I Just Want To Be ALONE!

The awesome thing about the bible is that no matter what view point we seem to be looking from, if we will pause and open it, we will immediately have wise guidance which will give us a much fuller perspective to discern things.

If you do not know where to look, try the book of Mark.  He is much like many of us, enabling his writings to feel much like an old friend walking with us.  Last week, even though I did not post it - we were discussing view points.  This was a refresher from studies a few years ago, but new to many of you.  Click the link above if you were not with us.

Think about the following:

The writer, like Mark are real people.  Things of God do not change, no matter how much time passes.  When we do not, or are not "willing" to relate to someone then there is no commonality.  We do not have to agree in all ways.  However, we do have to be willing to respect the relationship.  This is one large factor we are told several truths about by God's word: 

• As far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone.
• Please God not man.
• Be above reproach in all of your ways.
• The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
• Seek first His kingdom and all else will be added to this.
• and the biggie...All things are common to man.

Can you relate to those statements?  Can you relate to others even if you do not always see from their perspective?  Can you relate to Mark?  Have you tried?  If you cannot settle yourself for a moment to lay things down with a living person in your midst, give Mark a try?  Just go somewhere and sit with the letters he wrote for you.  Remember, he is your brother.  We have a very hard time laying down petty things and thinking about God's picture of family.  We are all brothers and sisters even now, here in this world once we are saved through Jesus Christ.   

Sometimes, I think about Christ and all he faced.  We are told about the angels which came to him to minister in His time of need.  Many times, I think we might want the angels to come to our aid prior to us giving our all to fight the good fight.  We focus on our own limited strength and do not open up to stand firm on God's word and let it do the fighting for us.  That IS what Christ did.  Each time Satan came at his vulnerability, lustful human nature etc, Christ didn't enter a battle.  He simply spoke what sustains us - the words that proceed from the mouth of God himself.  It sounds so simple, yet our flesh is so incredibly weak when we do not prosper our Spirit - as our soul prospers. 


We know we are supposed to seek the Kingdom with all our human strength AND the strength he gives us.  Sometimes we forget this and try to go it alone.  This is never a good idea, but we have to be EVER MINDFUL of God in order to detect these things.  1 Corinthians verse 20 and 21 state: Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the persuasive speaker of our time? Hasn’t God turned the wisdom of the world into nonsense? The world with its wisdom was unable to recognize God in terms of his own wisdom. So God decided to use the nonsense of the Good News we speak to save those who believe.

I have chosen one verse in particular for each of us to lean on today:

In the morning, long before sunrise, Jesus went to a place where he could be alone to pray.  Mark 1:35 GW

Just because Christ went away from people doesn't mean he was alone.  Today, get away from people and alone with our Lord God Almighty it will delight the Spirit and be rest for your soul.  I promise! (only because His promises are faithful and true).  I hope you Do relate.

With Love,
Candace

updated 2013 ©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly®

Why Tell People The Truth?

How many times do we hear people say things such as: it's none of your business, keep your nose in your own business, I will just offend them if I don't agree with them, don't say anything if you can't say something nice...... This list goes on and on doesn't it.

As a society it appears that to stick our heads in the sand or allow people to run off the end of a cliff without warning them is the "kind" thing to do.  The truth is, it is the most comfortable thing to do.  None of us like confrontation, especially when we know the mindset of those we are compelled to speak the truth to.  We are constantly judged and judging the intents of others, instead of listening to what people have to say and thinking that they might have a selfless motive. 

God gave us the perfect reason to step out and speak up in Ezekiel 3: 18-21:

"Suppose I tell you that wicked people will surely die, but you don't warn them or speak out so that they can change their wicked ways in order to save their lives.  Then these wicked people will die because of their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths.  But suppose you warn the wicked people, and they don't turn from their wicked ways.  Then they will die because of their sin, but you will save yourself.  If righteous people turn from living the right way and do wrong, I will make them stumble, and they will die.  If you don't warn them, they will die because of their sin, and the right things they did will not be remembered.  I will hold you responsible for their deaths.  But if you warn righteous people not to sin, and they don't sin, they will certainly live because they listened to the warning.  You will save yourself."

Keep in mind that this was spoken to Ezekiel - God appointed him to be a Watchman over Israel. He told Ezekiel to tell them: 

Change the way you think and act.  Turn away from all the rebellious things that you have done so that you will not fall into sin.  Stop all the rebellious things that you are doing.  Get yourselves new hearts and new spirits.  Why do you want to die, nation of Israel?  I don't want anyone to die, declares the Almighty Lord.  CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK AND ACT!

