Obedience - By Os Hillman

I mistakenly posted this as "obstacles" instead of Obedience when I was loading it onto the web site. I pray that I - we all look at obstacles as opportunities. I know the women in our creative group which has been reading "The Last Lecture" will relate this to Randy speaking of "Walls". As he so insightfully states, "walls are not there to keep us out; they are there to see how badly we want something."

May we all desire Him above all else - therein lye's the ability to persevere with obedience.

In Christ,
Kisses,
Candace


TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1

Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. - Exodus 5:23

Have you ever felt that the more obedient you are to following God, the more adversity there is? Moses had been instructed to go to Pharaoh and tell him to release the people of Israel. God had said He was going to deliver the people through Moses. The only problem is that God did not tell Moses at what point they actually would be released. When Moses complained to God, the Lord told Moses that He had to harden Pharaoh's heart in order to perform greater miracles. God was behind hardening Pharaoh's heart. We forget that the king's heart is in God's hand. God had a specific reason for each plague and each delay. God said to Moses,

"I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord" (Exodus 10:1b-2).

God has a reason for everything He does. These delays were designed to bring greater glory to God and were to be a lasting legacy of God's miracle-working power for generations to come.

When the people were freed, God again hardened Pharaoh's heart to go after them. This action of God to harden Pharaoh's heart was to set the stage for an even greater miracle -- the parting of the Red Sea. The people were angry with Moses for bringing them to the desert "to die." But God said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on" (Ex. 14:15b). There was only one place to go by this time -- the Red Sea. God parted the Red Sea, and another greater miracle took place.
Moses learned several lessons that each of us must learn. God's promises are true, but His timing is not the same as ours. God always wants greater glory than what we might be willing to give Him. God puts obstacles and adversity into our lives in order to build perseverance and faith. Why has God put the mountain in your life at this time? To demonstrate His power through your life. To show His glory.

Going Without Jesus - By Os Hillman

"...they were unaware of it." Luke 2:43

Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. Jesus was 12 years old. They were evidently very distracted by the excitement and business of the Feast. In fact, Mary and Joseph began their return trip to Nazareth only to realize well into the trip that Jesus was not with them. It would be three days before they would be reunited with their 12-year-old son. It caused quite a scare in Mary and Joseph, and they reprimanded Jesus for "wandering" off.


As a parent, I find this story truly amazing. How can parents of the Son of God not know their son is not in their presence? Yet this story illustrates how each of us can become so busy that we continue to operate not realizing that Jesus is no longer with us. Obviously, there was very little fellowship taking place between Jesus and His parents during the trip.

Are you experiencing daily, even moment-by-moment, fellowship with Jesus? If not, you will wake up one day and realize Jesus is not with you in your endeavors. It may, like Mary and Joseph, create a certain fear in you that you may have lost a very important relationship. Doing business without Jesus' presence leaves us powerless and prone to live in fear. Jesus said He would never leave or forsake His children. However, we can walk away from His fellowship by refusing to be with Him. Do not let this happen to you. He longs to have daily fellowship with you because He loves you

I pray for us all today, that we seek Him with all that we are, strive to lay down our selfish ambitions so that He may have fellowship with us and others around us, live out this day energized by the power of His love which casts out all fear and woos others into His embrace.
 
With the Love of our Christ,
Candace

Do We Even Like Knock-Off's?

Today I am adding another verse as well as some definitions.  Stick with me, I know this will seem random as we add to the puzzle we are working here. 

Hebrews 4: 9 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.

We stopped yesterday with Hebrews 9:5 using GWT this verse states: Above the arc were angels of glory with their wings overshadowing the throne of mercy.  Cherubium are "angels of glory"

Hebrews 4:7 spoke of God setting another "day" and it being "today" - Day is derived from a Greek work Hemero meaning the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
Today is derived from the Greek word semeron meaning this day, or what has happened today.

Now to connect some other things we know about spiritual light and darkness: God tells us all things are common to man.  He asks us what does light hav in common with darkness. In 2 Cor. 6:14 He tell us not to be bound together with unbelievers- for what fellowship has light with darkness. In 11:14 He speaks of Satan disguising himself as an angel of light.  Other verses on light refer to us being darkness but are now light as well as light consisiting of goodness, righteousness and truth.  He tells us "all things being visible when exposed by light", also that we are being called out of darkness into glorious light.

We obviously cannot cover all this today.  God plants seeds.  Althought they are metaphorical when planted they become visable within our creative capacities.  They eventually become real...mighty miracles which bring glory to Christ, which glorifies our God.

So lets revisit being in-between.  Yesterday we were pondering being the movement in-between and we defined what the word means.  Today we discovered that Hemero or day means in-between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night. We know we are to be following Christ, therefor  Him being bright light when it falls over us it would cast a perfect shadow.  When we are under him our shadow will not fade.  What happens when the sun starts to set to shadows?  They diminish don't they?  Sometimes do you think it is possible we are following what we think is the Son, however there doesn't seem to be much light? 

This is where our new verse drops in so perfectly!  If the son we are following is a knock-off we will fall...there will be no light and no one to help us.  He is an example of disobedience - He and those around him do not care about us.  They care about "self".

I pray that the eyes of your hear are enlightened, and that you hear what the spirit of God is telling you this day.  I pray that when you are down there is One to help you up.  I pray that you feel the love He offers in the many that love Him and strive to wrap you in their care "today".

Kisses in Christ,
Candace

Conversations With My Dad

Journal Entry: Vision of a Mountain


I desire to glorify you, Oh Lord, in all I say and do
Let my steps and words be confident, through you.
My heart I lay open, to rest in your palms,
     for healing and preparation, for guidance and repair.
When finished, you touch me, all protection in place
Obediently I go forward with trust and good will,
     knowing your presence is here with me still.
The provision will last me and when all is done,
My shelter is waiting with you at the door,
     to start the whole process of giving me more.
The days all go quickly, time is not the same
Moments are mountains to some that I see.
The miracle, you grant me, of showing your face
To those who know struggles or when life weakens their faith.
I speak to the mountain and start moving on,
“They say are you crazy?”, “I’m not going your way!”
I say, “What mountain?”, “I told it to move!”
They shake their head, “stupid!” ‘Just go your way!”.
I tell them “My Father is preparing my path”.
“When they travel foot hills my path is laid low”
Away, they start moving, I ask them to wait
    to consider an outcome which could be their fate.
We both have a highway; a path we are on
We neither have knowledge of what is on the road
Did we create the system; a design from start to end?
I know not what is beyond the turn on my way
Or who will be out there and what their intent is
I only know the creator and his love for me.
His provision is perfect - no matter the day.
In fact, he so loved you before you knew me.
He asked me to help you; he knew your name.
We all have our choices and he respects yours.
He wanted to tell you, there is danger ahead.
I want to be here, if you want to see …..
      the path of great beginnings, of faith, hope and love
To quiet your questions….. just walk out of faith
The mountain will vanish; till then just hold strong
      to the promise of provision, content in His love.
By Candace Huffmaster ©

Read 2 Corinthians 11 and 12
I am excited to hear your from you, the vision or mountain in your writings next week.  I thank you all as always for sharing!
With Love,
Candace

"Isn't Helping Always a Good Thing?"

There are times in life when we feel we know a way to help others that would help ease the burdens or ease a consequence in their life. Easing a consequence in someone's life is something to pray about - there is ALWAYS a consequence in our own life to be aware of. God has a plan to make everyone mature - we have to prayerfully consider our actions, responses to others. If we act out thoughtlessly, we might be pushing God's plans out of the way. Free will is to be taken seriously, it affects many people around us.


I pray that we not be so cavalier with the blessing God has given us - I pray that we ask Him what He gave provision to us For....then obediently utilize them His specific purposes.

Through the Heart of Christ,
Candace

What My Obedience to God Costs Other People

As they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon . . . , and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus —Luke 23:26

If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the pain begins. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything— it is a delight. But to those who do not love Him, our obedience does cost a great deal. If we obey God, it will mean that other people’s plans are upset. They will ridicule us as if to say, "You call this Christianity?" We could prevent the suffering, but not if we are obedient to God. We must let the cost be paid.

When our obedience begins to cost others, our human pride entrenches itself and we say, "I will never accept anything from anyone." But we must, or disobey God. We have no right to think that the type of relationships we have with others should be any different from those the Lord Himself had (see Luke 8:1-3).

A lack of progress in our spiritual life results when we try to bear all the costs ourselves. And actually, we cannot. Because we are so involved in the universal purposes of God, others are immediately affected by our obedience to Him. Will we remain faithful in our obedience to God and be willing to suffer the humiliation of refusing to be independent? Or will we do just the opposite and say, "I will not cause other people to suffer"? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but it will grieve our Lord. If, however, we obey God, He will care for those who have suffered the consequences of our obedience. We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God what consequences you would allow as a condition of your obedience to Him. By Oswald Chambers

Living Will

Before someone dies, they try to have a "living will" made up. This shows what their intent is for what remains behind from their lives. An executor of this will is appointed to be sure it is fully carried out.
Think about God's will. He says if we know what He has written, the bible, we will know His will. Are we like greedy families taking our battles before the judge to dispute what has been written? We are to be like the appointed executors of His "living word".

Think about our will. We go about daily living out our will, speaking words that form our tomorrows. Do we choose our words as if they are being recorded in a contract? God says we are accountable for all our idle words. He also says that a persons yes, should mean yes; and our no, should mean no. Our words are as good as signing a signature on a contract. That is also the reason for the wise proverbs such as Proverbs 1:31-33 They refused my advice. They despised my every warning. They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. They will be stuffed with their own schemes. "Gullible people kill themselves because of their turning away. Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference. But whoever listens to me will live without worry and will be free from the dread of disaster." This is from God's living testimony - He has executors taking charge of these words - His angels.

I pray we think about His word, His death, His life and the power that He has. May we have a righteous fear of our Lord and truly appreciate what He left us all in His will as heirs.

With love,
Candace

The Drawing of the Father

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him . . . —John 6:44

When God begins to draw me to Himself, the problem of my will comes in immediately. Will I react positively to the truth that God has revealed? Will I come to Him? To discuss or deliberate over spiritual matters when God calls is inappropriate and disrespectful to Him. When God speaks, never discuss it with anyone as if to decide what your response may be (see Galatians 1:15-16 ). Belief is not the result of an intellectual act, but the result of an act of my will whereby I deliberately commit myself. But will I commit, placing myself completely and absolutely on God, and be willing to act solely on what He says? If I will, I will find that I am grounded on reality as certain as God’s throne.

In preaching the gospel, always focus on the matter of the will. Belief must come from the will to believe. There must be a surrender of the will, not a surrender to a persuasive or powerful argument. I must deliberately step out, placing my faith in God and in His truth. And I must place no confidence in my own works, but only in God. Trusting in my own mental understanding becomes a hindrance to complete trust in God. I must be willing to ignore and leave my feelings behind. I must will to believe. But this can never be accomplished without my forceful, determined effort to separate myself from my old ways of looking at things. I must surrender myself completely to God.
Everyone has been created with the ability to reach out beyond his own grasp. But it is God who draws me, and my relationship to Him in the first place is an inner, personal one, not an intellectual one. I come into the relationship through the miracle of God and through my own will to believe. Then I begin to get an intelligent appreciation and understanding of the wonder of the transformation in my life. - Oswald Chambers

Be angry and NOT sin?

My prayer for us today is that we all listen with our heart, choose our words with care and through it all remember the good in each other - which is the very essence of God, our father.

One of the poems I wrote is about this very issue. It is my hope that the poems will help us reflect on what God is telling us, personalize them through our past experiences and remember the lessons learned for future situations.  The devotional is from Daily Bread today.

With love,

Candace

No Cause For Alarm

READ: Ephesians 4:25-32

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath. —Ephesians 4:26The sound of the alarm blaring from inside the church struck panic in my heart. I had arrived at church early one Sunday morning, planning to spend a little time in peace and quiet before the congregation arrived. But I forgot to disarm the burglar alarm. As I turned the key, the disruptive and annoying blasting of the alarm filled the building—and no doubt the bedrooms of sleeping neighbors.


Anger is a lot like that. In the midst of our peaceful lives, something turns a key in our spirit and triggers the alarm. And our internal peace—not to mention the tranquillity of those around us—is interrupted by the disruptive force of our exploding emotions.


Sometimes anger appropriately calls our attention to an injustice that needs to be addressed, and we are spurred to righteous action. Most of the time, however, our anger is selfishly ignited by the violation of our expectations, rights, and privileges. In any case, it’s important to know why the alarm is sounding and to respond in a godly way. But one thing is sure, anger was never intended to continue unchecked.


It’s no wonder that Paul reminds us of the psalmist’s warning: “‘Be angry, and do not sin’; do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Eph. 4:26; Ps. 4:4). — Joe Stowell

Spirit of God, please change my heart

And give me a new desire;

Help me to be a man of peace

Who’s not controlled by anger’s fire. —K. De Haan

Anger left unchecked is cause for alarm.

Obedience Walks True

Words form as my mouth is ignited into motion,
Muscles strain, face contorts, sounds of the deep are hurled forth,
Tremendous pain and agony is the kindle,
Sparks burst into existence singeing all within reach,
The burn turns to a blaze from the oxygen expelled,
The torrents of tears come too late to extinguish the flames.

Death of so many from the combustible forces,
Tender twigs reaching for life crackle and smolder from the impulsive havoc,
New seasons, new life, through years of dormancy reigned,
Each planting… reaching fingers, through rich soil from debris,
Encouraging waters penetrate that which is buried deep,
Slow saturation, life drank it in,
Overcoming the demons that snuffed years from the scene,
God understood the pain and the cause,
He never gave up or quickened the time,
His patience and love are more than enough…
Like creation and then destruction to regain true birth.

Let us always remember the loss from the fires,
Always go rushing, so seeds will throw down.

Time is the magic when obedience walks true,
His steps are leading though only one path is seen,
Forward forever, the future has no end.

Behind are the lessons to teach others to grow,
Remember your yesterday, put away all strife,
It’s in this we grow mercy, so all may have life.
By Candace Huffmaster