right spirit

Yesterday morning I woke with these words…

God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

shortly after…

…Renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

They stayed with me through the day and gave extra things to pray and ponder while we helped my aunt with her first day in her memory care facility.

There are many spirits in this world but only one Holy Spirit of God.
How can we tell the difference?

Psalm 51 starts with, Create in me a clean heart… Sometimes it’s very apparent and sometimes it’s a part of our “flesh” we have become comfortable with. We often use the phrase “I’m only human” to excuse it.

Well – if we are created in the image of God (Gen 1) and being conformed in the image of Christ (Rom 8), should we “be” like the rest of the world?

We can learn things everywhere but should our main textbook be the world? Should we compare or measure ourselves to it or to something/someone else?

A good measuring place is John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Does it bring life or condemnation?

The testing of spirits – 1 John 4:2-5 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.
It’s important that we can hear and know the difference. You don’t have false unless a truth exists too.

It’s not just what comes AT us but more importantly what comes OUT of us.

Lord, I pray we all can see Christ in us – the hope of glory. That we will carry Your power, love and sound mind in every step we take, each word we speak and really know the Spirit of Truth in a more intimate way. May it all be for Your glory!

 

its a process

triptych in process (3 squares)

Good paintings and not so good ones take time. We regularly seek immediacy. Drive-thru’s are not just for burgers anymore.

We recently exhibited at Great Legs Winery where they shared the process of their wine – it’s been aging five years in anticipation for their business.

How long have you been bottled and waiting?

Do you think our Creator, knows the best time for release?

A regular question we ask God is, “Why?”
I’ve found much better results in asking, “What am I to learn through this?”
Yet Jesus’ first miracle made the BEST wine in a very short time.

Our preparation time, used wisely, sets us up for the right release.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Luke 2:52

If Jesus, David, Joseph, Abraham and Sarah had to wait a bit, why do we think everything should be immediate? Do we learn listening, patience, peace, and self-control when we rush, whine and demand? 

I am definitely a believer in the power of prayer and God acting immediately but impatience often holds us from the wisdom we need more than our answer.

I pray we will be expectant for His answers and patient in the process as He continues to create the masterpiece of our lives!

full hearts

New Discovery

What are you pondering in your heart?

Luke has several areas on the heart that are catching my attention.

Mary – treasuring and pondering the words spoken about her son Jesus. Luke 2
Jesus – knows the thoughts, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Luke 5

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

The parable of seed and soil is about the heart. Luke 8

Love the Lord your God with all your heart… Luke 10:25

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12

It’s not about what you know, where you go, how others see you, what you own, where you live, how much you can memorize – it’s about your heart…

He loves you BEYOND measure!
Will you love Him back the same way?

lights on

hearts

There are so many verses on the impact of our hearts. We often look so close at our thoughts, feelings, actions and forget our heart…

No one would think of lighting a lamp and then hiding it in the basement where no one would benefit. A lamp belongs on a lampstand, where all who enter may see it’s light. The eyes of your spirit allow revelation light to enter into your being. When your heart is open the light floods in. When your heart is hard and closed, the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place. Open your heart and consider my words. Watch out that you do not mistake your opinions for revelation light! If your spirit burns with light, fully illuminated with no trace of darkness, you will be a shining lamp, reflecting rays of truth by the way you live.
Luke 11:33-36 TPT

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:18-21

note – love self

Do you find it hard to love “some” others?

His message hasn’t changed and one of our hardest battles is in truly loving as Jesus did. Maybe we don’t know how to love ourselves as we should…

holy and blameless

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
James 2:8

Help us Lord to see ourselves as You see us, dearly loved, Your delight, made new, forgiven, whole, more than conquerors…
Help us to not compare and reject ourselves or others but to see as You see.

Give us Your eyes Lord.

