Fine Art America

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Poster of the Day


Today's poster "First Fight" is available for bidding at our ArtByUs portfolio.ArtByUs.com - Contemporary Artwork from Self-Representing Artists and Serious Art Galleries.
This poster is a Limited Edition set at 24 prints. It will be available through August 28 at 5pm Eastern time. Please be encouraged to bid for 70% of the proceeds will go to assisting homeless children and families in the Phoenix area.

Daily Auction of Posters and Images.


Starting Tuesday August 25 Mirhez Images will publish new images and posters at it's auction at our ArtByUs portfolio
ArtByUs.com - Contemporary Artwork from Self-Representing Artists and Serious Art Galleries.

Please be encouraged to participate. Seventy percent or more of the proceeds are donated to charities of the artist choosing or those selected by Artbyus.

Monday, August 24, 2009

The Power Of The Cross


For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:17,18

As I attemempt to analyze these statements i begin to realize that the true witness of the cross is not the words we sometime speak or preach. Neither is it the symbolism that accompanies relegious dogmas or tradition. The witness of the cross is realized and proclaimed by the heart as it dies to the nature of the world and becomes alive in the power of the Holy Spirit. As a living testimony of God's resurrection power we begin to come alive by the three virtues of the cross which begin with death, then the burial, and of course the resurrection. These three powerful acts of the cross is foolish to the natural world because it is contrary to what the world believes. The apostle Paul presents a very valid point when he emphasized in his writing that it is foolishness (ill-considered; unwise)
to them that are perishing. ( 1 Corinthians 1: 18) Try to explain to someone that Jesus Christ is the son of God to someone who is bent on believing that He is not is like teaching an aligator to speak Latin. With words and actions it is impossible. To illustrate to them that the trinity exist is like pulling teeth from a great white shark. I believe the only way you can succesfully pull teeth from a great white is to kill it. Get my point. So in other words the words that we speak sometimes as believers do not effectively translate or present a witness to the unbelievers who are challenged by traditon, religion and wordly wisdom.
In order for an effective witness to live in the realm of these umbelivers we have to illustrate the Love of God not only with words but with our living example. For myself it is accomplished with a daily communication with God through prayer, meditation, faith , fellowship and by the word of God. as we grow in these area's our witness to the Lord Jesus the Christ becomes more powerful and effective. We have to go into those places where the spirit of God is dead and become a witness to the light of the world by shinning brightly in those areas. But remember in order for our light to shine we have to have oil(exodus 25:6) for the lamp. (Revelation)
As we move closer to the coming of our Lord Jesus the Christ lets realize that in some of those instances were we witness the Spirit Of God has already preceeded us. (Acts 18:9) It is by our witness weather the spirit of God that was presented either lives or dies. As Christians we are to be a living witness to the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus the Christ. This means that the ways of the world need to die in us, the nonsense and wisdom of the world needs to be burried with us, and the resurrection power of God should lives in us through our Lord Jesus the Christ. That resurrection power is demonstrated through Love. (John 3:16) There should be healings, deliverance,transformations and testimonies to the miraculous power demonstrated in each witness. As I close there is one scripture that presents a powerful promise of God as we bear witness in these truths .It says; Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.(Romans 10:11)
Take the Holy Spirit with you today and allow Him to live in every area of your life
Amen

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Jehovah Shalom




Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 12: 2

Finding peace in the midst of our daily lives can present a challenge for us. Without the presence of a covenant keeping fair and just Lord we become slaves to the very issues that he bled and died for.. As we swing into the later part of this year it is those issues that we chose to take on in our own strength that will remove us from the refuge and shelter provided by Him. Notice how in the Old and New Testaments the witnesses of God's glory visits those issues that are present when we make the choice to exclude God and not allow him in the presence of our circumstances or challenges. Psalm 91 opens with this jewel of wisdom . It reads
" He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High( God the Father) shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.(God the Son (Jesus))
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress( the Holy Spirit): my God; in him will I trust."
It is in this manner that we find His pleasure and protection. It is a act that is contingent upon a choice made of self.. No one can make it for you, coach you to it ,or encase it in a building, club, clck , or culture. It is written and programmed into your heart. It was and still is God's intention to be Lord over your present life and your eternal one. Allow him to be Lord Jehovah and the peace for you today. Take time to trust Him in all of your affairs. Let Him be your saving grace and the sweet and glorius song off your lips. Remember He is your salvation
Amen

Monday, August 10, 2009

First Fight


It is somewhat relational concerning the first fight and the fighting that presents itself in our lives on a continual basis. Lets look at the first fight and find the similarities.

