Get Back in the Saddle and RIDE!

I truly hope I am not the only one who feels as if I start back at the beginning more often than I reach a finish line.  It has not always been this way though.  Most of my youth, I would decide what I wanted and "tada" it would be accomplished rather easy-breezy.  Bumps along the way usually did little to hinder me; in fact they gave me momentum to succeed. 

Somewhere along the way my own view points became less meaningful.  Somewhere along the way my own strength became uninviting to anyone wanting an authentic relationship.  Somewhere along the way my resilience and desire to hit it headstrong again became less attractive to me (and others I am sure). Thankfully, somewhere along the way I paused long enough to look around me and then back. 

You see, I did not start out with this view point.  Anyone who knows me will probably state that they feel I tenderly care about others and always have.  But somewhere along the road the hurt from relating with others appeared to be desiring to overtake me, even destroy me.  It was a process, but eventually I merged in with the mainstream and hit it!  I did not make it too long on that freeway though.  By my early to mid 20's I knew God had to have a better plan than I did - so I paused.

This last year life took me on another adventure.  Looking back I think it was more life taking me than "LIFE".  I thank God that He who began all things holds all things in His hand - I praise Him for using all things for His glory; even the very things others mean as harm.  I know that God will do exactly what He says He will do and that is my prayer;; so may I never return evil for evil but instead request that God reconcile all things into His Divine good pleasure. 

It is due to His word that I can release, relax and rise up to Get Back in the Saddle again....always!

If it were not for His word.....I would not know of His faithfulness.  And if it were not for believing in His faithfulness, I would not have hope.  If it were not for hope I would not trust Him. And if I did not trust Him, I would surely be destroying my very own life as well as the lives of others.  I am sure that is a trust worthy statement!

  Because God's word is much more trustworthy than anything I could come up with, let me end on this:

Duet 28:7  The Lord will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they shall come out against you one way and shall flee before you 7 ways.

 When I read this today the word before bounced up at me and I giggled.  Yes there are days when I still feel a bit defeated.  I forget sometimes that I am a child of the one and only God and that I cannot be defeated.  I am not speaking of normal defeats, I am speaking of wrong doing, betrayals, hurtfulness of others when it is their intent to minimize a person for their own gain.  Although for a moment they may rise up against you, "Get Back in the Saddle" with your face set on the horizon and wait on the Lord.  Have faith that the Lord is before you and they are fighting Him, there is not one other thing you must do.  Soon He will clear the way for you to Ride On!

Just pray for them as you go.....because His Kingdom has come and He does reign on earth just as it is in Heaven - even now!

Kisses,
C

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

I Just Want To Be ALONE!

The awesome thing about the bible is that no matter what view point we seem to be looking from, if we will pause and open it, we will immediately have wise guidance which will give us a much fuller perspective to discern things.

If you do not know where to look, try the book of Mark.  He is much like many of us, enabling his writings to feel much like an old friend walking with us.  Last week, even though I did not post it - we were discussing view points.  This was a refresher from studies a few years ago, but new to many of you.  Click the link above if you were not with us.

Think about the following:

The writer, like Mark are real people.  Things of God do not change, no matter how much time passes.  When we do not, or are not "willing" to relate to someone then there is no commonality.  We do not have to agree in all ways.  However, we do have to be willing to respect the relationship.  This is one large factor we are told several truths about by God's word: 

• As far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone.
• Please God not man.
• Be above reproach in all of your ways.
• The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
• Seek first His kingdom and all else will be added to this.
• and the biggie...All things are common to man.

Can you relate to those statements?  Can you relate to others even if you do not always see from their perspective?  Can you relate to Mark?  Have you tried?  If you cannot settle yourself for a moment to lay things down with a living person in your midst, give Mark a try?  Just go somewhere and sit with the letters he wrote for you.  Remember, he is your brother.  We have a very hard time laying down petty things and thinking about God's picture of family.  We are all brothers and sisters even now, here in this world once we are saved through Jesus Christ.   

Sometimes, I think about Christ and all he faced.  We are told about the angels which came to him to minister in His time of need.  Many times, I think we might want the angels to come to our aid prior to us giving our all to fight the good fight.  We focus on our own limited strength and do not open up to stand firm on God's word and let it do the fighting for us.  That IS what Christ did.  Each time Satan came at his vulnerability, lustful human nature etc, Christ didn't enter a battle.  He simply spoke what sustains us - the words that proceed from the mouth of God himself.  It sounds so simple, yet our flesh is so incredibly weak when we do not prosper our Spirit - as our soul prospers. 


We know we are supposed to seek the Kingdom with all our human strength AND the strength he gives us.  Sometimes we forget this and try to go it alone.  This is never a good idea, but we have to be EVER MINDFUL of God in order to detect these things.  1 Corinthians verse 20 and 21 state: Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the persuasive speaker of our time? Hasn’t God turned the wisdom of the world into nonsense? The world with its wisdom was unable to recognize God in terms of his own wisdom. So God decided to use the nonsense of the Good News we speak to save those who believe.

I have chosen one verse in particular for each of us to lean on today:

In the morning, long before sunrise, Jesus went to a place where he could be alone to pray.  Mark 1:35 GW

Just because Christ went away from people doesn't mean he was alone.  Today, get away from people and alone with our Lord God Almighty it will delight the Spirit and be rest for your soul.  I promise! (only because His promises are faithful and true).  I hope you Do relate.

With Love,
Candace

updated 2013 ©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly®

This Is Love....

Far too many people want love, just not the love that is coming toward them.  Others, put on their sneakers and instead of playing dodge ball like those previously mentioned, run away in search of a "better" love.  No wonder God has to plainly tell us, in 1 John 4:10,

 This is Love:  not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins.

Our society will say silly things like, I fell out of love.  Sounds like someone went overboard on the Love Boat - but it is more like "jumped ship".  Guess what makes us jump ship: selfishness, greed, unforgiveness, fear etc.


In John 13:34, God's word tells us:   "I'm giving you a new commandment:

Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.

Think about this:  If love could be perfect by simply obeying the letter of the law, honing our works and deeds toward someone and God, then He should not have needed to give us a NEW command.  But just doing the right thing is not love.  It has to be a gift, a gift which isn't earned or owed - it's just something that you can't stop whether it is received or not.  Rejecting it can't stop it.  Abusing it can't defeat it.  It is too encompassing to ever successfully cover it up; and you cannot out run it's ability to catch up with you, overtake you to do good unto you.  That is agape Love, this is God.



Roman 13:10 tells us why God made it simple for us:  Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law.   This love is from God, in and of our "self" we cannot fulfil the law.  Without Christ"s death and resurrection we would not have been able to do anything other than attempt to fulfill the laws.  However, as Christ was entering his position on high the holy spirit was reaching into us in order to properly love.....for Him, as Him, within Him.  This is Unity and such good news.



God loves us as He loves Himself.  He cannot possibly lie because there is no lie in Him.  We are to love others as we love our self......if we believe lies and distorted truths then due to the lies in us this love will never be possible.  Thank God that He tells us the reason He loves us and will never leave us, He created us for a special relationship with Him "first" above all else AND that He has planned a future for us filled with hope, goodness ....LOVE.



We know people, even the ones that love us well, will disappoint us and let us down.  Let use our first analogy of the person dodging your love.  Well if it is really love, it is gentle, fragile, delicate and yet encompasses something alive.  So it is more like an egg than a large, red, rubber,  air filled ball which smacks you,  and smarts a bit I might add, when it hits.  When you toss your lovely egg toward the one you love, if they have any compassion at all they will respect this life force and help care for it.  They will catch it carefully and help you carry it, nurture it anticipating what will come.
 


Knowing in advance the dependability issues of mankind doesn't it make the most sense to put your eggs in God's basket so that they are safe guarded. (Also you won't need new eggs) Now you can focus on being able to catch the eggs in motion if there isn't anyone around to protect it.  Knowing that the person tossing it needs it, you can gently toss it back and watch it grow.



What I am tossing around here is this:  If you are unhappy with the love you are receiving, I would have to ask what you've been tossing - a dodge ball or an egg.  Maybe it isn't the quality of the love at all, maybe it's your stance and focus.  If you are looking down complaining about all the stench of rotten eggs, crusty broken shells around you and how no body is loving you then I guarantee the problem is not them - think about it.



Because He first loved us.........
Kisses,
Candace


For more on this topic: 

• To Love or Not To Love, Is That Really The Question
• Perfected In Love
• For Goodness Sakes
• Time To Love Others
• All I Really Ever Wanted Was

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

Can you Relate?

Be sure to read the book of Mark and always discern for yourselves my view points.  That is the great thing about our bible.  The perspectives are all over the place; just like ours.  The common denominator is all view points lead to God's truth, through Christ empowered by His spirit, which searches the depths of all view points even the view points of God. 

When we do not, or are not "willing" to relate to someone then there is no commonality.  We do not have to agree in all ways.  However, we do have to be willing to respect the relationship.  This is one large factor we are told several truths about by God's word: 

• As far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone.
• Please God not man.
• Be above reproach in all of your ways.
• The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
• Seek first His kingdom and all else will be added to this.
• and the biggie...All things are common to man.

So, today we are going to go a bit further as we listen to Mark spin his tale of the Good News and the Way. 

Yesterday we left off with Jesus' baptism by John the baptizer. I have always found it interesting that the bible states immediately the Spirit brought him into the desert where he was tempted for 40 days.  He was there with wild animals and the angels took care of Him.  This always reminds me of David, as he went to King Saul, stating the reason he felt confident taking on Goliath was due to the numerous lions, tigers and bears he faced defending his flock.  He did not tout his skill; in fact it was never even mentioned.  David proclaimed the Lord God Almighty's might and deliverance through each encounter.  He related this in confidence to how God would not fail him as he trusted in this relationship to face the barbarian, Goliath.

Christ was a success in all he faced and the angels did in deed come to his aid; after his success.  Many times, I think we might want the angels to come to our aid prior to us giving our all to fight the good fight.  We focus on our own limited strength and do not open up to stand firm on God's word and let it do the fighting for us.  That IS what Christ did.  Each time Satan came at his vulnerability, lustful human nature etc, Christ didn't enter a battle.  He simply spoke what sustains us - the words that proceed from the mouth of God himself.  It sounds so simple, yet our flesh is so incredibly weak when we do not prosper our Spirit - as our soul prospers. 

Some time after Christ came back from the 40 days, John was imprisoned.  Jesus went on into Galilee preaching a very straight forward Good News: 

• The time has come, and the Kingdom of God is near. 
• Change the way you think. 
• Change the way you act.
• Believe in the Good News

We know we are supposed to seek the Kingdom with all our human strength AND the strength he gives us.  Sometimes we forget this and try to go it alone.  This is never a good idea, but we have to be EVER MINDFUL of God in order to detect these things.  1 Corinthians verse 20 and 21 state: Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the persuasive speaker of our time? Hasn’t God turned the wisdom of the world into nonsense? The world with its wisdom was unable to recognize God in terms of his own wisdom. So God decided to use the nonsense of the Good News we speak to save those who believe.

I have chosen one verse in particular for each of us to lean on today:

In the morning, long before sunrise, Jesus went to a place where he could be alone to pray.  Mark 1:35 GW

Just because Christ went away from people doesn't mean he was alone.  Today, get away from people and alone with our Lord God Almighty it will delight the Spirit and be rest for your soul.  I promise! (only because His promises are faithful and true).  I hope you Do relate.

With Love,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly™

In His Image We Were Made

This is the day that the Lord has made, so let’s rejoice in it!!

He is such a Good God…Great really.  What could possibly bring us to any other destination than rejoicing?  Consider, think on, hold in your heart these thoughts:

• If the Lord our God, who is all mighty, be for us then what could possibly come against us with any success to the point of harming us? 
• Also: Just as close as you hold this thought in your mind and heart, God, who loved you before you existed in the flesh, knew of you.  He knew the number of your days and what you would be facing each and every moment of them. And he has been holding you in His heart, remembering YOU…..

So what in this world, in the heavens, or below is there which you should fear?

Can you ever come to a place of understanding God by taking the Fear bypass?

His word tell us to know and believe his truth.  His own words gave some direction for our travels: the one who fears is not (or cannot be) perfected in Love.  Therefore doesn’t it make sense that the Fear bypass will only take us “around the perimeter” of Love, but not into the heart of it?

To fear the Lord is not what we perceive it to be (I know this is a gross generalization).  What this speaks of is an understanding of how mighty and victorious He is; how all consuming of Righteousness, purity and holiness He is.

To understand this is so overwhelming to our finite minds we dummy it down to create Him in ways we can comprehend.  This is the sin of idolatry – creating Him into an image of man (or something we can fit nicely into our apple basket).

When His word tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, it means thinking new, different thoughts.  This would take His mind to achieve, otherwise, we are still comparing man’s thoughts to man’s thoughts – which will not obtain an original God thought (the needed orange in our basket). 
This is why it is so important for us to “believe” that the bible is God’s word through humans.  It is also why He demands that we not add to it or take away from it.  Again, this would be idolatry.

When He tells us not to conform to this world but to be transformed – we are to understand that piece by piece we are to put down our man made ways and replace them one by one with a God made way.  God made us in His image, through His understanding.  So we cannot be everything He designed us to be by making God in our image – kinda’ stupid simple when the rubber hits the road don’t ya think?

To think of the end destination comparatively to where we are now and the distance we must travel will make even the most challenge loving, self persistent individual shrink back in fear of this daunting adventure.  This is why God tells us up front that the one who shrinks back, He takes no pleasure in.

But do not make God human in His statement.  He did NOT say, “If you do  not do it my way, I won’t like you nor will I have anything to do with you because you are an idiot for not doing what I said.”

What He DID say was this, “It will not bring me to a point of celebration and joy, because my hearts desire is to slather you with ALL my good pleasure, to the point it is chasing you down to overtake you.  And you are funning away from all the help I have in store for you – DON”T Do THAT!  I want GOOD things for you and not things which will harm you!!

Instead of allowing all the false imaginations to hijack you before you even pull onto the road, remember God never expected you to be on the road by your sheer grit –or to have to figure it out all by your smart self.  This would have never given Him what He wanted….relationships.  After all, He is the one who originated the thought, it is not good for man to be alone. He created us not for sacrifice but for a body to call His own.  Just like He created Eve for Adam – something to call His very own, and she him.  I bet what God was thinking as He said, “That’s Good” is, Now that’s good – they would have never known how good, wonderful and perfect life can be without a relationship – and I want them to know only an awesome, loving, take your breath away good life – so they will have something to rejoice about each and every new day I bring them to and through!

That is why I know, understand and believe that He is a Great God….Really! =D

So today, knowing all this, I leave you with a pray of love; which I request to cover each of you as you seek to understand, by way of knowing, the great true love he has for you.  And a question for you to answer to the best of your ability:

Why is integrity so important?

By way of the one who is faithful and the true witness – with Love in my heart and mind as I hold each of you near and dear:
Kisses,
Candace

© 2007 by Candace Huffmaster, All Rights Reserved

How Far is Far? What Determines an End?

We are entering a very mature segment of things to ponder, but I have faith that each of you is ready for this.  We are not entering a race, although at times your discomfort might desire to run eagerly toward the finish line.  But allow yourself to slow down and experience each moment, thoughtfully.  This will be your space of openness, liberty and safety.  Remember that!  Here, unlike most of your experiences in the past, there will be no expectations, only acceptance of your questions, thoughts and understanding.  With that in mind, we will base our direction on a plea and warning from Gods loving words to us.

Jeremiah 6:16 (GWT) This is what the Lord Says:  Stand at the crossroads and look.  Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths.  Ask which way leads to blessings.  Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves.  But you said that you wouldn’t live that way.

Galatians 6: 7-10 (GWT) Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God.  Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest.  If you plant in the soil of your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction.  But if you plant in the soil of your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life.  We can’t allow ourselves to get tired of living the right way.  Certainly, each of us will receive everlasting life at the proper time, if we don’t give up.  Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers! (Emphasis added for our study purposes).

Deeply was about where you are.  Honestly is about where you are going.  We will take this sojourn viewing these questions: 

Where are you going?

     What is your mental focus toward?

     Are you aware of a spiritual focus?

     How do you perceive your future?

     Are you facing your life honestly?

These are not in any specific order.  They are just things to think about.  I do not expect you to answer them, yet, just ask yourself the questions remembering “the sojourn is the answer; the question an endless plight” We are here to fly, not be live weighed down by sorry conditions!

So today, we are going to stop blaming others for what they did or did not do for us and to us.  I am not saying these people were kind, right or fair.  I am simply stating the obvious “they will be an obstruction for you to have a full view of your own life, where you are going and what you desire to discover about yourself”.

Sometimes we use this distraction to protect ourselves from pain. It is easier to deal with what we do not have any control over than it is to deal with what we have the power to alter and change.  This is not a feat for the faint of heart!  Let’s be brave though….one small step at a time, one complete day at a time; okay?

We never see ourselves as others do, good or bad.  We are too close and our view is askew.  Changing your life begins with honestly looking at your “self”.  We create our life not others.  Others may only suggest, reflect and have an impact toward us.  The affecting, altering power is under the dominion of “yourself”.  Knowing this helps us comprehend that in order to change our self perception we must stop using others perspectives and opinions as our truth.  It is only a piece of the puzzle not all pieces perfectly placed.

We know that there is only one True View Point and that is from the eye of God, His mind and the pure will of His heart.  We must be willing to discover and follow His ways for us. 

For the sake of all good things being done unto you, I pray that you will honestly consider the things we will be journeying through, together in Him.

Kisses,

Candace

Candace Huffmaster ©2006 all rights reserved

Will Job Justify God, or Justify Job?

Beautiful Saturday Morning My Friends!

Two things before we finish up with Job today.  It was wonderful to meet some new faces yesterday, thank you all for joining us and opening up your thoughts, hearts and lives in such trust and humility.  I am always so incredibly humbled myself (and at times convicted for which I am grateful) through our encounters.  AND thank you for the lovely card, again, you all take such strides to make sure you encourage me and show me such love...…….

We came full circle with God’s relationship with Job and what we can glean from it in the present.  For those of you who could not be with us, we missed you as well as your perspectives.  Take the next few days to read through this and make your journal entries – I would love some feedback!

Here is what we saw as we walked the final pages:

We noticed that we had seen Job cry out to God and speak what He believes to be truth, but we had not seen him sit intimately “with God”.  We heard him ask rhetorical questions, but there was no invitation for God to correct Job’s lack of understanding.  He spoke about when he was going to approach God, in my opinion it was more of a tough guy display for those gathered around.  We still heard no tender need.

Recently, I had this experience myself – coincidence, I think not.  I noticed that when I am hurting and vulnerable with a certain person I am no longer willing to allow that tender place to be squashed by their anticipated dead weight haphazardly plopping itself onto the tender unprotected ground.  So I use a wall of defense to protect it, and anger to stand in front of it daring this person to knock me down. 

In case you are unaware – no matter how the other person has treated me to build this defense up, isn’t healthy for me, or the other person.  I have to trust God and get away from the wrecking ball.  This is not my battle my territory has to stay open and inviting…….but we have to know who is not supposed to be in the inner courts of our kingdom.  If you are not familiar with our studies of this and want more information, please let me know and I will give you the archives titles.  (Good news, we will be starting this again on a different level this week!)

As for Job, we also have not seen the first person praying to invite God to speak.  Everyone has been speaking about him saying they consider the wise things of God and their own perceptions or proverbs.  However biblical the theory might be the use has been generic in its practicality.  Job desired counsel; he was imploring friendship and comfort by those that loved him.  He actually NEEDED someone to allow him to be “human” and NOT so strong for everyone else so that he could dispose of his grief and find stability.

 As Job was slammed with their weight, he did what I have been doing – he took the battle stance of defense, opened up his mouth and spewed facts about God, life, pain and despair.   He was saying, shut the gates and grow a heart “Friend”.  You are supposed to be safe, you are supposed to let me be real; you’re supposed to sit with me, let me hold on to something that isn’t going to crush under the weight I feel.  But when I reach out you are like a vapor, nothing of substance or sturdiness is there so I fall – HELP ME!

This is actually good news for Job, he now sees that these people are hurting him, not helping him.  So, he does what any God loving person should do……He starts to pull himself up by his boot straps, thinking logically based on God.  I kind of see him hitting the wall and shaking his head like a cartoon.  He has some sense knocked into him.  He has to explain to these guys, look I was grieving.  I did not really want to die, I just wanted this nonsense to stop, it hurts, it’s uncomfortable……can’t you relate? 

Job doesn’t like that his stature in the eyes of those around him has been distorted.  That simply adds insult to injury.  He wanted them to continue to see him as righteous and upright no matter what.  Yet, he still stands there arrogantly protecting his frailty.  A mighty and strong warrior till the end…..so far.  Within all Job’s monologues, we constantly hear I did this, and I did that…I, I, I……and then occasionally God.  The show piece here is Job’s good works, how He provides etc.  He even is bowing his chest out to God…..ooops!

He lists along set of rhetorical questions for God to answer. He is basically in God’s face demanding: is this what my “good God” does?  Tell me what I have done, common’ tell me so I can defend myself!  He is bating God for an argument all for the purpose of closing Him down – he wants this to end.  These actions are where fear of vulnerability and self righteousness part ways.  There is a grand collision about to take place!

I found one thing Job stated particularly of interest, when he said “if I call and he answered (God) I would not believe that He was listening to my voice”.  To me this infers that Job did not believe that God would talk to him, counsel him or even waste His time in his presence.  Was Job going to waste his time seeking a God he believed was doing all this to him? 

Job then moves into realizing that these so called friends are not able to help him.  They are no more intelligent than he is.   He is now stepping out of the presence of the crowd that has gathered and separating himself from that mentality.  This is awesome!  The next positive steps Job makes is to humble himself by giving God back his authority.  He actually opens up some options to God and requests that their communication be on God’s terms.  Wow, good stuff!  With sincerity he wants to know what he has done.  He is asking now.

Job also makes a statement that his words are done.  God is so patient, he allowed Job to reach the end of his “self” without destroying him.  How very loving, He never left him unattended.  He was listening to him this whole time.  He finally answers Job’s questions, but he used a language Job could understand; rhetorical questions, firm speech, authoritative. 

God was not sarcastic, although a cynical heart would perceive it as such.  God simply stated the facts and proposed that Job give it his best shot to take His place.  Is this what happened with Lucifer, was God in His goodness giving him his own world to “do it better then”?

Job needed to be tested so that he could see his pride.  God saw him as righteous but in order for Job to “reach his righteousness” he had to journey through this territory of discovering, uncovering, repenting, and liberating his heart and mind so that he could be transformed into His righteousness.

These friends couldn’t help him because they were using theories, facts and judging Job.  They didn’t really know him personally, nor did they have much wisdom from living as they spoke.  So they truly were not even close with God or Job. 

Job was doing this with God.  It is like when we try to imitate celebrities or when stalkers think they have this intimate relationship with people objectifying them for their own pleasurable feelings.  It is all relational delusions.  All this being said, by the standards of Gods “law” Job was “perfect”, but as Satan said Job was blessed and comfortably “able” to make sacrifices, help others and what not. Contrary to the whole “kept man” theory of satans though, Job did, in his own human way, “love God”, and felt that he was righteous and fervent toward God’s ways.  He really was trying, but it was askew. 

So there was a bull’s-eye on his pride, God needed to put an arrow in the heart of the matter.  Why?  Simple – he does not desire sacrifice, he wants relationship……His own relationships with us individually and a family relating as a family unto Him. 

His bull’s-eye was Job’s continuous justifications of things – they all stemmed from fear which was the soft spot.  Love cannot operate without brokenness and harm in fear.  That is why God must cast it out. 

Perfect love casts out fear.  The one who fears is not perfected in love.

Today, I ask that you look for the bull’s-eye of fear in your lives.  Where is the soft spot you are guarding?  Ask God to be your strong tower and protect your heart above all else.  He will tell “you” to protect your heart above all else, but he has the walls and vengeance covered.  He does not want any blood on your hands, or your blood to be shed.  He is just that “kind” of God.

 

My prayers covering you as the blanket they are meant to be,

With Love and a holy Kiss,

Candace

Satan's View Point

We are following the happenings and looking at the scenes in Job 1 today which revolve around God, the sons of God and Satan.  Since I am not an expert on this matter, I felt it best to utilize a commentary by J Vernon McGee quoted from his Through the Bible series:

Heaven

Our next scene opens in heaven, and what a scene it is.  Neither Job nor any of the other people in this book knew that this took place at all.  But this scene will enable us today to understand and interpret some of the things which happen to God's people.  I don't say that it is the total explanation, but it is a part of it. 

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them (Job 1:6)

Now this is the scene in heaven.  The sons of God, His created intelligences, come before Him.  I must confess I know very little about them.  I think they are numberless, as numberless as the sand on the seashore, which means you and I cannot count them.  And they are not human beings; they do not belong to our race.  Yet these are God's created intelligences, and the are responsible creatures.  They must come to report to God as a matter of regular routine.  That is something I suppose we would expect.  But there is also something here that is rather shocking.  We are told that "Satan came also among them."  That is a surprise.

Ant the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it (Job 1:7)

By the way, Satan must also make a report.  That is amazing, isn't it?  Do you think he came from hell?  No, he didn't.  Friends, hell hasn't been opened yet.  No one is in hell today.  It will not be opened up until the Millennium takes place on this earth.  Hell is the place prepared fro the Devil and his angels, but they are not there yet.  The fact of the matter is that Satan has as much access to this earth as you and I have, and more so. 
This earth is the domain of Satan.  He has not been in hell.  He says that he has been going up and down - east, west, north and south - on this earth.  Remember that Scripture calls him "...the god of this world..."(2 Cor. 4:4) and "...the prince of power of the air..."(Eph. 2:2).  So that we know that he has great access and freedom on this earth today.  We are warned by Peter, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).  My friend, this is a warning, and this is exactly what we are told her in the Book of Job.  Satan himself said that he has the freedom to go up and down this earth. 
You remember that when Satan tempted the Lord Jesus he offered to Him the kingdoms of this earth.  The Lord Jesus never said, "You don't have them to offer. "  He simply refused the temptation.  Apparently those kingdoms are accessible to Satan, and he has that kind of freedom. 
When you look at this earth today, it does look like Satan is running things, does it not?  God is overruling all things but He has given Satan a period of freedom.  We are told that this world is which you and I live is controlled by Satan.  He must be overcome, and we can only overcome him by the blood of the Lamb.  Now this is quiet a revelation, isn't it.  And it is contrary to modern thinking. 

And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, on that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (Job 1:8)

God gives a good report of Job.  He says he is an outstanding man.  It would seem that Satan has been trying to get at Job.  I draw that conclusion from Satan's next statement.

Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?  Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?  Though hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land (Job 1:9-10)

Apparently Satan had been trying to get through to Job and made the discovery that he couldn't get through to him because there was a hedge about him.  He tells the Lord, "You have put a hedge around him, and I can't touch him."
I believe that there is a hedge about every believer today, and I do not think that Satan can touch you unless God permits it.  And if God permits it, it will be for His purpose.  That is what this book teaches us.

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face (Job 1:11).

Now Satan casts this slur upon Job.  I think he despises mankind.  He suggests that Job is really a timeservant to God.  And Satan has no use for you or me.  He says we are timeservants and that if God took down that hedge and took everything from us, we would curse God.
Mind you, there are a lot of people in the world who would curse God.  There is no question about that.  All one needs to do is listen to men on the street her in Southern Cal.  I hear God cursed nearly every day. 
One day I walked by a construction sit4e where on of the foremen was attempting to make some sort of an adjustment.  It didn't work and the piece fell down.  My, he began to curse God.  Now he may go to church on Sunday and carry a big Bible under his arm - I don't know about that.  But I do know this, he cursed God.  We hear that constantly today.  Men are not rightly related to God, my friend. 
This man Job had a hedge around him, and when Satan found he couldn't touch him, he said, "I'd like to get to him." Satan hates mankind.  Why in the world anyone wants to serve Satan is more than I know, because he despises us.  I wouldn't want a master like that, I want a master who will love me and be sympathetic toward me.  And that is the kind of Master I DO have.

And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.  So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord (Job 1:12).

We learn here that sometimes God permits Satan to take away from us those things that we lean on.  I know that when our little security blanket is taken away from us we feel so helpless, incapable, and lost in this world.  Many of us cry out to God at such a time.
Notice that God is going to permit Satan to take all Job's possessions from him.  Believe me, Satan would destroy us if he could.  He has slandered both God and Job, inferring that God is not worthy to be served and loved for Himself alone, but that He must pay Job to love Him. Satan is the enemy of God and man.
               _______________________________________________________________

Today, think about some of our topics on loosing our peace because of the things we cannot control.  Think about what that states about our faith in God verses our ability to handle things in our own strength. 

I thank God that we live in the times when His spirit is within us and we are one with Him unlike Job who I respect immensely for doing all he did to uphold the commandments in his own strength allowing the hedge of protection to stay in place.  I thank God for His mercy and grace for the way He stayed with Job through all this.  I pray that when you are feeling attacked that you too feel His loving kindness upon you, rise up from within you and see the enemy flee. 

When you have done all to stand, remain standing,
Kisses,
Candace

This Life is a Journey.....Satan and Tests

The Afters - Light up the Sky

Thank you all for the wonderful group today - it is always such a pleasure to be with you all.  Please remember the challenge : to praise God for being so gracious and all mighty, to pray for others in areas you journal about, to request that your spirit prosper even as your soul prospers and then anything else you might desire to pray through.  The poem to continue thinking on our discussions today is also posted. 

I felt that this song would be such a great way to end this week and start the Memorial Day weekend.  If you have the ability go purchase a few sparklers and go Out, Out, Out in the night to watch Him Light, Light, Light up the sky's for you.  He IS with you....and you in my hearts!

My love to you all.....Right where you are =D
Kisses,
Candace

Life is a Journey
         Satan and Tests


So easily you give up;  to vanity your souls 
You see a reality, but can you truly see?

The glitz and glitter dazzle, are you blinded by their light?
The longings wrap around you,
This world creeps close and tight....

Another day another night, you roll without a clue
Passing much too quickly, to glimpse eternal truths
What you think you see are clear visions
 Composed of darkness and light

In the darkness secrets are deeply hidden
In a vault behind a locked door
To expose to light to makes you shudder
Longing for blindness you're drawn deeper into the snare
Walking in.. the tangle of webs wrap about you
My light floods Illumination in search of you
Its quest:  liberation of your Soul to soar great heights

You must master your soul within the spirit
Whatever owns your heart will master your true life
Deep, dark, gripping snarls from one master
Yet created for joy, peace and light
This body is not timeless - so stop striving
Your soul will have a home ..... this is your choice
Your eyes and heart may wander for seasons
But your designer ends all roads of a life time

We do not receive the road map to follow
Our eyes must not lead us astray
We must embrace faith to be guided
We hire our own guide with the time we pay
Trust is the purest of payments
Your heart, through love, will lead you home
Through the doorway of Darkness... bound by guilt and misery
Or passing by that into brightness beyond our belief

~C Huffmaster

©Candace Huffmaster 2008 All Rights Reserved

Time, Times and Half a Time....is there ever enough TIME?

We have discussed many thing about our thoughts, our beliefs, the coulda shoulda woulda's and our focus.  Now we are going to get Honest with all that.  We will be starting to apply this to "LIFE".  So, today I ask you to think / journal a bit more as you think about what you believe Life even is composed of. 

What is life to you? 

Don't try to write the "correct" answer or even one that is insightful  - really do this just for you. On any given day we have the perfunctory list of items to attend to.  I am sure many of our lists are pretty realistic and obtainable....maybe even a bit impressive if anyone glances over our shoulder. 

Time well spent? 
What is time? 
Does time end?

Time began before my life began, it was already in progress, and it keeps going long after my last heart beat.
These are simply facts and they cannot be disputed. 
Do your minutes, breaths, heart beats live beyond each second?
Do they vanish with no more of a thought than that beautifully fragrant flower which brings us such delight?

Think about it...talk about it.....share your discoveries.  Tomorrow we will start our sojourn through time, space, breath, life and purpose with intent.

My prayer for each of us is that when we breath in we remember that the first breath was Gods; when we exhale we desire to share of all He has provided and then use the power of voice to speak life into every nook and cranny of this crazy, amazing, adventurous, sojourn we are blessed to live out.

In the powerful name of Christ Jesus our Lord,
Kisses,
Candace

PS enjoy the video

Am I Standing in the Right Place???

Found it Guys!  It was not in the archives, however there is another post from Friday August 20th 2010 where I suggested you refer to this.  Since it was not in the archives, you might want to go back and pull that one up as well to look over tomorrow.  
___________________________________________________________________________
All week long we have been going back to basics which has made me reflect as well.  These are things I am pondering and somewhat have experiential knowledge of  through taking action on the knowledge He has made available to us.

God has made it clear to us that we are to stand in the gap:  to show His love -which covers a multitude of sins, to lead and teach Gods word to lost and or struggling people. Essentially, to be a vessel for Him so that His body is in their midst doing whatever He needs to do to rescue and deliver His children.

Today I was listening to Bryan Houston and his sermon was on being fearfully and wonderfully made. I know I am, I believe I am - just as I know and believe this about all of us. This lead me to think about the spirit of Jezebel and how we all think that we know best, how we should look, vocation or whatever else. We basically say to God, "who needs you and by the way what you did was not so hot!" "I want to look like this", "I want to do this... and I can…so that is what I am going to do!"

This lead me into thinking about marriage and how God created us to be a man’s helper. We all want to marry someone that we are the mirror image of in likes dislikes etc. Yet we want the other person to do what we do not want to do (such as laundry, pay the bills, watch the children so we can have more personal time - just sayin' if they are just like us they will not want to do it either!) We want to be attracted to the person physically and we want them to always take care of us in all ways.

If all this happened, we would not have to learn and grow. We would get no ideas about how God functions or what He desires. Why can we not stop thinking about ourselves for more than mere minutes at a time????? Our needs are met; we have a creator that promised that. What He needs is a body to do His will.

Will we keep neglecting God’s instructions? Will we keep telling Him no and our selves Yes?

God tells us that when we have done all to stand, to stand. But what if we are standing in the wrong place and He is simply trying to push us toward another place? If we do not know His will, or why he made us we might believe it is “the enemy” we will fight Him even harder!

So where have we moved beyond fighting the good fight and passed into fighting Him to stay in the wrong place?

There is so much for us to learn, so many areas for Him to speak to us as individuals. He is so interesting to listen to; His ways are higher than our ways. He has the correct answer for all our questions. We simply want his answers to always fit what we want to do – so we go in circles trying to find somewhere to access the agreement with our own understanding. True research looks for “all wise resources” the agreement and the dispute. There is balance for discernment, not weights – which God warns against. He tells us to beware of the false teachers who tickle our ears, the ones that scream peace, peace when there is no peace. We must look for people who are standing in the right place, telling us the righteous things. They may miss it at times or we may misunderstand but at least we will be standing in the right place covered in the love that covers a multitude of sins.

In your journals or on your canvas' write about this as you ponder the questions below: remembering our foundation is God's word.

• What was the first and last thing we knew we had to do based on God's word?
• Did you stand till it was complete?
• Do you listen more to fear and fall - or faith and finish?
• Do you believe God is sovereign?
• Today we are adding to this list based on the above questions: Do you believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, for God's purposes?

I love you Lord – my prayer is for our spirits to prosper even as our souls do and for your church to be united and all people to be one, as you and the father are one. We are your people and we are one with you, I pray come Lord Jesus, come…..and the church said "Come".

With the love of our Christ
Kisses,
C

Look Where YOU are Standing and What Angle You are Looking From - It's Not the Only View

Today, simply read these and think about them, pray about them. I hope each of you have a wonderful Saturday. I pray that each of us think about what our motives are in the things we say and do. I pray that even if just for today we can look at ALL the people around us as a child that God loves and is trying desperately to help get through this life. If you are having a great day - praise God. If you are thinking you have it all together and looking down on another person....be careful, it might be you some day.


My love to each of you...let's give someone more than a break today...let's give 'em a hand up.

Kisses,
Candace

A Story About a Vineyard -

What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go to work in the vineyard today.’ “His son replied, ‘I don’t want to!’ But later he changed his mind and went. “The father went to the other son and told him the same thing. He replied, ‘I will, sir,’ but he didn’t go. “Which of the two sons did what the father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. John came to you and showed you the way that God wants you to live, but you didn’t believe him. The tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. But even after you had seen that, you didn’t change your minds and believe him.


“Listen to another illustration. A landowner planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, made a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to vineyard workers and went on a trip. “When the grapes were getting ripe, he sent his servants to the workers to collect his share of the produce. The workers took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned a third to death. So the landowner sent more servants. But the workers treated them the same way. “Finally, he sent his son to them. He thought, ‘They will respect my son.’ “When the workers saw his son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Let’s kill him and get his inheritance.’ So they grabbed him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. “Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those workers?” They answered, “He will destroy those evil people. Then he will lease the vineyard to other workers who will give him his share of the produce when it is ready.”
Jesus asked them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord is responsible for this,and it is amazing for us to see’? That is why I can guarantee that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce what God wants. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken. If the stone falls on anyone, it will crush that person.”

Knowledge that is Productive -by Os Hillman

This week why don't you go back over what you have been writing about for the past three weeks.  Take a look at what your mind has been set on.  Are you hyper focusing on something other than a healthy growing relationship with your creator and your intimate family members.  This is where our priority is supposed to be.  Make sure when you are focusing on those two things that your focus does not become about "what is not going your way".  If you have no family around you then your focus is more liberated to help those outside of your relationship with God.  The only reason we are alive today is to be able to have relationships - all else is useless - vanity - chasing after the wind.

I thank God for his mercy and grace, for his desire to prosper us in real ways and for his relentless desire to abide with right where we are in the condition that we are in right at this moment - Not later when we are "all better".  I request that our souls get comfortable settling down with His spirit and allowing it to prosper us in all ways.

With the Love of our Christ,
Candace

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 1:8

Productivity is a term all workplace believers can relate to. It is the by-product of what we desire from our work. Without productivity, we do not make sales, we do not deliver goods, and we do not achieve our goals. There are things in our work lives that can creep in making us unproductive. The same is true in our walk with God.
The apostle Peter tells us that we can become knowledgeable of Jesus but fail to be effective and productive in our relationship with Him. We are a society that has great knowledge, but our comparable scale of productivity from that knowledge is extremely weighted to the knowledge side. The apostle Peter tells us there is a solution to this dilemma.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).

Is your Christian experience filled with knowledge, but little power? Is there staleness in your walk with God? Is there unrest in your soul? It may be due to a need to develop character that only the Holy Spirit can develop out of an obedient heart. Ask the Lord today to add these qualities to your faith so that you can be productive as a soldier of Jesus Christ.

Twinkle..Twinkle

 

Twinkle, twinkle little star

How I wonder what you are

Up above the world so high

Like a diamond in the sky………

We wish and wish and sometime even “prayerfully wish” until we realize there is a higher force with the capacity to propel us. And that is hope. Hope is not realized when we can touch what we see. Hopes job is over when we have obtained. True Vision is where the pieces collectively come together and build within our heart and mind. Creating with clarity all details in order for us to be aware when we are in the presence of what we hoped for. Hope is the fuel or catalyst of perseverance.

Think about it……

Evidence of things hoped for…….How will they know if they have not been told

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Galatian 4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again.

I love what Erwin McManus wrote in this chapter “Coming our of Nowhere” in Stand Against the Wind.

Romans 12:12 NCV Be joyful because you have hope, Be patient when trouble comes and pray at all times.

 

 

The quest for enlightenment leads us to the wisdom of God. Wisdom is forged through the crucible of Perseverance.

If Rome wasn’t build in a day, neither is character formed in one moment. There is a process in our becoming all that God created us to be. This is the human side of divine change. Transformation is both the miracle of God and the stewardship of man. Godliness is a result of both divine activity and human action. God promises to do what we cannot do for ourselves and He commands us to do that which He will not do for us. There is both miracle and responsibility. God entrusts us with His resources, and then He hold us accountable for what we do with them. It isn’t very difficult to see that we are not all the same. Some people seem to have gotten an overload when God was handing out talents; others seem less gifted. But be assured there is divine talent in you. It is both waiting to be unleashed and depending on your being a faithful steward with what you’ve been entrusted. While we may be unable to perceive it, the great things of God come out of the small acts of faithfulness. When He finds we can be trusted with small things, we then are given responsibility over bigger things. How we serve exposes how we would lead.

When we are Faithful, we are Trustworthy. The person who is unfaithful cannot be trusted. These tow characteristics are inseparable.

If a person does not achieve his or her God given potential, although we might consider it a tragedy we would never think of it as wickedness. But perhaps we should. After all, the servant in the parable of the talents was declared wicked when what he could have done was measured against what he did. Matthew 25:14-30

 

So in conclusion for today -

Think of perseverance as the key to the door that is locked before you….holding you back from what is on the other side.

Will you endure the struggle with the lock or will you just say, I can’t open it?

Just any shape key does not open the lock. Perseverance shapes our character….Our character is the shape of our future.

Just as the key has to be the correct shape – we also have to be shaped to fit our future (deep huh!)

If we do not have the correct shape, the lock does not open. Our frame work is the skeleton key. God is the iron worker, we are the iron he is shaping. Each door we come before he has to take time and effort to bend us to perfectly fit.

The same key does not open all doors. Each key, as each door lock, is special….just for us. If all keys and locks were the same, anyone could open our doors and receive the things in our store house.

Are we willing to be molded, bent, heated till He sees Him image reflected upon us? He tells us the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. “The implications of faithfulness cannot be overestimated and must not be underestimated.”

My prayer for us all today is that we will allow Him to painstakingly shape us so that we fit into what must be unlocked so all may come to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord….and be shaped to unlock…and so on…and so forth.

Twinkle Twinkle little star

Is there a key to what you are

Up above our world so high

Is your space, your time to fly

Twinkle twinkle little start

How he loves you as you are

My stanza to you all!

Kisses,

Candace

A Worthy Display

A Worthy Display

Running and taking off, flying and free
My crippled feet, powerful, I lift off without wings,
By faith alone, my heart is soaring,
Strong arms carry me home.

The Word of God speaks, as silence abounds,
Thundering my purpose, holding my hand.
I'm never alone, even when people are few,
Bold is my witness, my companion is true.
My trust and salvation, pulse strong and pure
To illuminate pathways, lead forward the doomed.
Melodious are your victories; so picturesque, the view...
By faith alone, my heart is soaring,
Strong arms carry me home.

Obscure as a puzzle, pieces chosen and carefully placed,
Perfection upon completion. Satisfaction. All pieces fit.
A scene preservation worthy; and we're unworthy to see,
Sing praise for forgiveness and for words spoken and true,
Grace unleashed in abundance,
to the meek and humble, troubled or doomed.
By faith alone, my heart is soaring,
Strong arms carry me home.

We are seeking, and He is calling,
and every heart needs to hear:
Eyes are opened when doors are answered,
The completed puzzle is now in view.
Not bound to a gallery, for no wall could contain,
Majestic beauty spilling over, flowing colors of his love.
Awed before this vision, words seem inadequate to express,
So I bow in silent worship, to the God that is such as this.

By Candace Huffmaster © 2006

......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

View Points and Perspectives

Today I was thinking about our views on things. Conversations with others; what is our view point? Planning our ambitions for the future; what is our view point? View points are actual “things” they are not simply thoughts. They move us down a physical path, interacting with physical things - people, places, and all the tangible objects within.

There are many paths to branch off from with this topic. For now let me park on this thought; If we never take the time to look from all angles, our view point is only one dimensional.

Now think of the view point we are supposed to have; an omnipresent view, through the vision of our creator. We are to look from all directions; both physically and mentally as He does. He knows the beginning and the end at the same time. We can follow that by utilizing history (the beginning) and his promise of what is to come (the end). We have our memories as well as trusted experience of many wise people.

If we take the time to walk around the object we are viewing; whether metaphorical or physical, ask for God to give us his eye sight and power to perceive, and patiently use our mind and heart to reflect we will certainly have a full view from all prospective positions.

With that in mind what do you see? How do you perceive it? Is it a real or false image? Use the powers entrusted to you as a child of God to cast down false imagination and See what is really before you as well as what is down your road. He promises to tell us EVERYTHING in advance. I trust him…..what about you?

Building the Image
What do we see?
What will we/it look like?
What will we/it say?
How will we/it act out?
Who are we/it available for?

These are verses that apply to us all, within them he speaks to us individually. The unique answers will come from your relationship with God through Christ.
We are made in the image of God, we are made like them.
We see that all God said is possible and He himself would manifest it.
We only see in part, but we will see all clearly. God gave us the Holy Spirit so that no thing is hidden and all things are brought into the light for us to clearly understand.
We are to only speak what the Father words, we are to speak the Truth in Love. We are to warn of harm, give wisdom to those seeking it, and to passionately cry out in grief or despair to God when they choose not to be obedient to God.
We are to follow Christ acting in accordance with his actions. Taking whatever action God tells us to for each unique situation.
We are available for Christ to live in us to reach whoever He chooses, whenever He dictates.

Each of us were made to function the same and yet so incredibly uniquely in our commonality. We must seek how we are different from everyone else. Therein is what He designed you to do…better than anyone else – while working together with a heart of gratitude for the other unique people He designed to be part of His body.
Let’s encourage each other, embrace each other, lift up each other….then we will be One Strong Body….made in His Image.

Imagine That!