How God Makes Fishermen -By Os Hillman

"'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'" Matthew 4:19

Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly impact God's Kingdom. First, there is the gestation period. This is the development stage of our lives. It may involve years of normal work experiences. You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be following after worldly success as a non-Christian. Paul spent years in religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his early life. Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years tending flocks in the desert. Jesus spent 30 years living at home and working in His father's carpentry business. However, all these years were part of their preparation.

Next is the crisis stage. Sooner or later, God calls you into relationship with Him. For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to personally by God. Some people are more difficult than others to reach and so require this level of crisis. This is a time when God requires major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose. Paul's earthly experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political leaders of his day. For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years of preparation. For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ. For Jesus, it was the garden of Gethsemane. These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an impact on their world.

Last is the fruit-bearing stage. In it, God's power is manifested in your life like never before. God takes all your experiences and uses them to build His Kingdom in and through your life. Your obedience to this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without the long preparation process. For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the father of many nations. For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. And for Peter, it meant becoming the leader of the Church. For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.

What does God want to achieve through your life? God has a plan that is so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world has never known.

I thank God for this day, for the wisdom that is produced through Os Hillman's faithful witness and testimonies each and every day.  I can stand in agreement with each of these words and pray for those of you who do not yet see what He is speaking of here.  I pray that you search for ways ...encounters to prove it as truth...because you will not be disappointed my friends.
 
I ask this knowing it is the will of our father because Christ himself spoke it in advance for us to be watching out for it with hope in our heart.
 
Love,
Candace

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

Welcome...We are Very Glad to be With You.

Last night was amazing to me. God woos me along this journey in such mighty ways. I appreciate each of you. This morning I was starting my day as much like every other morning of what I have come to understand as “my life”, opening myself up to discuss yesterdays and seek God’s direction.

To My Fellow Sojourner,

As I sit here looking back at where I started, not so much the very beginning but the day I first looked at myself in that rear view mirror, trying so desperately to see my way clearly. I’ve walked across the miles: seen the smiles, the turned backs, the arms that would not embrace as well as the ones that opened wide telling me to trust them and give as they themselves were hiding behind a facade. I’ve felt and remembered the pain; pain I had never imagined and bondage no one can escape on their own.
I have read many travelers’ experiences and opinions on “how to” however the same thread runs through each of our tales. Today is only a point in time and all time has been closed. It is now about fulfillment of the days.

Everyone’s journey is as unique as they are. No one can tell you “how to” journey your path except the creator of your path. Many times we are looking to the creature, instead of the creator. The creature is to aid, not to answer. As I heard Him whisper one day, “the answer is the sojourning, the question an endless plight; be still and know that I am God and I love you, deeply, honestly, passionately so that you will know freedom and can love freely just as I would …..for me; always… in all ways.

These are precious moments I’ve lived, the good, the bad, and the ugly, (Clint Eastwood days), some turbulent times, some peaceful times and some exuberant times. I am not a writer as I have previously said; I am just another sojourner on a quest. I am putting all this out here, because He asks us to be real and to share. I know He will find the success He desires to reach whoever wants to know Him. If it is only one person, I am happy to know He has reached you, and that we share this experience together throughout eternity.

Whoever you are talk, sing, share and love… not because you’re perfect at it but because you can—for Him.

With love and kisses,
Candace

Today, I praise Him, I give Him thanks. There are just around 100 of us now. This does not include the wonderful people involved in the intercessory area, between 15 and 20. There are now individuals set to train as well as be trained for outreach. Some days it is very overwhelming for me to grasp the ways God has propelled and orchestrated his love for each of us to know He is Real.

This is what He wants us to understand:

My arm is what reaches through the chaos to show them the truly beautiful pathways to life. When they stand at the wayside and wait, I WILL be there, I AM always there, they simply lean on their own understanding (knowledge, sight, emotions and theories) to struggle their way along. I know not to lead them onto that path, the evil is waiting, crouching around every corner to head them back to his pit. I want them to be in peace so that they will change their mind and get away from what is waging war with fullness of life. I AM.. tell them that. I AM here, I AM an ever ready help in their time of trouble. All they have to do is believe it. I Will do the rest. I Will supply the vision, I Will supply the strength, I Will cover them with My Glory and They Will succeed.

I pray that the sacrifices that are made are glorifying to Him. This is what He has desired a relationship, a body to call His own. this is a fragrant aroma in His sight.
Look in the archives to go further. Topic: moments, journey, sight

Enjoy THIS day that the Lord "has made" - Just as He has Made YOU....and He calls you "beautiful".

What could be MORE beautiful than that?
Kisses,
C

The Bottom Line on Profit, now this is Good!

John 5:25 (NAS) Truly, Truly, I say to you an hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live.


John 5:25-28 (NAS) “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment…because He is “Son of Man”.

We all love Guarantee’s don’t we? That lets us off the hook, no buyer’s remorse. “I can guarantee this truth: Those who listen to what I say and believe in the one who sent me will have eternal life.”

So today, let’s ponder a couple more things.

The scriptures yesterday stated that the Father doesn’t judge, He entrusted judgment entirely to the Son so that everyone will honor the Son…as they honor the Father. There is so much meaning in that scripture. God loves and trust Christ so much that He doesn’t think Christ will mess up the whole judgment thing. Wow, can you honestly say you would just let your older sibling take over disciplining your younger child - You would be hands off no questions asked?

Well if we look beyond the surface we will see that in this way of thinking we will never get it. In John 5:21 Christ was quoted as saying, “ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes, “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given ALL judgment to the Son.” God does not judge so Christ does not judge. He trusts that Christ will not judge anyone. Believing this we are honoring Christ as we are honoring God.

Christ also says if we listen to what He (Christ) says and believes in God we will have eternal life. Why? – Because He won’t judge you. Why? Because you bypassed death and made it to life. How? God made Christ to take on death. There was a battle between life and death and Christ fought it to the death. But God has life in Himself and gave to the Son life in Himself. What Christ was doing was “executing” judgment which leads to death. In doing this He himself became the bridge of Life for us all to walk across that great divide. He laid across the void where the bridge to Death was. His hands were anchored on one land, nailed into the rocks on that shoreline; His feet were nailed securely on the other rocky shore. We simply have to believe it is secure and take the step, move across. (Go back and read the segments on fear of bridges if you would like more details here)

Then in verse 28 which we will close out “there is Good and there is good”, Christ states Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice and shall come forth; those who did the good to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil to a resurrection of judgment.

If Christ was the executer of judgment it is best to know the Greek word in which we translated it from. Poieo means to make, it is derived from the root word poios which means quality. Poieo means to endow a person or thing with a certain quality (such as life, strength, courage, health etc) and to qualify it at the same time. It also means to appoint or constitute. It is the opposite of a Greek word prasso, which would bring out the means in which something was obtained, (all the steps etc.)

If we believe that Christ executed judgment then that would refer to it being done once for all. It would also make sense that in doing this there is no more great divide. We have now this same life within our self and although we are an independent creation we walk in the same love that God has endowed us with.

Agathos in Greek means good, however it is a good with benevolence it is useful while being profitable. Good if it does not benefit another, is not profitable, it is evil and you have chosen to take a bridge that might look wise, but it leads to an island. Christ states in verse 31 If I bear witness to myself MY testimony is not true. We will pick up here tomorrow.

I pray that “today” we all hear what the spirit of the Lord is telling us, receive it and be healed of our unbelief. Let’s cross this bridge together.

With the Love of Christ,
Candace