Guard Your Heart, AGAIN!

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.

Last week we were discussing our position or placement as an authority figure for God's will.   But even in this we must make clear that God is the protector, not us. We misinterpret scripture to mean that WE do the protecting, and God empowers us; don't stop there.  Let's study deeper. 

Mal 2:16 For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts.  So guard yourselves (is where we usually stop, but there is more) IN YOUR SPIRIT and do not be FAITHLESS.  (where is our faith, in God or self?)

If we are not protecting our own heart and those near and dear to our heart then who is, what in the world can this mean?  Have you ever asked that question?  Well I have (don't leave me hanging ;) ).  This is one of the area's where we are not always correctly brought up.  God stresses, "Do not depend on your own understanding" that "His ways are higher than our ways".  Our self protection is fear based.  This is the reason He instructs us to diligently cast our cares, worries and anxiety upon Him.  He is not afraid and it is not too much for Him to take on.  He also tells us to let it go and then take on His yoke because it is not burdensome at all. 

Phil 4:5 tells us:
Let your gentleness be known to ALL men ( not just those who give you comfort or you like), the Lord is at hand, be anxious for nothing (not anything at all!), but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving (not blaming, crying or desperation) let your requests be MADE known to God (not your neighbor, mom, dad, sister, prayer room, husband...) and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding WILL GUARD YOUR HEART AND MINDS through Christ Jesus.

See all the ways we strive to be comforted, when actually all we must do is focus on HIM!  He protects us in all ways.  He knows it's a war zone all around us, even within us at times.  But in Him, we are above it all and He is covering us while the supernatural battle wages (or rages) on. We must remember that this battle was won in the past, Christ has been finished with it for over 2,000 years.  We just didn't understand the memo.  So we keep carrying on as if it is happening all over again, it's a choice.  But we do not have to make it....we do not have to participate. 

When He tells us to not fear, it is because He understands we will be afraid of things from time to time.  This is the reason to rejoice, He is saying to us "I know you are scared, but I've got you covered, we can do this....I promised."   Next time you don't know what to do in regard to a heart harm, start with being gentle with yourself and ask God to help you do the same toward everyone else...because He IS at hand.  Secondly, don't get anxious that you'll make a mistake or get hurt, just talk to God and thank Him that He knows all conditions and is desiring peace to abound as much as you do.  (probably more so) Ask Him to shed light on how you can extend peace but also to show you the way to properly keep your peace, kick any dust and announce His Kingdom is at hand.  Only speak if He directs you to, through revealing words of reconciliation, which will minister to all around you.  But mostly, praise Him for allowing you to have rest while He guards your heart and mind!

Review these scriptures in light of these thoughts:

Psalms 121 :8  The Lord guards you as you come and go, now and forever.

Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Why do we experience tough relationships and feelings?  To test our faith, our understanding.

James 1:3 Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

So then, do we ask not to be tested?  Absolutely NOT! We ask by supplication, as Christ did for Peter and instructed Him, when Satan had requested to thrash him, to request "that his FAITH NOT FAIL!"

All this leads up to how we will be treated and why He ALONE protects our heart, so that we will not become hardened by our lack of ability to stand (or stand those around us :))  under all this pain and rejection:

Matthew 10:22  You will be hated by everyone because of ME!  But the one who stand firm till the end....WILL BE SAVED!

So let's stand in the face of ALL these odds.....and NOT glare back with haughty arrogance...but let them see our gentle nature.  Even let them see that we sure are a little afraid of their damaging ways because it hurts! BUT, we will not shrink back in fear...even if we do get broken beyond our imagination we will NEVER be broken beyond His repair!

For God Sake Believe and BE FREE.....in Christ Jesus :)
Kisses,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2013, All Copy Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc®

Forget-Me-Not

My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. ~ Proverbs 3:1-2 

As I was reading this scripture today, I saw something different: God doesn’t want us to forget his laws, they are good.  But he implores us to allow our heart to guide us in keeping them.  It is only by His spirit residing in us that we are able to abide in His righteousness.  He does not desire for us to strive in vain, wearing our silly selves ragged.  He knows it is ridiculous for us to try.  We cannot even love each other well much less the hundreds of others below the ONE which upholds them all. 

For the length of our days…..the years of our life…..peace all flow up from our heart and fill the spaces leading up to our today and those relationships around us…..or not around us.  Our muscles are ignited by passion which stems from love or fear.  As I read this and turned it over in my mind, I saw all the things which have been added to me since I was a child.  For today, I am simply laying this one piece before us to think about:

 

 How many of us (I’m sure this will only apply to girls) have pulled the daisy petals as you state, “He loves me……He loves me not…..He loves me…..He loves me not….) only to have the silly flower have one too few petals and you end up on the NOT!  Silly as it is when that happens we almost get superstitious with the child’s play as if it is a little clue.

 

Why is it always an either or scenario?  What about the ridiculous saying “When the cats away the mice will play”.  What sort of mind set does the statement form in us as we are to grow toward trusting individuals?  We have spoken many times in regard to the harmless fairy tales we lavish on the impressionable minds entrusted to us.  Personally I love fairy tales; I appreciate the underdog winning and the super inflated evil tyrant being served his just reward.   But do we keep stories in perspective of teachable moments or leave these precious formative minds flailing between creativity and real life application?

Each of us was created with fascination by the only mind smart enough, powerful enough and able to complete us.  We speak often of the verse:  Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God Psalm 40:17

I have been silent for several weeks for many reasons – God is bringing me through another layer of discovery and it is so very exciting!  Whether I knew if or not I am not sure, but He has been allowing me to make plans, knowing they are good plan with intent to do His will and see that not all good things are His best for how He has uniquely made me to relate to Him and others.

As for this season and I know not how long it will be:

I will have no agenda except that which the Lord places before me.  I will find the work which He alone has for my hands to do and I will keep in my heart the knowledge that He will prosper it all for His glory and name sake.

Do I know exactly what that means? Absolutely not!  Does it concern me?  Not in the least!  As for me, I will worry about today and all that is before me to accomplish.  I will find His provision only in His rest and I simply cannot allow my soul to exit; for my soul needs its true mate….the spirit who forgets me not.

I pray that if you pick a beautiful daisy you not say any longer, “ He loves me…..He love me not”  but say and teach to your children “He love me….He forgets me not!”

Remembering each of you with tender love,

Candace

 

©Candace Huffmaster 2013, All Copy Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc ®

"I Know, But I Don't Know How.."

Knowledge is a fickle find; in Wisdom you find treasure!

Today we are putting some practical steps and understanding out here.  We know quite a bit about what is right wrong, emotions, needs verses wants etc.  What we have the most trouble with is falling offside of the lane we are in before we reach the destination of the 12 pins on the other end. 

This analogy in mind let’s use today’s thoughts as gutter guards if you will.  We might not knock down all the pins right at first throw but with some guidance we will at least reach the goal.  Remember, you get to bowl again and will get better and more skilled the more often you give it a GO!

We know that we are extended peace and we are to keep it.  We know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  We know that we are to not lose hope because Christ overcame the world.  We know we could compile an exhaustive list…..but I’m not gonna go there =D.

The information below is formed from the book of Galatians.  It is our letter of encouragement and we will be utilizing it quiet often throughout the rest of our Honestly conversations:

Be armed with the name of the Lord for He alone is victor over all things.  In times of trouble do not fear them – if you fear the Lord, He alone will set you free from all of them who are against you.  If the Lord be for you, none can stand against you.

It is better to have the Lord on your side than to trust a mortal or influential person.  They may surround you, swarm you even push hard to make you fall but remember the Lord is on your side!  Sing of the strength of your savior, how He will display His hand high, mighty and strong. 

v  You will live to tell what the Lord has done for you:

Ø  How He opened the gates of righteousness for you to enter

Ø  How you stand firm because you did not reject the cornerstone of God’s Kingdom. 

§  Give thanks to God, who gave you success when you called on His name to rescue you.

§  Give thanks to the Lord because He is good, because His mercy endures forever.

We know that integrity is important because we are blessed by a life lived this way.  What we have difficulty with or get overwhelmed with is how to become a person of integrity.  Of course we KNOW how – we simply follow the teachings of the Lord.  But there is nothing simple about that in this God made, man transformed world.  That is why God had to set the boundaries or laws for us to see that what we have done is not His best, now He desires us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that He may undo what we redid – Stick with me here!

v  So we as: “But how can we possibly do NOTHING wrong and be above reproach”?

Ø  Answer:

§  By wholeheartedly searching for Him

§  By following his directions

§  By carefully following his guiding principles

The Lords command is for us to allow him to guide us so that we may become firmly established.  He gave us the principles to study, to learn and to use as our pathway so that we will never be ashamed.  When we obey them we are seen in His righteousness – this is our saving grace!  We must give thanks that He never abandons us.

v  “But the world is so unforgiving”, I hear you say.  “How do we protect the purity of our hearts, He commands US to protect our hearts above all else?”

Ø  By holding onto Gods Word

Ø  When we whole heartily search for Him, His hedge of protection keeps us from falling into the gutter – away from his principles and ways

Ø  If His word is the treasure we are digging for then our hearts intent will be pure.  In this He will find no fault and we are found to be above reproach – Hence, a person of Integrity!

v  “But I do not know his ways yet that well; how will I know if I am being guided by God or a wise inposter?”

Ø  The principles or regulations you are taught and treasure in your heart.  Your lips will repeat them and they become your protection or shield as the angels hearken to come fight the battles which you might not even be aware of.

Ø  You will find joy, display peace as you choose His ways of life over every king of riches.

Ø  As you study and grow in walking this way you will reflect the image of Christ

Ø  You will be happy and desire to not slip away from His words of truth

§  His kindness will be shown toward you to encourage you to keep going

§  He has to do this because you are now transformed into a new creation who can no longer operate in this world because your old skills are now gone and you have to start as from birth learning your new form.

§  He must open up the mysteries of His commandments for your protection

§  Your soul will have an endless yearning to understand so that it does not perish.

And this is where ensuing coliseum battle gets underway……..

We will start a new frame tomorrow –today, think about these things.  Pray about your changing form.  I ask that your faith not fail, your spirit is prospering and the store house of His wisdom be etched in the soterior of your soul for all eternity.

In Unity with the vision of Christ,

Kisses,

Candace

©2011 Candace Huffmaster, All Rights Reserved

™ Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc