Words, Voices, Breath

Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord,   Proverbs 1: 28, 29 AMP

We are finishing up our study on Proverbs today and using God’s truth as the platform to study the scriptures below the next few weeks.

God’s truth is formed with letters when written – and referred to as “the LETTER of the law” stating not one stroke will pass away.  But God’s truth also has a voice, and when the words are lifted up in the voice of His Spirit it is called “Wisdom” because it is alive – not being limited to our own understanding which strips it of eternal glory.  The living word made flesh, not man’s flesh, but God made flesh, came in the form of His Son – Jesus Christ.  The son of God, son of man, activated and liberated the breath of God all over the world and we were then, and still are,  able to breathe in His very breath.  Think about it!   Really think about it!

This is what God says about his voice – Wisdom.  This is what we were discussing a few days ago in regard to our reactions to situations and how we are not holy – but God is.  We will be discussing all this further as well.

Read these other verses from Proverbs 1 and reflect on our past post if needed:

 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain; such [greed for plunder] takes away the lives of its possessors. Wisdom cries aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the markets; She cries at the head of the noisy intersections [in the chief gathering places]; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

 How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge?  If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you have refused [to answer], have stretched out my hand and no man has heeded it, And you treated as nothing all my counsel and would accept none of my reproof,  I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic— When your panic comes as a storm and desolation and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.  Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me.Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord,

This is where we are traveling, metaphorically, this and next week:

⁴⁰ Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].

My love and prayers to each of you ~ extend Peace, exude Peace!

Kisses,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2013, All Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

I'm a Donkey on the Edge

Yesterday we stopped our conversation with Job being on the ledge.  Desiring to believe the best of Eliphaz, I assume this was his best attempt to talk Job down.  As we noted yesterday, his approach is a bit lacking.  Just when he should have stopped and given Job a moment to process ......he kicks the gas petal and runs him down.  And he goes on......and on.....and on for somewhere around 43 verses give or take.   I rather envision Mr Crisis coming through town. (If you were not with us, look back in the archives).  Sometimes our relationships seem as though they are nothing more than a "stubborn mule".  But we must take our eyes off the individuals and realize the true battle going on.  If you have not believed me when I have talked about being aware of the voices you are listening to - those in your "memory" or "conversations" going on and no one is there (role playing in your imagination) understand those thoughts ARE coming from something.  Still don't believe me....... here is a real example:

Eliphaz on his soap box delivered this:
7 “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent?


Or where were the upright destroyed?

8 “According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity

And those who sow trouble harvest it.

9 “By the breath of God they perish,

And by the blast of His anger they come to an end.

10 “The roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion,

And the teeth of the young lions are broken.

11 “The lion perishes for lack of prey,

And the whelps of the lioness are scattered.

12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily,

And my ear received a whisper of it.

13 “Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,

When deep sleep falls on men,

14 Dread came upon me, and trembling,

And made all my bones shake.

15 “Then a spirit passed by my face;

The hair of my flesh bristled up.

16 “It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;

A form was before my eyes;

There was silence, then I heard a voice:

17 ‘Can mankind be just before God?

Can a man be pure before his Maker?

18 ‘He puts no trust even in His servants;

And against His angels He charges error.

19 ‘How much more those who dwell in houses of clay,

Whose foundation is in the dust,

Who are crushed before the moth!

20 Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces;

Unobserved, they perish forever.

21 ‘Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them?

They die, yet without wisdom.’

Chapter 5
1 “Call now, is there anyone who will answer you?


And to which of the holy ones will you turn?

2 “For anger slays the foolish man,

And jealousy kills the simple.

3 “I have seen the foolish taking root,

And I cursed his abode immediately.

4 “His sons are far from safety,

They are even oppressed in the gate,

And there is no deliverer.

5 "His harvest the hungry devour

And take it to a place of thorns,

And the schemer is eager for their wealth.

6 “For affliction does not come from the dust,

Nor does trouble sprout from the ground,

7 For man is born for trouble,

As sparks fly upward.

8 “But as for me, I would seek God,

And I would place my cause before God;

9 Who does great and unsearchable things,

Wonders without number.

10 “He gives rain on the earth

And sends water on the fields,

11 So that He sets on high those who are lowly,

And those who mourn are lifted to safety.

12 “He frustrates the plotting of the shrewd,

So that their hands cannot attain success.

13 “He captures the wise by their own shrewdness,

And the advice of the cunning is quickly thwarted.

14 “By day they meet with darkness,

And grope at noon as in the night.

15 “But He saves from the sword of their mouth,

And the poor from the hand of the mighty.

16 “So the helpless has hope,

And unrighteousness must shut its mouth.

17 “Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,

So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

18 “For He inflicts pain, and gives relief;

He wounds, and His hands also heal.

19 "From six troublesHe will deliver you,

Even in seven evil will not touch you.

20 “In famine He will redeem you from death,

And in war from the power of the sword.

21 “You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,

And you will not be afraid of violence when it comes.

22 “You will laugh at violence and famine,

And you will not be afraid of wild beasts.

23 “For you will be in league with the stones of the field,

And the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.

24 “You will know that your tent is secure,

For you will visit your abode and fear no loss.

25 “You will know also that your descendants will be many,

And your offspring as the grass of the earth.

26 “You will come to the grave in full vigor,

Like the stacking of grain in its season.

27 “Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is.

Hear it, and know for yourself.”


Wow - there is so much to say about all this.  Here are some things to ponder:

How far will satan go to find the perfect person to fight in the flesh for HIS purpose?
Would you know enough to discern the spirits in your midst, or would they overtake you and move within their destruction?
Are you capable of  / have you had success with pulling the reigns in and overcoming the propensity to hit the gas pedal making you one with the adversary instead of one with God?

It is only through the power of the spirit and our free will allowing Him the victory that this is possible, I pray for us all to see these moments or intersections headed for calamity and fall to our knees requesting that we not be part of destruction to those around us.  It simply does not have to continue, but it is our choice. 

I beg of you to realize this day it is you and you alone who chooses life or death, and it is through each though kept, action taken and word spoken......please hear, see and truly choose life, for Christ sake and glory to be received by him.

In Him,
Kisses,
Candace

The Radical Cowboy

Cowbody Take Me Away! 

Honestly, I used to sing this song and pray that God would come and take me away - out of my circumstances and stand me in the middle of a beautiful field where all I could see was His glory shining all around me.  I NEEDED to see His face.  I Needed to feel the wind under my wings for just a moment of freedom.  I felt like I was in a sea on concrete I don't even remember if I felt like any of my limbs could break out and move.  But now when I hear this song it makes my heart jump because He did show up, and He did liberate me - but I had ALOT of strength training to do in order to fly.  So let's celebrate our training, lets see it in it's reality.  Nobody likes it!! Seriously - nobody. But we are not nobodies are we?  WE are somebodies! 

"Cowboy take me away fly this girl as high as you can into the wild blue
Set me free, oh I pray, closer to heaven above and closer to you....
Closer to you...." Dixie Chicks Lyrics

http://youtu.be/yucqyRaB8bA

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (GWT)

We now understand that freedom is the ability to not be bound, to have made it out of our turbulence so that we CAN help another person. I want us to be sure we understand what we are actually free “from”. What does He mean when he says “do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” ?

2 Corinthians 3:17,18 states:
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

To understand what the true meaning of this statement was we have to look at two Greek works that this is derived from:

Duleiua: meaning servitude, dependence. It means to be in the position of a servant and to act accordingly.  If we are serving we are subject to their authority and must take their direction.  It also means to be reduced to bondage under someone and deprived of freedom. Metaphorically it means to be a slave to something - such as our pleasures.

 Doulos: or the state of Doulos is defined as a slave or servant.  It is one who is in a permanent relationship of servitude to another.  The difference is that this persons will is altogether consumed in the will of the other.  It means to bind.

To understand these things helps us look at our thoughts with more clarity.  God tells us that we are His bond slave.  A bond slave is  a slave that has been given their freedom but chooses to stay with their master because his master treats him so well.  Yet there is always the understanding that the slave is free to go at any time.  This is a relationship based on love and respect - not guilt and punishment.

Is there something a habit, poor self control, bad memories keeping you from being all you know God created you to become?  Maybe you have freely chose to stay in an environment where you did not have authority over yourself who allowed this type of respect - and now you do not feel the liberty to leave.  You know all the pain that comes with leaving due to their authority and control over your life.  What can you do other than panic and loose hope?

Today just write about the "masters in your life"  some of them are figments of our imagination.  Some of them are ghosts of our past whom we have never walked away from.  Some of them are still very real.  We are not going to move today.  Today we are going to be still and know that ultimately we are bond slaves to the Mighty Lord God Almighty and He will always show up at just the right time to rescue and deliver us.  He is faithful and true and He promised to show us the way out.  But we have to be still and listen.  His voice is not like the others, it is gentle, loving, kind, patient and ALWAYS encouraging us to keep going - keep believing and remember how much he loves us.

