Your Words Are Your Anointing

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Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us to learn from our Lord, regarding all things, and especially regarding our tongues. I’m smiling gratefully right now, because our Lord is a gracious, patient, and forgiving God. Thankfully, I get at things through the years and with practice.

John 6:68 reads: “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” This is one of the scriptures referenced by the message. The other one is Matthew 16: 15-16. It reads: “But what about you? Whom do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, “you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The King James version uses the word, “Christ,” which means the anointed One and His anointing. That’s a very powerful revelation. Jesus Christ is also called the Word of God. That means, when we speak as Jesus has taught us to speak, we are speaking with power. Our words are anointed according to our faith and obedience to our Lord. Words start within; in our hearts and minds-and vice versa. I say vice versa because we perceive with our minds, form opinions, and then those affect our hearts. We are, for the most part, emotional creatures. We don’t, and shouldn’t be, however, driven or ruled by our emotions.

The Bible tells us to guard our hearts above all things. That means I want to put good things in; and I want good things to come out. When we seek to honor one another, to honor and preserve the dignity of humanity, the divinity within us, we have to be mindful of God’s intent and purpose toward all. We are told to live peaceably with all if possible. But that doesn’t mean we need to make alliances with evil; we do have to respect it’s right to exist for the time being.

I began to notice a difference in my level of calm and collected, my ability to focus, my peace of mind, my attitude(s), and the level of my joy-even my energy, after I’d begun praying my little morning prayer daily. I’ll go to my grave believing the Holy Spirit was teaching me to be mindful of that “love your neighbor as yourself,” commandment through that prayer. I’ve seen changes in the atmosphere I”m in when I speak anointed words; speak positively, or at least neutrally-unemotionally and non-judgmentally. I’ve witnessed near fiascos do a 180 and end in celebration, simply because I changed my attitude and focus-from victim of the circumstances or event to lord of them-here to serve. Remember? Jesus did say, “I’ve not come to be served, but to serve.” When we seek to serve God and align our will with His, “for all”, we are more apt to set that guard, not only over our mouths, but our minds, hearts, eyes and ears as well. That empowers the anointing over all our lives.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He is Faithful and Just to Forgive Us

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Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us that we must turn to God in every circumstance-especially when we have erred-that’s the meaning of the word sin-to err or to miss the mark. When we don’t do that, we end up living in a state of sinfulness. That stuff doesn’t come off of you without your confessing it, and making it right. That’s because Satan, the accuser of the brethren will grab hold of that, and use it to destroy you.

Even in our weakest moments, we can be assured that Jesus is right there with us; and He is for us. The Bible tells us that He is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him. Weakness, fear, doubt, envy, frustration…anything that causes us to misstep or to stop walking on our path, is a sin-because it can bring death and despondency if we don’t get it out of our heart. It’s a sort of mis-fire.

That brings us to that blessed assurance of God’s unfailing love. Yes, I did say unfailing. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love never fails, and that love conquers everything. That’s an awesome revelation about the power that we have over sin, or over anything that would bind us. Being bound up is a sin too, because we’re set free by the blood of Christ Jesus. Yes, the wages of sin are death. But Jesus conquered all sin on the cross. And our God is a loving, gracious, and faithful Father. When we turn to Him in our sin, our weakness, our fear, He’s not going to punish us, or degrade, belittle, or demean us. He’s going to forgive us and help us to overcome whatever it is that we’ve fallen to. Imagine a child afraid to tell his mommy or daddy that he spilt juice in his room…and then it’s discovered by mommy or daddy anyway (because God knows everything). Would you be angry at the child, or angry at yourself? Why was that child afraid to come to me for help, would be my question. God doesn’t want us to be afraid of Him; He loves us, and He wants us to be victorious; successful in life. “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.” -Jesus’ Words

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 23, 2018, 11:59 a.m.

Seeing the Father

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Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us of Jesus’ words, “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” My own dad died on this day 31 years ago. I bring that up because the title of the message struck me. I went through some things at my father’s hands, and through some more as a result of what he did. I was almost 32 years old before “seeing the father,” in him was again a joyous thing. I lost him when I was 28 years old. As I’ve said before, though, the man taught me so much about kindness and humility. He was a good provider for his family, and he would move heaven and earth to come save one of us kids.