Ask the Lord for new light as you read His Word…let it touch your heart not just your head, that His Spirit would speak to our spirit.

beloved

Several weeks ago I had the word beloved keep playing in my mind and saying it needed to be painted.

How do you paint BELOVED?

With the blank canvas in front of me and not knowing what was to come, I painted the phrase “He calls you beloved.” Now how do you get the rest of the paint on the canvas? You paint over it and do it again.

I think we often forget that WE ARE HIS BELOVED. It may be inside but we don’t see it enough so we need to put it on the outside too.

Maybe it’s time for a beloved sticker on your mirror, your war room wall (good movie!), or on your computer. Could be why a young woman has it tattooed on her forearm.

The world will never give us the best picture of ourselves. It seeks to point out flaws and sell cover-ups.

Listen to what He says about you – that is the real truth!

God designed you so beautifully and HE calls you BELOVED!!

let love bloom

bloom
6×6 encaustic
wax & pigment

With news and social areas filled with judgment and more, I keep praying for clearer understanding of how to respond – as Jesus would. We are only righteous through Christ and so often we aren’t even staying close enough to Him for that to be seen.

A Christ follower should look different.

I remember lecturing others in years past, “Don’t use the word hate. It’s not a good thing to keep in your heart.” Now I’m lecturing myself for my use of “love the sinner and hate the sin” and feeling it’s not how Jesus would respond.

JESUS LOVES ALL. Enough to die for ALL, no matter what was done or will be done. It is not those who sin who are the issue – it the author of lies and his dominion of darkness. That brings a new light to the darkness.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:9-14

carry peace

6×6 encaustic
(wax & pigment)

One of the bigger lessons learned through my study of the armor, is on peace.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

We often look so long on what is wrong we miss what is great.
We battle the darkness but forget to bring oil for our lamps.
We seek knowledge about Jesus yet never know ourselves as His beloved.

Being in this world and not of it may seem a difficult line to straddle but God shares such amazing tools with us.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15

arrows

FAITH

A major part of studying God’s Word is realizing there is always more to be discovered.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

What things would you call flaming arrows?
Do they have to come from an enemy?
Why does Jesus say, “Get behind me Satan,” to his buddy Peter?
How do we stab ourselves?

HOW can we deflect these arrows?

Words are powerful and one of the biggest “arrows” on my list. Others who cut me down, when I limit myself (and my God), and COMPARING…ouch!

They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
Psalm 64:3

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21

What kind of words/arrows are coming at you?
How are you deflecting those that don’t line up with God’s truth?
Are the words you are speaking ones to build up or tear down?

The world plants seeds of doubt, doom, and fear. Bad news sells and spreads like a wild fire. Wouldn’t it be amazing if it was the Good News spreading instead?

unexpected goodness

Glory Filled

A grand surprise for me was a long distance friend who blessed me with several of The Passion Translation books of the Bible. I’ve gone into hibernation with them!

The words are like adding honey to what is already so very sweet.
Taste and see…

Psalm 34
GOD’S GOODNESS
A song by King David composed after his escape from the king when he pretended to be insane

Lord! I’m bursting with joy over what you’ve done for me!
My lips are full of perpetual praise.
I’m boasting of you and all your works,
So let all who are discouraged take heart.
Join me everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together.
Let’s make him famous!
Let’s make his name glorious to all.
So listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress
And he answered me! He freed me from all my fears!
Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come.
Your faces will glisten with glory.
You’ll never wear that shame-face again.
When I had nothing – desperate and defeated,
I cried out to the Lord and he heard me,
Bringing his miracle-deliverance when I needed it most.
The angels stooped down to listen as I prayed,
Encircling me, empowering me, and showing me how to escape.
They will do this for everyone who fears God.
Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God.
Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives
To all who turn to hide themselves in him.
Worship in awe and wonder, all you who’ve been made holy!
For all who fear him will feast with plenty.
Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry,
But those who passionately pursue the Lord
Will never lack any good thing.
verses 1-10