God I pray that you show us with unveiled faces where we allow ourselves to serve another master; where we have unintentionally put a God in your place. We know that the Lord is the Spirit and your spirit searches the depths of all things even you. Forgive us, restore us. We ask to see clearly and to allow all that you are to transform us, step by step into the same image; from glory to glory till we radiate as does the Lord. Let us permeate His glory into this place.

In Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Candace

Get outside today, kick some dirt around, dance like you believe your Heavenly, Radical Cowboy is coming any day on His magnificent white stallion to take you away - 'cause He is ya know!

City Called Deliverance

I hope you all are feeling better by now.  Not to worry we are meeting at a new time to keep us on track.  Because next Friday is "Facial Day!"  Our team of aestheticians will arrive a bit early so don't be alarmed.  I am sending the details of who is scheduled when after I find out your schedules for next week. 

Today and tomorrow I want you to think about "your thoughts".  That won't be difficult 'Cause you already do that all the time!  THIS time however, I want you to write them down.  Don't judge them simply write them.  You can write all of them, some of them, part of them....I don't care.  "JUST WRITE THEM!"

We can be like Dr Seuss - you can write them on a house, you can write them on a mouse.  You can write them on a train......

Seriously though.  We have to at least take a peak at the voices we are giving space to.  So here is a little thing I like to call "City Called Deliverance".  I hope it is a muse for you.

My love to you all and prayers for health, wholeness and joy,
Kisses,
Candace

“City Called Deliverance”




Nothing….
Empty….
Blue….
Where do I go?
What should I do?

Vague whispers surround me….
Do I hear what they say?
“I long to love you; to be by your side”
Why such a battle?
Why can’t you stay?
Where do you run to?
For what do you long?
Why can’t it be me with you?
Why is this wrong?

Inside I am screaming; longing for love
My exterior looks unaffected: complete and whole
Internally yearning, pleading for a touch
For someone who won’t hurt me,
To love me…. no matter what.

Vague whispers surround me…
Could they be true?
Questions start flooding…
Chaos fills my mind.
Do I dare risk it?
Will arms hold - while hands punch?
One more brutal moment
All pieces will fall.

Inside I am screaming longing for love
From someone who won’t hurt me
To love me…no matter what.

Vague whispers surround me…
It is clear what they say
A provision of deliverance
A gift of a new life.
“I long to love you: to be by your side”

Can I trust in this savior?
Does He truly know the way?
He says He will guard me with His Mercy and grace

Inside I am screaming……. loving for love
His promise is before me
Removing the cause of my pain
He’s a lifeline of rescue, clearing my way
Dusting the path to see thing in full
He is still waiting….Calling my name

Vague whispers surround me…..
“I long to love you: to be by your side”
He says he won’t hurt me,
In him I can trust
He promises to never leave me
“To love me…. no matter what.”

My exterior looks unaffected: complete and whole
One more brutal moment – all pieces will fall
His touch is eternally gentle,
His arm there to protect
His hands not bent to harm me
His grip won’t let me slip

Vague whispers surround me…
“To love me…no matter what.”
My defense now abandoned
I’m opened to my Lord
I trust He will love me
My shepherd, shield and sword
In Him I will be vulnerable
For there is no division or strife

Vague whispers surround me …
At times their pain is loud
My exterior seems unaffected
Internally, now whole
God holds me in these moments
The whispers, gentle and true
Wooing me into His family
A shelter for all who come in
Protecting us from the torrents
And debris whistling through the air

Vague whispers surround me….
Speaking guidance I trust
Warning us of the battlefield
Exposing the line that’s drawn

From inside I hear them screaming
Longing for love…..
From someone who won’t hurt them
To love them…no matter what.

Vague whispers surround them….
Do they hear what is said?
“I long to love you; to be by your side”
Why such a battle?
Why can’t you stay?
Where do you run to?
For what do you long?
Why can’t it be me with you?
Why is this wrong?

Vague whispers surround them…..
Will they believe it’s the truth?
Yours is the choice of which you call home
The poison is all around you, venomous bites
The flame upon those arrows, destroys upon contact

Vague whispers surround them….
Will it be clear for them to see?
Come within our walls, there is refuge here
You will not need to worry, the Creator is here
All timing is his, our wars have been won
The groaning is from the doomed
They’re struggling to hang on
Leave them and enter,
They are home by free choice
Our intent is to free you
Be released from their demise
Our door must close tightly, now you must rest
No more can they hurt you,
Make you cry, leave you cold
Our Father’s arms are around you,
His peace, now you’ll know

Vague whispers surround them…
“I long to love you; to be by your side”
With warmth from inside you, never to fade
Encircled by arms longing to embrace
So forever I will keep you, so you will know you are safe.
By Candace Huffmaster

Candace Huffmaster 2006© All Rights Reserved. 

Yes; Don't You?

I wish I could tell you exactly how many times people ask me, "Do you really hear God's voice?" or "Do you really think God talks to people?".  This topic never came up in conversations till about 10 years ago to my recollection.  When it did I didn't really know how exactly what I believed.  I trusted that God did at one time speak to people.  After all we have it printed. 

The funny thing is, it was not until I started sitting and talking to Him; recording my conversations with Him, that I actually even noticed He was talking to me.  So now when people ask me, "Do you really think God talks to people?"  I reply "Yes; don't you?". 

I pray that if you cannot be sure you will give Him the opportunity to speak into your life.  He is willing and does - sometimes we just drown Him out or don't know it's Him.

With Love,
Candace

Finding The Will Of GodTGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart. - Psalm 40:8

How would you describe the process by which you find and do God's will in your life? For some, finding God's will is like playing bumper cars. We keep going in one direction until we bump into an obstacle, turn, and go in another direction. It is a constant process of elimination, failure, or success. Is this the way God would have us find His will? No. There is much more relationship between hearing God's voice and living within the mystery of His omnipotence in our lives. Perhaps this process is more like water in a streambed. The water is constantly flowing to a final destination. As it presses against the streambed, it gently points the water toward its final destination. There are no abrupt head-on collisions, simply slight modifications of direction. Occasionally, we come to a sharp turn in the contours of our life. For those times, God allows us to stretch our normal response to change. A popular Bible study says that we cannot go with God and stay where we are. Finding and doing God's will always require change. What changes are necessary in your life to join God in what He is already doing?

There is a direct connection between finding and doing God's will and having God's law in our heart. A friend once complained that he did not know what God wanted of him in his life. My immediate response was, "How much time do you spend with God in Bible study, prayer, and meditation on Scripture?" "Only a few minutes a day," he replied. How can we expect to hear and discern God's voice if we don't spend focused time with Him? If you have a spouse, how did you get to know him or her before you were married? You spent time together. You got to know everything about each other. Our walk with God is no different. It isn't enough to have a desire to follow God; we must put our energy into getting to know Him. His will for us flows out of our relationship, it is not an end in itself. Commit yourself to seeking Him more in your life by spending more time with Him. "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3).

Who Said That!

Daily Strength By Joe Stowell
www.rbc.org

Voices

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

Hearing voices has to be the most haunting of all the mental disorders. After all, which voice do you listen to? Talk about massive confusion! But before you think that you are among the blessed ones who don’t hear voices, think again. Today will be full of voices that compete for a piece of your life. Your boss, your spouse, your children, close friends, advertisements, and talk shows all will bombard your psyche with conflicting advice or demands.

It’s not just the voices on the outside. No matter how sane you think you are, we all have inner voices that compete for control; voices that are not always positive. I confess to hearing the compelling whispers of the dark side of my heart on a regular basis. Whispers that advise and plan ways for me to live for my own advantage. Whispers that convincingly argue that a life lived by the lure of my desires is life at its best. Whispers that tell me I am clever enough not to get caught, that nobody is perfect, that God understands my weakness and will forgive me. Tell me that I am not alone and that you can identify!

I have learned that when those kinds of inner voices dominate, I often look back in regret and shame for letting them grab the control levers of my life. They promise me life at its best but consistently leave me empty, disappointed, guilty and embarrassed.

That’s why I am forever grateful that there is a voice within that I can trust. A single voice that puts all the other voices into perspective. A voice that speaks wisdom clearly and confidently. A voice that has my best interest in mind and wants to lead me to life at its best.

Over the years as I have followed the advice and counsel of that voice, I have never been disappointed. It hasn’t always been easy advice, and sometimes it hasn’t made a lot of sense—like telling me that I should forgive someone who has hurt me or that I need to die to myself—but it has reliably been the right advice.

It’s the voice of Jesus. When you get on line in your heart to hear His voice and His alone, you will be liberated from the conflicting voices that in the end you really can’t trust. Thankfully, He has given you all the equipment you need. Talk about high tech! The indwelling Holy Spirit actually lives within you to decode God’s Word as you read it. He speaks to your mind, heart, and conscience as your eyes scan the lines of the bestselling how-to-live book ever written.

So put the “earbuds” in and tune to the one frequency where you are loved and led to life as God meant it be—life at it’s best!
Remember, His is the only voice you can finally and fully trust. He loves you and died to prove it!

Download and live!