He Already Knows…

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 90. There are a couple of verses that spoke to me about how intimately God knows us, and how much He loves us.

Verse 8 is the first one I want to address: “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” Do you really think that God will be surprised or shocked when you confess to him? This verse made me recall the day that revelation hit me. Every night in those bars, Jesus was sitting right there watching; and waiting for me to wake up. Everything I was so careful, and successful in hiding from my parents, Jesus knew. Everything I was so careful to hide, (and successful at it for awhile) did not fool Jesus. There He was the whole time, watching, and waiting for me, with arms wide open. Believe me, anything and everything you did, and will do, Jesus already knows. He died for you anyway. He loves us that much! (Hebrews 4:16) – “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Verse 12 should get us thinking. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Do not take one minute for granted. I got up one morning and started my day, with my daughter and my brand new baby boy. He was one day short of being just two months old. It was a routine day for me and the kids. Then my phone rang. My dad had been killed in a tree trimming accident. Gone. Just like that.

That brings me to verse 14. “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” If you don’t have somebody to tell you everyday, how much you’re loved, let God tell you. It’s in the Bible. You are precious and honored in His sight. You are to die for! Go through your Bible and write down all the verses that tell us about God’s love toward us. Post them, or put them somewhere you can see them first thing. Read them out loud. They’re not only getting into your spirit, they’re giving notice to those in the spiritual realm that you know who, and whose you are. Believe me, it works! You’ll get your strength back.

The last verses are very powerful. “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” I stopped asking, “Why me,” some time ago. It was when I began to see the treasures that were there in the storms I went through in my life. I’ve had to thank God for everything I’ve gone through. God doesn’t put us through it; He gets us through it. And, you always come away with so much that you never thought you’d find inside you. He does show His work in our lives. And, if you let Him, He will establish the work of your hands. Finally, you will not believe how much you can do!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Let His Salvation Set You On High

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 69. It gives us some insight into our part in our salvation. Verse 2 of the psalm lets us know that there is no foothold in the mud. If it isn’t clear, or understandable to you, or the truth is obscured, and hidden to you, you have the responsibility to seek the truth, to get it clarified, and to gain understanding of it. One of the reasons I drank to excess was because I couldn’t hear my conscience when I did.

Verse 5 reminds us that we cannot hide anything from God. He sees, hears, and knows, even your most secret thoughts and feelings. The good news is that God loves you, and He’s on your side. He wants you to win. So you needn’t fear Him.

Verses 6-12 are powerful. I think about wanting to break those curses off for my children and grandchildren. I think about some of the things, precious things, I lost before I got serious with God about breaking free from it all. And, yes, there will be mockers, scoffers, deserters, and even haters. It’s designed that way by Satan, so he can keep you bound.

Verses 14 through 20 give us an idea of how we ought to help our children; especially when they’re struggling with sin, and the world’s view of it. Peer pressure can be a killer; literally. We make truth clear to them, and give them stable footing by clear and strong standards and boundaries. We deal with them according to mercy, not mood, not circumstance, not cost, etc. Verses 17 & 18 are very powerful. We sometimes have a tendency toward denial, ignoring the truth. We don’t do our children any favors when we ignore the truth about their behavior, or their goings -on. We leave them vulnerable to the enemy when we do that. We need to ask questions, and insist on getting answers. We rush to their aid.

Verse 29 says: “But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! We need to humble ourselves and ask God for help. Then, we need to remain humble to obey Him; to do it His way. In this way, we will be set on high (over the enemy). We need to set our children on high through our teaching, correction, and salvation. That means we make empowerment with knowledge, instruction, and with dignity-even in the thing, the goal. This verse makes me think of Jesus’ words: “… the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” When we strive to break off those generational curses, we can ransom many. Think about the generations coming up behind you.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Admonition Of God’s Love=Power

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 64. It speaks to us about the power of the admonition of the LORD/Lord. In terms of generational curses, it gives us a glimpse of the destruction caused by anger and violence.

Psalm 64:1-6 paint that picture for us. “Preserve my life, O, God, from dread of the enemy. How many times did you dread going home, or dread your mother, father, or even your mate, coming home? We can either be a child’s (or a mate’s) best friend, or his/her worst enemy. We need to ask ourselves, “Am I instilling and inspiring fear and animosity; or am I inspiring and instilling courage and security in this relationship?”