If we are called to carry on the mission of Christ, isn't that the same ministry?  Where we are in Marks storyline of Jesus' journey in spreading the Gospel is prior to His resurrection.  The indwelling of the spirit by believers has not happened yet.

As I read on about Jarius' daughters death and how Christ went with him to heal her, is when I recalled Ezekiel journey.  When Jesus arrived at their home, there was a large group of people carrying on about his child's death.  Jesus asked them, "why are you carrying on so, she isn't dead, but asleep?"  I assume the reason they laughed at Him was lack of belief. 

Jesus made all of them go outside, only her parents, His 3 disciples and himself entered where the girl was.  Jesus took her hand and said, "Little girl, I'm telling you to get up!"  (Talitha Koum!) And she got up and started walking at once.  Entering now was my memory of "The Valley of Dry Bones".

Ezekiel 37: 1-4, 11-14

The power of the Lord came over me.  The Lord brought me out by his Spirit and put me down in the middle of a valley.  The valley was filled with bones.  He led me all around them.  I saw that there were very many bones at the bottom of the valley, and they were very dry.  Then he asked me, " Son of man, can these bones live?"  I answered, "Only you know, Almighty Lord."  Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, Tell them Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord.  This is what the Almighty Lord says to these bones:  I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live.  I will put ligaments on you,k place muscles on you, and cover you with skin.  I will put breath in you, and you will live - Then you will know that I am the Lord. 

The Lord also said to me, "Son of man, all the people of Israel are like these bones.  The people say, Our bones are dry, and our hope has vanished.  We are completely destroyed.  So prophesy.  Tell them, "This is what the Almighty Lord says:  My people, I will open your graves and take you out of them.  I will bring you to Israel.  Then , my people, you will know that I am the Lord, because I will open your graves and bring you out of your graves.  I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. I will place you in your own land.  Then you will know that I the Lord, have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord."

Of course this triggered thoughts about the forming of mankind ( which we covered in the opening study of God's Story Being Told ), God called the dry land earth, God said the heavens and the earth will pass away but His word will not pass away and many other verses. 

What about you?  What comes to mind when you read all this?  Remember, you are part of His story being told.  Why don't you write a bit more of it today by journaling, to Him, some of your thoughts.  See what He tells you, then share it ....in faith of His faithfulness.

All for His glory and name sake,
Kisses,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

A Malice Filled Mouth

As always when I study for writing I find out so much about myself.  Need I say that these nuggets of discovery are not flattering in the least.  The wonderful thing is "there is no condemnation in Christ - where He is, there is liberty.  THANK GOD!

Most days I go along pretty well as long as I am around the people who like me and think I am pleasant, kind...you know, the fruits of the spirit.  They are EASY to walk in the spirit around.  However, when I am around others who do not particularly care for me (I know, your shocked right?  but there are more than a few) is when I find out if I AM walking in the spirit or in my own selfish flesh.  I took some continuing education this week and one sentence hit me like a bulls eye between the eyes: 

People do not CAUSE your problem, they REVEAL it.  When you get offended or angry the problem isn't them, the problem is something inside of your heart.  Do not think that I mean what they did was okay if it goes against God's word.  What I am saying is we are to be at peace with people as far as it depends on us.  We are not responsible for their actions, only our own. 

Keep this in mind, as we proceed a bit farther into Marks storyline today:

Several days later from where we stopped off last, Jesus was back in Capernaum.  The news was out and people were coming from all over for Him to heal and teach them.  He was sharing the gospel and their faith was allowing them to receive miracles in a mighty way.

The religious leaders were starting to get a bit hot under the collar I believe.  I perceive their intent toward Jesus as malicious.  They were talking about Jesus, not too Him.   Jesus over heard / perceived in His heart their slanderous remarks .  It is always amazing to me, how Jesus does not out right tell people what the problem is.  He asks questions to reveal what the problem is.  Note: They perceived that Jesus was causing their problem; reality - Jesus was revealing the condition of their heart.  Let's look and learn from His dialogue with them:

• Why do you have these thoughts? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven, or to say,  "Get up, pick up your cot, and go home?"
• "Healthy people don't need a doctor; those who are sick do.  I've come to call sinners, not people who think they don't have any flaws."

So I ask you, what happens when an unrepentant spirit is confronted with truth?  Do they say thank you and embrace the person who was selfless enough to "in humility" give them the mind changing, action altering truth of God; or do they get angry, bitter and hate them secretly?

When people asked why John's disciples and the Pharisees disciples fast but not Jesus', He replied: Can wedding quests fast when the groom is still with them?  As long as He is there, they cannot fast; but the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them and then they will fast. 

Christ continue on stating; No one patches an old coat with new cloth that will shrink.  Several things came to my mind as I read this.  One is the obvious, how material shrinks when you wash it.  The second was a question, how does this relate to fasting?  My third thought was the correlations between the old  / new wine skin being a metaphor to our flesh and how our flesh gets baptized.  I started picturing how our flesh would tear if we had His spirit enter into us with out His power to keep our flesh from riping and tearing apart.  Lastly, I remembered the instance when people tried to force evil spirits out of people and the bible tells us that all their closes where shredded etc. 

All that leads me to understand a bit more clearly just how much loving care God is displaying; how LONG suffering He is with each of us.  Thank God for His mercy, grace, patience, faithfulness, deliverance and mighty, all transforming, Holy Spirit.

With the love of our Christ, sweet dreams tonight.
Kisses,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

Making Our MARK

Jesus said, "The time has come, and the kingdom of God is  near.  Change the way you think and act, and believe the Good News." Mark 1:15

We have spoken about how we are defined or framed by the words which proceed from our mouth, the actions we take, and the plan which we make.  We discussed that in order to best describe or define God we must focus on what HE tells us about Himself.  God doesn't change His definition, we discover it step by step.  He is not going to become what we define Him as.  This is idolatry; forming God into our image.  We know that we are in the process of being transformed into His image as we were created to begin with. 

Most of us spend the majority of our life creating ourselves into the image we perceive is best.  Yet we did not start our process, God did.  Once we believe this to be true we are on a sojourn back to where we started from in order to pick up where WE left Him off.  At least I pray we all figure that much out because that is where salvation begins.  And it IS only the beginning! 

All this to say, we are listening to Mark speak what he believes to be the truth.  These are the defining statements of who our brother Mark is becoming within our one and only true eternal family.  While we are born within earth bound families these unless all come to the saving knowledge of Christ and believe; they will not be our family beyond this temporary life.  So let's continue listening and observing what Mark has to tell us.  I pray your faith be expanded, wisdom increased and God glorified through your existence unto Him.

Jesus purpose was to preach the word of God and force demons out of people.  Notice, Christ had to believe, speak and if invited participate in being a catalyst for change.  But people first had to believe, speak and receive or it would have been useless. 

He told Simon Peter and Andrew that they would catch men.  Think about how Christ catches us when we fall.  Think about how lifeless a person is when the force that is upholding them is no longer there.  As I was reading along with Marks story I noticed how Christ handled people with care, but His presence was mayhem to the evil spirits. 

We first see Jesus  being called the Son of God, not by Peter, by evil spirits as Jesus came into their presence.  Jesus ordered the spirits to keep quiet about His identity.  Question: "Could the people not hear this conversation between the evil spirits and Jesus?" Then it was like an epiphany to me: of course they knew who He was; they were in heaven with Him before their great fall from heaven. 

A bit later along their way, Christ went off by Himself to pray and the disciples came looking for Him saying: "Everyone is looking for you."  I had to giggle a bit when I read His reply.  Christ did not say: "Well for goodness sake, then let me get up and go to them. We can't keep them waiting; they're in need!"  He said: " Well let's go somewhere else, I have to spread the Good News in all the nearby and small places too." 

Look at the radical difference between God and man.  Man usually thinks we need to get up and run to the aid of people.  When in actuality we are only to give wise counsel which leads them to God.  They must believe and allow Him to "fix them" if they have faith to follow His instructions.  We, as well, must be willing to help or not help dependent on His will for our participation.  When we get this out of order, WE are out of order.  Remember that! (note to self)

The evil spirits were not the only ones asked not to speak about what Christ had done for them.  The man He healed with a serious skin disease was requested not to tell anyone either.  This leads me to wonder if he was possessed by an evil spirit because Christ was still forcing demons out.  My assumption is that Jesus would have done this for him as well.  Maybe Christ knew that his state would be worse than it's current state if He did this.  I don't know, guess that is one for the banquet table ;)   Once healed this person did NOT keep it to himself as Jesus requested.  In reference to my earlier comment, Jesus displayed gentleness unlike His "not allowing" the demons to speak.  There might not have been any obvious consequences for this man, but his words directly affected Jesus.  Just by him running his mouth he made it impossible for Jesus to get any time away for Himself.  Which was all Christ wanted; time alone with God.

As yesterday, I pray that you be mindful of which spirit is leading you as you think, speak and act.  It is very important.  It has a cosmic effect on the peace in this place.  Extend your peace, keep your peace and as far as it depends on you BE at peace with everyone.  That alone should keep us all pretty darn busy; don't you think?

My love to each of you, in Christ.
Kisses,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™