Advice For The Royals

Today’s message comes to us from Proverbs 29; and since you are a king or queen in the earth, it’s for you.

Proverbs 29: 2 tells us “when the righteous flourish, people rejoice, but when the wicked rule people groan.” Proverbs 29:14 “If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.” That tells me that there is joy in the admonition, encouragement, instruction, and discipline of the Lord. It also tells me that my children will benefit much more if I raise them under the admonition of the Lord. Just as people groan under wicked rulers (parents, boss, supervisor, mate, leader), all of creation is apt to suffer because of wicked rulers. The reason for that is found in Proverbs 29:7-“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” This why we have things like pollution, affecting air, water, earth, and the ozone layer that protects us from the sun. Proverbs 29:4 tells us that a king builds up his land by justice, but one who exacts gifts, or *taxes heavily, tears it down. Justice is not only the aim in a court of law; it includes weighing all things out correctly, looking at a thing from all sides, in order to achieve what’s best for all. Exacting a gift is forcing someone to give something to you. This is the cause of most rebellion; even in our children. Force, or duress, is not conducive of peace, which is necessary for learning. Proverbs 29:15 tells us that the rod and reproof give wisdom. The rod, in this case, is used to measure growth, progress, correctness of action. Reproof is instruction meant to correct thinking and action. Isn’t it much easier to learn something when you are made aware of your error(s) and helped to understand the correct way? Proverbs 29: 19 addresses that. “By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.” But, by instruction, and with help, correction can come about. The spilt milk example fits well here. We help the child to clean up the mess, and then figure out how to avoid spilling the milk again. Punishment needs to fit the crime. {You broke the window, and must pay to replace it.} Proverbs 29:12 is an admonition to be careful who you surround yourself with; and to check facts. “If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.” Proverbs 29:22 shows us the value of peace. “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. Ever wonder why your children seem to go from being in trouble to being in more trouble, to being in even more trouble? There’s a difference between loving discipline and harsh punishment. Proverbs 29:23 tells us that “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” I think of (Matt. 20:28) when I read this one. Jesus came to serve; not to be served. He gave His life to ransom all who believe and receive Him. Proverbs 29:25-26 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.” This is a warning against falling into “people pleasing,” or even expecting people to be pleased with you, actually. Trust in the LORD because He teaches us justice. (Right understanding, correctly weighing things out).

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

This Present Darkness…

Has been with us for such a long time already. Today’s message comes to us from Psalms 12. Psalm 12 gives us a picture of what happens when, as is told us in verse 8, what is vile is honored among the children of man. When I read about the lies and flattering lips, I think about some of the ways we’re lured into sin. In terms of generational curses, and dysfunction, I think about having learned all the wrong ways. I think about denial, living behind facades, etc. We live this way when we fear, doubt, or feel dejected. Those things are meant to put us beneath the devil’s feet. He is to be beneath our feet. I spoke about poverty of spirit in a previous message. Generational curses and dysfunction and denial plunder our spirit. We are robbed of dignity, sense of worth, or value, our confidence, self-respect, the power to choose, and power to BE ourselves. The word power here, denotes strength and capability. Pure words are true, they show the way, and they infuse us and empower us with life.

The powers, principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness , if you can picture it, kind of circle humankind, like a shark circles its prey. They’re always ready to snatch their next victim. When what is vile is exalted among the children of man, we open doors to bondage and destruction of life/lives. Some of these things are demon worship, witchcraft, adultery, illicit sex, hedonism, pornography, hatred and violence, racism, sexism, etc. These things make everyone involved vulnerable to the bondage and destruction, or the fallout from them.

Check back tomorrow for the second part of the message on this Psalm. I found an interesting connection between verse 6 and proverbs 6, that brings an awesome revelation and lesson.

In this present darkness, and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. who fought to bring light into it, I offer this song. Thank you, Jason Upton. This is so beautiful; and remember, we’re not alone either.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

A Friend Indeed Is He

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we have a true friend in our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are reminded that it makes our service much sweeter when we remember that He values that friendship with us. Isn’t that awesome? What you do in obedience to Him, touches His heart in this particular way. What a beautiful thing; to be called “friend,” by the King of kings!

I love this old song. I thought I’d share it with you, to help us get the week started. Thank you, Larry Ford, and Gaither Family.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Learning To Wait

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the waiting is the hardest part. I just had that little talk with Jesus this morning. I was praying and surveying some situations, and I said, “Lord, I need an acre of land. Jesus, please!” I could almost hear His laughter. That’s when He reminded me that He’s the boss; and that he knows better and has better timing than I do. Now, He’s hearing my laughter as I’m loving Him for confirming that little reminder of this lesson this morning.

Getting into the habit of just reminding myself of God’s sovereignty, wisdom, will, and power, helped me so much in this waiting area. It’s something I used to have to do quite often. After awhile, it gets you to the point where you can just say, “Never the less, Lord, not my will, but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42)

This message ties in with yesterday’s message about true success, and with my post from Oct. 28th, about looking for, or at, the glad surprises (the candy bar) in God’s pocket. Together, all three give us a clearer picture of God’s love for us, and empower us to learn the value of waiting on Him.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Kingdom Within First

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, addresses money values. It goes hand in hand with my post from September 10th. If you haven’t read that, I hope you will. This message builds further on that one.

The message speaks about seeking God’s Kingdom first, and securing our will, or setting our will, on that. Lining up our will with God’s is crucial. The next thing we’re told, to desire nothing less than that; and to desire nothing less than to advance His Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 “-Seek first the kingdom…”, and Matthew 6:22 are referenced.

Matthew 6:22 is the one I want to go to: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” This is the very reason we need to seek God’s Kingdom first. It is the very reason that we need to strive to advance that Kingdom within us-first and foremost. You see, we prosper as our soul prospers. When we do this, the fear, the greed, the lack of self-respect and dignity, and the insatiable need to fill the voids, are destroyed. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5) See, the Father really does know what it is that you really need first. He loves us so! He loves us so!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

You’re The Pearl

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are works in progress. We are bid to cultivate ourselves. This message really came home to me when I began to journal, and discover all the little joys I treasured, and all the ways in which I could incorporate them into my daily living. They were the gifts and talents God had hidden within me. I really advocate journaling to stimulate creativity; and to establish self dialog and connection with your spirit/soul. So many ideas begin to flow, so much inner conflict can be resolved, and a much better understanding and relationship with the real you can come about.

When I read the message, I think about Jesus’ words about the pearls of great value. (Matt. 13:45-46) “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” We are the one fine pearl of great value that Jesus found. Actually, He’s had us since the beginning. But He had to sell all that he had, or give up all of His heavenly splendor, to buy us back from the powers of darkness. That is, to buy our birthright back, and restore us to the family of God. (1 Cor. 6:20) (Isa. 44:22) (1 Cor. 7:23) (1 Peter 1:18-19)

When we begin to look within (which journaling helps us to do) and see ourselves as God sees us, we can begin to find all kinds of precious pearls (talents, gifts, knacks, etc.). The more of these we find, the greater the field becomes. We are both pearl, and field.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Money, Honey

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are not to value money the way the world does. We are to seek first, last, and always, the Kingdom of Heaven. “…and all these things will be added unto you,” the scripture says.

The message bids us us to get away from money values altogether. I think a better way to put it would be to say: Get away from valuing money altogether. When I read that statement, I think of guys and their power tools, their cars, and stuff like that. They almost worship them, don’t they? Yeah, women do too. I still drool every time I see a Lamborghini Countach. We have to be careful not to let money rule over our senses and good judgment. Money isn’t to be our master or god.

Unfortunately, money does answer everything, doesn’t it? Yes, it pays the rent and bills, living expenses, etc. But money, unless it is used according to God’s will and purposes, and for the sake of God’s glory, is actually just stuff under our feet that trips us up. By that, I mean that it’s like rocks, pot-holes, brambles, etc. Rocks get in your shoes and make your feet sore. I hit a pot hole once, and thought I’d ripped the oil pan right off the car. Brambles and burrs stick to your clothes and scratch your legs up. See the hassles?

But when we use money according to God’s purposes-which are pavement, provisions, preparations, and presents…oh, the places we can go, the things we can do, the peace, power, and pleasantness of life we can provide. Handling our money responsibly is part of God’s plan. It’s part of good stewardship. Good stewardship includes tithing and benevolence, planning for the future -we are to leave an inheritance for even our children’s children, and advancing the Kingdom of Heaven-making sure the Gospel is preached in all the corners of the Earth.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu