higher up, and a little farther out. (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” When we speedily turn to the Lord, and do things His way, calling those powers into action, we can see the pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy…and the most excellent way to handle things. (1 Cor 12:31) “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” -And that would be love.

Jodi, I will get this thing back on track. Happy Belated Birthday! I hope your day was blessed with everything wonderful!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Then It’s Not A Hill Of Sacrifice

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we must be ready to go to the very top of our Hill of Sacrifice, and to the very last moment before we see God’s deliverance. Abraham’s story is referenced here. “God, Himself, will provide the sacrifice,” he told his son. (Genesis 22:8) We’re told that this test of faith must come to all who believe in Jesus; to all who walk by faith.

Something I learned some time ago, is that the sacrifice was already provided, and made, on Calvary. Yes, I know, you all know that. But do you know that when you get that, you truly will be delivered – not just from your sin, but from anxiety about all the things this world can have us caught up in? Your days will start with prayers of thankfulness. Your requests to God will be mostly about remaining in His Will for your life. And, your energy and excitement levels will both rise. When you’re able to just get up and go about the business of being who your are, and who you are in Christ Jesus, that hill of sacrifice turns into the slope of surrender. It’s not a hill of sacrifice anymore. And, though we still have the tribulation that comes with being in the world, it really is all downhill from there. Because it is now the vantage point from which you see your new horizon(s).

I hope you’re all getting in some praise time with your own choice of music, by the way.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Suffering That Saves

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that sorrow and suffering don’t have to dictate who we are.

We’re bid to offer up our suffering and/or sorrow to the Lord. Use that suffering to help another, and it becomes a pleasing sacrifice unto the LORD. Help another, bless another, love another, in spite of your sorrow and/or suffering, and it becomes a gleam of joy and pride in His eyes. It becomes a seed sown into eternity; a treasure laid up in Heaven. “Behold, my son/daughter, in whom I am well pleased,” He says.

That’s the suffering that saves, not only others, but our own soul; our own spirit. Jesus never stopped blessing, never stopped praying, never stopped teaching, never stopped being Jesus…no matter the rejection, the doubt, the scorn, the sorrow. He prayed, even on the cross, “Father, forgive them.” The whole world, every human being ever born, was, is, and will be saved from eternal damnation-if they choose to be.

What that does for our own soul or spirit, is immeasurable. It brings peace, strength, joy, love, freedom, and life. That’s just part of the list. We don’t really think about those little things we do for others, even when we’re hurting ourselves, in terms of the ways in which they might come back to us. As Jesus said, some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred fold. Now He said this about grasping and living out God’s Word. But it is that very Word, that very love, that empowers us to give in such ways, and at such times. “He sent His Word and healed them,” applies to every sinner that gets saved. Finally, there are the words of our Lord, Jesus. “Give, and it will be given unto you; pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will men give into your bosom.

This is an oldie, but goodie! Steven Curtis Chapman, thank you for this old favorite of mine.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu