And the TRUTH Shall Set You Free - But First........

We know that God promises that the truth shall set us free.....but in order to get to that freedom we must shatter the false images we call truth;  this is a process not a decision.  The decision comes first and most of us falsely believe that this is the end of the story.  We believe therefore our job is done.  But as we have studied God's word tells us that a thief is no longer a thief not when he realizes he is a their but when he believes he is a thief, doesn't desire to be a thief any longer, is sorry for the grief and pain he has caused others (notice I didn't type sorry for the pain it caused HIM) seeks what a giver looks like because this is what he desires to be and then does it as he is growing.

Greed is the most selfish thing around.  Selfishness in any form is greed, putting yourself first is stealing from God and others.  When you are afraid someone is going to get what you want or keep you from having what you want you get greedy.  You take, you push, you belittle, you minimize and you don't care about what you cause  - because you don't mean to hurt anyone else.

Can you handle that truth.  Look at yourself in the mirror today.  Ask God where am I greedy? Ask Him to show you the truth and when He does - I pray that you will be sorry for what you have done to others without holding them accountable for what you have done.....simply to see the truth and the truth to show you the way out of the lies you have believed.  I ask that you receive His forgiveness for what you have done it is available when you forgive those that have trespassed on your "stuff". 

I ask that you lean not on your own understanding, but believe that Love covers a multitude of sins.  I ask that you look at your self in that mirror and believe that in Him there is no condemnation, guilt or shame.  I ask that today you hear what the spirit of the Lord says and start to be transformed by the renewing of your minds.

Write about your greed, if you prefer selfishness to be called that. Write about what you perceive God has taken from you - because the fact is people don't give or take away - only God gives good and perfect gifts.  Maybe he is trying desperately to keep you from harming your very life.  He does love you, you know.  But he will allow you to glutton yours "self" to death.......if that is your free will.

"BE .....transformed by the renewing of your mind...pixel by pixel.

With the love of Christ,
Kisses,
Candace

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)

Image Alone Never Becomes Likeness

Genesis 1:26 (NAS)
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

What God Made when He made man did not stop with the image. An image of something is a mere semblance it is empty except on the surface. This is what we are in our soul without the holy spirit. This is where we were when we departed from His presence. But thank God they did not stop there. He made us in their image but according to their His likeness which goes deeper than the surface it has to do with the being the same “kind”.

Let me explain it with the Law and Christ. We know that the Law is the “how to act” however on our own we cannot accomplish it for ever. Christ came to “fulfill” the law. Christ came so that the Image could be liberated by the Holy Spirit. Christ was the word of God AND the Spirit of God. He was the culmination of the two here among us. When He died He was released from the form that He took on. He was able to return to His home with our Father; at which point we were send our Helper – the Holy Spirit.

The final point that I want to clarify today is that God made us in their image according to their likeness to rule over the fish, birds, cattle and every “creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” No where did God tell us to “rule or Lord” over our fellow man….NO WHERE!

So today I am leaving us with the opening chapter of my favorite book of the bible Hebrews, remembering that God in all ways is faithful and true. I pray that you hear what the power of His word is relating and believe…then follow. His Ways are so good, and you will find rest for your soul (then your image will have his characteristics =D)

With Love,
Candace

Hebrews Chapter 1 (GWT)


In the past God spoke to our ancestors at many different times and in many different ways through the prophets. In these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. God made his Son responsible for everything. His Son is the one through whom God made the universe. His Son is the reflection of God’s glory and the “exact likeness” of God’s being. He holds everything together through his powerful words. After he had cleansed people from their sins, he received the highest position, the one next to the Father in heaven.


The Son has become greater than the angels since he had been given a name that is superior to theirs. God never said to any of his angels, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” And God never said to any of his angels. “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” When God was about to send his firstborn Son into the world, he said, “All of God’s angels must worship him.” God said about the angels, “He makes his messengers winds. He makes his servants flames of fire.” But God said about his Son, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter in your kingdom is a scepter for justice. You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong. That is why God, your God, anointed you, rather than your companions, with the oil of joy.”


God also said, “Lord, in the beginning you laid the foundation of the earth, with your own hands you made the heavens. They will come to an end, but you will live forever. They will all wear out like clothes. They will be taken off like a coat. You will change them like clothes. But you remain the same and your life will never end. But God never said to any of the angels. “Sit in the highest position in heaven until I make your enemies your footstool.”


What are all the angels? They are spirits sent to serve those who are going to receive salvation.

As I am typing this I realized something. Lucifer was an angel. He fell in love with His image. He did not desire to serve – he desires to be what He can never be. So He has come to an end, Christ made him his footstool. Remember all those angels denied their position….they are rebels misaligned with the cause….the cause is LOVE.

Here is a poem if you would like to think a bit more deeply on all this.

Imagine in His Image

Oh Father, as my body lies before you humbly, my spirit stands tall,
Facing your glory, reaching for your outstretched arms,
My soul is now free, no longer in bondage to my flesh,
I am but the wind, spreading your compassion and tenderness.
The gentle breeze that tousles the hair and kisses the cheek,
Spreading new breath of life, wooing us into your presence to partake of your grace,
No longer do we need this world... this world is in need of us.
Pour out your essence as a gentle rain, wash away the dirt of our lives.
Free our souls so that we may fly home on your wings,
Though our paths may be dark we need only your light,
We need not know the road for you are our path.
Release my mind, oh my flesh, your thoughts are in vain.
My father created you and needs this space,
Be the vessel you were created to be, holy, lovely and pure,
Capture the light and radiate His glory,
My face will shine, my breath will teach,
And together we will come home.
To our father be the glory and us the image... as He created us to be.

By Candace Huffmaster © final draft 2008