We Can't Make a Solid Plan When We Do Not Understand

I am glad to say that at the moment (knowing it could happen at any time) the chaos that we are dealing with in crisis situations is not from our learning curve.  I do not say that to boast mind you.  This year already is proving to be an epiphany fireworks display. 

For instance, how many times have we referred to the writing  "My Shadow" whether in the Creativity Speaks groups, women's groups etc, it has been many.  The process of coming into relationships, hearing our Sheppard's voice and maturing so that we are not deceived is explained in this creative writing. 

Click on the TGIF tab to read what Os Hillman has to add to our understanding.  You can also go to our search tab (top left) type in shadow and refresh your thoughts from past information.  Sit with God today, let His spirit disclose anything hidden for you to see, follow Christ's examples and rise to apply what you have seen.

Only use what you understand clearly.  Where you are lacking fullness you are not supposed to take action, you are supposed to be seeking clarity, provision and confidence that you CAN do it - through Him.

With Love,
Candace

My Shadow




Let me write something pretty for you, Lord,

Let me raise my voice high.

Stir my spirit to praise you, glorifying my King.

The valley I did travel, the journey many years long,

At times I had no vision, the walls too close to see,

No feeling of compassion along my dusty road.

Hear this, my lonely traveler, My words shall persevere!

They are pounding on the pavement as feet running to be at your side.

Patience… please stop running; you are abandoning all your help!

My plan was set in motion when your first tear hit my hand.

I am your way, my sojourner; your road is up ahead.

Make plans after you’ve listened; not while you are trying to understand.

Willful dispositions, glide on the surface like glass,

The reflections are all around us; the image of each man.

My image is why you were created as my father said it was to be,

Mighty men with wasted power ‘til my reflection is what is seen.

Trials and tribulations focus the eyes to see,

Whose reflection is in the mirror?

Judging what is to be…

Focus placed on the superficial, mirrors life gone by,

In the valley of destruction, shadows still reflect

Until challenge breaks the mirror, casting fragments out of reach.

Moving forward now takes decisions,

The eye and mind unite within ,

The heart discerns the image…

Showing a reflection of the true man.

Look past the day you’re traveling,

To the hands holding back the storm,

No valley will overtake you,

No journey will be too long.

I am the Man, and you, my shadow,

I walk through the valley first,

I rose and now you’re with me,

No matter what we’re passing through.

I cast my shadow with purpose,

Made from blocking harsh light,

Harm can only come to the person,

I am that person, your Christ.

The reflection is not tangible, nor the shadow that has been set,

This is just as the spirit, transcendent of the flesh,

Reality is a lesson, the mind a tool to tame.

The learned are My inspiration… My leaders among all men.



By Candace Huffmaster © 2007 all rights reserved

The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

When we hear scripture or sermons on the subject of "those that have been given much, much is expected" or "sacrifice and giving", or parables such as the ones in this devotion....we think it can only apply to money. That is a very shallow interpretation, yet it is the most relatable.
Let's go a step deeper. Last night we spoke about God's concern with people seeing but not perceiving. Of hearing but not understanding. Further down in Chapter 4 Christ explains that we have to use what we have been given in order to gain more.

23 Let the person who has ears listen!" 24 He went on to say, "Pay attention to what you're listening to! [Knowledge] will be measured out to you by the measure [of attention] you give. This is the way knowledge increases. 25 Those who understand [these mysteries] will be given [more knowledge]. However, some people don't understand [these mysteries]. Even what they understand will be taken away from them."

Money helps on the surface of problems, but if we do not give people knowledge with understanding they will never be able to get away from what creates the difficulties in life. Next time someone needs help....give them something they can take to the bank every time....God's truth.
I pray that the LORD gives us wisdom and thank him that from his mouth comes knowledge as well as understanding. I pray that foresight will protect us and that understanding will guard us. I pray that we trust the Lord with all our heart and that we do not rely on our own understanding. And I pray that we know we are blessed; that we find our wisdom and obtain our understanding.
In Jesus Name,
Candace

The King Of Fruits

READ: Luke 19:12-26
Present your bodies a living sacrifice, . . . which is your reasonable service. —Romans 12:1
The durian, a tropical fruit, is often called The King of Fruits. Either you love it or you hate it. Those who love it will do almost anything to get it. Those who hate it won’t get near it because of its pungent smell. My wife loves it. Recently, a friend, who was grateful for what my wife had done for her, sent her a box of the finest quality durians. She took great pains to ensure that they were the best.
I asked myself, “If we can give the best to a friend, how can we do less for our Lord who gave His very life for us?”
The nobleman in Jesus’ parable in Luke 19 wanted the best from 10 servants to whom he gave money, saying, “Do business till I come” (v.13). When he returned and asked for an account, he gave the same commendation “Well done!” to all those who had done what they could with the money entrusted to them. But he called “wicked” (v.22) the one who did nothing with his money.
The primary meaning of this story is stewardship of what we’ve been given. To be faithful with what God has given to us is to give Him our best in return. As the master gave money to the servants in the parable, so God has given us gifts to serve Him. It is we who will lose out if we fail to give Him our best. — C. P. Hia

Give of your best to the Master,

Give Him first place in your heart;

Give Him first place in your service,

Consecrate every part. —Grose

We are at our best when we serve God by serving others.

Do you love to tell secrets?

Consistency is our guardian until a changes becomes (super)natural. It is very hard work! We want to rebel in our human nature. Until we give up our rights to Christ, this spiritual battle takes on any form of restraint working toward the good things intented for us.
I pray that we persevere in fighting the "good fight" through Christ who redeemed us to be reformed in His image. In their image we were made male and female - Genesis 1:26,27
Candace
 
The Secret of Spiritual Consistency
READ:
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . —Galatians 6:14When a person is newly born again, he seems inconsistent due to his unrelated emotions and the state of the external things or circumstances in his life. The apostle Paul had a strong and steady underlying consistency in his life. Consequently, he could let his external life change without internal distress because he was rooted and grounded in God. Most of us are not consistent spiritually because we are more concerned about being consistent externally. In the external expression of things, Paul lived in the basement, while his critics lived on the upper level. And these two levels do not begin to touch each other. But Paul’s consistency was down deep in the fundamentals. The great basis of his consistency was the agony of God in the redemption of the world, namely, the Cross of Christ.
State your beliefs to yourself again. Get back to the foundation of the Cross of Christ, doing away with any belief not based on it. In secular history the Cross is an infinitesimally small thing, but from the biblical perspective it is of more importance than all the empires of the world. If we get away from dwelling on the tragedy of God on the Cross in our preaching, our preaching produces nothing. It will not transmit the energy of God to man; it may be interesting, but it will have no power. However, when we preach the Cross, the energy of God is released. ". . . it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. . . . we preach Christ crucified . . ." ( 1 Corinthians 1:21, 23 ). - by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest