Living Water V

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
Ephesians 5:25, 26

Number 5 in the Living Water Series the image provides me with an insight to the scripture in Ephesians Chapter 5. I believe that the revival we are praying for finds its foundation in these spiritual insights found in the Word of God.
As men the process necessary to a successful marriage begins with this piece out of the book of Ephesians. When we believe with our hearts and begin to cleanse the rib returning to our bodies with the Word of God, then the wonderful covenant of marriage will begin to produce the spiritual seed necessary for the revival and end time harvest.

Living Water IV

Another in the Living Water series of images, there is nothing more thrilling than the opportunity to receive through the Cross the Living Water of Christ. As we fall on our knees and open our vessels the Living Water provides the nutrients to produce the fruit of the Spirit which is necessary for us to flourish in our daily lives. Revelation 22:1-4 gives us a glimpse of the scene where the tree of Life will produce the fruit every month necessary to heal the nations. Amen.

Mama's Boy

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
Proverbs 1:8, 9

As we come into the season on honoring Mothers it was impressed upon me the importance of the relationship between mother and Son. The wisdom of God provides us with the illustration of the creation mandate in reference to the position of our parents. Proverbs chapter 1 v 8 refers to the beauty of the creator and how useful each one of us is in his creation. It is mom who sets in place the foundation of the laws which govern the manner of how we keep our instruction. She sets forth the protocol needed to keep us boys and men in the loop concerning the very delicate balance necessary to suffer the difficulties in our relationships at work, with our wives, girlfriends, sisters, cousins and so on. Although we live in a season where Dad is either invisible or estranged it can become very challenging for mom to position herself as both lawgiver and instructor.
As we honor our mothers this season lets not loose sight of the importance they have in our lives. Their input and love determines the manner in which we will navigate the difficulties that are associated with the seasons of our lives. I was reminded by the spirit of God that part of the blessing is imparted in us when we are able to mourn (Matthew 5:4)In that verse in Matthew Chapter 5 it concludes with the term “comforted” . God can not comfort us unless we present the truth concerning our troubles. Mom always had a way at getting at that truth.
Encourage your mothers today. It’s okay to wear the tag “Mama’s Boy”. It is that love that presents the glory of God in our lives each day. Amen

In Remebrance Of Love

Even much water cannot put out the flame of love;
floods cannot drown love.
If a man offered everything in his house for love,
people would totally reject it.
Song of Solomon 8:7

In this statement from the Song of Solomon he sums up the result of a heart that has succomed to love. In its entirety its presence cannot be washed away or there can never be enough of it. To those who cannot identify with it holds no value. Today let’s encounter the love that is present in our hearts and use it as the substance to present a life which is glorious to God. To a world or heart without it is dead. Let it become the substance that characterizes your life.
Men as we move through this day let our hearts minister to those who are dear to us. For the power of God in the earth rests in the love that rests in our hearts. The power of our authority begins with it. We can never over emphasize it or give enough of it. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25) Fathers love your children for the love we have in our hearts toward them sets them up and allows them to overcome the greatest of obstacles. Unless we plant that seed our lives and there’s will be the result of the cursed. (Malachi 4:6)
Most of all have love for your fellow man. For the image which encounters our substance and soul was found in the love of God. How can we say we love God if we cannot love our own brother? Choose it today and everyday in order to translate life into living. Without it we can never experience eternal life. Amen.

