May 28, 2014

Shut Your Pie Hole!

Until we can say it is clear, this verse will be our opening:

Jeremiah 23: 20, 21 The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; in the last days you will clearly understand it.


As we have studied, many times, we say we are waiting on God; but the truth is He is waiting on us.  One of our study verses for this month tells us that God has already granted to us His divine powers for life and godliness.  Of course, He does not give wisdom to dogs, pearls to swine, intimate relationship to childish kids and the list could go on.  His truth explains further that we "become" partakers of His divine nature through receiving His promises.  He cannot get close to us, until we come out from under all the debris.  Yet we are pretty comfy most of the time, and as long as we can steal a glimpse from time to time, we have no need to tip our little canoe.   As to not digress here, if you did not read about how God uses opposing forces to tip us over, for our safety, please click the link above prior to reading on.  

Is God supposed to not care that people do not know the truth? Is He supposed to cease trying to expose the deception they have been taught since birth? He knows that their parents were taught lies and so forth and so on.  The times we live within are no different from thousands of years ago, nor will the future be any different.  That being said, God works differently with each generation, as He bring things toward the final stage.  One thing we have in common, as the ones who take center stage to speak on His behalf, is the audience.  People cannot see God, so God sends flesh and blood people to step on His stage.  Otherwise people would simply be looking at the bright lights focusing on an empty stage.  More than likely a sound system would be a waste of money also.  

We will not cover this today, but through the thousands of years and many people He told to speak for Him, most of the time people said "If you are not going to make the show entertain us, or if you are going to be a downer, then SHUT UP!" Over time, God's speakers began telling people what they wanted to hear.  Some for profit, some due to the deception of their own hearts.  God attempted to send people to tells us that people were coming in His name say ,"God gave me a dream", to communicate, or God told me to say "this".  

The topics that enrage the Lord greatly are when those on the wrong paths are lead to believe God says  they will have peace; or when they walk in the stubbornness of their own heart and are told He will not send calamity upon them. In fact, God told Jeremiah: Behold, the storm of the Lord has gone forth in wrath, even a whirling tempest; It will swirl down on the head of the wicked. He also stated: Is not My word like a fire and like a hammer which shatters a rock.  I do not know the crowd Jerry was speaking to, but I cannot imagine them calling him back out for an encore. 

God allows people to be in place to test them and prove He is with them.  He has to have someway of showing up when we cannot see Him face to face.  Just because you are under the forces of someone does not mean God does not notice the injustice, imbalance and callousness.  Sometimes however, it is not God's best plan for us, we just allow ourselves to be lead astray. Maybe we just get tired, maybe we really are deceived.  Whatever the case may be, the larger picture is that God wants us to understand, there is a time in each of our lives where we all go away from His truth; some just do not care to turn to Him. If that is the case, leave it in His hands and worry about your own state of affairs.  

 For them, God said I'm watching, I'm listening and I care.  He has seen everything already and will not stop attempting to reach you with His truth.  He will not turn His back on you, as if He does not care.  In Isaiah 59 He is stated: 

The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.  
He saw that there was no man, an wondered that there was no one to intercede: 
then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.
He put on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation on his head;
He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

With this in view, there is no way to lack a glorious luster; no matter what moment or season you are passing through.  Just in case you need a true encore from the Lord himself, I will send you on your merry way with this:
"And as for me, this is my covenant with them," says the Lord:  "My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring," says the Lord, "from this time forth and forevermore."


As for our pie holes, looks like we are to keep them open forevermore; as long as He is supplying the pie that is ;)


My prayers over those of us, His children is for His increased peace upon us: protection of His truth, coming toward us and out from our mouths. Bless those who do not bless you - speak the truth and allow Him to avenge His own will.


In Christ,
Candace

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

May 22, 2014

Stop Making Plans and Alliances With Them!

Jeremiah 23: 20, 21 The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; in the last days you will clearly understand it.

Too many people have no mature Christians in their midst to guide them.  A mature Christian is not someone who has it all together and always has "God's answer" for your predicament.  It is someone who submits to the will of God and depends upon the word of God to rightly divide all knowledge and lead forward His plan.

We humans, have a tendency to cherry pick God's truth and twist it to commiserate our own wants.  We then attempt to group our self with like minded individuals who will not rock our god sized boat.  God however, does not need people to rock our boats.  He has sent our adversary, the devil to prowl about like a roaring lion; he is just waiting to rock someones boat and devour them.