Let me tell you what the enemy’s secret plots are. They are to kill, to steal, and to destroy you and everything God has for you. Not only that, but the enemy wants to destroy every generation after you! The goal is to destroy love-love for God, for yourself, and for others. Love is the divine in man, because God is love. You are created in His image and after His likeness.

Verses 3 and 4 tell us they: “whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear.” Have you ever chewed out your mate, or your children, and couldn’t even believe the stuff coming out of your own mouth? That often comes from a generational curse. Let me say this now: A generational curse isn’t some mysterious religious thing. Generational curses are wrong and destructive habits, beliefs, attitudes and ways that we pass on to our children-because they were passed down to us from our parents. There is a spiritual significance to those things; but that’s because the devil knows your weaknesses just as well as God does. Now, look at the part of that scripture describing ambushing the blameless, and suddenly. That has to do with two things. First, God doesn’t impute evil to us; so we should always assume the best intention of our children, our mates, etc. Secondly, remember what I just mentioned above? You had the very best intention when you started out with that correction…and the enemy just jumped right in there with anger and bitterness, and reminding you of “your rights,” etc. Now all those feelings of being unappreciated and disrespected just blew up inside you, right? Yeah, the enemy, Satan is the accuser, and he will seek out injustice within you-your mind and heart. But, there’s good news! Gods Word will always refute and defeat the accuser!

Verses 9 & 10 tell us that the admonition of the LORD/Lord causes us to think about, explore, and be willing to implement His Word and Ways. By and through God’s steadfast love, mercy, and grace, we are emboldened to approach Him-not only that, but to RUN to Him! We’re emboldened to exult in His love for us, even when we mess up, because we know and cannot be shaken in our knowledge that God loves us! When we deal with our loved ones the way God does, they’re emboldened to run to us and exult in our love as well-even when they mess up.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Strengthen Me For Them, Lord

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 51, and it’s a psalm King David wrote after the prophet Nathan came to him about his adultery with Bathsheba.

Verse 1 is David’s plea: “Have mercy on me according to your steadfast love, and your abundant mercy.” Blot out my transgressions. In terms of generational curses and life recovery, this is so crucial. Discipline coming from anger, frustration, even hatred, or self-loathing, is never, ever, effective. it’s destructive. Love builds up, these others tear down and tear apart. Love is merciful, and remembers the weakness and frailty of the soul. that’s why the first thing we do is make sure the person is alright, and assure him/her, reassure him/her that the world is not about to end. We need to do that with ourselves, our own souls, as well. Blotting out the transgressions is the act of not counting them against a person. (“This is the fifteenth time…,” “All you do is cause trouble and make messes…”) No, we wash that one from his/her iniquity (attitude about sin) through that reassurance and mercy. We cleanse that one from his/her sin by discovering the truth about the sin (motivation, what really happened, and how we can correct it). Verse 6 confirms that for us: “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. (ESV)

Verse 7 brings us a revelation: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” I looked up Hyssop. {In the Old Testament hyssop was used to sprinkle blood as part of the Jewish Passover. Hyssop was mentioned in the Bible for its cleansing effect in connection with plague, leprosy and chest ailments and symbolically in cleansing the soul.- (arborgate.com) The word plague, when used as a verb, means to cause continual trouble or distress to. Does sin do that to us? -Yes, and to others in our lives, right? When I looked up leprosy, I found some symptoms that are common in sin and iniquity too: Symptoms include light colored or red skin patches with reduced sensation, numbness and weakness in hands and feet. (Mayo Clinic) I’ve spoken before about Jesus’ hands and feet being pierced by the nails. When you’re mind is hedged in (iniquity) your hands usually don’t achieve much-or not as much as you could. Your feet don’t get you nearly as far as you could go, and where they do lead you often, is into more sin. Those chest aliments can kill you. When it’s hard to breathe, it’s hard to live.

Verses 10-12 are the most important ones in this psalm. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. When we deal with our loved ones, and ourselves in the admonition of the LORD/Lord, we are creating a clean heart, renewing a right, or steadfast spirit. The presence of a loved one is a powerful weapon; especially in troubled times. The memory of that one brings that power back to us. The Holy Spirit is ever present with us, and counsels, guides, comforts, encourages, and builds us up. In Verse 13 David tells us why that’s important: “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” We want those loved ones to come to us for help, rather than end up in the wrong hands with the wrong people.

