Getting Personal

There is such sin as personal sin, which includes things like gluttony, smoking, drugs, etc., They’re things you’re doing to your body, and that’s between you and God. But, when you take another look at them, are you really the only person those things are affecting? Have you seen the “600 Pound Life” show? Everyone is sucked into that whirlpool of gluttony and co-addiction. There’s such a thing as second-hand smoke, which we now know is harmful. And the havoc that drug abuse wreaks in a family’s life is absolute hell. So, those sins really aren’t that personal in nature after all, are they? When we look closely, we’ll find that most sin isn’t just a personal affair; someone is always at risk of being affected in one way or another. That’s why God is so adamant about our living sinless and righteous lives.

(1Cor. 6:18-20) Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Sexual immorality is defined as, “Interpersonal activity involving sex organs that does not conform to God’s revealed laws governing sexuality,” according to biblestudytools.com and Christianity.com.

(1Cor. 6:9-12) Read all three verses, please, but the one I want to concentrate onverses 9 &10first:: Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. In verses 12 & 13, Paul says, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

Sexual immoral behavior is that one-night-stand thing that becomes habitual, any type of illicit sex, which includes adultery, and prostitution. If we give it a closer look, and the sex is consensual, you are sinning against your own body, even in adultery because you are one with your spouse/mate. But really, when you think in terms of putting stumbling blocks in front of others, or causing others to sin, you’re also sinning against them in that way. (Matt. 18:7) When it comes to these sins, they are personal sins and, unless the person(s) involved choose to reveal them to another, are between the person(s) involved and God. They are nobody else’s business. If they are revealed to us by the person(s) involved, we are obligated to tell them the truth and try to get them back on the right track. And, of course, pray for them. When it comes to the homosexuality thing, this is also true. That’s between the person(s) involved and God. We don’t have the right to judge and condemn anyone, for any sin; so, that’s best left to the Lord, who is The Judge. (Matt. 10:15)

What Paul says in verses 12 & 13 is that we can do anything we want to do, but not everything we do is going to be helpful to us, and some will be really harmful. We can do anything we want to do, but do we want to be enslaved to (dominated) by what we do? Example: I start out by eating a bacon cheeseburger once a month. Suddenly, I’m craving them once a week. Now, because I choose not to say no to the craving, I’m eating one every day, and I’m in tears as I eat it because I know it’s making me fat and harming my health. And I can’t stand it! This is how I felt by the time I finally got serious about quitting cigarettes. This is another way in which we sin against our own bodies. We miss the mark by destroying our health, and sometimes even our sanity.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Praise Is Due To Him, Indeed

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 65, and I think this is one of my favorite psalms. I just love it every time I read it. Verse 1 tells us that Praise is due to Him; and our vows to Him shall be performed…in Zion. That tells me I can go up and praise Him on His Holy mountain! And that’s in verse 2: “O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.” Remember where John went in the Spirit?

Here’s what we have when we do come before Him; thanks to Jesus! This is verse 3: “When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.” Jesus did that for once and for all time on Calvary! Now, we can overcome the darkness in this world, and be in Heaven *both eternally and here on Earth, in our living. That’s where verse 4 comes in: “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” We can dwell in His courts, and his house can be our house.

There are a couple of things to take away from the holiness of His temple. First, It takes me to the Commandment: “Worship the LORD your God and serve him only.” (Luke 4:8) (Deut. 6:13) I also think about being the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. In light of that, we must respect ourselves, and others when we can. A wise person once told me that if you can’t respect someone, you can still be respectful toward them. It also tells me that we should do nothing to debase, defile, degrade, demean, and destroy another’s dignity and self respect. *Notice, those words all begin with the first letter of the word “devil.”

Verse 5 tell us that God answers us by awesome deeds and with righteousness. That makes me think of when I’ve heard kids talking about how awesome someone’s parents are. God’s love is awesomely empowering, calming; inspiring love, courage, . In and through it, we are empowered to realize, accept, and respect our own authority over our lives. That reminds me of what Jesus said. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The rest of the psalm outlines God’s working in the world we live in; in His creation. It gives us a picture of the effects and results of His steadfast loving-kindness toward His creation.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

How Beautiful On That Mountain

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 48. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised! Verses 1-3 of the psalm God’s holy mountain, beautiful in loftiness is mentioned. Mount Zion, the city of the Great King is referred to. *In the Hebrew Bible, the Land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem are both referred to as Zion. Other religions use the word Zion to mean “utopia” or “holy place.”*

God’s Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, is where we, through Jesus, have access to the Father. He is a priest and King after the order of Melchizadek. Melchizedek means King of righteousness, and King of Salem means King of peace. (Hebrews 7:25-26) That place is where the presence of God is, and we truly do come away beautiful in loftiness from there-every time we enter in. In speaking of far north, we have to look up and down-seeing Heaven as far North, and hell as South. (Spiritual realms) *two (temporal and spiritual) realms-one being a shadow of the other. Heaven is the fortress there, that we can boldly access when we need to. (Ephesians 3:12) Verses 4-8 give us an idea of what happens when those kings (powers and principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness) see us up there. (Eph. 6:12), (Luke 10:19-20) Verse 9 bids us to contemplate God’s steadfast love within the temple. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Just this verse will change your whole life if you let it. Verses 12-14 will make you leap for joy. “March around Zion, encircle her, count her towers, consider her ramparts, tour her citadels, that you may tell the next generation. For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even till death.” *another version says “He will be our guide beyond death/guide us beyond death. (ESV) A citadel is a fortress that commands. A rampart is a protective barrier. One of the definitions of tower is to rise or reach a great height. There are places in the Bible where, I believe, Zion refers to the children of God. So, whenever we spend time in the presence of God, and as often as we study and walk according to His Word, we are growing into exactly that kind of “city.” (Matt. 5:14) Now are you getting a picture of awesome YOU?! Hallelujah! And we’re to tell the next generation, “This is God!” “This is what God has done, and is doing in my life and yours!” When we do this, we’re not only being obedient, but we’re sowing seeds of hope, fearlessness, and boldness toward God, and about the things of God. Just think-if our children could feel such joy and peace, and grow like that whenever they enter our presence…The world might be changed tremendously overnight.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

We Can Live It

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 38. King David wrote it for a memorial offering to the LORD. The psalm leads me to Matthew 26:26-Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus instituted this memorial offering for us at the Last Supper, on the night of His arrest. He also said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the life is in the blood.

We get a good lesson here on how we need to deal with ourselves, and others, in regard to sin and iniquity. God is a merciful God, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. First, there’s a picture of what happens when we mess up: There’s no soundness in my flesh, no health (strength) in my bones , and my sin and iniquity is a burden that I cannot bear. It’s too heavy for me! Hallelujah! That’s why Jesus came and bore if for us. God’s indignation over our sin and iniquity is unbearable. When God reveals your sin to you, you will hit your knees and cry out for mercy. Jesus said, “First go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”

That brings me to the sacrifice. When we deal with sin and iniquity in anger, and wrathfully, we sacrifice the one (human soul) we’re dealing with. We’re sacrificing their self esteem, sense of worth and capability, trust, courage, peace, and heart. That person is already suffering from the weight of their sin. When we deal with him/her according to God’s way, we’re helping them to realize where they are, and where they belong. This is important. It empowers the boldness needed to confess and repent. It infuses that one with the will and the strength to correct their thinking, attitude, and actions.

What does all that have to do with Jesus? As I studied this psalm, Jesus with the woman at the well comes to mind. I also remember His words over the lame man he healed. “Which is easier to say, ‘”Rise up and walk, or your sins are forgiven you?”‘ Then, there’s the woman caught in the act of adultery. And don’t forget Peter, who denied the Lord three times. I bet Jesus never ever even said, “I told you so.” When we take a moment to read over those events in the Gospels, (and, oh, how I wish I’d known then what I know now!) we’re better able to deal with ourselves, and with others. This is so important in recovery and in overcoming generational curses!

