THE SPHERE OF EXALTATION

"Jesus leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves." Mark 9:2

We have all had times on the mount, when we have seen things from God's standpoint and have wanted to stay there; but God will never allow us to stay there. The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, something is wrong. It is a great thing to be on the mount with God, but a man only gets there in order that afterwards he may get down among the devil-possessed and lift them up. We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle. Spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mount. We feel we could talk like angels and live like angels, if only we could stay on the mount. The times of exaltation are exceptional, they have their meaning in our life with God, but we must beware lest our spiritual selfishness wants to make them the only time.

We are apt to think that everything that happens is to be turned into useful teaching, it is to be turned into something better than teaching, viz., into character. The mount is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something. There is a great snare in asking - What is the use of it? In spiritual matters we can never calculate on that line. The moments on the mountain tops are rare moments, and they are meant for something in God's purpose.
By Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I pray that we not try to stay alone with God but abide in His presence as He flows through us overtaking the valley to rush in His glorious light.  So today, stand up, walk out and speak life to all that is about you.  Be the salt....Be the light...Be free because in Christ there is liberty....."Today".

With Love,
Candace

True Beauty In All Things Is The Glory Of God

As I have been reading and researching "facts" about the four rivers that break out of the river flowing from Eden I learned and pondered many things.  I am placing the links below if you are interested in the best of what I found.

After searching, reading, and reflecting I realized what I was reading was interesting however I was missing the beauty due to desiring knowledge and facts.  I was cutting out the relationship with God in search of wisdom.  I was eating from the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" instead of the "Tree of Life".  Wow! 

I can see how easily this happens.  When I listened to that quiet still voice what I heard was sure it has meaning, sure those rivers can be traveled but look to me...look AT me.  Stay here with me don't be so quick to seek a journey away from me.  Ouch!  Here I was being Martha, when I should have been Mary.

God created a beautiful environment most of the elements spoken of in many translations of our bible are Gold, Lapiz, Onyx, fragrance etc.  If God did not desire us to surround ourselves with beauty he would not have created them.  Beauty tangible and intangible is of God.  Art, Music, Love, Conversation are all to be utilized to show praise it is the our pouring of our hearts. The beauty of  our appearance, our homes, landscaping, or objects we decorate self / environment with are included in what I am speaking of. This is all Eden.  Beauty for no other purpose than it is beautiful, desirable and not necessary; simply a DELIGHT.  This delight is the glorious outpouring of Gods heart.  The one river flowing is the love of God and all things branching from that are reaching the four corners of this earth for the purpose of flowing back to Him in thanksgiving, praise, honor.  I believe God simply desire for us to show respect to the beautiful things He desires to lavish upon us, share through us so that He is seen.

As I have written many times over you are beautifully and wonderfully made.  Made first for a relationship with God and then with mankind.  I pray that you stay with us, find all the beauty that God created within you to share and then sing, dance, write, speak, CREATE whatever you desire.  Not because you are perfect at it, but because you can ....for Him.

This is what Kaleidoscope Butterfly was created to support...The True Beauty of God in all and through all of us.

I pray that today He is glorified in all we do.  I tie all this together with verses which are pivotal in all KB seeks to unveil with Love. Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.   Isaiah 61:1-3 (GWT) The Spirit of the Almighty Lord is with me because the Lord has anointed me to deliver good news to humble people.
He has sent me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to announce that captives will be set free and prisoners will be released. He has sent me to announce the year of the Lord’s good will and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all those who grieve. He has sent me to provide for all those who grieve in Zion, to give them crowns instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of tears of grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness.  They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, the Plantings of the Lord, so that he might display his glory.

Amen!
With Love,
Candace

http://www.kjvbible.org/rivers_of_the_garden_of_eden.html  


http://jhom.com/topics/rivers/eden.htm
http://www.tonycooke.org/free_resources/articles_gen_tony/rivers_eden.html
https://pgchurch.sslpowered.com/pgchurch.ca/sermons/Genesis2.pdf

Eternal Flame

When I was reading the devotion from Ministry in Word yesterday I was reminded of an oil painting that God graced me with the ability to accomplish as a witness to His hearts intent.  I am loading the picture below as well as what God translated through the image and His written word. 

I am also reminded and thankful for the Ministries He has put in place to reach beyond the walls of His body.  Drawing to the Rock and Glimpse of His Glory are just two of such Ministries spilling the creativity of our God out from the hearts and minds of His people to meet unsuspecting individuals right where they are.  I know it is their and the artists hope that the individuals gazing upon these works that Christ will be seen, God will be heard and the Holy Spirit will be received.

It is not the skill of the artist that should be magnified, each work no matter how we deem the skill level is precious in His sight.  He looks at the hearts intent and uses it for His purposes, in His timing, for His will to be done.

Let us remember to encourage those doing the work for Him, not because they are perfect at it....but because they listen and obey for His Name Sake and Glory.

With the Love of our Christ I pray that today each of us take a risk, move out of our comfort zone and believe in the reality of the Lord God Almighty - otherwise the ones along our way might not see Him, turn to Him and be healed for eternity.

Kisses,
Candace

"Eternal Flame"

oil on canvas

2 Peter 3:10 (GWT)

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day heaven will pass away with a roaring sound. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and be destroyed. The earth and everything that people have done on it will be exposed.

The cross is God's salvation plan for the lost.  Noone gets to the Father except through the Son.  It is through our belief in Him and acceptance of His gift that we have eternal life.  When I hear the firehouse alarms, I think about the day of the Lord and wonder if anyone else thinks about when it might be, or if they even know what we as Christians know.  I think about how God provides the perfect situations in our lives to communicate His love and His desire for us to have life in abundance.  We are called to listen, hear, and look deeper than this life and to share with the heart of our Savior. 
How tragic if all that transpires from such a calamity is the replacement of lost earthly possessions.  I pray that we all look deeper, move more swiftly and reach more passionately - all the while thanking Christ for His life.

By Candace Huffmaster ©2006 all rights reserved

......And the Question Will Flee!

As I took my own advice yesterday journaling some of my questions, this is what He said to me. 
"My hands hold the answers to your questions in all. In all ways trust Me…..the questions will flee."

I know this is what "the sojourn is the answer; the question and endless plight" means.  Speaking of meanings we are moving on with "The Story Being Told" today.  Verse three of Genesis 1 states "Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.



God Said.....is where we are parking our cars today.  We are going to get out at this overlook and SEE the sights before us. Let me open the door for you....

God Said is EVERYTHING.  It provides in all ways.  This is all we ever need to know.  Therein lies the question.  It poses "itself" mighty and strong, in its self righteous stance.  It is taunting, as it asks the question......."do you even need to get out and look"?     Let me assure you that as this taunting shadow of darkness is standing over you, God is hovering over -  covering (which is why until we make the choice Satan is "crouching" at our doors.)      God is wooing us with his Love  simply asking ..."Do you?" "Do you feel propelled to get out and look or do you see a  wall or vast darkness where I see all the beauty of the mountains, valley's and horizon?"  

So today, I am opening this door. I am sitting here with you.  We are talking a bit before we broach the answer.  Remember there is a time to not speak as well.  Just because someone poses a question do not always feel propelled to justify it.  Think of  the times Christ just stood holding His words.  For now... let's just ponder some things.

The question posed "itself" Do you believe "God"?
Do you believe IN him, Of him, About him.? For you teachers out there - God is the great Preposition and we are the object (of His desire)
If we do not believe "God" then what ever He said is a mute point.
However, I am not going to let you off the hook that easily.
I am going to tell you what Said means in Hebrew.  This my friends IS the sojourn and why all questions are an endless plight.

"Amar" has a much more complete definition than simply "said".  It has forms such as to say, speak or utter.  However it also means to answer or to say in one's heart.  It compiles the essence of to think, promise, command as well as intend.  It means "to be told", to be said, to be called as well as to boast and to act proudly. It also means to avow. In case you are not sure what that means - It means to acknowledge openly, boldly, and unashamedly; confess as in guilt. There is a second meaning of stating positively. This is a derivative from the word advocate. Avouch means to declare the provable truth or validity of; affirm:

We will pick up here tomorrow..


Today I pray that we think of him as the Great Preposition and ourselves as the object of His desire: that  we see His face and  like a whimsical butterfly we fly to Him, around Him;  that we will be with Him and glean from His wisdom, counsel, patience, peace, joy and love; that we flutter out from His presence with a changed mind, whole, complete, restored, liberated and free and yet that we not seperate our self from His position or fly from His view.

With Love in Christ,
Candace

After you Let it Go is There Anything You Can Do?

I am beginning to see the reason that in 7 days God said it is done.  I will hold my rambling thoughts till the 7th day (....my way of saying I care =D )  Today we are adding Genesis 1:3 to our epic.  I am quoting from God's Word Translation Bible.

 "Then God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light."

Continuing on, in case you are unaware, we are reading the "About the Author" section of God's Epic.

Let's put it together so far:

In the beginning God created heaven and earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The Spirit of God was hovering over the water. Then God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light.

We know that God was and has always been.  We now know that He is beginning something new with just the first sentence.  Do you ever just sit and ask Him about what was before the beginning?   What have you got to loose?  Do you think it would be a waste of time?  Do you think He doesn't exist?  Do you think He doesn't talk or converse with each one of us?  Why don't you write about it....maybe within the personal lines on your pages you might go back at some point and find out....He was talking with you.  Just a thought!

Anyway....This new thing He made ...He created, from nothing and formed it into something was Heaven and Earth.  Boom (or Bang as some would say) there it was.  How does He do that?  The earth that He made was formless...empty, AND darkness covered the deep water.  That sounds pretty spooky to me.  I do not think I would want to go there.  If I was there I would be hiding very deep and under a cover too.  But then just like a loving parent...who showed up?  That's right...God showed up!  He stood over that blanket and was probably saying don't be afraid...I'll flip the light on and show you there is nothing here to be afraid of.

God said "Let there be Light".  And There was Light.  However, just because He made it available and it is there does not mean that we are going to let our covers down, see that there is nothing there and rest in His protection.

I think I will leave us with this image of God today.  Our daddy, big, strong, loving and always there to chase out the boogie man, bad dream or whatever else we need.

Today, ask Him to shed some light on your fears.  Trust that His spirit is hovering over your dark areas.  Willing us to open our eyes, cast down false imaginations and be free from the darkness that is suppressing our whimsical lives.

Believe..Be Alive and Be Beautiful...BeCause you already Are.  He already made you that way (He has let it be there and it is)  You simply have to accept it as so.
With Love,
Candace

Movers and Shakers...Among the Daisies

If you are just joining us, welcome.  We are continuing on with the pieces of what God has planted or our puzzle pieces.  Let's water those seeds today and just lay in the warmth of His sun light. Soon everyone will be able to see the daisy He has been tending.

Yesterday we stopped with Luke 10:38-42 Martha was irritated that she had company and no help.  That is not really very hospitable.  A guest does not come into our homes for the W Hotel treatment.  They come to visit, to deepen relationship.  We forget that most of the time.  If what someone desires is a B&B with you "B-ing" the employee of the month, then maybe you should give them the number and directions to the W. 

All kiding aside, and back on track now - Christ had quiet a day, the day He walked into Martha's house.  He had been traveling, teaching, casting out demons.  All along His road He was looking for people that would listen and learn.  If it had of been me I would have been a bit tired - but God is so patient and Christ exemplified this when the diciples were still needing to grow up a bit.  They desired to get everyone to stop "acting" like they were part of their God team when they in deed were not.  However, Christ corrected their view of things. He told them his fathers' moto: "If  they aren't against you, they are for you." This did not mean that those individuals come come with them on their journey though.

Christ needed the ones that were willing to be in His shadow.  The "rebels with a cause" could not come.  It seems many wanted to be part of the "Jesus Train", to be part of the "Movers and Shakers" of their times.  But Gods agenda had to have those that when they had done all to stand  - and the shakin' started - they would not move away. 

"So who are you? Are you a "Mover and Shaker" or are you a "Shaken and not Moved"?

Moving on....This same day atleast 3 men were shaken....Christ kept moving down the road.  He didn't stop.

He was walking toward Mary and Martha's house with His disciples talking about the things that were to come.  This is the conversation they were having:

(GWT)Luke 10: 1- 8 After this, the Lord appointed other disciples to go ahead of him to every city and place that he intended to go. They were to travel in pairs.

He told them, “The harvest is large, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his crops. Go! I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves. Don’t carry a wallet, a traveling bag, or sandals, and don’t stop to greet anyone on the way. Whenever you go into a house, greet the family right away with the words, ‘May there be peace in this house.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your greeting will be accepted. But if that’s not the case, your greeting will be rejected. Stay with the family that accepts you. Eat and drink whatever they offer you. After all, the worker deserves his pay. Do not move around from one house to another. Whenever you go into a city and the people welcome you, eat whatever they serve you. Heal the sick that are there, and tell the people, ‘The kingdom of God is near you!’

As if Jesus' day had not been long enough, He then bumps into a religious expert who had something to prove.  So Christ took the time to speak a tale to Him.  He didn't stop though..He finally reached the door of Martha's house.

Look how God had gone before them all day long...planting those seeds.  He watered them, nurtured them, protected them.  This one day He planted so many seeds He could have a very fragrant center piece from the daisies if they desire to flower.  He is doing His work, that of a diligent farmer.  He also knows where to send His workers so that they will be most productive at working what has been planted.

He scatters and tells us to do as He does..not to stop.  He tell people my workers are coming back in before me.  Be prepared!  Accept them as My Fathers workers.  He tells us that we are to greet people with a blessing of peace.  The rest He is aware of and has provided.  He does not desire for us to be in lack of provision.  This is the reason He says not to stop until you get to where you are to be going. He tells us not to hop around like we are chasing after the wind, but to stay until our work is done.  He moves us.  Mary understood this.  Martha was unsettled and working in her own understanding.  Christ cared so He shared some really good news with her.  He told her Martha, it's okay...take a break.  I just want to be "with you".  I don't have a need for a B&B.  My Father has taken care of all my needs.  Just "B" with me.  Nothing else need be added.

This day, I pray that you just B.  Be...Cause.

As KB understands, there is only One Cause and that is Love....Love makes everything beautiful.  I pray that you flower..... as He made you to flower. 

With love and mercy...shine of His glory today,
Candace



 

Seeking Serenity

Continuing on with what we see, today we are focusing on seeking. Yesterday we spoke about seeking first the Kingdom of God and allowing Him to add everything else we need into our lives.

If we ever forget what we are to be seeking, there is a very simple and straightforward way to bring it back to the plumb line. Look at the spelling of the work seeking. If you really look at the spelling you will never have to ask again. S E E K I N G....SEE KING. All we have to do is keep our eyes on the KING.

God has said to people throughout history if you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying we should listen while it is still called today. I don't know about you, but I think this shows how much He cares. He gives us the free will to choose if we want to hear, listen, look and see.

Revelation 1:7(GWTN) states Look! He is coming in the clouds. Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. Every tribe on earth will mourn because of him. This is true. Amen

Christ told his disciples this in Matthew 13 :13-17 (GWTN)

"Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, `YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.' "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. "For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Today I am leaving you with this poem. It states what our prayer is in the closing lines.

Be well my friends and family, in Christ,
Candace



Seeking Serenity


I blank my mind to peer into yours,
Seeking serenity, believing in truth.
My faith is boundless, only through you
My mere words will perish; yours will stand true.

Through patience and stillness, calmness will flow.
Seeking so feverishly, desiring you as my strength,
In search of a purpose, but who is ever pleased?
Perfection they ask; perfect for whom?
This world is unpleased, damning and lost.
Feeling not good enough, I’m broken to my knees.

Crying, I whisper, “What’s it all for?”
Questions keep flooding, ‘til I hear myself scream,
“God, please, if you’re out there,
Please listen, I’m on my knees!”
Answers, I need answers,
I don’t know where to go…
To people who are ignorant of things they claimed to know?
What will I do? I feel hopeless… unloved.
I am so sick and lonely, weighed down with despair,
In silence, I’m sobbing, there are no words left.

My heart is still pumping,
How? I do not know.
It’s hurting and empty, shouldn’t it quit?
Sheer exhaustion and no power, I murmur, God take me now.
I know I’ve never said it, but I realize you are here.
No one else is with me… you’re the only thing left.
I remember your son Jesus; when his life was at stake,
So I know you can help me, quickly take me away.

My breath is now shallow and I’m half expecting my last.
Would he answer? I was waiting,
In fear holding onto what air was left,
Releasing simultaneously moaning… Jesus, listen to me!
If you’re out there then speak for me.
They will surely listen to the words you have to say,
It is my voice that has no volume,
Isn’t that the reason they can’t hear?

Child, I am here with you; just as you knew and believed,
Waiting for you to ask me to care for all your life,
This was your final lesson, you believed... but mostly your thoughts
Now, all is forgotten so your mind has been transformed
You can now release the burdens, live your life refreshed and free.
When you speak you now have volume, our prayer is for them to receive.

By Candace Huffmaster ©

A Universe of Humanity

 by David C McCasland  ,Our Daily Bread Devotional

During the 1920s and 30s, photographer August Sander set out to portray a cross-section of German society. Through his lens he saw factory workers and financiers, actresses and housewives, Nazis and Jews. Even though his published collection contains only people in and around his hometown of Cologne, he captured what David Propson, writing in The Wall Street Journal, called “a universe of humanity in his restricted sphere.”

That phrase strikes me as an apt description of our lives and the people we meet day by day. Wherever we live, we cross paths with people from many backgrounds and beliefs.

For years, the apostle Paul traveled and preached before being imprisoned in Rome. There he continued to touch people with the gospel because he cared about them and wanted them to know Jesus Christ. The book of Acts concludes with Paul confined in Rome, living under guard in a rented house, where he “received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:30-31).
Instead of focusing on his restrictions, Paul saw opportunities. That’s the key for us as well. There is a universe of humanity within our reach today.

You are called with a holy calling

The light of the world to be,

To lift up the lamp of the gospel

That others the light may see. —Anon.

The gospel is a priceless gift that’s offered free to everyone

Ordianry or Extra - Ordinary

The common thread, whether I am meeting one on one or groups is that "God's cause is for ordinary things to have an extraordinary purpose." There is not one creation that is an exception to this. The seeds become fruit, which becomes seed, which becomes fruit. The wind is simply a breeze and yet scatters seeds which later blossom and can also take down buildings and go back to being a breeze. A man is just a man, and a woman simply a woman but together...AHHHH we have another human being ...which is simply a man or a woman and on it goes.


Ordinary...or Extraordinary the choice is ours - the desire is His, but which will you choose? I pray you choose the Zoe life, I pray we all do each intersecting moment of our lives!

With love,
Candace

God Needs You!

Daily Bread an rbc.org daily devotion

READ: Mark 11:1-7

If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” say, “The Lord has need of it.” —Mark 11:3

For His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus chose a donkey to serve as His royal transportation. His disciples were instructed to say, “The Lord has need of it” (Mark 11:3). Isn’t it astounding that the Son of God should use such lowly means to accomplish His purposes? Alexander MacLaren commented on this: “Christ comes to us in like fashion, and brushes aside all our convenient excuses. He says, ‘I want you, and that is enough.’ ”



Think of it! The Creator of the universe needs us and desires to fit us into His eternal design! Though all-powerful and not dependent on any creature, He has chosen to carry out His plans through lowly human instruments. If this were not so, He would have taken us to heaven as soon as He saved us by His grace.



Someone once asked Francis of Assisi how he was able to accomplish so much. He replied, “This may be why: The Lord looked down from heaven and said, ‘Where can I find the weakest, littlest man on earth?’ Then He saw me and said, ‘I’ve found him. I will work through him, and he won’t be proud of it. He’ll see that I am only using him because of his insignificance.’ ”



You may be small in your own eyes, but God has need of you! — Paul Van Gorder

Yours is a mission you alone can fill,

Whether it be to build or teach or till;

Your goal may still be hidden from your view,

But somewhere God has urgent need of you. —Thayer

God is looking for ordinary people for extraordinary work.

You are a Princess / Prince!

Today we are talking about Crowns and Glory.



Psalms 8:5 is one of the most commonly quoted scriptures. I am always truly unsettled by this scripture, there seems to be so much ambiguity surrounding it meaning. Maybe that is to keep us searching deeper into God's meaning and not leaning on our own understanding.

"Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!" (NAS)

When we go back and break down the Hebrew meanings of the highlighted words, it is my understanding that what this is possibly saying is this - Elohim, God divinely created us out of Himself to be less than complete apart from Him. Yet he surrounds us, looks upon us.. to help us.. with glory( honor, abundance, riches, dignity, reputation, reverence) and majesty (the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold, honor whichh belongs or is shown to due to rank of office which he holds)

This is what He did for Christ, this is what He offers to us. We simply have to understand that when we separate ourselves from our "crown of His help" we are choosing to be crowned by another Kingdom.

I pray that we all accept his "Headship" and allow His Crown to Grace our Heads...even if just for Today! Let us worry about tomorrow, when tomorrow comes.

With Love in Christ,
Candace

I Spy With My Little Eye....

Today I wanted to go deeper into some Philippians verses - I was going to use another devotion when some things really started jumping to life from these words. See if you see what I see. (I spy....with my little eye...something straight where it was crooked).


Below I am putting some verses that I was reminded of when reading this. I would love it if you shared with me any thoughts you have. I will make a list of all our thoughts (there are around 20 of us now doing these daily devotions together - isn't that awesome!)

I pray that the eyes of our heart are enlightened, that we see the coming of the Lord. Today his kindgom is at hand!

Amen,
Candace

Philippians 2:12 (God's Word Translation) My dear friends, you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I'm absent In the same way continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing. 15 Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God's children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. Then I can brag on the day of Christ that my effort was not wasted and that my work produced results. 17 My life is being poured out as a part of the sacrifice and service [I offer to God] for your faith. Yet, I am filled with joy, and I share that joy with all of you. 18 For this same reason you also should be filled with joy and share that joy with me.

Paul is speaking to the Christians he was leading in the same exact manner Christ spoke to those He was responsible for. Remember in the verses from yesterday, Christ prayed to God that He had watched over all those God gave him and He was glorified because they saw what He was telling them, and believed it was true.

They shine because of the glory of God, that is the light we have to offer; Not of ourselves, but God. When we grumble and complain instead of trust and encourage - speaking the hard to digest truth, but with love, He shines and we transmit His radiance. Verses from John yesterday speak of this.

Lastly, I love Proverbs 4, read it in context to yesterday and today's information. You will see God, Christ and how the Holy Spirit surrounds us as well as the great cloud of witnesses we are covered by and strengthened through to continue bringing God glory! We are children of the Most High God, read about the crown in proverbs 4, remember that the bible speaks of us laying our crowns at the feet of Christ, and that being His glory.

Proverbs 4:1(Gods Word Translation) Sons, listen to [your] father's discipline, and pay attention in order to gain understanding. 2 After all, I have taught you well. Do not abandon my teachings. 3 When I was a boy [learning] from my father, when I was a tender and only child of my mother, 4 they used to teach me and say to me, "Cling to my words wholeheartedly. Obey my commands so that you may live. 5 Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget. Do not turn away from the words that I have spoken. 6 Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is to acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding with all that you have. 8 Cherish wisdom. It will raise you up. It will bring you honor when you embrace it. 9 It will give you a graceful garland for your head. It will hand you a beautiful crown." 10 My son, listen and accept my words, and they will multiply the years of your life. 11 I have taught you the way of wisdom. I have guided you along decent paths. 12 When you walk, your stride will not be hampered. Even if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Cling to discipline. Do not relax your grip on it. Keep it because it is your life. 14 Do not stray onto the path of wicked people. Do not walk in the way of evil people. 15 Avoid it. Do not walk near it. Turn away from it, and keep on walking. 16 Wicked people cannot sleep unless they do wrong, and they are robbed of their sleep unless they make someone stumble. 17 They eat food obtained through wrongdoing and drink wine obtained through violence. 18 But the path of righteous people is like the light of dawn that becomes brighter and brighter until it reaches midday. 19 The way of wicked people is like deep darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, pay attention to my words. Open your ears to what I say. 21 Do not lose sight of these things. Keep them deep within your heart 22 because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body. 23 Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it. 24 Remove dishonesty from your mouth. Put deceptive speech far away from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead and your sight be focused in front of you. 26 Carefully walk a straight path, and all your ways will be secure. 27 Do not lean to the right or to the left. Walk away from evil.

Tomorrow we will be looking at our Crowns! (every girl needs a tiara! - and every prince a crown)

The people ransomed by the LORD will return. They will come to Zion singing with joy. Everlasting happiness will be on their heads [as a crown]. They will be glad and joyful. They will have no sorrow or grief.

What are YOU looking at!

Mason chose the devotional for  today it is from T.D. Jake's "Strength for Every Moment". I too love how T.D. is so incredibly straight forward. He does not say too many words so that we are confused and have to read between the lines. As I type that do not think I do not realize the irony coming from my fingers "the woman with so many words"


It is hard for us to look at ourselves . Understandably so, we are with ourselves all day long 24/7. I think that is one reason we look at everyone else. Our thought life is constantly convicting and if not wrangled will start to turn into self loathing - so we deflect our thoughts. We just don't get it....He continually tries to explain it to us.

I pray today that we take our eyes of others and even ourselves to put them onto our Lord. Let us focus on His love, not the brokennes this world causes in each of us. He is the healer and lover of our souls. That in all moments is where we should strive to live from.

With the Love of our Christ, may we touch someone in His love today so that He is see in as the very real God that He is.

Candace

Renew Your Strength

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might he gives strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

When your pity party is over and you are ready for His help, God will say "Don't you know? Haven't you heard who I am - the everlasting God? I am the creator of the universe. I am not a child; I am not a school-boy- I am God. Who do you think you are fooling? I'm God. I held your breath in the palm of My hands. I created your body, I heat your blood just hot enough to keep you alive but not so hot that you die. Who else do you allow to control your life? If it is not Me, then who? I love you. I created you in My image. I am that I Am."

What more does the Lord have to do to show you He love you? Don't let satan continue to fool you into thinking that the God has forsaken you.

Stop doing things that you don't have any business doing. Repent and confess your sins instead of spending the time pointing out the sins of everyone else. Admit that you have fallen so that your healing may begin.

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The Essence of Beauty

The essence of beauty is as wide as it is deep,

Multiplicity of color, radiance beyond belief,

Simple to our vision, explosive to the mind,

Alive when implanted into the tenderness inside.

Fingers touch and capture a memory shared between,

Smells engulf the soul and rise up within our air,

The full body of all emotions, encapsulated, mystically, in a tear,

Pure essence of the senses rush through our being like a birth,

Truth that is unstoppable, a manifestation of all that is unseen,

Whirling winds of majestic moments giving life by the lover’s heart,

Silence is all that is able because mere words cannot relate.

By Candace Huffmaster

"Help Me....Help You!"

Sometimes I have to laugh at us all.  We can get in such a self preservation mode that we deprogram all of our discernment. It reminds me of the scene from Jerry McGuire when he is screaming through the phone to his client "Help Me...Help You" over and over again.

If we are not careful we will think others are always in it for themselves; not truly trusting them to have our back in the crucial moments of life. We will push them away, or run away from our help, as God says. At times we even use that same broken logic with God. We do not turn to him unless we have no other option, then we beg him to help us.

He is our Jehovah-Jireh. He is always imploring us to believe. He essentially is boldly putting it out there "Help Me...Help You!". Will we trust that while we are out here just playing the game with all our gusto, that He is out here as the supreme manager working all things together to "Show us the Money". We all know His provision is more than monetary, He gives us all the abilities as well as the full prosperity; that is why all Glory goes to Him...Jehovah Jireh! (meaning: The Lord Who Sees, or The Lord Who Will See To It)

My prayer for us today is for us to trust, keep doing our part as we wait with baited breath to see His promises show up in spectacular ways.
Candace

Jehovah-Jireh

READ: Matthew 6:5-15
Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. —Matthew 6:8
In my early years as a pastor, I served in small churches where finances were often tight. Sometimes our family finances felt the weight of that pressure. On one occasion, we were down to the last of our food and payday was still several days away. While my wife and I fretted about how we would feed our kids in the next few days, our doorbell rang. When we opened the door, we discovered two bags of groceries. We had not told anyone of our plight, yet our provider God had led someone to meet that need.

This reminds me of the Old Testament account of Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. At just the right moment, God provided a ram instead. Abraham called this place Jehovah-Jireh, “The-Lord-Will-Provide” (Gen. 22:14). He is the One who still cares deeply for His children.

Jesus said, “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matt. 6:8). He is constantly caring for and seeking the best for us—a reminder that in times of hardship, need, and fear, we have Someone who cares. Peter wrote that we can cast all our cares upon Jesus, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We can turn to Him in our time of need. — Bill Crowder daily bread devoional.

I know not by what methods rare

The Lord provides for me;

I only know that all my needs

He meets so graciously. —Adams

What God promises, God will provide.

I am weak but He is strong....

Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so.............


A while back I heard God say:
You are not able to use my knowledge and insight until you have gained it and you will not gain my wisdom and discernment until you have experienced it. When you have over come or come through a trial by my strength and your humility, you then have the power indwelt, etched and engraved – ownership within your new form. To be honest, I do not understand the things He tells me for some time. I have to talk to Him about it as I walk through my days....He explains it piece by little piece. Things like this devotion, help me to get more understanding and apply it to my life.

In the bible there is a verse that speaks of the spirit being able but the flesh being weak. I pray that our spirit prospers even as our soul prospers: that we will gain His knowledge, insight, wisdom and discernment through our daily experiences as we count on His strength in all situations. In our humility he is glorified ....as He says where we are weak He is able to show His strength.
My love to you all,
Candace

The Eternal Goal

By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing . . . I will bless you . . . —Genesis 22:16-17

Abraham, at this point, has reached where he is in touch with the very nature of God. He now understands the reality of God.

My goal is God Himself . . .
At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.

"At any cost . . . by any road" means submitting to God’s way of bringing us to the goal.

There is no possibility of questioning God when He speaks, if He speaks to His own nature in me. Prompt obedience is the only result. When Jesus says, "Come," I simply come; when He says, "Let go," I let go; when He says, "Trust God in this matter," I trust. This work of obedience is the evidence that the nature of God is in me.
God’s revelation of Himself to me is influenced by my character, not by God’s character.
’Tis because I am ordinary,Thy ways so often look ordinary to me.

It is through the discipline of obedience that I get to the place where Abraham was and I see who God is. God will never be real to me until I come face to face with Him in Jesus Christ. Then I will know and can boldly proclaim, "In all the world, my God, there is none but Thee, there is none but Thee."

The promises of God are of no value to us until, through obedience, we come to understand the nature of God. We may read some things in the Bible every day for a year and they may mean nothing to us. Then, because we have been obedient to God in some small detail, we suddenly see what God means and His nature is instantly opened up to us. "All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen . . ." (2 Corinthians 1:20). Our "Yes" must be born of obedience; when by obedience we ratify a promise of God by saying, "Amen," or, "So be it." That promise becomes ours. by Oswald Chambers