Finally, in verse 17 we learn the importance of being ready and able to receive that correction and instruction. (Matthew 13:4-9) I remember well how many times I turned around and did the exact same thing I’d done the last time…and regretted it…until I finally regretted it enough to actually want to receive the truth, correction, and instruction…and make the needed changes! Thank you. Lord, for your fathomless mercy, grace, and patience!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Walk In That Promise

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is the only source of supply. Everything else is a resource. We are bid to hold fast to that truth, and to trust and walk in God’s promises. Isaiah 45:22 is referenced; but I found some verses that outline that promise to provide for us.

(Isaiah 45:1-3) Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” *(Yes, we are anointed, and He has grasped our right hand.)

By this, we can clearly see that no nation, nor any king can stand against our God. He goes before us to open doors and prevent access from being cut off to us. That means you’re going to get where you need to be to be helped. He levels the exalted places; which are not only places that may try to keep us out (the exclusives), but also included are the thoughts and attitudes of others, and ourselves, that would prevent us from getting our needs met. Doors of bronze and bars of iron keep us in and out. Doors of bronze represent judgment against us. Bars of Iron represent imprisonment; in a certain class, or place (keeping you in your place), and in certain mindsets. (lack of self esteem, lack of education, etc.) God will illuminate truth for us, and reveal whatever information we may need to get where we need to be, are called to be, want to be. Yes, even our wants are of concern to Him. (Psalm 37:4) “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” When we see God as the source of all we need, and seek Him for all we need, God reveals Himself and all we need to know, in order to receive what we need.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Tender Lights And Restful Shades

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we walk the same path Jesus walked while on Earth; and still does today, really. I encourage you to read the message yourself, at twolisteners.org – Let your spirit absorb all that it means to have that closeness with the Lord. It really does make living for Him sublime.

The longer we walk that path with the Lord, the more beautiful those tender lights and restful shades become. I find myself caught up in them more frequently as the years go by. I shared a beautiful praise song with you recently. “Show Me Your Face,” is the name of it. You all know that I’m homeless, right? Actually, I’m only houseless. Anyway, one morning last week, after I’d put my bedroll together, I said my morning prayer, and sang my Hallelujahs to the Lord, as usual. And then, I sang just the first line of that beautiful song…”Show me your face, Lord, show me your face. And then gird up my legs so I can stand in this Holy Place…” I’d no sooner sung that line, when a man came around the corner, drove down the street. And, turning around, he pulled up right where I was sitting, and handed me a twenty dollar bill. He said, “God bless you, Sister.” He wished me a good day, and drove away. Ladies and gentlemen, if you don’t think I was basking in those tender lights of Jesus’ love just then…

Same day, a little later, and I was waiting for the bus. I’d been waiting for quite awhile, and I do try to keep a sense of humor. “Oh, Lordy, I’m in fear of that blister, and I can’t walk very far…Oh, Lordy, please have mercy on this sister; send the bus or send a car…” I kind of rewrote a couple of lines from the Renegade song. (It’s an old rock song). Then I said, “Uncle Pete, please turn on the fan and give that bus a tail wind. Please send that bus now. In Jesus’ Name, I ask it. Please, and thank you, Lord.” I looked up, and the bus came around the corner just then. I couldn’t help but laugh…and I could almost swear I heard someone laughing far away, up above me…LOL

That secret path is the one on which all those little joys and treasures, and intimate moments with the Lord are to be found. I wouldn’t want to walk any other path on Earth…and I’m so grateful that He loves me enough share that path with me.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Who Are You?

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to trust Him; to know His divine power. We are to seek safety in the secret place, where His glory dwells.

I was studying Isaiah 51 this morning. Verses 12 and 13 come to mind. “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy?” That’s such a powerful revelation; not only about God’s power, but about who you became when you became a child of God. Did you notice how he’a asking us about being afraid of man-as if there is a differentiation between man and us (the children of God)?

When that hit my spirit, it almost knocked me over. I thought about Jesus’ words: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24-ESV) There is no evil that can defeat us. Jesus has given us power over all the enemy; even death. Our God is an awesome God! By the way, that whole chapter in Isaiah is awesome too.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Start Where You Dwell

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to dwell in the secret place of God’s Shadow, or Spirit. I’ve written before, about entering into that place through praise and worship. I’ve written about making time to spend time alone with God. The message bids us to make that dwelling place our home; and not to merely visit there fitfully, when it all gets to be too much for us. “Dwell there,” we’re told.