And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? Genesis 4: 2 - 9
Every day of our lives we struggle with the issue that set off Cain. Most of the time it is not in relationship with pleasing our Father in Heaven, but our own selfish motives. We make statements like I can't stand him/her concerning a co worker, relative, neighbor or aquaintance. Usually it is driven by pride as it relates to who is superior. We make comments about those in leadership for instance the current administration in Washington D.C. that is attacked on all sides because it doesn"t live up to a standard raised by the party opposite of the one thats in position. Why can we not encourage our brother in his effort to do well? Where is the harm in expressing love instead of hate or division. In Matthew 7 Jesus kind of hints at the solution to solving this issue. He says,
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7: 4,5
Usually the root of the fighting or issue is one that identifies with self. The very issue we struggle with is usually magnified to a point that it kills the life or opportunity that is presented to make us better. Understand that God did not respect what Cain was offering. To the contrary He respected Abel's. As a result in his blindness and misunderstanding Cain slew his brother.
My prayer is that as we take a look at this fight to get a clear understanding of how to be our brothers keeper. In the end lets not wage war over differences in culture, race, money, status, class,and position. Lets take our example from our God who hung his only begotten on a tree in order to have a relationship with us for an eternity. One that is matriculated in love not hate regardless of our failures.
Amen

Friday, August 7, 2009

Resurrection


The third and final part of my trio of images is Resurrection. It is in this part that we come to take part in what God had in store for us in the first place, Paradise. As in his example it is only by faith that we enter into this virtue. Ever get that feeling when you rest in God that peace and joy that can not be explained. You can't describe it to no one because each time it overwhelms the soul. Visit this scene in the book of Acts that blows the doors off of the whole experience. Check out this illustration of Christ ascending onto the Father


But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1: 8-11


Also in this piece it indicates that our Lord will return and recieve us unto Him. Just writing about it produces a shout in me. It's that same feeling that you get when the thing you are most passionate about exceeds abundantly above all you can ask or think. Wow!!

Allow that power that rose Christ unto the Father the opportunity to resurrect those disasters and dead situations in you life. There is nothing more powerful than allowing the God of Heaven and Earth the opportunity to pull you up by your bootstraps to share in his Glory
Amen


Amen

Burial


In this second image of the trio, part of the activity written by God for the cross was presented in the burial. Scripture says that Christ died and was risen three days later. It is interesting that in that process he is presented the opportunity to bury all that was placed on Him at the Cross. This has to take place in order for Him to ascend to the Father. Here is an illustration of what took place.

" I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelation 1:18

Notice in this piece from the book of Revelation that our Lord had to enter that place to take back what belonged to him. The keys to death and hell. That opportunity is afforded to us on a regular basis. Our victories come when we are able to bury those issues that torment us and challenge us in our lives. It is when we take it and leave it beneath us when the Lord of Glory presents us with life . Understand that it is a process that we have to grab hold of on a continual basis. God knows our challenges, but he also knows our strengths. The apostle Paul hints on this as he writes in the letter to the Romans in the 12th chapter. Notice he speaks of transformation. . check it out,

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Unless the burial process is in place it becomes very challenging to line up with the Kingdom of God concerning the will he has for our lives.

Amen

Death


Part of a trio of images presenting my view and perspective of the cross of Jesus Christ. Through the Spirit of God we are presented with opportunities to die to ourselves and allow him to come alive in us. This first image illustrates that action as we approach and view the cross its power and the glory. In the book of Daniel the prophet gets a visit on the side of the river from the Lord (some say an angel). Notice the activity and what took place by the prophets own admission. He died. Check it out,
"And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me." Isaiah 10: 16 - 19
As we can see with this illustration from the prophet death has to reign in order for us to open our soul up to Him to whom it belongs. This can be applied to every area of our lives. Let Christ become the Lord of it all. Each day when I look upon the Cross this view is always presented to me. It is upon my death in relinquishing my spirit that I become alive in the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Brotherly Love

Born into a world that places an emphasis on self (narcisism) the perception of our existence is filtered and blocked by motives that are self defeating. Our Lord places an emphasis on loving your neighbor like a brother. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; ".There are times when loving your brother can be the most challenging test to our faith. When we remove self and allow Christ to sit on the throne miracles occur. Those challenging issues become shouts of praise. Honor and love one another and allow Christ to use your example for his glory Amen

Brotherly Love can be purchased at my Imagekind Portfolio







Breath of Life

In the beginning it started for man with the breath of life. Interesting that God in all his creation chose to create us in His image. It is in that image that we offer glory unto the creator. In all of our travels , experiences, relationships, sacrafices, joy's , disappointments, victories and defeats that breath is sufficent enough to extend us into the next hour. Every hour of our life the breath deposited by the creator provides us with opportunity to exhale the goodness and greatness of God. As we continue on this journey towards eterinity lets not forget Christ was risen by the same breath , which also appeared on the day of Pentecost. He breathes today ! All we have to do is rest and take in the breath of life Recieve iit today. Dont leave home without it. Genesis 2:7Amen