The Way, The Truth, And The Life

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, is entitled: “My Richest Gift.” The message speaks to us about abundant life; and bids us to take it, and to use it. That abundant life spoken of here is the life flow of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

John 4:13-14 is referenced: “…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” In my Bible study, this morning, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in John 14:6- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Applying this scripture to overcoming generational curses, addictions, and any other adversity, really works. You see, Jesus also said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Putting this all together, we have this revelation. The truth will lead you to the way to empower life…in any situation, in everyday living. Example: (Truth) The oven is hot when it’s on (Way) We do not touch it (Life) We don’t get burned and hurt. This teaches, or empowers, the child to steer clear of the oven; especially when it is in use. That’s a simple one. If you use those three gifts (truth, way, life) your life becomes more powerful and joyful. That spills over into other’s lives as well. *The reason truth comes first, is because Jesus is the true bread from Heaven; and truth has to do with God’s Word- (Romans 3:4)

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Forgiving Is The Easy Part

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to forgive and forget, if we want to move on. I’ve said it before; forgiveness is for us, the “wounded.” It is for our benefit, so much more than for the benefit of the one(s) who hurt us.

Forgiving is the easy part. Forgetting is what’s hard. It’s also the obstacle that gets in the way. This is especially true when we’re dealing with generational curses. It’s often not even the old wounds that cause the problem, but the old ways of dealing with them, that keep us on that vicious merry-go-round-and round, and round. They call that PTSD in the secular world. A similar situation, or one that triggers those same feelings of fear, helplessness, etc., can cause us to lose so much ground. One minute can undo six months or more of progress, if we’re not alert to the dangers.

Here’s where God comes in, though. Isaiah 40:10 tells us – “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule.” God will take all those old things, show you the truth in, and about them, and then destroy their power over you completely. I’ve been there. We develop ways of coping, adapting, surviving. Unfortunately, they’re not always the right ways. God’s way is. He not only will destroy those old strongholds, but He will teach you the right ways to think. Our attitudes toward the sin in our lives-whether the sin is ours or belongs to others-are what affect our living. God will give you some great attitudes!

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And The Miracle Is…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, is an encouragement to abide in God’s Presence, and be joyful. The message speaks to us about miracle of being able to do the greater works that Jesus said we would do, because He went to the Father. So what, really, is the miracle?

The miracle is God’s power manifest in, and working through us. The miracle is that there is always hope-even if all you’ve got is a prayer. The miracle is that we are unlimited in creativity. You can make a molehill out of somebody’s mountain, with a little creative thinking. You can make a mountain out of a molehill-or a feast for a crowd-out of a few fishes and loaves, when you’re working with God. The miracle starts with switching your brain train over to possibility thinking. Always looking for the possibilities, teaches us to no limit ourselves or God.

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They Become Simply Marvelous

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that stepping into, and walking in our authority and power, our divine nature, happens neither instantaneously, nor is it a one shot deal. It’s a daily thing; a one-step-at-a-time thing. I hope you’ll read the entire message yourselves at twolistners.org – it’s a goodie!

When I think back on all the things I used to really struggle with, and things that would just almost shatter my heart, I think about the way God brought me through them. I thought about how God teaches me out of His Word. And, yes, He does have a sense of humor-as you saw in yesterday’s post.

As we learn to walk fully in God’s love, His admonition, according to His will, and His Word, those things that seem like miraculous happenings – (you know, when you finally get it right, and it works easy as pie, and blows you away?) – become more and more natural, and naturally, expected. ..and marvelous; simply marvelous!

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Hush, And You’ll Hear Him

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to just hush and trust the Lord. He’ gets us through the storm; and then, when it’s quiet-and we’re quieted, He will teach us His Word and Way.

I’ve proven Him on this so many times. I’ll get so worked up and upset; and then just one minute in prayer, and the storm’s gone. “Help me, Jesus; I need to pray,” I’ll say. And, when I’ve prayed, I’ll pick up my Bible, and there will be that beautiful little nugget that will stay with me from then on. This is one of my favorite songs. I hope you’ll be as blessed by it as I am. These are some folks with the Gaither family.

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Expecting Good In Everything

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to cultivate an attitude of expecting something good to happen, instead of something bad. This is the difference between hope and fear. We hope for good, we dread the bad that might happen, or could happen. “Waiting for the other shoe to drop”, is how the world sees it.

This falls in line with not imputing wickedness to others. Rather, we look for the good in them; in their intentions. As we cultivate this attitude of righteousness (people/intentions) and good (blessings and joys), we grow in peace and peacefulness in dealing with others. One of the best tools for developing this expectancy of good rather than evil, is simple thankfulness. Then, purposefully seeing the good in what’s already there (morning coffee, birds singing, roof over your head, etc.), teaches us to seek something good, and something good to do, in all things we deal with and do.

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What You Need For It Is There

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God gives us everything we need for every task He assigns to us. We are bid to “face each difficulty sure that the wisdom and strength will be given you for it. Claim it.”

Wisdom is found all through the scriptures. Two of my favorite books are the Psalms and Proverbs. But, if you read carefully, you can learn tremendously awesome things from every book in the Bible. And, it is like that field the man found a pearl in; filled with all kinds of treasure. It’s truly worth every minute you set aside, so you can spend time digging up all the good things in that field.

Psalm 90:12 is referenced by the message: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Numbering our days is good stewardship. It has to do with scheduling; budgeting our time so that we have time to spend with the Lord.

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No Punishment For Past Sins

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is no punishment for our past sins. When we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, all of that is removed-as far as the East is from the West-from us. They’re gone!

However, their impact and effects on us, our character, attitudes, choices, lives, have not been removed. They will be gradually wiped clean, and/or smoothed and polished into a beautiful soul. One that manifests it’s true being -created in the image and likeness of God, Himself-more and more.

Remembering that we go from strength to strength and glory to glory, we can begin to understand the admonition of the Lord. God brings us up in the admonition of the Lord, just as we are to bring our children up the same way. When a child errs, we help him/her to correct that error. We teach our children how to clean up messes, and how to do things correctly. This isn’t punishment; it’s training. God does the same with us. We can only act/react according to what we believe to be true. When we come to the Lord, we’re operating out of old truths-usually untruths, about ourselves and the world around us. God patiently works with us, allowing us to come face to face with the consequences of our actions, and face the truth that we need help to change things, or to do them correctly. When we turn to Him for that help, He’s always ready, willing, and more than able to teach and train us in the correct ways. King David wrote often about being taught the Lord’s ways, and His paths. And, remember, King David erred-and even sinned knowingly. But, King David also repented, went boldly the throne of God, asking forgiveness. God called King David a man after His own heart. We can learn and be inspired and encouraged by that.

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Here’s to That Hush Within

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to just determine to get peace and be still within. That’s where the storms are, really, aren’t they?

When I think back on some of the worst times of my life, I find they were times that I didn’t walk away and get quiet within. I didn’t take time to stop and regain my inner peace. It doesn’t matter what it is, loss of a job, argument with hubby/wife, argument with your child, whatever crisis-and yes, those arguments are crises in your relationship because they can strain and even break the bond that’s crucial there, whatever it is, you need to just stop and regain your inner peace. Just a quickly as you realize it’s going downhill, you need to step away and let God take the wheel.

He’ll remind you who and whose you are. He’ll remind you how much strength and power you do have. But, strength and power are not ours to rule over one another with. Rather, the strength and power are ours to use to overcome the evil, the fear, the anger, the doubt, the loudness of the friction and strain on spirit-yours and theirs. The Bible tells us that our strength lies in quietness and trust. It’s hard to trust God when you’ve lost sight of Him within you. When the “whatever” is screaming in your spirit, His Word in your Heart is pretty much inaudible; and your brain just freezes. I know, I’m living proof. And I’ve been on both sides of that fence.

Sometimes, you can’t walk away physically right then. That’s one of the reasons the kingdom of Heaven is within us. It’s one of the reasons His Word is to be written on our hearts. It’s also one of the reasons we need to know our limits. We need to know when we’re heading for the cliff, long before we get there. I’ve found it’s a lot easier to just pray and kind of “refuel” with that Word, right when I suspect things are not as they should be. In relationships, especially, it involves integrity and truthfulness. It all really goes back to your standards and boundaries. Peace is important to everyone’s well being, and also essential to promote progress and success. Chaos makes it impossible to get things done, to learn, to teach, etc. That’s why it’s one of Satan’s favorite games to play.

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One Day at a Time

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it doesn’t matter who you were yesterday, or what you did, or what someone else did to you, for that matter. What matters today, is that Jesus loves you just at you are-even now. What matters is that you have another opportunity, another day to win the race. And, in case you didn’t know it, or didn’t read me before…Every day you wake up is another day you’ve won, Honey! The battle, the storm, all of it is just a distraction. Don’t let anything distract you. That’s why we’re told to look straight ahead, and not to the left or the right. Just keep right on walking with Jesus.

Psalm 25:5 is referenced in the message: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (NIV)

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