Some years ago, I made the connection between the dwelling place of God’s Presence, and my own dwelling place. There’s a place in the book (God Calling), that talks about homemaking in the spirit. Jesus said, “the kingdom of Heaven is upon, or within you.” That means God’s there. So, how do we translate that into daily living? We do that by homemaking for our spirit, and our soul…This message ties in well with the one about cultivating ourselves.

Part of cultivating ourselves, is tapping into our creativity, embracing our loves, likes, passions, and joys. It involves managing our dislikes, and eliminating all sources of discord. This works at home, at work, at church, in personal schedules,etc. However, we’re talking about home. When I think about that, I remember when I had to settle for freebies, bargain basement, mismatched, eclectic stuff. Not that I wasn’t grateful; but, oh, the difference in emotional ease and joyousness of spirit, mind, and soul, when you get to purposefully pick and choose. You get to choose; you’re the designer. You are the creator of your sacred space. This is the place where your body, mind, heart, spirit, and soul dwell. Do you know there’s a difference between a dwelling and a residence?

To dwell suggests being connected, being a life-force in that place. It suggests a warmth, and a joyful habitation. It’s where we stop, stay, rest, linger, live, abide. To reside suggests a mere being there, without a real connection, or warmth. There’s really no life-force or joyful habitation. No engagement with or in the place. It is what we occupy, are placed, are found, and, are situated. Can you see, and feel, the difference? The bottom line, is that your surroundings affect your spirit, mind, and soul; and your heart, as well. After you design, or create, your sacred space, the chores, the schedules, all the daily living issues, etc., need to be addressed, so all discord is eliminated or brought to a bare minimum. What a wonderful difference, to walk into a welcoming home that wraps you in everything you love. How wonderful to feel the peace settle over you as you enter. Your home is sacred space. Be purposeful, be deliberate when you create it. You’ll soon find that God’s Presence dwells there with you. What you surround yourself with will be absorbed by your heart, mind, and soul. Let it be God’s Presence.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He’s the Fountain of Youth

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s hand keeps us in, and through all things. When I read this, I think about the fourth man in the furnace with the three; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo. (Daniel 3:25)

I also think about the disciples in the storm, with Jesus right there in the boat. I wonder how much we really age when we live depressed, anxious and worried, angry, and in all those other negative mindsets. I know that stress can cause all kinds of illnesses, and wreak havoc with our health. Spiritually, and emotionally, it can cause us to do a great deal of damage to ourselves.

Here’s a quote directly from the message: “There is no age in Eternal Life. Have no pity for yourself, nothing but joy and gratitude.” Does that give you some idea of how soon you should be measuring yourself up? Does it speak to you of God’s patience with us? it spoke volumes to me, of God’s confidence in me. Do you know He believes in you? Yes, He does! You say, “But how can i be joyful and grateful when I fail?” Well, look at it from God’s vantage point: It isn’t perfect yet, so this is an opportunity to make it so.

Here’s the other part. I love this one! I’ll be sixty years old this year. I do have a chronic health problem; Systemic Inflammatory Disorder. It’s aggravated by stress-both physical and emotional stress. Guess what I’ve learned to do as a result of this illness. I have learned how to manage stress better. I’ve also learned to cultivate healthier eating habits, healthier lifestyle choices, and most importantly, I’ve learned that self care is important. I have a great deal to be grateful for, and joyful about. I have been able, for the most part, to get it to go back into remission, and keep it there for pretty long periods of time, when it has flared. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself; I’m too busy enjoying the health I’ve gotten back and kept.

I think, especially for us women, that self care ends up on the back burner all too often. We have husbands, children, family members, friends…to care for…and to distract us from those things within self that we really don’t want to deal with at times, don’t we? Yes, oh yes, I’ve been there myself. Here’s a secret: When you get diligent about your self care, you’ll find the fountain of youth. Yes, you’ll still wrinkle, you’ll still fight the battle of the bulge, you may even get a little stooped or bowed over, and your stride may lessen in length and strength. But, you will always be the very best you can be in spite of all those things. You see, you’ll be living from the inside out, which is the right way. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of Heaven.” Well, He also said, “The kingdom of Heaven is upon you, or within you.” When we get this all aligned like it needs to be, we truly can take joy and be grateful for all we have, and for all we are…no matter what we have, or what we are.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu