Discipline and Button Pushers

It had been my opinion that some people have been gifted to write, and the rest of us are gifted to read and enjoy their gifts. There are also those who have ideas with desire to write and just keep honing their skills.   However, as gifted as some may be, without discipline, writing usually will not not get done. It is my opinion that I fall into the later category and I have allowed the discipline for developing this skill to be replaced by other priorities. Thank you for your grace as I attempt to get going again.

As I pondered these thoughts regarding the written word, thoughts expanded into the words we speak.  We do not have to be gifted speakers to talk; however, to do it well takes effort. To speaking the truth in love might be the hardest discipline for most of us.

An individual could be the wisest, most knowledgeable person around. However, if they are attempting to connect with others they must develop some relational skills to accompany knowledge.  The bible calls this discipline “speaking the truth in love”.  This means we must exercise discernment, empathy, humility, kindness and be peaceable in the character of the Lord God who IS Love.

Of course this can only apply to the children of God, because apart from God, though He loves us, His love is not within us.  Also, without God we do not have His peace, nor the help of His Spirit within us to depend upon.  It is no wonder there are such relational problems and devastation going on around us.  And this is what led me to thinking about how we speak / relate to each other and it being the hardest discipline – in my opinion.

Think about the difference between worldly self-control (controlling ourselves and others to get our desired outcome) and the fruit of the Spirit self-control (controlling ourselves, being obedient to His Ways, through dependency on God and faith in His will for us all). If we join in the work the Father is doing within us, through His Spirit, instead of grieving the Spirit, everyone around us is touched by His power.  No doubt, this is the reason we are constantly being challenged in this area; as well as being the challenger at times. How often are we tempted to do the fleshly / emotional thing, throwing love and, dare I say, even total truth out the window.

We know that God does not spin out of control, nor is He caught off guard.  Instead He uses what is “intended” for evil, for good. God uses opportunities such as these to test us, grow us and if we persevere, as James says, we will be more mature. The end result will be the growth of the fruit of the Spirit to the Glory of God – these thoughts fills me with great joy; how about you?

All this being said, it is not easy to pause when being emotionally challenged; becoming passive is not the goal either. We should aspire to be active in prayer – asking God to work in the silence, the space between and within us and others.  When we do speak, that it is beneficial (truth without drama), and it is His character which carries the truth into the presence of others.  

Beyond these moments we must keep our peace and leave matters between others and their m/Master. Trust that God is so much larger and present than the temporary afflictions we face.  While some problems are truly enormous that we are going through, most of the problems pressing our buttons are the small things; the things we choose not to navigate with an attitude of forgiveness – even if we cannot be in a fruitful relationship with the person (we will dive into this on another day). God is not allowing others to be in control of His will; we should not either.  We can be a child of God with the character of God, no matter who is pushing our buttons.

So today, it is my prayer for us all, that when pressed - we will allow their pressure to be a release button and begin to live liberated in Christ Jesus, our Lord – To Him be all the Glory now and forevermore.

Kisses,

Candace

Scriptures to meditate on – please share any others and your thoughts, experiences etc.

·         Book of James - specific verses of note: 1: 2-4, 12- 14,  4:8,  6: 18-21

·         1 John  - 3:7, 4:8

·         1 Corinthians – 9:23-27, chapter 13

·         2 Corinthians – 3:17,18, chapter 4

 

 

Do Not Fear....It is I

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

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"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

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We have discussed how God only offers good and perfect gifts.  We know that there are lesser gifts which we must be aware and discerning of.  We also know that God sent us a helper in order to be ABLE to discern.  We know that we are capable of many things, but only God is able to do all things victoriously. 

The bottom line is this:  it isn’t about all the “stuff” that we make it through, it is about what God can do!  We can and do make it through a lot of things in the spirit of fear, right?  We do not let go of the fear till we get to the other side.  Then what transpires?  We boast and say we’ve got it now and can sufficiently make it through the same thing if we ever need to again.  God is not necessary in these situations.  I am not saying that people do not give God ANY kudos in these situations but it is more of a “shared” spotlight. 

God on the other hand wants to give us the spot light.  Think about when Peter stood up to walk on the water.  Christ did not say, who do you think you are attempting to walk on the water as “the Great I AM!”  NO, he stood silently, probably proudly, that Peter had faith and would step out and “give it a go!” He KNEW the unlimited possibilities of Gods power unto those who would simply believe while allowing the spirit to its ability through our body – which IS His body.  Now, hold these thoughts and read this verse:

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be you; bid me come unto you on the water. "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

In these precious moments Peter was fully committed to allowing the spirit of power, love and discipline to hoist him up and complete a really good work in any area where Peter might have had limitations.  But then…..the spirit which God does not give us rolled in like a mighty turbulent, chaotic storm and the roar of doubt, confusion, timidity and cowardice caused him to sink as his faith was thrashed about by the spirit of fear.

We are told that Jesus “made” the men out ahead of him into a boat on the water while He sent the multitudes away.  Jesus went away alone to pray.  While they were crossing to the other side, it states that the boat was being battered by the waves and the wind was “contrary”.  A few chapters back, in Matthew the disciples were tested by a storm and a boat, the difference was that time Jesus was asleep IN the boat with them.  So, of course, the spirit of fear was crouching ready to devour their faith as they gleaned experiential knowledge of what they believed.  But Peter, ever being thrashed did not shrink back in the midst of this storm; don’t miss that!  Instead he took a step, experienced something he believed God could do. 

Christ, didn’t speak up till the spirit had accomplished what He set out to do and through this perfect storm Peter received the opportunity, took stage and the light was shinning down on him.  There is no shame in sinking, Peter simply is being developed.  But that’s for another day ;)

Today, be grateful for the spirit of the Lord and thankful that He is able to DO all things.  I pray for those who are being battered by the spirit of fear, and I ask that you stand up when they shrink back in fear and bellow – Peace, be still for the Love of God is abundant and covering the earth from His throne in the heavens.

Kisses,

Candace

 For more reading on Fear and the Journey:

• Fear of Bridges: Isn't that a Mind Thing?
• We Can't Be Free Till We Allow Him To Rise
• What is Your Story?

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

For Goodness Sake!!!

For Goodness Sake


We are steadily getting honest with ourselves, I know it is difficult, but I have faith that we all will make it through ….Christ. =D

As a review:

True love is Agape Love which is totally different from worldly love which demands its own way. Agape love is from God achieving what is best for the beloved knowing that pain is inevitable for both parties at times. (read love angle in the archives if you are unfamiliar with our topic)

What do we do when the beloved is in pain and their emotions desire to coerce us into giving them what they want instead of what they need?

How do we reconcile the hostility being propelled toward us and still be a giver of peace and love?

We translated that into the visual of the coliseum and spoke about only being able to extend love and peace – we must not become a warrior in that coliseum.

What we know about out human nature is that we are pain  "avoiders”. We discussed how this sets up habits and how if not rectified these habits build up generations with the same patterns of dealing with life in some very broken ways. These habits create upheaval, division and strife which are bondage and a curse to obtaining the fullness of life desired for us.

So let’s ponder a question we planted in the Deeply Series and see what has sprouted, okay?

The old adage “I am who I am - don’t try to change me”- Do we consider it selfish to love someone but then desire for them to be different? Our generations have been assaulted with the allusion of not accepting people like they are and “always” wanting to change them. Is this manipulative, selfish etc.?

The world has tried desperately to force us to perceive that each person must not be held accountable for living as they individually deem right verses righteousness.

So I ask….”Doesn’t God love us unconditionally…..Doesn’t He accept us just as we are?”
“Are all the scriptures lies where He requests that we put away our old life, old ways to be transformed by the renewing of our minds?”

Knowing that God is love, truth and the way we are to live in actions toward others, let’s see what He has to say on the subject and finally END this debate:

The truth is God states that if He did not love us He would not discipline us. Read Deuteronomy Chapter 11 later for full text; we are focusing on verses 1, 2, 11-21, 25-28:

Love the LORD your God, and do what he wants you to do. Always obey his laws, rules, and commands. Remember today the discipline you learned from the LORD your God. ({I’m not talking} to your children. They didn’t see or experience any of this.) You saw and experienced his great power—his mighty hand and powerful arm.

11-21 The land you’re about to enter is a land with hills and valleys, watered by rain from the sky. 12 It is a land the LORD your God cares about. He watches over it all year long. If you faithfully obey the commands that I’m giving you today, love the LORD your God, and serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, I will send rain on your land at the right time, both in the fall and in the spring. Then you will gather your own grain, new wine, and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your animals, and you will be able to eat all you want. Be careful, or you’ll be tempted to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. The LORD will become angry with you. He’ll shut the sky so that there’ll be no rain. Then the ground won’t grow any crops, and you’ll quickly disappear from this good land the LORD is giving you. Take these words of mine to heart and keep them in mind. {Write them down,} tie them around your wrist, and wear them as headbands as a reminder. Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. 20 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. Then you and your children will live for a long time in this land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors—as long as there’s a sky above the earth.



25-28 No one will be able to stop you. As the LORD your God promised, he will make people terrified of you wherever you go in this land. Today I’m giving you the choice of a blessing or a curse. You’ll be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I’m giving you today. You’ll be cursed if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God, if you turn from the way I’m commanding you to live today, and if you worship other gods you never knew.

Let’s really understand this discipline God speaks of: It is translated from a Hebrew word Muwcar meaning chastisement, punishment, correction, discipline, instruction and self control. Essentially it is a bond, a checking; restraint – all which result in education.

This discipline is written about in Proverbs many times.  Proverbs is the scripture we base our wisdom and discernment for maturation into the transformation of living holy, lovely and pure lives. The discipline it speaks of is usually oral and not corporal – yet think about our reactions when we do not get what we desire: we act like a child throwing a tantrum. We bully others with our words and actions then minimize our behavior by say its not a big deal because we did not inflict physical pain upon anyone.

Really? God has something to say about emotional abuse and it is not that it is okay. He states that it is real…it inflicts real physical pain to the point that you are actually murdering the individual. That individuals blood is upon your hands now….What will you do? Will you choose life, or will you choose death? The choice is yours to make – do they live or die based on your intent? Will you choose a blessing or a curse? The ultimate curse falls on YOUR head…..so “STOP IT!” For Goodness Sake….stop it. Choose differently, I beg of you.

Proverbs 22:14,15 states this: The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it from him.

The root word that Muwcar comes from is Yacar, which I will sum up in this definition: It is the intent of the discipline being to correct. It is the process of becoming educated when the proper amount of training and correction are imposed.

That my friend is love….

Paul summed it up in Colossians 2; I will summarize but go back and check me on it. ( all as I have advised you to do with all men. =D)

Paul is encouraging them as he expressed his fighting the good fight for their unity. He speaks of his assurance that God has built them up together in Christ, resulting in true knowledge and wisdom, so that no one may delude them with persuasive arguments. He implores them to not allow themselves to be taken captive through empty philosophy and deception according to traditions of men and elementary principles of this world rather than the deity of Christ. He reminds them that all such things have been nailed to the cross and Christ alone was the rule and authority over them, so they were not to let any man judge them “in regard to food, drink, festivals, new moons, Sabbath, because these are minor things or shadows of the important stuff.

He states that the good fight is all about is this: Putting aside malice, anger, wrath, slander and ANY ABUSIVE Speech. Not lying to each other because we are being renewed to a true knowledge and image of Christ where there is no distinction among others: Only Christ who is all and in all.

So, we must forgive as He forgave then go beyond the self part passing through to Love,which is the perfect bond holding us together: to let peace of Christ rule and have authority.

When we hold our words and give / allow His words priority and space,  there will be wisdom, teaching, admonishing, psalms, hymns and thankfulness in our hearts. If He is all and in all, what are you forcing him to say or do to someone today?

Winding this up now, the answer to the question is this:

You cannot love someone and then not care about their state and safety or growth. That would be the definition of Unloving. Love may however forgive all things – but it cannot cease to desire the removal of pain causing obtrusions in their environment.

Love is more sensitive than anger, bitterness etc, so obviously it gets wounded more easily. You cannot love and be disinterested or indifferent to the welfare of your beloved. Your desire is for them to be able to live in fullness, healthier, with loyal companions and prosperity that would not be obtainable in their lesser form.

This is why we must Love – when one suffers Christ suffers the ability to be perfectly unified and identifiable with all He deserves to have made manifest.

Do you love Him enough to truly love those in your body – family – marriage???

I pray that you be purposeful through Christ, not self, so that He may educate you on how to be interdependent in Love, Truth and Light for His glory and Namesake.

With Love,
Candace

Can Halloween be Hallow?

I was thinking about this celebration called Halloween today. Most people do not see it as religious or sacrilegious they simply see it as “Costumes and Candy”. I know many churches that have a fall festival to gather everyone into the church however once there it is still “Costumes and Candy”. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but what if……

What if we thought about a deeper meaning, like a parable? Isn’t that what Jesus would do on Halloween? He would be right in the middle of our streets walking around looking for who was ready to receive a timely word. He would be planting seeds. I can hear him now walking up to a house watching all the beautiful children. He might even ask one of them something like did you and your family carves a pumpkin tonight? Did you notice all the seeds inside? Did you know if you plant a seed it grows? First comes the sprout, then the vine then a flower which turns into fruit. Did you put a candle in yours? Did you know that God created light? He created it to shine into darkness just like your candle did. I hope you have a wonderful night run and knock on that door I bet they will answer; you will receive a delightful gift that will bring you joy. Be sure you receive it with thanksgiving.

Christ might see another child who is scared or lost from their parent. He would surely take the time to comfort them and help them find their parent. Shouldn’t we be among the people that are lost and help them find their Father? Shouldn’t we be telling them of our hope and showing our light on such a dark night. Shouldn’t we be giving them at least a piece of what we have abundantly received?

When children want to dress up, they can dress up as a holy ghost and when they knock on a door they could exemplify bringing the gift of peace and a blessing. After all the candy would be fulfilling the scripture when it says to receive whatever those receiving you offer as your wage.

Hallowed be God’s name on Halloween. There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out all fear.

We are to be salt and light – He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.

I praise God for that.

I am listing some verses below to think over.

I love each of you, be sure to speak of this with your children after all Proverbs says:

8My son, listen to your father’s discipline, and do not neglect your mother’s teachings,

9because discipline and teachings are a graceful garland on your head

and a golden chain around your neck.

God our father says not to despise His discipline because he disciplines those he loves.

Kisses,

Candace

Isaiah 9:2/ John 15: 5 , 17:15-19 / Isaiah 9:2 / Mathew 10 / Matthew 5:32-48, 7:1-5, chapter 10 / 1 Corinthians 15: 10 thru end of chapter

Would love to know your thoughts on this one =D