Jesus was talking to the disciples when he said if you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father. That Father was the father who healed me from the wounds my own parents inflicted on me. He healed, and still heals today, the many self-inflicted wounds I turn up with. Let me tell you, when I get to Heaven, I’m going to have one bad case of road rash. I can laugh at that now, because I’m a lot quicker to avoid those things that wound me. I’m also very quick to turn toward my Heavenly Father whenever I’m faced by fear or doubt of any kind, any adversity, or even when I sense myself trying to be right doing the wrong thing. Yes, I will be honest! LOL

Jesus gives us the perfect picture of our Heavenly Father. He isn’t some far away God, sitting on a throne and saying, “Bless you, dear,” and “Oh, my, I wish you wouldn’t do that, darling.” Jesus is the one who does that-, “OMG, DAD! She’s doing it again!!!!! LOL I’m kidding, Lord. The more we read the gospels and get to know Jesus, the more we get to know our Heavenly Father. He’s a fierce protector, a gentle teacher -although some of those lessons we have to learn come hard, don’t they? He’s got a sense of humor; He laughs at me all the time. He’s also the greatest listener, and counselor when you need one. Finally, He goes out of His way to make sure I know He loves me, sees me and everything I’m going through. And not only that, but He shares in all the little silly things that bring me such great joy. Yeah, He laughs at me whenever He catches me by surprise too.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Spit Out the Fear and Taste His Goodness

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Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, bids us to “taste and see that the LORD is good.” (Psalm 34:8) I’m thinking of the way I felt last evening, and of the heaviness I felt earlier this morning. Yes, I did praise and thank God in spite of it; because of it.

Feelings of doubt and little nagging fears seem to love to creep up whenever I’ve finished something, or when I’m about to embark on some new adventure, or begin a new project. This message ties in great with yesterday’s, doesn’t it? I’ve had to choose to take hold of the joy of the Lord this morning. I’ve had to remind those little darts of doubt and apprehension that my God is bigger than any mountain.

This is where that thing about looking straight ahead rather than to the left or right comes in. There will be times when you’ll hear all kinds of discouraging things-in your own heart. Jesus is the plumb-line; He’s true, so He’s the one to look to, and at. Keep your focus on God’s plan for your life. He’s behind you every step of the way, and He’s with you all the way!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Filling Yourself With Joy

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I just published my first book on Smashwords.

Establishing Your Daughter’s House , the complete weekly Bible study series on Proverbs 31 woman will be live for sale on Smashwords.com on 9/20/2018. I was so inspired when I was doing this study that I wanted to make it available to everyone everywhere. Then, I posted each lesson weekly. Now they are all together in this book. I hope it’s as inspiring and encouraging to you as it was to me. You may preview, and pre-order now, if you wish to.

Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus wants us to have fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11 is referenced: You show me the paths of life, in your presence is fullness of joy, and at your right hand are pleasures for evermore. As I read the message and the verse, I am reminded of Jesus’ words, “Take heart.” Then, there’s that merry heart that makes a good medicine thing.

The Bible also tells us that the good man out of the good treasure stored up in his heart, brings out good, or does good things. All this tells me that I must take joy to make joy. That means I need to fill myself with the things that bring joy and peace to my heart, my mind, and my soul. For me, that might be listening to praise music, or taking a walk on a nature trail. Joyfulness is a choice. I can choose to look on the bright side, to be positive, to laugh it off, etc. I can also refuse to got with that bad attitude, that negative thought, or that feeling of doubt or despair.

I had that going on just this morning. Satan does prowl like a lion seeking whom he might devour. I chose to pray and let God know my feelings. He reminded me of Jesus in Gathsemane; and of Elijah in the cave. You know what? I was thanking Him almost at the very same time I was asking Him for help. Fullness of joy contains a little element called the love of an awesome Heavenly Father. Thanks again, Dad! I love you.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

At All Costs…

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Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us that we must abide beneath the shadow of His wings. We must dwell there in the presence of the LORD. The message tells us no power on Earth can even find that secret place. It is a place within each of us; at our very core.

Psalm 84:10 -Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. This is exactly what today’s message is about. We are doorkeepers in the house of God. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, we must diligently keep the gates protected. That means not compromising standard, nor allowing the devil to get a foothold within.

Notice that the verse says, “in your courts.” That tells me that when my house is God’s house, I’m living in a palace. John 14:2 -My Father’s house has many rooms. Some versions use “dwelling places.” As I read this, I think of the different rooms in my house; kitchen, bath, bedroom, living room, even the backyard. In each one, there are standards, routines, expectations, and boundaries that keep things going smoothly. When these things get upset and out of kilter, everything else does as well. That’s because we are not at our best then. The vice versa rule applies here, because when things inwardly are not as they should be, the chaos manifests itself outwardly.

I have made it a point to try and make prayer my first priority in the morning. That sets the tone for the day, reminds me to check my attitude(s)-I can get several of them going all at the same time, and check the “fences.” It puts me on alert to little things in the spirit, and in my spirit as well. It reminds me to put on the full armor of God. It also causes me to run to those courts joyfully and embrace all the goodness God is and has for me. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

I Know The One Who Holds The Future!

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I read a book this weekend titled, “God Called a Girl,” by Shannon Kubiak. I was so touched and inspired by it. I highly recommend this read to any young woman or even young man. I believe it will strengthen your faith greatly. I think it helps to illustrate today’s message quite well, too.

Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are children of God, and we must walk by faith. The message tells us that “the way of uncertain future and faltering steps” is the Lord’s way. That doesn’t mean it’s all up in the air and God doesn’t know the next step. The Bible tells us that God ordains our steps. Rather, it means that although we don’t see where the next step is leading-(the future), we do know the One who has ordained that particular step just for us.

We can rest assured that He’s in the future, because He has gone before us to make the way. We can feel confident that He’s beside us as we take that, even faltering step forward, because He’s promised never to leave us or forsake us. “Lo, I am with you even unto the end of the age,” said Jesus. And, we can be certain that nothing will be lost or forgotten forever, because He is our rear guard. That also means finished business will be exactly that; finished. Our only need when some of those finished things crop up along the way, is to remind them that they are finished, and to refuse to pick them up again.

When we find ourselves unsure of tomorrow, we can rest assured that tomorrow is already a done deal in God’s hands. I may not know what the future holds. I do know the One who holds the future! I also know what is at the END of the road…That very same One; Jesus!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Is It Working Yet?

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Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us that “success is the result of work done in peace.” God’s peace, that is. Isaiah 32:17 is referenced with the message. “The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.” We’re also told, in Isaiah 30:15 that our strength is in quietness and trust.

When I think about this message, I recall all the times that everything seemed to be out of control, and careening toward disaster-failure at best. It was those times that I was hasty; I didn’t let God do the leading. I didn’t stay mindful of His Word and its wisdom; or its power, for that matter. Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27) There are a couple of things to note in that scripture. First, Jesus’ peace is different from the world’s. Secondly, He doesn’t give in the same way the world gives to us-suggesting that there’s a different route or mode of giving. This also tells me that there’s something more than what the world has to give, and it requires a special mode of transference. Then, He tells us not to let our hearts be troubled and not to be afraid. That suggests to me, that right there is where the gifts, or blessings come in. Read Matthew 12:35 in light of this -“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him….” Let not your hearts be troubled. So, if it’s frustrating me, if it seems chaotic, if it just doesn’t feel right, I need to stop. Then I need to seek God. Get back into His presence, and His peace. Because, the peace of God passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) -and it will keep you. It gives us the clarity, courage, and conviction we need; it builds our faith into a conquering force. You may have to back up a step or two, and start over, but with the clarity and quietness of soul, confidence and trust arise, and the job gets done-successfully. Well, most of the time, anyway. I have been known to run to the oven as the timer goes off. And just as I’m taking the cake out of the oven, I spot an ingredient on the counter…that I forgot to put in the batter. The good news is that birds aren’t picky eaters…and there’s plenty of flour and stuff still in the cupboards.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

What’s In A Name?

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Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is power in the Name of Jesus. We’re bid to call His Name, or to say His Name, often.

As I read the message, Colossians 3:2-4 came to mind. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” The Name, Jesus, elevates one’s thinking; one’s understanding, attitude, and aptitude. But only if you allow it too. I have found over the years, that I am often too hasty. I am impatient-as we all are in adversity-to get to the end of the thing. I often miss something that might have changed my whole course of action, had I been aware of it.

When I recall this, I’m brought back to what the Bible tells of about God. He doesn’t tempt us with evil, and with every temptation, God provision is there for us-be it for escape, or for inspiration, encouragement, strength, etc. God doesn’t impute iniquity to us either. He sees and expects the very best we have to give. When we remember this in dealing with adversity, it changes our focus and our attitude. Confusion gives way to clarity, impatience to patience, finding-or forcing and end gives way to seeking the cause (understanding fully), and acting accordingly. Instead of reactive, we become proactive. I’ve sometimes called out Jesus’ Name and had to sit for awhile, just being still and waiting. He’s never failed me yet. They say practice makes perfect, but I’d rather learn that some other way, I think…I can surely do without all that adversity and frustration. Then again, I might not discover my progress without it.

P.S. -That’s NOT an invitation to come harass me! LOL

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 13, 2018, 11:30 a.m.

His Money Values Are Different

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Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us that money is pavement in Heaven. It should also be pavement here.

The Bible tells us that money answers everything. (Ecclesiastes 10:19) Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s. (Mark 12:17) The message references Luke 12:31 -Seek first the kingdom of Heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you as well. As I read the message, then, I begin to get an understanding of the difference between serving money and serving God.

When we serve money, there’s never enough of it. We are to make money serve us according to God’s purpose and will for our lives; ours and the lives of others. That says to me that we need to look at the horizon always. We need to look further than our own little box, or our own little world, and our own needs. It also tells me that there is so much more than just what I can achieve with something, or what I have received. Remember the feeding of the thousands from just a few fish and loaves. And there was still left over. God’s supply is always more than enough. God’s supply is a spring of living water flowing out of our belly. God’s glory is on everything; so what Jesus said is true…”You’ll never thirst again.” The supply, provision, and inspiration is always there. Seeking first, then, the kingdom of Heaven, means asking how much farther can I go with this. How much of this can I share? How many can I help with this? How many can I inspire? How many more…

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 12, 2018, 11:27 a.m.