Painting and Creating ART is a
SPIRITUAL
DISCIPLINE
Have YOU
co-created
with the CREATOR?
It is the same with
my word.
I send it out, and
it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere
I send it.
https://youtu.be/pw8IgPHRBr4
According to Hebrews 4:12, “the
word of God is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and
attitudes of the
heart.”
The “word of God” here is the written or spoken Word, not the Logos
of John 1. The ESV says that the Bible is “living” and active.
The description of the Bible as “living” means that it has a
vital
power
inherent to
itself.
The written
Word of God
accomplishes God’s purposes
(Isaiah 55:11);
the preaching of the Holy Scriptures brings about God’s desired effects.
The Bible is unlike other books, whatever emotional or social effects they may produce, in that it brings about
Long and Lasting
CHANGE
“Faith comes from
hearing the message,
and the
message is heard
-through the word- about CHRIST”
(Romans 10:17).
Jesus likened the Word of God
to seed in His
parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1–23).
Seed, like the Bible, is not dead, but living, and it has the ability to bring forth more life abundantly.
Seeds --produce-- a
crop
The Bible, as the living Word of God,
is not inert or powerless, as
seen
in the actions attributed to theWord
in the rest of Hebrews 4:12: the Bible
"penetrates” deep within us and “judges” our hearts and
motivations.
It is “active,” not passive.
The Bible is resisted or ignored to our own peril
(Hebrews 2:1–3).
We see the living Word of God in action
in the pages of the Bible.
On the Day of Pentecost,
Peter preached the Word of God, and his audience
“were cut to the heart and said to
Peter and the other apostles,
‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37).
Three thousand people were saved that day
Later, as the
apostles continued to preach,
the number in the church grew to five thousand, because
“many of those who had
''heard" the word
believed” (Acts 4:4, ESV).
God’s Word,
living and active, does not
return to Him
void.
The Bible is the living Word of God
because it is the message given to us
from the “living God”
(Hebrews 3:12).
The God who is alive works in this world
through
His living Word
in conjunction with the
Holy Spirit
(see Ephesians 6:17). Jesus spoke of the life-giving property of His words:
“The words I have spoken to you—they are
full of the Spirit and life”
(John 6:63).
The word of our Lord is efficacious for our salvation
AND
sanctification
(Acts 13:48; John 17:17).
Other indications that the Word of God is alive
include the facts that it sustains man
(Luke 4:4), it brings faith (Romans 10:17), it has
freedom to accomplish God’s will
(2 Timothy 2:9),
it can be maligned (Titus 2:5),
it gives spiritual
birth
(1 Peter 1:23),
and it abides within believers (1 John 2:14).
We see the living Word of God in action
every time a
sinner repents and
turns to Christ for eternal life.
The believer’s changed life bears
testimony
to the living, active power of the Bible.
Commentator Matthew Henry wrote of the Bible that it
“convinces powerfully, converts powerfully,
and comforts powerfully.
It makes a soul that has long been proud,
to be humble; and a perverse spirit,
to be meek and obedient.
Sinful habits, that have become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, are
separated and cut off by this sword.
It will discover
to men their thoughts and purposes,
the vileness of many,
the bad principles they are moved by, the sinful ends
they act to”
(Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, Hebrews 4:11–16).
The living Word is active in the lives of those
who receive it.
According to the psalmist,
the person who meditates on and delights in the Word will be
"like a tree
planted by streams of water,
which yields its
fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither”
(Psalm 1:2–3).
The Scriptures today are often downplayed in favor of
manmade philosophies,
personal experiences, or a “new” word from God.
But the Bible cannot be ignored as if it were dead or obsolete.
The Word of God is still powerful and
very much alive.
"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it,
as to a light
shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).
Jesus is speaking to the crowd in response to the Pharisees'
accusation that Jesus was trying to abolish the Law of God.
Jesus refuted this
accusation,
saying that His purpose in appearing before men was not to abolish anything.