I remember being so afraid as a child, when I messed up. And I know I made my own children afraid, because I was parenting out of the generational curse during high stress times. Thank God for my grandmother! She gave me something to measure myself against. And let me tell you what Jesus taught me through all those events in the Gospels. He taught me that peace is most important; because without it, you cannot realize, recognize, repent, or reinvent.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Torn Veils

Today’s (12/06/20) message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the way to conquer temptation is to see it as temptation.

As I read this message, I thought about Jesus, Satan, and three veils. I did a study on the veils recently. One veil is the one Satan wraps sin in, or covers our eyes with, to obscure the truth. He did this with Eve in the garden of Eden, when he told her that God knew she would be like Him when she ate of the fruit. Eve was already like God. She was created in His image; after His likeness. (Genesis 3:5) Jesus unveils our eyes so that we can see, not only the truth about the sin, but the truth about how to overcome it. (Luke 4:18) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed..” Through Him we have recovery of sight. When the temple veil was torn, it became possible for us to realize God’s glory, or divine nature, power, and authority, and ours, in Christ Jesus. Before that, God had to veil our faces so that we would not die when we saw His glory. (Exodus 33:17-22) (Luke 24:26) “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Heb. 12:1-2) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:18-29)

Temptation always comes with a veil. It will wrap the sin to make it appealing, and will obscure your vision, so you can’t see the truth clearly. I’m not talking about that 3 cookie break while you’re on your diet. Although, if you’re not careful, that can lead you right down to bondage. But, you’d be surprised how much you can learn about your enemy (Satan) when you look more closely at what’s behind the veil.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

See His Face Every Time You Look

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to stay as near to God as we can. This closeness, and intimacy is what keeps us from straying. That nearness builds our intimate knowledge of, and faith in our LORD/Lord.

Isaiah 49: 14-16 comes to mind when I read this message this morning. First, let me say, YOU are Zion-God’s chosen dwelling place forever. Think in terms of Spirit and Being. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, whenever you read something about Zion, listen closely-God’s talking about you.

Isaiah 49:16 says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” This is how we need to view our relationship with the LORD/Lord. Every time you look at your hands, see His Face! See His Hands, His Back, and the blood running from His Head. Then, see the glorious crown He wears now; it’s the one you as God’s child, are also crowned with. Don’t let anyone or anything, take that from your head-ever! Order your heart, mind, soul, your world by it, and reign. Please read the message at twolisteners.org for yourselves-it’s a powerful one.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

It’s About The Beauty Of The Lord

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that everything we need can be found in our Lord, Jesus Christ. That statement carries the most powerful revelation you’ll ever get in this life. Ready?

God is love. (1John 4:16) Jesus said, “when you see me, you’ve seen the Father.” (John 12:45, 14:9) Thus, Jesus is LOVE, personified. Everything love is, is Jesus. (1 Cor. 13:4-13, Gal. 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:8-10)

Psalm 27:4 – “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” This Psalm is referenced by the message in the book. All of the above scriptures tell me that love is my most crucial need. It tells me that love is my most powerful weapon, tool, medicine, nourishment, shield, comforter, and inspiration. It’s all I need, and the rest will follow. (Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and all these shall be added unto you as well.) – Matt 6:33 And, all the other things of the Spirit, can, and will be found by you, in Christ Jesus, as well.

That’s the revelation. Seek Him first. Seek out everything about Him; all He is and all He has. That’s what you are meant to be, were created to be, and what you have, and have had from the beginning. It is rightfully yours as a child of God. Take it, hold fast to it. Don’t let go of it, no matter what. Just like he did with Adam and Eve, Satan is trying to get you to turn loose of it. They already were like God. “Let us make man in our image (LOVE), and after our likeness (LOVE).” (Genesis 1:26) Once you see, and experience the beauty of love, as it is meant to be, there is nothing more desirable.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu