Tag: Work

A King, A Queen, the Noblest of Servants

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are to be servants.  There is no greater, no higher calling that the one to serve.  Philippians 2:6 tells us about Jesus’ heart.  “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,…”  

As I read the scriptures regarding our relationship to Christ, and to one another, I also reminded that Jesus told us to love one another like He loves us.  There are also scriptures that admonish us to do everything as if unto the Lord, as we are His servants.  Finally, in serving one another, we are serving the Lord.

We are kings and queens in the earth.  We can take some lessons about service, and learn some lessons about selfishness and selfish ambition from kings and queens of the past.  Those lands/nations and kingdoms, along with their lineages, usually fell; and pretty hard.  Some no longer exist and the memory of them is all but wiped out completely.  I’m also reminded of Solomon’s prayer for wisdom in governing his people.

I prayed that very prayer myself, in regard to my little family.  That was a turning point in our family; especially for me.  God always answers prayer.  But be prepared, He will work on you first.  That’s where humility and courage come in.  And, of course, your faith in God’s love for you helps tremendously; especially if you’ve come out of dysfunctionality, addiction(s), and abusive background(s) yourself.  I always say that I learned more about being a wife and mother from God than I did my own mother.  And I really do thank God every day for my grandmother.  Had I not had her example and her love early in my life, I never would have known the difference.  I’m quite sure I wouldn’t be who I am today.  You see, she served everyone, and in doing so, served the Lord.  When we do all things as if unto the Lord, we are actually exercising our authority in the earth.  We have the authority and the power to choose how we want to live, and what kind of legacy we want to leave for our children, and for others.  The noblest of servants is the king or queen who will stop, stoop, and serve his/her people in order to help them rise to their highest levels.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu                                                                                                    Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, April 2, 2019, 5:17 p.m.

Focus on the Right Stuff

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, encourages us to persevere.  The message addresses our focus, or consciousness of our shortcomings at the expense of our progress, and the lesson(s) and blessing(s) surrounding us.

Quoting directly from the message: “When climbing a steep hill, a man is often more conscious of the weakness of his stumbling feet than of the view, the grandeur, or even of his upward progress.”  God sees everything we do for Him as an offering of love.  -Provided we are sincere, that is.  Jesus spoke about those who do things for show and to get man’s rewards.  (Matthew 23)

The message speaks to us, not only about ministry and the Christian life.  We can also apply this to our daily living, our struggles, projects, and pursuits.  I was thinking about working out the other day.  Walking is a great workout for strength, stamina, and cardio-pulmonary too.  When I first started to workout, I couldn’t go for very long, because I was out of shape.  I started with ten minutes, and increased the time by just five minutes after a week.  I worked out every day, doing aerobic walking.

Ten minutes may seem like nothing to some of us.  But when you’re out of shape and/or just beginning, and especially if you’re overweight, ten minutes is AWESOME!  Are you kidding?  You feel like you’re about to die after three minutes!  And you went the whole ten?!  YAY!  Celebrate every step because every step is a step forward.  We have to deliberately focus on the progress, and the spiritual victory becomes ours.  When we focus on the weakness we feel, or even on the failure to make the whole ten minutes, -maybe you only made it five minutes.  Focus on the truth, which is, YOU MADE IT SOME MINUTES.  Yesterday, you had no minutes under your belt.  Today, you have five; that’s a gain for you.   Whatever the struggle, whatever the project, focusing on the progress, no matter how small, empowers success.  Focusing on the weakness, the setback, the “failure,” enables an attitude of defeat and feeds hopelessness.

1 Samuel 16:7 is referenced today:  “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu                                                                                                Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, March 30, 2019, 12:41 p.m.

He is All and is in All

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God works in mysterious ways.  Well, at times the ways seem mysterious, anyway.  We’re reminded that God works through may channels to supply our needs.  So, we are bid to trust Him.  At the same time, we are bid to simply strive to do His will.

When the revelation of today’s message became clear to me, my life changed in many ways.  Every sort of work, be it outside or inside my home, became an opportunity to be excellent in working, thereby serving the Lord.  Social activities such as 4H, kids’ ballgames, and even just a neighborhood get -together became opportunities to bless people.  This was true even if the blessings were small things like a listening ear, or a much needed hug, or a word of encouragement.  1 Corinthians 10:31  tells us this: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”  The more I cultivated this attitude and put in into practice, the more awesome my life became.

And, as I became a channel of blessing, I began to receive blessings from every direction.  I believe when we do this, we activate a power that works throughout our circles, and even in the world around us at times.  That power ensures our needs are met, be they physical, material, emotional, or spiritual.  Anxiety ceases, and joy and peace, a quiet confidence take over.  Finally, I can’t even begin to tell you what a blessing it is to be able to bless someone.  Just the sight of their smiling faces, or the sound of their joy, is such a blessing to a heart and soul.  It works a wonder somewhere within a person, that brings joy bubbling up time and time again.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu                                                                                                    Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, March 19, 2019, 12:41 p.m.