Rather, Jesus came to
fulfill the Law.
The word fulfill in Greek is pleroo, which is also translated
"to complete."
In other words,
Jesus came to complete or accomplish the
entire Law.
He goes on to say that heaven and earth will not pass away until the
entire Law of God has been
accomplished.
Jesus is the One Who accomplishes God's Law by keeping the
entire Law
perfectly.
Jesus never sinned during His earthly life, and so as
He went to His death on the cross,
He had accomplished or
completed all the requirements of
God's Law.
Jesus was referring to
His completing of the Law when on the cross He said,
"It is finished."
The Pharisees were accusing Jesus of setting the Law aside,
while they endeavored to keep it in their
own power.
Jesus condemned the Pharisees
and anyone else who tried to follow
their example by saying that unless
they could keep the Law
even better than the Pharisees kept it, they
could not
-enter-
the
Kingdom of Heaven
This was a daunting challenge, because the Pharisees were scrupulous followers of the Law.
If the Pharisees didn't have enough
righteousness
on their own
to enter Heaven,
then who could?
Obviously,
Jesus was alluding to that
answer.
No one can earn their
way
into Heaven,
because no one is righteous enough
to make it through works.
This is precisely why Jesus came to fulfill the Law on our behalf, so that His perfect work could be credited to us on the
basis of faith.
Now that the Law has been
completed by Jesus on our behalf,
we are no longer obligated to keep it ourselves.
That is not to suggest that the Law itself has gone away,
but only that our obligations to keep it is gone,
because Jesus has already kept
(i.e., fulfilled, completed, accomplished)
it for us.
Likewise, anyone who discounts the importance of
God's Word will suffer loss.
Jesus is the One Who kept and taught the Law,
and as a result,
Jesus will be the One Who is
called great in the Kingdom of Heaven
(Matt 5:19).
We should not teach believers to follow the Law out of obligation, but neither should we teach that the Law is no longer in force. Rather, we teach that the Law has been fulfilled by Christ's work, and we rest in His perfect accomplishment of the Law rather than in our own futile efforts to keep it.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
Christ’s power may rest on me.
Do you ever find yourself frustrated or discouraged
with areas of your life that you are just not
getting right?
They would be called areas of weakness
for you.
These would be areas you do not naturally excel at,
and you find yourself failing
over and over again.
Or it could be something new you are adding to your life
and there is a
big learning curve Ball
so you make many mistakes
along
the way.
We can be so impatient when things don’t happen for us
as we imagine they should.
We can also be very hard on ourselves when
we are not naturally gifted
or excelling in an area that we feel we
should be able to thrive in.
We can be quick to compare ourselves to others and feel
discouraged because their results seem so much greater
(at least outwardly right?)
Can I give you some encouragement today if this
sounds all too familiar?
I was having some quiet time with God earlier this week and seeking His guidance for my role and my purpose-just checking in to see if I was still on track with what He desires for me. One thing He shared with me was to not let pride become a stumbling block and get in my way. He said I was to remain humble and seek Him first and foremost, always. He then told me not to focus on what others think of me, and then shared this amazing
truth…you miss Me, and how I am
working in your imperfections to make
all things beautiful
when you focus on what others think.
You miss Me… Wow!
You see God created us to have imperfections
so that His glory might shine brightly
through us!
If we did everything perfectly on our own, why would we ever call on Him?
How could we ever show His grace, His strength and courage,
His wisdom,
or His love if we had everything we needed on our own?
We would then receive the glory, and we wouldn’t be
lifting up praises
to our Heavenly Father
who provides for our
every need.
The next time you recognize a weakness you have, rejoice in it! Praise God for that weakness and surrender yourself and your situation to Him, asking Him to let His glory shine brightly through your imperfections. THIS is how we demonstrate the love of the Father. Through our weakness His power is made perfect! Let His perfect power flow in you, and through you to reach others.
If you struggle with addictions, let His perfect power release you from your strongholds! If you struggle with what others think of you, let His perfect power free you to focus on Him and Him alone. If you struggle with depression or anger, let His perfect power fill you with His joy and peace. If you struggle to offer forgiveness, let His perfect power humble you and soften your heart to let go of all bitterness or hatred.
If you struggle to trust, let His
perfect power fill you
with
His unfailing love
and heal your brokenness from
past wounds.
God’s power is made perfect in every imperfection and weakness you have!
Surrender your weaknesses and strongholds to Him today,
and let Him fill in every crack within your heart, mind, and soul
with His perfect power.
I want to leave you with one final encouragement He gave to me as we ended our quiet time together. He said, “I love you child. Continue to be my faithful servant. Be encouraged and of good cheer. I have overcome the world! I have surely overcome any struggle you face.”
Whatever you are facing, know your Heavenly Father has already overcome it with His perfect power. Will you seek Him, and surrender yourself fully to His perfect will in your life? Will you let Him fill in all your cracks with His perfect love and power? All you have to do is open your heart and ask Him to fill you. His glory will shine bright in your weakness every single time you call on His great name!
Let’s pray
Heavenly Father you are so beautiful. I love how you encourage me
right when I need it, in exactly the way I need it as
I choose to seek you.
Thank you Lord that you
don’t think less of me because of
my weaknesses and imperfections,
but you actually rejoice in them!
It is in my weaknesses
that your power is made perfect.
You can shine brighter when I am weaker.
Help me to remember this Lord and not become discouraged or frustrated when I find myself struggling.
Help me Lord to quickly turn to you and seek
your will and
power flowing through
me.
Help me remember I am never alone, and
in your perfect will there is no failure.
God I surrender
(insert your situation or area of weakness)
fully to you and trust you to guide me
and fill me as you see fit.
I know you will never steer me into harm’s way,
and your ways are always best for me.
I choose to follow you and
TRUST in you.
You are truly a good, good Father and I love you.
In the name of Jesus I
pray.
Amen.
SPIRITUAL
DISCIPLINE
Have YOU
co-created
with the CREATOR?
It is the same with
my word.
I send it out, and
it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere
I send it.
https://youtu.be/pw8IgPHRBr4
According to Hebrews 4:12, “the
word of God is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and
attitudes of the
heart.”
The “word of God” here is the written or spoken Word, not the Logos
of John 1. The ESV says that the Bible is “living” and active.
The description of the Bible as “living” means that it has a
vital
power
inherent to
itself.
The written
Word of God
accomplishes God’s purposes
(Isaiah 55:11);
the preaching of the Holy Scriptures brings about God’s desired effects.
The Bible is unlike other books, whatever emotional or social effects they may produce, in that it brings about
Long and Lasting
CHANGE
“Faith comes from
hearing the message,
and the
message is heard
-through the word- about CHRIST”
(Romans 10:17).
Jesus likened the Word of God
to seed in His
parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1–23).
Seed, like the Bible, is not dead, but living, and it has the ability to bring forth more life abundantly.
Seeds --produce-- a
crop
The Bible, as the living Word of God,
is not inert or powerless, as
seen
in the actions attributed to theWord
in the rest of Hebrews 4:12: the Bible
"penetrates” deep within us and “judges” our hearts and
motivations.
It is “active,” not passive.
The Bible is resisted or ignored to our own peril
(Hebrews 2:1–3).
We see the living Word of God in action
in the pages of the Bible.
On the Day of Pentecost,
Peter preached the Word of God, and his audience
“were cut to the heart and said to
Peter and the other apostles,
‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37).
Three thousand people were saved that day
Later, as the
apostles continued to preach,
the number in the church grew to five thousand, because
“many of those who had
''heard" the word
believed” (Acts 4:4, ESV).
God’s Word,
living and active, does not
return to Him
void.
The Bible is the living Word of God
because it is the message given to us
from the “living God”
(Hebrews 3:12).
The God who is alive works in this world
through
His living Word
in conjunction with the
Holy Spirit
(see Ephesians 6:17). Jesus spoke of the life-giving property of His words:
“The words I have spoken to you—they are
full of the Spirit and life”
(John 6:63).
The word of our Lord is efficacious for our salvation
AND
sanctification
(Acts 13:48; John 17:17).
Other indications that the Word of God is alive
include the facts that it sustains man
(Luke 4:4), it brings faith (Romans 10:17), it has
freedom to accomplish God’s will
(2 Timothy 2:9),
it can be maligned (Titus 2:5),
it gives spiritual
birth
(1 Peter 1:23),
and it abides within believers (1 John 2:14).
We see the living Word of God in action
every time a
sinner repents and
turns to Christ for eternal life.
The believer’s changed life bears
testimony
to the living, active power of the Bible.
Commentator Matthew Henry wrote of the Bible that it
“convinces powerfully, converts powerfully,
and comforts powerfully.
It makes a soul that has long been proud,
to be humble; and a perverse spirit,
to be meek and obedient.
Sinful habits, that have become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, are
separated and cut off by this sword.
It will discover
to men their thoughts and purposes,
the vileness of many,
the bad principles they are moved by, the sinful ends
they act to”
(Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, Hebrews 4:11–16).
The living Word is active in the lives of those
who receive it.
According to the psalmist,
the person who meditates on and delights in the Word will be
"like a tree
planted by streams of water,
which yields its
fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither”
(Psalm 1:2–3).
The Scriptures today are often downplayed in favor of
manmade philosophies,
personal experiences, or a “new” word from God.
But the Bible cannot be ignored as if it were dead or obsolete.
The Word of God is still powerful and
very much alive.
"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it,
as to a light
shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).
Jesus is speaking to the crowd in response to the Pharisees'
accusation that Jesus was trying to abolish the Law of God.
Jesus refuted this
accusation,
saying that His purpose in appearing before men was not to abolish anything.
Rather, Jesus came to
fulfill the Law.
The word fulfill in Greek is pleroo, which is also translated
"to complete."
In other words,
Jesus came to complete or accomplish the
entire Law.
He goes on to say that heaven and earth will not pass away until the
entire Law of God has been
accomplished.
Jesus is the One Who accomplishes God's Law by keeping the
entire Law
perfectly.
Jesus never sinned during His earthly life, and so as
He went to His death on the cross,
He had accomplished or
completed all the requirements of
God's Law.
Jesus was referring to
His completing of the Law when on the cross He said,
"It is finished."
The Pharisees were accusing Jesus of setting the Law aside,
while they endeavored to keep it in their
own power.
Jesus condemned the Pharisees
and anyone else who tried to follow
their example by saying that unless
they could keep the Law
even better than the Pharisees kept it, they
could not
-enter-
the
Kingdom of Heaven
This was a daunting challenge, because the Pharisees were scrupulous followers of the Law.
If the Pharisees didn't have enough
righteousness
on their own
to enter Heaven,
then who could?
Obviously,
Jesus was alluding to that
answer.
No one can earn their
way
into Heaven,
because no one is righteous enough
to make it through works.
This is precisely why Jesus came to fulfill the Law on our behalf, so that His perfect work could be credited to us on the
basis of faith.
Now that the Law has been
completed by Jesus on our behalf,
we are no longer obligated to keep it ourselves.
That is not to suggest that the Law itself has gone away,
but only that our obligations to keep it is gone,
because Jesus has already kept
(i.e., fulfilled, completed, accomplished)
it for us.
Likewise, anyone who discounts the importance of
God's Word will suffer loss.
Jesus is the One Who kept and taught the Law,
and as a result,
Jesus will be the One Who is
called great in the Kingdom of Heaven
(Matt 5:19).
We should not teach believers to follow the Law out of obligation, but neither should we teach that the Law is no longer in force. Rather, we teach that the Law has been fulfilled by Christ's work, and we rest in His perfect accomplishment of the Law rather than in our own futile efforts to keep it.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
Christ’s power may rest on me.
Do you ever find yourself frustrated or discouraged
with areas of your life that you are just not
getting right?
They would be called areas of weakness
for you.
These would be areas you do not naturally excel at,
and you find yourself failing
over and over again.
Or it could be something new you are adding to your life
and there is a
big learning curve Ball
so you make many mistakes
along
the way.
We can be so impatient when things don’t happen for us
as we imagine they should.
We can also be very hard on ourselves when
we are not naturally gifted
or excelling in an area that we feel we
should be able to thrive in.
We can be quick to compare ourselves to others and feel
discouraged because their results seem so much greater
(at least outwardly right?)
Can I give you some encouragement today if this
sounds all too familiar?
I was having some quiet time with God earlier this week and seeking His guidance for my role and my purpose-just checking in to see if I was still on track with what He desires for me. One thing He shared with me was to not let pride become a stumbling block and get in my way. He said I was to remain humble and seek Him first and foremost, always. He then told me not to focus on what others think of me, and then shared this amazing
truth…you miss Me, and how I am
working in your imperfections to make
all things beautiful
when you focus on what others think.
You miss Me… Wow!
You see God created us to have imperfections
so that His glory might shine brightly
through us!
If we did everything perfectly on our own, why would we ever call on Him?
How could we ever show His grace, His strength and courage,
His wisdom,
or His love if we had everything we needed on our own?
We would then receive the glory, and we wouldn’t be
lifting up praises
to our Heavenly Father
who provides for our
every need.
The next time you recognize a weakness you have, rejoice in it! Praise God for that weakness and surrender yourself and your situation to Him, asking Him to let His glory shine brightly through your imperfections. THIS is how we demonstrate the love of the Father. Through our weakness His power is made perfect! Let His perfect power flow in you, and through you to reach others.
If you struggle with addictions, let His perfect power release you from your strongholds! If you struggle with what others think of you, let His perfect power free you to focus on Him and Him alone. If you struggle with depression or anger, let His perfect power fill you with His joy and peace. If you struggle to offer forgiveness, let His perfect power humble you and soften your heart to let go of all bitterness or hatred.
If you struggle to trust, let His
perfect power fill you
with
His unfailing love
and heal your brokenness from
past wounds.
God’s power is made perfect in every imperfection and weakness you have!
Surrender your weaknesses and strongholds to Him today,
and let Him fill in every crack within your heart, mind, and soul
with His perfect power.
I want to leave you with one final encouragement He gave to me as we ended our quiet time together. He said, “I love you child. Continue to be my faithful servant. Be encouraged and of good cheer. I have overcome the world! I have surely overcome any struggle you face.”
Whatever you are facing, know your Heavenly Father has already overcome it with His perfect power. Will you seek Him, and surrender yourself fully to His perfect will in your life? Will you let Him fill in all your cracks with His perfect love and power? All you have to do is open your heart and ask Him to fill you. His glory will shine bright in your weakness every single time you call on His great name!
Let’s pray
Heavenly Father you are so beautiful. I love how you encourage me
right when I need it, in exactly the way I need it as
I choose to seek you.
Thank you Lord that you
don’t think less of me because of
my weaknesses and imperfections,
but you actually rejoice in them!
It is in my weaknesses
that your power is made perfect.
You can shine brighter when I am weaker.
Help me to remember this Lord and not become discouraged or frustrated when I find myself struggling.
Help me Lord to quickly turn to you and seek
your will and
power flowing through
me.
Help me remember I am never alone, and
in your perfect will there is no failure.
God I surrender
(insert your situation or area of weakness)
fully to you and trust you to guide me
and fill me as you see fit.
I know you will never steer me into harm’s way,
and your ways are always best for me.
I choose to follow you and
TRUST in you.
You are truly a good, good Father and I love you.
In the name of Jesus I
pray.
Amen.
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