We will be doing a study on some very mature subjects this summer, in order for you to completely understand how God intends this for your safety and growth.  Mostly, for your ability to quickly decide to get out of places you should never enter.  Sometimes however, you get too far into bad situations and it takes time for Him to release you from self made bondage's.  He alone can tell you when it is safe to exit or if He will clear the house and allow you to stay.  As for all the variables in between, we will know the truth.  What you do with it is between you and Him.

This is an overview of our focus scriptures:

Isaiah 30:1  Woe to the rebellious children, declares the Lord, "Who execute a plan but not Mine, and make an alliance but not of My spirit, in order to add sin to sin;

Isaiah 33:1 Woe to you, O destroyer, While you were not destroyed; And he who is treacherous while others did not deal treacherously with him.l  As soon as you shall finish destroying, you shall be destroyed; As soon as you shall cease to deal treacherously, others shall deal treacherously with you.

Jeremiah 15: 6 "You who have forsaken Me", declares the Lord, "You keep going backward so I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you: I am tired of relenting!".

Jeremiah 17: 14 Heal me, O Lord and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For thou art my praise.

I Peter 1:14, 15, 16 As obedient children do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behaviour; because it is written  "You shall be Holy for I am Holy."

I Peter 3: 21, 22 And corresponding to that baptism now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the flesh but an appeal to God for a good conscience- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men....but for the will of God.

and lastly, 1 Peter 4: 5 which I hope you will learn by heart and tuck it away to safe guard you:

And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation and they malign you; but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.


As Peter ended his letter, I also end mine:

Peace be to you ........all who are in Christ (that is).

Kisses,
Candace


Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

May 18, 2014

The Loop and the Loop Hole

To review, I am closing this out  Jeremiah 17: 10, 11. It is very hard to trust God when we have been very wounded by trusting broken people. God understand broken things act and react in broken ways. His loop hole in this insane hamster wheel, is to make us unbroken in His wholeness. The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately sick;who can understand it?

“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind,to give every man according to his ways,according to the fruit of his deeds.”Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,so is he who gets riches but not by justice;in the midst of his days they will leave him,and at his end he will be a fool.

Below is where we started, it is important to come full circle:

If God said it is not good to be alone, why are committed relationships so gut wrenching in comparison to our extra-curricular relations. Why do we make meaningful promises with a good intent and yet so flippantly forsake our own words. We are aware that we are pummeling hopes, dreams, commitments and compromising our loved ones abilities to painstakingly not retaliate in an evil way. But more significantly, they must continually attempt to trust in God and love well.God's desire is for us to run under His wing.......will we?

God is not a masochist; He knows we cannot uphold relationship commitments by sheer grit.   We are made in His image; and we are ABLE to do this …..Because He lives.  Don’t miss this: If we could do it without God, then He would not get to be intimate with people.  Not physically, because He doesn't have a body like ours. He created a loop hole though; He lives in this world now INSIDE us!  Again, don’t miss this:  It is not US who won’t leave people destitute.  It is God within us; we simply must allow His will to mature us.

Our weak willed spirit cringes at the thought of having to put up with all the icky, sticky, goo of close relationships. God said He wants to wrap us under wing...some people would think that is terribly suffocating! I had someone say to me once, “ I won’t leave you ........destitute.”   It appeared that they felt this should be something to trust, as if it could possibly sow up the deep wound they caused and numb my pain/suffering.  I said to myself, “Do they not realize destitute means left forsaken. 

We have discussed many times that we can only do our part – this is the reason God tells us, “Be at peace as far as it depends on YOU.”   No one can repair or reconcile a relationship without a reciprocating “you” involved; agreed?  If someone does not desire peace “with others” then they only desire comfort for them self.  The reason we get confused at times, is because some of the things others receive comfort from happens when they comfort us.  Maybe this is the reason for all the proverbs in regard to the deceptions of our feelings.   

Comfort is the nemesis to maturity, especially in our maturity within Christ’s body. God desires to lavish His love on everyone.  But as we see, not everyone wants to receive real love.  Who knows all the reasons why they find it terribly uncomfortable to stay close, really let others in.  Sometimes they find it too hard to keep distance and leave.   It does hurt and it even harms them, us and anyone else entangled. And, it deeply grieves the Holy Spirit, but they find all this easier than allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to work for them...And God keeps trying anyway.

We cannot force peace because then it is not kindness, it is controlling.   Do not allow yourself to be verbally bullied either, you are a peacemaker; not a mute point.   If you are attempting to relate with immaturity (or call it whatever you wish) it will repeatedly verbally and sometime physically desire to push you out the door, so to speak.  We do not have to take part in destroying relationships, but to not speak the truth in love also destroys intimacy.  

And lastly, remember:  With God as your witness, in all you say and do…..simultaneously you are His witness that He is alive and well in YOU!    This is why where Christ is there is liberty, so honor your commitments – Don’t leave God forsaken!

In Love with Christ,

Kisses,Candace


 Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

May 17, 2014

You Are Free To Go Now


We have been studying the difference between the new child of God and the childish Christian. I am sure it is no accident that the required reading I am immersed in at present gave me fresh perspective to add to the subject.  While reading Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, which I would highly recommend to any leader,   the section on accountability was very well stated.  Paul David Tripp is the author and while what I am posting is not directly his words, I cannot take the credit because his thoughts are woven in and through out.

He stated the reasoning for supporting growing Christians through loving accountability is to ensure new motive, new purposes and new goals are reached.  He also stated what I call stepping stones of what the journey might look like: guide, teach, encourage, warn, convict, and strengthen them.  These things we must allow the Lord to be holding us accountable for as well, or we will act out of His character toward them.

God tells us the truth and is willing to enable every letter of it to transpire in our life. At the point of our awareness He can go no further unless we are willing to BE convicted, forgive others so we will have a space for the forgiveness He is extending.  If we are, He will restore us and reconcile relationships out from Him.  We must realize outside of Him and us, they must also allow Him to convict, forgive and restore them. We automatically will be reconciled together, because He is in them and we are in Him, making us unified.

Tripp also talked about God's pursuit of accountability, and how we do it a bit differently. Again, this is based on his word, not exact: The accountability of God is not like a private detective; although He does see everything.  He is not there to be our conscience; although His truth convicts our heart and minds.  He is not hovering over us forcing us to obey Him; although there are natural uncomfortable, even possibly fatal consequences to our disobedience.  Nor does He chase us down to capture us and drag us back; yet He never leaves us or stops attempting to protect us all along the way.

Without accountability we all can feel comforted by simply discussing and accepting that we need to change; but never actually achieve change unless we find a benefit or comfort from it.  Without accountability we can become trapped in talking about our changes because we NEED someone to show us how to do what we cannot yet understand; sometimes we have no idea what practical directions to go in and lose energy on our own.

People who are childish, rebellious, selfish or whatever we would like to label it, can go through much of the journey because it is working for them.  They are receiving encouragement, praise and the much needed relief from exposure of less than desirable behaviours.  The real test of spiritual growth is when something comes along and collides with what they want; what fruit blossoms? If they are rebuked or warned, due to proper accountability, will they blast you, pout, throw all their toys down and go home? Or will they humble themselves under the mighty wing of His care: rest, enabling power, courage to continue toward righteousness.

We must remember they are free to go and we must allow them to wander away, if that is their choice.  If they return and desire to do things differently and keep moving forward, make sure you have stayed with Him as well.  God will not stop with any of us until He is full immerced in every single moment of our lives and relationships.  Why? Because we call ourselves Christians and His honor is at stake.

As believers we can depend on the interpretation of the Holy Spirit to iron out any distortions. But what about those who can't perceive His truth and have nothing like Him in front of their eyes?  This is why He cares.Most of the time, if we were to be honest, we don't really care enough.  We do not really think it is our responsibility, after all they can go to church or read a bible.  Most of the time we act as though it is an obtrusion to getting where and what WE want.

God rebukes and warns us for not caring about what He cares about.  He calls us unbelieving and childishly irresponsible; because after all the only business we have living on earth is to reach others once we know.  If it is just too much of an effort for us to continually live accounted for then He also says "opt out" and I will stop.  If we opt out, then honestly we were never really in.  Those folks will think I am taking this a bit too far, but these are not my words - they are His.

God convicted me, I turned and have been rebuked, forgiven and taught many times over.  The only hope we have of having a different life, world and future for others is to stop allowing the deterioration starting within ourselves.  If we move differently then everything around us must make room for it or move out.  That is how God ordained it.

Every second you move you can give room to His force or give up the ghost so to speak.  If it is just too great a price to pay for lack of momentary comfort then lay down and let it keep you down yet another day. God gives us new mercies every morning and gives us a space to reveal His honor.  We will either honor Him or honor our self.  Those are the only two choices.  I don't know about you but I am no different than most people and there is nothing THAT spectacular about me that I should be honored.  I am not an honorable person, being above reproach in all my ways - but I am righteous, because of the One I honor and He thinks that is glorious.

May we abide in the Spirit so we will not fulfill the desires of our weak humanity - There is no glory in that, in fact it is plain common ground.

For other posts relating to this topic click the links below.  Also read the book of Galatians in the New Testament.

Something That Stood Out From The Crowd
Why Not Me
Take A Do Over, But Do It Differently
Give Them to the Devil, That's His Thing

Kisses,
Candace


Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

May 15, 2014

Why Not Me?

Our generation is all about the hoopla, the ketch term, the image, the platform, the mission statement, the network, bottom line, the glass ceiling, the cause and do not neglect yourself.  In many of these things we have the right stance, say the correct things and even do many of the biblical righteous acts.  This is not knew or uncommon, what is different the number of individuals with the ability to go further faster and fall harder from greater heights.

Most people seem to set themselves apart and head off, believing "why not me?".  This is another teaching our culture has ingrained.  We live in such a fast paced society that no one has time to wait and become stable, sensible, wise and grounded.  We have become so detached and impersonal that our boundaries mean nothing; because relationships are disposable.  Why....they all must serve us.  Just for kicks, here is a test for Egoism vs Altruism from Psychology Today. It does not go to anyone but you, and even if you just read through it, surely a few things will pop up to pray about.

The thing is, God did create us to be unique and special.  He wants us to be set apart for a relationship with Him.  He does want each of us to be blessed and shown favor; after all we are His children and a direct representation of His nature unto a lost and misguided world.  However, we take a journey from child to adulthood in many varied forms.  He designed it to go from birth, through wise counsel, into empathetic servitude of His family.  What we do is enlist everything, from His power to His people, to hoist us into as many bright, wonderful spaces as possible.  Instead of child to maturity growing in empathy toward others, which is in His image and likeness; we become increasingly apathetic, growing from child to immaturity, never having our desired image seen.

God uses whoever He wants, for whatever purpose He chooses.  He knows what we all need to "get a clue".  He does not reject people, people reject Him. We want what we want, when we want it, how we deserve it, after all "why not us, right?".  Let me stop you right there though; because if you think why not you for the good stuff, He will make you understand this also means why not you for the uncomfortable stuff as well.

Moses was left abandoned in the water during a horrifying social mess.  Yet, he was able to be raised in a palace.  Moses also had a real anger issue and relationship problems. He even allowed it to provoke him to murder someone.  We can assume life must have been unpleasant.  Can you imagine finding out, who you thought you were was not who you were at all.  All your identity being tied into what you knew, now you have no identity that you are certain of.  Hmmm.......

Moses was not a confident person and anger is a maturity deficiency. Yet God said, "Hey Moses, Moses!"  And Moses said "Here I Am".  Then God said, I want you to go somewhere and speak for me.  It is a BIG deal, but don't worry I will be working out all the details; I just want to allow you the opportunity to show up and be seen as I show off through you.  Would you like that?

Moses, did not like that......... He asked God, "Who am I that I should go? In today's society people are running out when they read God's word, as if they understand.....and maybe we do; but are we being asked to run with it?  I have had to ask myself the same questions before.  Just because we understand something does not make us special.  God alone makes us special.  Without His will propelling us, we will be working against His wind because we are attempting to steal a spot which has been identified for another individual.  He will not allow anyones place to be taken and He will not cut a child's time short as they are evolving.

When Moses asked Who am I, basically God answered like this: it does not matter who you are; I Am who/what I Am and I will be with you - this will be the sign that it is I who have sent you.  God knows we are insecure and really want a large and in charge person to stand behind, preferably Godly and financially secure, but truthfully in a pinch anything better than exposed and wide open will do.  People in need will never see Him, through the front, and therefore will always need them because that image will never bow down and give the Lord the spotlight.  Needless to say, they wil not be able to take care of anything beyond their egotistical wants, everything else is disposable.

I pray we all see the mini egotist in ourselves and bow down, pleading for Him to raise us up from our childish ways.  I pray that His Holy Spirit lay us down for a time and restore us in the image and likeness of what is Holy, Lovely and Pure.

All for His Glory ~Kisses,
C



Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

May 9, 2014

Take A Do Over, But Do It Differently



…..But God

Watercolor by Candace Huffmaster

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God; those whom he has called according to his plan.   Romans 8:28 GW
We know that God did not create us to be weighed down by fear and doubt; He created us for good things!  All He asks of us is to take a chance, cast down all false imagination and believe He will under gird ALL success.  Not because of how faithful we are, because of how faithful He is.  Not because of our great abilities, but because He has a desire to be seen in our weaknesses as we show our confidence in Him to step out even when we know we will probably flail. 
The next time you think, “But I’m not smart enough, skilled enough, well known enough…..”, remember, "But God IS!" So take a do over.  This time allow it be a new thing He’s doing in you; He will be honored!
Kisses to you all,
Candace
©Candace Huffmaster 2012, updated 2014 
All Copyrights Reserved
Kaleidoscope Butterfly™

May 7, 2014

Give Them To The Devil, That's His Thing

 "Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and brings out a weapon for its work; and I have created the destroyer to ruin." Isaiah 54:16, 

The largest problem we have in the unified body of Christ, is the lack of unity in our faith and wisdom of what to do.  Each of us are independently being evolved and matured by the power of God, if we are truly His child, but as a body we must realize we are accountable, to be on alert, and protect the whole. There is a time and place for learning and being tutored, but if we step out of His shadow, we must understand the amount of faith we must have in order to lead for Him.  

Many times we have discussed salvation, being the new creation, and how much mercy and grace we need to develop our christian legs.  We have also spoken about not being harsh when people are growing, for it is the spirit who develops a willing soul.  In the past we have discussed rebellion, our actions in keeping our peace when dealing with misguided Christians and keeping things together; moving forward we will be taking on some very courageous topics.  Today we are focusing on two questions: Are we saved and Are we supposed to keep bratty Christians protected from the devil?

In Job, we know that satan was allowed to thrash everything pertaining to the life of Job, but he was not allowed to take Job's life.  We know God is not glorified in death or destruction of something He loves.  And in Him there is nothing to do with death.  He is separated from it;  He has ensured a way for everything He loves to be liberated from the power of the prince of this world, the devil.  

So we must be straightforward with ourselves, as Paul stated: "Come back to the right point of view and stop sinning. Some people don't know anything about God. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!"  How do you know if you are saved: you stop sinning.  How do you know if you are sinning, your brothers and sisters keep on you, and you them.  Why do we have childish, greedy, insensitive brothers and sisters? Because we are so broken that we would rather have a crippled, immature mate, than no mate; we can't see God and getting to know something we can't see is not easy......so we settle and shut up.   Just to let you know.....that is selfish and selfishness is a sin.  

We were saved for a purpose, and it was not to lay down and allow the power of darkness to reign.  It was to use His authority and STOP IT!  Be clear where our authority lie though, it is not in the world, it is in His body.  To often we focus on children of the world and not the children of God.  He saves, we utilize the authority we have as an heir; and if an heir then we are His child, He says.  But what does that look like? 

Again, Paul was tutored for this very specific role and instructed his brothers and sisters, in Corinth, to imitate him.  This is what transpired: Paul began with stating that he was not speaking to shame them, but to warn them.  Some had become arrogant, as if their actions would not be seen by him, since he was away.  They were misusing their power and position.  He stated that the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power; he wanted to know if when he reached them, they would prefer discipline and a rod or love and a gentle spirit?  

Some of the Christians were being immoral in such ways that even the unbelievers would not have tolerated. Paul said they were arrogant and proud of it; he wondered why their brothers and sisters did not mourn and put them out, if they did not repent and get right with the Lord?  He continued to counsel them on what they should do, by way of imitating him, stating: 



For I, on my part, thought absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.  In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:16

We are saved, if we chose to be; this has been done thousands of years ago.  Are we saved? While we may want to be rescued from ugliness and discomfort, Christ may not satisfy us.  We may still desire to be satisfied through the prince of this world.  

If you are saved, do not allow evil to overtake you.  But beware to not satisfy your emotions with the prince of the worlds evil weapons of vengeance.  Instead, pray for them to get their fill of his deception and lies and return to the Lord quickly.  Will you fear man and lack of provision or reputation and stay silent...allow yourself to be overtaken, because of your fear.  Well, that is not good either!  Do the right thing, for them, for you and for the glory of the Lord God.

I will bring all this full circle with 1 John 3:7-10:

Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.  No one who is born of  God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.


We all have area's we need to mature, but please judge me to my face and let me take it to the Lord and be lovingly corrected, restored and transformed.  This is what Love does for each other, will you allow others to love you as well?

For His glory, always,
Kisses,
Candace



Anger is strong and destructive: it is utilized for the purpose of tearing down, or pushing out, anything coming against something precious.

Love is courageous and constructive: it is utilized for the purpose of building up something lovely, encouraging multiplicity.



Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

May 3, 2014

Something That Stood Out From The Crowd

Who is remembering who? Who is going to remember you? Who are you going to remember and what gives people, places or things the honored status of that prestigious, even coveted by some, place?

God is sovereign over placement: Christ stated this to a mom once when she asked for her son's to have a place of prestige.  When we believe (trust) in God, He is honored.  Christ requested of us:  you believe in God, believe also in Me.  What was she remembering that was stirring her to have such anxious thoughts and actions?  She was very bold, indeed; but her zeal was not propelled by trust which brings peace, harmony, joy.

Today, I was thinking about what an honor it is to be Responsible for His memory living on.  As I was thinking on this,  years of memories rolled in on my pleasurable thoughts.  I remembered how our selfishness twists being responsible for things into a burden and not a glorious thing.

When anyone states they are responsible for many things and it is sucking the joy / pleasure from their lives, they are demeaning the very treasures God has lavished, out of love.  They are saying, "You are less significant than I am so give into me that I may be doubly blessed".  When we look at it without pretty-ing it up it is a hideous beast, isn't it?

Christ came to help us remember God; that we might see how far away from Him we really were, run back and join Him.  God is responsible for making us able to hear Him, get to Him and perform for His glory.  Christ was responsible for remembering God and allowing Him to live the life of works in purity, as He gave into the power of the Holy Spirit to harmonize throughout the lives of everyone. When He died God was responsible for remembering His promises; Christ was only responsible for remembering God is faithful to bring His word to pass.

We now have all this information, professions of witnesses and innumerable experiences of God since before time began.  We are responsible for remembering Christ and for trusting, in action, the sovereign hand of God, who said "I Am What I Am."  God asks us to put Him in Remembrance of what will be honored, and He is faithful.  Can we be satisfied, with the steps He has in place for us, if we join Him?

Many times we stop too short in Mary and Martha's life story within Gods'. Let's look at it again, with a fresh perspective, and find what God chose as "Something that Stood Out from the Crowd":

We remember Martha was anxious about many things, but Mary chose the good thing.  She was sitting with Christ, at His feet and listening to every word He said.  She knew moments like this did not come around everyday, midst the hustle and bustle of "RESPONSIBILITIES".  Christ said, it would not be taken from her.  Even thought He knew his words must have stirred Martha like crazy, Christ protected not only Mary, but His time with her.  It must have been incredibly significant to Him that Mary chose to be so focused on absorbing every drop of His presence to sit, with all else abandoned - How that must have brought him great pleasure.

Mary shows us, as Christ showed her: What honor looks and acts like.  This is how we are to show honor to Christ and others in this world: Show Up Responsible,  Show How He Is To Be Remembered, Show God He Does Not Remember In Vain.  God made sure Mary was remembered, because she honored Christ. Let's look at where God placed her because she decided to abandon the lesser things, Mark 14:

There came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; she broke the vial and poured it over His head.  But some were indignant to one another, "Why has this perfume been wasted?  For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii and given to the poor.  And they were scolding her.......

But Jesus said: " Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me.  For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good; but you do not always have Me.  She has done what she could; she anointed My body before hand for the burial.  AND TRULY I SAY TO YOU WHEREVER THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED IN THE WHOLE WORLD THAT ALSO WHICH THIS WOMAN HAS DONE SHALL BE SPOKEN OF IN MEMORY OF HER" 

Mary did the hard thing, she kept remembering and honoring what was real.  Yet these guys appeared to be the ones most intimate with Christ.  She did what she believed was responsible to His memory, not to be remembered in the eyes of the world.  She had to keep going even thought they were belittling her humble love for the Lord, her very faith in what was holy, lovely and pure.  She poured out her best and allowed her whole body to participate heart, mind and soul.   And God showed us He is faithful to remember every little detail.  Not one drop of His honor is in vain!

It is hard to be the odd person, when all we desire is to be seen as lovely and participate fully in Love with man.  Just Remember, if you are alive...you are remembered, loved and adored by the one who stood out and took the rejection of the whole word.....just for you.  Please remember Him....what an honor.

To Christ, may we all see you soon....
Kisses,
Candace





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