January 30, 2011

Prayer In Pros - Conversations With My Dad


photo by Dan Heller / http://www.danheller.com/

Faith in the Unseen

To My Lord, I lift my heart to thee,
My full face I raise; your eyes to see.
Shine your sun upon my cheeks,
Moist and dew drenched in your grace.

Speak, oh Spirit, of Him divine,
From the depths of my heart, now so entwined.
Worship my Father with your words of life,
Bringing me higher into His presence so pure.

His wings will lift me, into His embrace
To gently protect me from any harmful place.

He pulls me closer to hear my song,
The melody He planted before my time.

He has taught me the verse word by word,
Increased my joy, to raise up my voice.
The energy released, shakes the tambourines,
All to raise praise, on this heavenly plain.

My day I offer as a pure sacrifice,
I lay myself low to honor your grace.
Lift up yourself as you rain down your love,
Dwell  in our presence to increase our faith.

"Faith in the unseen, the knowledge of God",
The wisdom of discernment and your undying love.
I love you my Father, my companion, closest friend,
Share the experience, bring me me closer to you still,

How far is far? It is out of this place...
And Home is the depth of your sweet embrace.

Listen, I will tell you of what is to come,
Flowers and sunshine, the sweet smell of grace....
The light brighter than sunshine, the dew upon your face;
My glory is present both in this time and then
your sight will change as the time draws to an end.

Mourning is different in the time to come,
the mercy not needed so all day you will be strong.

Love will wrap laughter, so pure and true.
Joy will run deep - flow out; sorrow gone...
Our days of mourning will pass as yesterdays
and the rain of our tears will wash them away.

They forget I am crying, watching all in pain,
I too am ready for this to all pass away.

It is not as I intended, I created you to Love,
I too am reaching out, without them to hold.
We all share this experience and the pain that runs deep.
No one is isolated from the grief and the pain.

We all are one in all that we share.
That is why there is need to forgive each and all,
Run to the embrace when the arms desire to warm.
Protect your heart by turning to me,
The world will just crush you, if you do not bend your knee.

Today if they hear me I will send the band,
Keep going they're out there; you get there first.
Then when the band comes, they'll know it is their time,
Come in and join us to celebrate with song,
Completing the harmony their part in it all.

Candace Huffmaster,
©2006 all rights reserved





January 25, 2011

We Can't Make a Solid Plan When We Do Not Understand

I am glad to say that at the moment (knowing it could happen at any time) the chaos that we are dealing with in crisis situations is not from our learning curve.  I do not say that to boast mind you.  This year already is proving to be an epiphany fireworks display. 

For instance, how many times have we referred to the writing  "My Shadow" whether in the Creativity Speaks groups, women's groups etc, it has been many.  The process of coming into relationships, hearing our Sheppard's voice and maturing so that we are not deceived is explained in this creative writing. 

Click on the TGIF tab to read what Os Hillman has to add to our understanding.  You can also go to our search tab (top left) type in shadow and refresh your thoughts from past information.  Sit with God today, let His spirit disclose anything hidden for you to see, follow Christ's examples and rise to apply what you have seen.

Only use what you understand clearly.  Where you are lacking fullness you are not supposed to take action, you are supposed to be seeking clarity, provision and confidence that you CAN do it - through Him.

With Love,
Candace

My Shadow




Let me write something pretty for you, Lord,

Let me raise my voice high.

Stir my spirit to praise you, glorifying my King.

The valley I did travel, the journey many years long,

At times I had no vision, the walls too close to see,

No feeling of compassion along my dusty road.

Hear this, my lonely traveler, My words shall persevere!

They are pounding on the pavement as feet running to be at your side.

Patience… please stop running; you are abandoning all your help!

My plan was set in motion when your first tear hit my hand.

I am your way, my sojourner; your road is up ahead.

Make plans after you’ve listened; not while you are trying to understand.

Willful dispositions, glide on the surface like glass,

The reflections are all around us; the image of each man.

My image is why you were created as my father said it was to be,

Mighty men with wasted power ‘til my reflection is what is seen.

Trials and tribulations focus the eyes to see,

Whose reflection is in the mirror?

Judging what is to be…

Focus placed on the superficial, mirrors life gone by,

In the valley of destruction, shadows still reflect

Until challenge breaks the mirror, casting fragments out of reach.

Moving forward now takes decisions,

The eye and mind unite within ,

The heart discerns the image…

Showing a reflection of the true man.

Look past the day you’re traveling,

To the hands holding back the storm,

No valley will overtake you,

No journey will be too long.

I am the Man, and you, my shadow,

I walk through the valley first,

I rose and now you’re with me,

No matter what we’re passing through.

I cast my shadow with purpose,

Made from blocking harsh light,

Harm can only come to the person,

I am that person, your Christ.

The reflection is not tangible, nor the shadow that has been set,

This is just as the spirit, transcendent of the flesh,

Reality is a lesson, the mind a tool to tame.

The learned are My inspiration… My leaders among all men.



By Candace Huffmaster © 2007 all rights reserved

January 20, 2011

Prayer in Pros

Father, you are Lord God Almighty
                    and Holy is that name
I came into your presence
                   and I will never be the same
Your voice, of all creation,
                    empowers me to move
Your light shone on my darkness,
                   the truth it did unfold
My ear that you created
                  persuaded me to think
The Spirit, which is Holy,
                  ran deeply through my veins
You washed away the images;
                 you cast them far from my mind
You replaced then with your vvision
                 as you tenderly shed some light
You called me to come closer
                  I rose to walk your way
I listened as you uncovered
                  the secret without shame
To me, you are my Savior
                   my reason for my hope
To do just as you will me
                    is my deepest hearts desire
Today, if just for one moment
                  open my eyes to see
A glimpse of my God passing
                   the baton and touching me
Show me of your great things
                    Instruct my limbs to stretch
Increase my perseverance
                    in you I will pass all tests
Together we will storm heaven
                    to release what is bound for all time
Hosanna in the Highest
                     the purest sacrifice
In Him we all have salvation
                     in Him we are clean and pure
In Him we are risen to approach you
                     in Him we can see your throne
We are Holy, because you are Holy
                    We are the body and we are one
You call us to come in beside you
                      To take our place as your bride
We honor you with our submission
                      after all, you are the King of Kings
There is but one Redeemer
                     now we know and we choose His name
Together we call for our children
                    "come home, how we love you so!"
"Don't stay in the presence of danger,"
                       "there is power for you to escape!"
"Return by the way which you entered"
                        "seek to hear and to see"
"It is not as far as they have told you"
                        "for our Christ has risen indeed!"
                    
Amen..........
Hallelujah..........
Shalom...............

By Candace Huffmaster
2010  all rights reserved

January 19, 2011

A Finger, A Hole and A God That Plans Ahead

 Cross Over Troubled Waters

Think about the Gap
        The truly great divide
The one that first crossed over
         The one waving the flag of hope
The one we can now run to
        The one complete and whole
We trusted His bridge would deliver us
         Set our feet on solid ground
We carry their way to cross over
         Following His steps across
When we see the breach before them
         We too must lay ourselves down
Take pause to look all around you
         Listening to hear His prompt
We know someone is searching
         He hears and knows where they are
Your opening may be small now
        But He made you the perfect fit
To hold back the raging waters
         To shine the light on their path

By Candace Huffmaster
2010 © all rights reserved

Devotional by Os Hillman - TGIF
I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30

The people of Israel fell into sin when they worshiped the golden calf. It would not be the last time God’s people would fall into idol worship. They had forgotten the great things God had done for them. This angered God so much that He was going to destroy the whole nation. Only one thing changed God’s mind in the matter — Moses. Psalm 106:23 says, “…had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him to keep His wrath from destroying them.” Moses was a man willing to stand in the gap, sacrificially, for those who were not deserving of such sacrifice. This sacrificial love by Moses is called for among His people today.

The prophet Ezekiel described another situation in which God’s people fell into sin. God was ready to destroy the nation when He spoke to Ezekiel, asking him if there is a man willing to stand in the gap so that God would not have to destroy His people.

Judah was a man who stood in the gap on behalf of his younger brother Benjamin. Joseph held his brother Simeon hostage as insurance that the other brothers would bring Benjamin to Egypt. Judah had a long history of a me-focused life, but in this instance he came forward to stand in the gap for his younger brother. He responded to the anguish of his father, Jacob, by personally guaranteeing the safe return of both Simeon and Benjamin. Judah’s sacrifice was rewarded (see Gen. 42-43).

Just as Christ did, we are to be those who will stand in the gap on behalf of others who are not aware of their own vulnerable condition. It is a proactive sacrificial position. Who is God calling you to stand in the gap for? Perhaps it is a mate; perhaps it is a coworker who has not come to know the Savior; perhaps it is a wayward child. Are you willing to become the sacrificial offering to God to change His plans of judgment because of your willingness to stand in their place? This is a hard teaching. This is what Jesus did for each of us. When we stand in the place of another, God moves because of our willingness to stand on their behalf. If we don’t, His plans will go forward because He is a righteous and holy God who will honor His own word, even if it means destruction. Are you willing to stand in the breach of the wall for someone today? Perhaps you are the only person who will stand on someone’s behalf.

For more on" standing in the gap " go to top left search box and type in" bridge" or "gap"

I pray today for each of us to request in Christs name that God give the understanding of what all this means so that He may have all of us unified in His Kingdom.

With love,
Candace

January 17, 2011

What Do You Want From Me!

I have been prayerfully working on several things for our devotions this week.  However, that is not what is up here today.  It seems that I am going in a different direction - so forgive me as I publicly think through it all.

This is a combination of things my prayer in pros - scripture and as always some rambling thoughts that are not definitive in any way.  I hope that some of you will use what God is speaking to you and share it here so that He has a larger voice to our large audience. 

I am thankful that we are many - united in and under Him.
Kisses,
Candace

Journal entry January 14, 2011

We are His canvas: His story on stage
He is before them creating the details day by day
As they spectate the wonders of His skill
They see His mastery of creative design
Working on each as His story evolves
He puts no less care into one than the next
Each illustrating a pivotal piece
Of His love,and mercy which is just when it defeats
Now in view before them
They may see all things clear
Do they fall to their knees?
Do they not even think twice?
Does the Spirit have room to move within that full house?

These are my questions from here on the stage
As I stand in my place watching His immense grace
I am happy to be here, allowing Him to use me
To create just what is needed
For He knows what they will see

When I was writing this I was thinking about how God uses us like we use our canvas, books, live conversations etc.  We are truly implements of creative display - only alive.  We speak of how artist work "speak" to us.  But do we ever think about the fact that each of us are that painting or written composition that sits around day after day - week after week getting tweaked. 

I read a couple of Psalms that I am placing between these thoughts. I was reading it after I journaled this morning.  I believe they will add much detail from the mind and heart of God and yet another work of art He created many years ago:

Psalm 40 - For the choir director; a psalm byDavid.

I waited patiently for the Lord.
   He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
   He pulled me out of a horrible pit,
         out of the mud and clay.
   He set my feet on a rock
          and made my steps secure.
   He placed a new song in my mouth,
         a song of praise to our God.
            Many will see this and worship.
            They will trust the Lord.
Blessed is the person
       who places his confidence in the Lord
            and does not rely on arrogant people
               or those who follow lies.
You have done many miraculous things, O Lord my God.
You have made many wonderful plans for us.
          No one compares to you!
I will tell others about your miracles,
     which are more than I can count
You were not pleased with sacrifices and offerings.
You have dug out two ears for me.
You did not ask for burnt offerings or sacrifices for sin.
    Then I said, "I have come!
       (it is written about me in the scroll of the book)
      I am happy to do your will, O my God."
Your teachings are deep within me.
I will announce the good news of righteousness
     among those assembled for worship.
             I will not close my lips.
               You know that, O Lord.
I have not buried your righteousness deep i my heart.
I have been outspoken about your faithfulness and your salvation
       from those assembled for worship.
Do not withold your compassion from me, O Lord.
May your mercy and your truth always protect me.
    Countless evils have surrounded me.
               My sins have caught up with me so that I can no longer see.
                        They outnumber the hairs on my head.
                               I have lost heart.
O Lord, please rescue me!
Come quickly to help me, O Lord!
Let all those who seek to end my life
  be confused and put to shame.
Let those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!
  be stunned by their own shame.
Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad because of you.
Let those who love your salvation continually say,
   "The Lord is great!"
But I am oppressed and needy.
May the Lord think of me.
   You are my help and my savior.
    O my God, do not delay!


We all know how loved David was by God and look at his great out pouring.  Even in his great need he was still praying for others while he was praying for help for himself. 

These are all our stories; these are the days of our life.  We are one with the Father; through the Son we are bound in this abode.  Let us listen to what He is saying, let us fold in to what daily unfolds.

Prayer in Pros
January 17, 2011

Good Moring Dad-
Here I am facing toward you
Asking for the ancient path so that all will be well with my soul.

All I am askin
all is what I need
all that flows from your hand
to paint a full picture of me

Tell me how to use it
Tell me what to believe
Your spirit spreads within me
to enlighten my simple mind
He charges into the darkness
pumping life from my once fractured heart
He fills my mind with the memories
Of all that was - with knowledge of what will forever be

Explain to me in your wise counsel
use the pieces of what I understand
Bridge the lack and the weakness
To tranform the things I can see
into the brillance of your enlightenment
Into the realms of the unknown
Beyond what mere man can teach me
Beyond what our understanding, alone, can know

I thank you, my Father and redeemer
I humbly lay myself low
My request although it is simple
Is all together the most I can ask
To know you as I believe you
To see the truth in your light
To live in peace with all people
To fight only the good fight througout this life.

In Christ we are free Indeed -
For us all I pray,
Candace   
      
If you get a chance you should read psalm 49 - the last stanza is this "Mortals, with what they treasure, still don't have understanding.  They are like animals that die." (GWT - as was the previous psalm)

January 16, 2011

Are You Going To Leave Me Too? Where Would You Go?

(Read John 6 if you are unfamiliar with the title statement)




2 Corinthians 6:1-18 (NAS) And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain for He says “At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you:” behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now is “The Day of Salvation” giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth in the power of God’ by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is open wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange – I speak to you as children- open wide to us also. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Almighty


Sometimes, through my process of growing into the maturity of Christ, God’s understanding and liberating the Spirit of God whom I grieve when I control, I would miss the larger lesson before me.

I, in my lack of understanding, would focus on how others actions affected me. ,I in my arrogance, would align myself with the suffering of Christ and hold a private pity party - just Him and me. The pitiful thing is, He would always attend and sit there with me.  He would call me out either; simply comfort me.

I would talk to Him about how others would just leave, seeing something else that they wanted to obtain - maybe they would get bored. I would pray for their success but somewhere inside I would hold back a bit. I would serve with a little less joy and a little more weight. I would talk to Him about how I understood in a small way what He meant when He implored others to stay alert and pray for Him so that He would not have to endure alone. I did not ever think that it was only He and I though, nor did I compare myself in any way to what he must have endured – I think you get the picture.

But through Christ’s kindness, His gentleness and the holy spirit I finally was able to see that the times when I would think “God do you want me to quit and go back to what I was doing? Is that what you are trying to tell me?”, He was actually increasing my perspective, my understanding, my compassion and my discernment by taking me to and through another level of intimacy.

There comes a point in a relationship when once separate minds are now in perfect harmony (not that I am there yet); when you are saying the same thing at the same time, with the same inflection. When I was saying “Are you going to leave me too”, He was saying to me “Are you going to leave me too?

Leaving is not an option. We are forever His. We are His bride. He will never leave us nor forsake us and it is eternal because there is no death. He left His father beginning the process of being forever join with His bride. For a time we could not cleave to Him; but now we can.

So next time I feel like inviting Him to a “Pitiful Party” I think I will just sit and pray for Him, for His bride to be everything He anticipates, and for His bride to run with arms wide open to embrace Him.

In Christ with Love,

Candace

January 15, 2011

Ministry in Word

Congratulations to Tom and Tehwan Tso they now have their Ministry in Word blogger site going for their devotions.  If you look at the top of our site there is a tab you can click for their weekly devotions to the right is the link to their site as well.

We lift them up to encourage their perseverance in the work of building up the unity of our body in Christ.

Today we are focusing on conversing with God to find out what He is up to today - the post is on our Emerge site www.kbemerge.com.  The segment of our organization which directly supports care givers of those in crisis.

With Love,
Candace

January 13, 2011

Yes; Don't You?

I wish I could tell you exactly how many times people ask me, "Do you really hear God's voice?" or "Do you really think God talks to people?".  This topic never came up in conversations till about 10 years ago to my recollection.  When it did I didn't really know how exactly what I believed.  I trusted that God did at one time speak to people.  After all we have it printed. 

The funny thing is, it was not until I started sitting and talking to Him; recording my conversations with Him, that I actually even noticed He was talking to me.  So now when people ask me, "Do you really think God talks to people?"  I reply "Yes; don't you?". 

I pray that if you cannot be sure you will give Him the opportunity to speak into your life.  He is willing and does - sometimes we just drown Him out or don't know it's Him.

With Love,
Candace

Finding The Will Of GodTGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart. - Psalm 40:8
How would you describe the process by which you find and do God's will in your life? For some, finding God's will is like playing bumper cars. We keep going in one direction until we bump into an obstacle, turn, and go in another direction. It is a constant process of elimination, failure, or success. Is this the way God would have us find His will? No. There is much more relationship between hearing God's voice and living within the mystery of His omnipotence in our lives. Perhaps this process is more like water in a streambed. The water is constantly flowing to a final destination. As it presses against the streambed, it gently points the water toward its final destination. There are no abrupt head-on collisions, simply slight modifications of direction. Occasionally, we come to a sharp turn in the contours of our life. For those times, God allows us to stretch our normal response to change. A popular Bible study says that we cannot go with God and stay where we are. Finding and doing God's will always require change. What changes are necessary in your life to join God in what He is already doing?

There is a direct connection between finding and doing God's will and having God's law in our heart. A friend once complained that he did not know what God wanted of him in his life. My immediate response was, "How much time do you spend with God in Bible study, prayer, and meditation on Scripture?" "Only a few minutes a day," he replied. How can we expect to hear and discern God's voice if we don't spend focused time with Him? If you have a spouse, how did you get to know him or her before you were married? You spent time together. You got to know everything about each other. Our walk with God is no different. It isn't enough to have a desire to follow God; we must put our energy into getting to know Him. His will for us flows out of our relationship, it is not an end in itself. Commit yourself to seeking Him more in your life by spending more time with Him. "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3).

January 11, 2011

Obedience - By Os Hillman

I mistakenly posted this as "obstacles" instead of Obedience when I was loading it onto the web site. I pray that I - we all look at obstacles as opportunities. I know the women in our creative group which has been reading "The Last Lecture" will relate this to Randy speaking of "Walls". As he so insightfully states, "walls are not there to keep us out; they are there to see how badly we want something."

May we all desire Him above all else - therein lye's the ability to persevere with obedience.

In Christ,
Kisses,
Candace


TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1

Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. - Exodus 5:23

Have you ever felt that the more obedient you are to following God, the more adversity there is? Moses had been instructed to go to Pharaoh and tell him to release the people of Israel. God had said He was going to deliver the people through Moses. The only problem is that God did not tell Moses at what point they actually would be released. When Moses complained to God, the Lord told Moses that He had to harden Pharaoh's heart in order to perform greater miracles. God was behind hardening Pharaoh's heart. We forget that the king's heart is in God's hand. God had a specific reason for each plague and each delay. God said to Moses,
"I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord" (Exodus 10:1b-2).
God has a reason for everything He does. These delays were designed to bring greater glory to God and were to be a lasting legacy of God's miracle-working power for generations to come.

When the people were freed, God again hardened Pharaoh's heart to go after them. This action of God to harden Pharaoh's heart was to set the stage for an even greater miracle -- the parting of the Red Sea. The people were angry with Moses for bringing them to the desert "to die." But God said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on" (Ex. 14:15b). There was only one place to go by this time -- the Red Sea. God parted the Red Sea, and another greater miracle took place.
Moses learned several lessons that each of us must learn. God's promises are true, but His timing is not the same as ours. God always wants greater glory than what we might be willing to give Him. God puts obstacles and adversity into our lives in order to build perseverance and faith. Why has God put the mountain in your life at this time? To demonstrate His power through your life. To show His glory.

January 7, 2011

The Purpose of the Desert

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. - Hosea 2:14
If you have an important message to convey to someone, what is the best means of getting the message through? Have you ever tried to talk with someone who was so busy you could not get him to hear you? Distractions prevent us from giving our undivided attention to the messenger. So too, God has His way of taking us aside to get our undivided attention. For Paul, it was Arabia for three years; for Moses, it was 40 years in the desert; for Joseph, it was 13 years in Egypt; for David, it was many years of fleeing from King Saul.

God knows the stubborn human heart. He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom. In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace. The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out. He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert. Fear not the desert, for it is here you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you become His bride. It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!"

He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me (2 Samuel 22:20).
~TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman


Ministry in Word

God’s Saving Grace
神拯救的恩惠


A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
有人声喊着说:在旷野预备耶和华的路,在沙漠地修平我们神的道。一切山洼都
要填满,大小山冈都要削平;高高低低的要改为平坦,崎崎岖岖的必成为平原。
耶和华的荣耀必然显现;凡有血气的必一同看见;因为这是耶和华亲口说的。


Isaiah 40:3-5
以賽亞書40:3-5


Every New Year is a beginning. Let us look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth as prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3-5) long before Jesus walked on earth.
每个新年都是一个开始。就让我们以赛亚在耶稣进入世界许久之前所预言耶稣世
上事工的开始。


A voice of one calling –
有人声喊着说 --


It is through human voice and proclamation that awakes the human soul from its spiritual slumber. Paul said in Romans 10:13-14 that “‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” God ordains the human preaching to be the means of spreading the Gospel which leads to salvation of lost souls.
那是透过人声与宣言来从属灵的睡梦中唤醒人的灵魂。保罗在罗马书10:13-14说
「凡求告主名的,就必得救。然而,人未曾信他,怎能求他呢?未曾听见他,怎
能信他呢?没有传道的,怎能听见呢?」神任命人的传道作为传播福音的方法,
带来众失丧灵魂的拯救。


In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God –
在旷野预备耶和华的路,在沙漠地修平我们神的道 --

In the aridness of our souls the Lord calls for their access. We are so weak in our faith we cannot even lift up our feeble arms to reach God. It is God who reaches into the depth of sin we are in to pull us out with an awareness of our desperate situation (Ps 144:7). That shows how great His love is for us that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners (Ro 5:8).
主呼唤要进入我们灵魂的贫瘠中。我们的信心太弱,我们什至不能举起软弱的双
臂去接触神。那是神他伸手进去我们罪的深处拉我们出来,给我们对我们悲观失
望的光景的认知〔诗144:7〕。当我们还是罪人的时候耶稣为我们死,这就显出他
对我们的爱是何其大〔罗5:8〕。


Every valley shall be raised up –
一切山洼都要填满 --


Do we have valley of guilt, thinking that the Lord’s grace is insufficient to remove our transgressions? Do we have valley of little faith, believing that God is unable and unwilling to save us? Do we have valley of emptiness in life that we are trying to fill with all the wrong things? All these valleys need to be filled in and raised up by the Spirit of God.
我们有罪恶感的山洼,认为主的恩典不够来除去我们的过犯吗?我们有小信的山
洼,相信神不能并且不愿意来拯救我们吗?我们有生命空虚的山洼,我们一直以
错误的事物来填补吗?这一切山洼都要被神的灵填满。


Every mountain and hill made low –
大小山冈都要削平 --


Do we have the mountain of pride that makes it impossible for us to humble ourselves before the Lord to receive His grace (Jas 4:6)? Do we have the mountain of bitterness that prevents us from forgiving others and that becomes a hindrance in our spiritual life (Mt 6:14, 15)? Do we have the mountain of self-righteousness that blinds us to the grace of God and making us self-reliant instead of relying on God? All these mountains and hills need to be cast out and made low by the Spirit of God. These hindrances to God’s
access to our hearts will be cleared out.
我们有骄傲的山冈让我们无法在主面前谦卑自己来得着他的恩惠吗〔雅4:6〕?我
们有苦毒的山冈阻止我们去饶恕别人,那成为我们灵命的障碍吗〔太6:14, 15〕?
我们有自义的山冈使我们看不见神的恩典和使我们倚靠自己而不倚靠神吗?所有
这些大小山冈都要被神的灵挪开和削平。这些阻挡神进入我们的心的障碍物都要
被清除。

The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain –
高高低低的要改为平坦,崎崎岖岖的必成为平原 --


The Lord makes our ground level so to protect our feet from stumbling (Ps 116:8), helping us not to fall into sins again. The Lord makes the rugged places a wide open plain giving us freedom to “walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps 116:9).
主使我们的地改为平坦来保护我们不致失足〔诗116:8〕,帮助我们不要再掉进罪
中。主使崎崎岖岖的成为广阔平原,赐我们自由「在耶和华面前行活人之路。」
〔诗116:9〕


And the glory of the Lord will be revealed –
耶和华的荣耀必然显现 --


All the aforementioned saving acts of God happened when Jesus entered into human history and accomplished His salvation of mankind on the cross; in His resurrection He was glorified.
当耶稣进入人类历史和在十字架上成全他对世人的拯救,前述一切神的救赎行动
都发生了;他在他的复活中被荣耀。


And all mankind together will see it –
凡有血气的必一同看见 --


“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Php 2:9-11) He is over all mankind.
「所以,神将他升为至高,又赐给他那超乎万名之上的名,叫一切在天上的、地
上的,和地底下的,因耶稣的名无不屈膝,无不口称耶稣基督为主,使荣耀归与
父神。」〔腓2:9-11〕他是在所有有血气的之上。


For the mouth of the Lord has spoken –
因为这是耶和华亲口说的 --


All these have taken place, or will take place because God has spoken and His word will not return to Him empty but will accomplish what He desires (Is 55:11).
这一切都已发生或将会发生,因为这是神说的而他的话决不徒然返回,却要成就
他所喜悦的〔赛55:11〕。

We should praise the Lord for His grace in accomplishing His work in us.
我们该为他在我们身上成就他的工作的恩赞美耶和华。


Tom and Tehwan Tso
仲谋与德菀


“The outcome of your faith is the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:9
“信心的果效, 就是灵魂的救恩” 彼得前书1:9

January 3, 2011

You Will Always Find What You Seek

 

Well it is a New Year guys.  2011; can you believe it?  Where did 2010 go. 

As for me, I have learned so much through this past year.  It was the largest year of growth for Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc, also known as KB, Inc now.  I am starting this year off with getting back to “101”.  You know what I mean, the basic of curriculums undergirding all else.  Our last Genesis post was October 26th.  That alone is enough to tell me to slow it down a bit. 

With growth comes restructuring.  With restructuring comes other individuals.  With other individuals comes delegation, and with delegation comes what to do when they move on.  Looking back, what I learned is that all individuals have to be seeking the same thing.  If not they do not stay.  We all know jobs are not forever.  However, what KB does is not a business it is a ministry so we always have to look at it in that light.  Ministries can only do what the flesh is willing to allow.  The spirit is always desiring to move.  But what is the flesh seeking?

Right now I am taking this opportunity to thank every individual and organization that has understood and extended so much mercy and grace toward our efforts at times.  We thank God for the grace and provision to be able to get to all that we do accomplished.  Sometimes God changes our time lines and circumstances, doesn’t HE? 

All this to get up back on track with a new year and a face set on Unity. 

In Matthew right after the sermon on the mount, Christ teaches the disciples the how to pray.  He follows this up with “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you”  He was speaking about clothing, food, relationships, business…..ALL THINGS.  Notice He did not say all things will be added to the Kingdom, He said all things will be added to “you”. 

In Genesis we stopped with “What do you See”.  This year I am picking it up with “What do you Seek”.  Huge difference!!  God tells us to “seek” him with all our heart, soul, and mind;  when we seek Him we will find Him.  We always find what we are seeking when we do this.  Let’s look at Genesis:

Genesis 3:5-9(GWT)For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity. And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate. Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apronlike girdles. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you?

We discussed in October that Satan was shifting our mind in order to shift our view.  We see only our heart seeks.  No matter what is there our heart and mind shifts it to fit our desire.  This is the paradigm shift I wrote about last month. 

Adam was no longer seeking God – He desired something else to be added.  Eve did as well.  If you go back and read our past studies you will see God has been seeking to provide for us, so that we may seek Him. 

The Lord God has been calling your name and saying to you, “Where are You?”  He sees YOU, He simply cannot get you to see Him.

I pray this today, January 3rd 2011, you will seek first God and allow Him to add all things to you.  That is His desire and good pleasure toward you. So If you have been hiding like Adam and Eve…..  “Olly, Olly Oxen Free”!

With Love,

Candace