Choose Life

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deuteronomy 30:19

As I begin this piece of writing I would be a lie if I did not acknowledge the joy of having the opportunity to live. It comes by the grace, love and mercy of a wonderful God and His son Jesus the Christ. In a world full of negative images, feelings, hurt, disappointment, lies, hatred, war, religion, division and the likes of how do we find life? The answer is different for each of us and it is contingent upon our system of belief as to the quality of life we receive. As men do we take for granted the blessing that is presented before us to make this choice? To answer this question we have to examine the truth as it relates to the choice and the consequences that come as a result. The truth lies in the statement out of the book of Deuteronomy 30:19. Notice in that statement the term life translates to live.
There are many instances in our lives where our decisions concerning the choice to live rest on the thin line between the fallen state and the power of the risen Christ. The foundation of who we are comes from our acceptance of this truth. It is in the risen Christ that we receive life and the abundance of it. (John 10:10) As fathers, husbands, sons, uncles and friends the life which translates to living rest in identifying the truth about our lives and applying it to our life. It is a matter of life or death. As we stand on the authority given to us from God through the Lord Jesus the Christ then we become clear on making the choices that translate life into living. As men let’s reexamine our hearts and center them on the life giving authority that rest at the throne of our king. It is not in our wallets or conceits that determine this power. Neither is it in the hearts of a wicked and narcissistic world which translates life into death in its politics, war, greed, hate, religion, and division. No living can only be translated in the authority that rests at the right hand of the Father in the form of the Lord Jesus the Christ. Yes he is alive and living and continues to intercede on our behalf.
Let’s begin to stand on the creation mandate as the Priest and Prophets of our homes. It is in this authority where the choice is made as to whether “both thou and thy seed may live” either with blessings or with the curse. The last instruction given to us from the Prophet Malachi rest in this word from his book in the bible, it reads “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6) Men we have the instruction and the truth concerning the choice to live.Choose life! It begins with the love of our hearts towards the Father and our children. Love them both today.Amen.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:7

The image Dad at the beginning of this piece is available at the http://www.mirhez.org/ website. Please support our efforts as we begin to author pieces that will change the culture of our communities ,nation, and world.

Meditation

Fourth in a series of images for my showing at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. During our most trying and challenging times the ability to disconnect from our situation and to connect to our inner self produces tremendous results.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Living Water 2

Image # 3 in the series for the Showing at the Southwest Institute of Healing in Tempe, Arizona. As indicated in the gospel of John(John 7:38) the thirst of our soul for the Living water of life is comes by way of the cross of Calvary and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What Are We Looking At?

They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline………………Jeremiah 32:33

We are not looking in the right direction. Some in this nation have lost sight of the foundation that makes this a great nation. When we should be seeking the face of God we turn away to our own destruction. The view presented at the cross was one that looked inward to the heart to find the passion and the compassion necessary to execute the power of the cross. That power is presented by God to save humanity. The view of Christ was not centered on the violent, profane, religious nature that hung him on the cross. No it was on the mercy love and grace of God the father who evoked his wrath on His son to save us . How can we continue to look to our own devices to resolve the hatred and division, which has gripped this nation during these most difficult times? How can we continue to turn our backs on God when dealing with the issues centered on health care, poverty, domestic violence, marriage, war, crime, sex and the likes of? . Though he has illustrated throughout the history of man how much we need him we still continue to grapple with the idea that we are greater than Him. How can you put a price tag on someone’s desire to get help when they are sick? How can some politicise and belittle the efforts of our Government to aid the Hatian people at a time like this. What happened to the virtues displayed by the Samaritan witnessed in the 10th chapter of Luke? (Luke 10:33). Notice not only did he tend to the wounds of the man he also paid to keep him until he was well. The partisan and divided politics of those who represent the people have there eyes set on that old master of destruction money. Therefore we tend to take the position of those who walked pass the man instead of the Samaritan that helped him. We are so afraid of what we will lose instead of realizing what we would gain. It is the discipline of our hearts that will raise this nation above the wiles and the spirit of the fallen one Satan also known as the devil. Yes he is real.
Let’s take the position that was ministered to each of us at the cross. If you don“t know what is let me help you with it. It was love. Encourage those who represent us with a message rooted in love. When we loose reverence for those who God has placed over us (President Obama) we begin to turn our backs to God. Romans 13 starting in the first verse says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same”: Turn away from the status quo. Let’s not become so narcissistic that we lose sight of who the world belongs to. (Psalm 24:1) Just because the ideals of a faction of religious fanatics and zealots incorporate taking and terrorizing lives doesn’t mean we have to champion the same virtues (Dick Chaney) but to look unto God and the Cross of Calvary for the power to rise above it unto the glory of God. Speak and let your voices be heard concerning the lives of your brothers. Remember when that voice is rooted in hatred, greed and indifference it presents glory unto the evil one. Understand and know that we are our own worst enemy. We become that when we take our eyes off of God and look to each other to resolve ills created by ourselves. Then we suffer the same fate that Peter suffered when summoned by Christ to walk across the water to where he was. He took his eyes of Jesus and then he sunk .Amen

Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off……………Proverbs 24:13
Hallelujah to our Lord and king!!

Living Water

My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jeremiah 2:38

As we turn over another year and move into the new I have found that it is necessary to see the future in a positive and hopeful light. All of the years of my life previous to this one offer a perspective that speaks to the true nature of the human experience. In that experience for me personally there have been many challenges. Choices and decisions made that illustrate a life with some extreme highs and lows. It is during these times I have come to depend on the “Living Water” to nourish and fill my cistern (reservoir) with fresh and new living water.

Visiting the scripture in the book of John the woman at the well encounters our Lord. As he ministers to this Samaritan woman he gives a very interesting response. In it he exposes His truth concerning the gift of God as it relates to himself and the value of the “Living Water” which is presented through Him. In his answer to the woman Jesus illustrates the value of receiving his water. John 4: 14 says, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Let this new year start out with the water of everlasting life. Presented to the woman at the well it is also available to us. Notice that this woman was not aligned with the Jewish faith. She was a Samaritan. Regardless of where you are in your fallen state allow the Lord of glory to deposit His “Living Water” in your life. Repair that broken cistern( repent) so that he can fill you reservoir with the water essential for life. It provides the nutrients that are necessary to carry you through your most challenging times. Amen

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.............................................................................John 7:38

Ahh!

Ahh is usually the descriptor which exits our lungs when we incorporate a most needed stretch on our body. Yoga in its expression presents such a satisfying result of a wonderful action. This image was created for my exhibit at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona from January 8, 2010 thru March 5, 2010

Celebration of Life

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."….Luke 2:29-32

The words of Simeon as he takes baby Jesus into his hands.

My experience with the Christmas season has always been valued on what I have to give to those whom I love. I never considered the real value in the celebration of the Lord’s birth concerning the gift presented to each of us from God himself. When I removed my gaze from my natural experiences I began to realize that what God has presented at Christmas is life giving . If I only see Christmas from my natural experiences I will loose the effect of what He has given to me for an eternity. Life. Those experiences produced by the natural worlds interpretation of the celebration can only leave me with a half truth and not the full effect of God’s love. Unless it is founded in the truth of our Lord’s birth my experiences are nothing unless they are valued in the source of the truth, the Lord Jesus the Christ.
If I try to deny the truth of it then my circumstances and challenges result in death. Christmas day should be a celebration of life. . When the truth is lived by virtue of the Holy Spirit then the meaning of the celebration becomes alive and as a result victories are born in our relationships, giving, faith, and so on. The scriptures come alive as it relates to why Christ was manifested and what the result of it is. (1 John 3:8). The result will come in an abundance of life in every aspect of it... Allow the true spirit of the season to compel your heart towards the life presented at the cross of Calvary. One indebted in service, love and obedience to the will and word of God which is the Lord Jesus the Christ.

This Christmas truly examine your heart to minister to the true reason for the season. It is a gift that celebrates life instead of death. For God so loved us that this day resulted in the birth of a sacrifice that will stand throughout eternity. It was the love of God that took the tree at Calvary in order for us the have eternal life. That is truly the reason for the season.Love someone today that eternity may be presented to them through the love of Jesus Christ. Amen

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads………………….Revelation 22:1-4

According To Your Faith

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Matthew 9:20-22

Let’s examine these statements. When I first encounter them they do not offer any sense of truth when examined from the contents of our natural environments. Here’s why, from a natural perspective there is no power available in the hem of a garment that can resolve my most pressing issues. I just can not comprehend it. When I visit this story in the book of Matthew from the natural it has no life. Come on this woman has been sick and bleeding for 12 years. To encounter it for one year would be extremely challenging.

Notice what she says to herself. “If I can touch the hem of his garment” It is in this piece of the statement that she becomes free from the fallen or natural state of her condition. In her heart she becomes convinced, by faith that the power of God had rested in His presence. Of course we know who is wearing the garment. If you don’t know it is Jesus the Christ.
It is according to our faith weather of not we will overcome the challenges that are present in our daily lives. I chose this particular piece, even though there are many witnesses to choose from, this one kind of lines up with the statement Christ makes in Matthew 19 starting in verse 24. It reads; and again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Believing in the power of God outside of the state of our natural realm presents enormous challenges. This so called faith can only present itself in the context of which God intended for it to be. Unfortunately in our fallen state it becomes challenging because of our inability to touch the tangible aspect of what is hoped for. This is the key element used by Satan to hinder us from receiving the gift of God through our Lord Jesus the Christ and the Holy Spirit of God. The power of God begins with the blood of Jesus and rests at the right hand of the Father in the presence of Jesus. If there is failure in receiving this truth then the power of God can’t and will not work in our lives.
Often the breath of our experience can only be born from what we believe in our hearts. Lets not get it twisted the power of God is available to us. Our belief in the presence of God can only be manifested by our faith. It is what it is. If we suppose the theological arguments and religious tangibility of the existence of God then we begin to rob ourselves of His power. There is no coincidence that the world centers all of its religious activity from Jerusalem. It is there where the King of Glory will assume His eternal Kingdom. (Revelation 21; 10) and reign for ever and ever.
Our hardship occurs when we become more accustomed to believing what is interpreted by those who are anti Christ. Take for instance the statement by Ms Oprah Winfrey that suggests there are many ways to heaven. This insinuates that the word of God from the bible concerning the Christ is not true. It is foolish to present this as valid because it was only one way out of the presence of God and there is only one way in. Remember by witness of the universe our God and creator. Has order. He shows us by way of scripture what He has intended for man to be redeemed back to him. The order is predicated on His sacrifice. Of His only begotten son. That’s it. Nothing else can substitute it. Nothing. This can only come by faith.(Romans 5:15)
As believers we must rely on the promises of God. It is by faith that our lives become whole and complete as we return back to the creator. It is foolish to present the notion that when we live in this natural state that we are succumbed to that state forever. The reality is by faith, which encompasses the power of God, can we benefit from all that he has made and present it as glorious in His sight. He wrote the script. In order for it to be played out in the fashion of what he intended we have to enter into his presence by faith. As he witnessed to the women with the impossible challenges let it be done According to your faith. Without it we become less than what God had intended for us to be. Remember that His intentions were for us to be complete in him. (Colossians 2:10)
And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Mark 10:52

Salvation Is Eternal

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I John 5:12,13

Here is the question. Can you loose your salvation?

First I like to say as a believer, you are assured that your eternal destiny is secure in Christ. (1 John 5:13). There is this notion channeling through the body of our Lord that believes that salvation can be lost. Some fear that there salvation is lost. Many of them carry on through life uncertain about there eternal status by virtue of some religious discourse that presents this mistruth. There are many reasons we can assume a lost of this gift but the number one reason is centered on sin. In violation to the word of God sin diffuses our assurance. How can this be?
In our choice to sin against God we feel a sense of estrangement. We feel that we have left the presence and as a result we don’t feel as close. It provides us with a feeling of unworthiness and rejection. As a result it presents the challenge with doubt concerning God’s love for us. It is disobedience and rebellion that send us catapulting into repeated sin. Those who are misinformed eventually come to the notion that they have lost there salvation. This is untrue.
Actually it is very selfish to think that we can override the sacrificial payment of our Lord Jesus the Christ with our actions! I don’t think so. There isn’t anything we can do to cancel the tremendous debt paid by our Lord at Calvary. (Hebrews 9:12)) This is not a license to sin. Rather it is the opportunity to motivate us to champion the virtue of the cross and become more Christ-like. His sacrifice provides us with the opportunity to love Him. It is His action on the tree that provides us the opportunity to be saved. (Galatians’ 3:13)
Our hardship occurs when we become more accustomed to sin instead of developing a relationship with Jesus the Christ. On many occasions sin provides us with a view of salvation based on feeling and emotion. Feelings and emotions change. My point is that salvation is not based on feeling and emotion: it is based of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus the Christ. You may feel indifferent because of sin, but once you have accepted Christ you can never lose your salvation. (John 10:27-30)
How then can we as believers be certain that we are saved without a shadow of a doubt?
As believers we must rely on the promises of God. From the beginning of the Word and throughout God assures us as to what the result is when we believe His word. It presents us with the certainty that when we hear His Word and believe on His sacrifice of His only begotten and confess our sin salvation is the gift afforded to us. (John 3:16; John 4:24; John 6:37) No one can separate us or snatch us from it. (John 10:28) (Romans 8:33-35)Another point that secures this is centered on God’s unconditional love for us. Who can charge us otherwise (Romans 8:33, 39)
The finished work of Jesus on the cross solidifies our salvation. Hebrews 7:25 vows that Jesus “is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him. Our Lord’s sacrifice wasn’t intended upon being a quick fix. It is the eternal answer to the fallen state of man away from God.
Through the Holy Spirit we are assured our salvation through the witness in our hearts. Remember the heart is the instrument and vessel used to play out the virtue of the cross. As a result it is the Holy Spirit that replenshises the truth of Calvary with your soul. Nothing else. .
Many of us who believe have experience this doubt at one time or another. Fear is not the arbiters of our eternal destiny. Any question about our salvation must be examined in our hearts and reassured through prayer, fasting and consecration. Ask God to shed a light on the challenges that present this untruth and eradicate it from your soul. If there is still uncertainty revisit Romans Chapter 10 starting in verse 8 and repave that uncertain road unto the pathway to eternity with God. Remember salvation is eternal. Amen.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10

Keeping It Real

In the Spirit of the risen Christ it is tremendous to see the love and joy of God demonstrated in some of our most valued and treasured events. To witness these acts presents the real truth presented by hearts that bear witness to our Lord and King.

For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Exodus 34:14

Everything that is created presents glory unto the Lord. It is up to us to present it without shame unto his glory. Amen

Fear Not

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge
After the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isaiah 11:3

One of the greatest attributes given to a peaceful soul is centered on there identity. When given the opportunity to address circumstances unawares the ability to remain calm and resolute comes from knowing who is in charge. The ability to become steadfast and unmovable comes from the supernatural and unmovable God who is greater than any challenge presented. This can not be attained in the strength and wisdom of men, but through the power of an awesome God.
As disciples of the Lord Jesus the Christ the discipline of believing the witness of the cross presents us with a quick understanding by virtue of the power of God. By faith in understanding the tenets of the cross of Christ our fears become our strengths when approached with the fear of God. Philippians 4:13 reminds us that “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”All of our power as Disciples of Christ is centered on Him. The issues and challenges we encounter in our daily lives were already defeated when he was hung on the tree. (Galatians 3:13) Our fear of God concerning the wrath He incurred upon Himself presents us believers with the understanding of His redemption.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
Sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Ephesians 1:7
As a result in resting in this truth and faith of the cross we become censored in our sight and ears. It is our faith that allows us to see through the fallen state of this world. Christ activity on the cross provides us with the fine tuning in hearing and speaking the victory presented at the cross of Calvary. As we continue to press toward the mark of the High calling our ability to judge isn’t necessary to place us in high esteem with the world and its fallen state. What we hear doesn’t present us with a challenge to rebuke or reprove of what is presented. In fear of the wrath of God impressed upon Christ it presents us with a quick understanding of who is Lord and King. (Romans 8:1 1Corinthians 4:5) as we walk “according to His spirit and not by our flesh”
Today each one of us will be presented with the challenge to shed His light upon those situations that are tainted in darkness. It is the power of the Holy Spirit bearing witness to Christ crucified that will champion us and crown us as overcomers. It is in this virtue that the Power of God will strengthen and comfort us as “we march through the valley of the Shadow of death”

(Psalm 23:4)
There are many ways we can approach our challenges. But there is only one who has risen from all of them to the Glory of God. His name is Jesus of Nazareth. The risen Christ Lord and King. Amen.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."…………………………….
John
An apostle of the Lord Jesus the Christ.