Roots

Roots:  what is hidden from view, supports, nourishes, and bears fruit in what is visible.  The hidden jewels of our hearts, and that which we identify and sink our roots into, will be apparent in the fruit we produce.  I pray that my roots will always be anchored in Jesus.

Question to ponder:  What are you rooted in? What is nourishing you?  

Death could not hold Him

 <sup>Death could not hold him.  Jesus took upon himself the weight of all our sin.  He became that which he despised the most,  but because he was without sin death could not hold him.  I am so very thankful for the gift that Jesus has given me.  He has risen, He has risen indeed.


 Acts 2:24

24</sup> But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

One Act

While reading Daniel the other day I took a few notes in the free space of my bible.  I was captured by the text specifically the prophesy that a time was coming where many would be purified.  That prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus, and his sacrifice is still purifying hearts today.

One Body

 

I posted the beginning of this painting a few weeks ago in Moment of inspiration.  I finished it the other day after many conversations with The Lord.  God really spoke to me as I worked through this piece.  Specifically he talked to me about my christian family and the bonds that we form as the roots of our foundation intertwine.  We are stronger when we stand united, and unmovable when we cling to the rock of Jesus.   God impressed upon me that we need the Body (Church) in order to grow,
share, love, reap, act, and sew.  We were made to love and be loved, and it is through the work he does in and through the body that fruit is visible.   I am very thankful for the Body Father's House that we have found in the Central Oregon town of Bend.

Who that you are rooted with are you thankful for?

Romans 12:3-5

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

The Nail is Gone

Often I find myself dwelling on sins from my past.  I find my mind wondering back to the dark places, the areas that cause me grief and shame.  This week I was reminded that the nails are gone.  The only way the sin can have a hold on me is if I invite it in.   Today my prayer is that when I feel the shame of the old sins creeping in, I would remember that the nail is gone and that Christ has made me clean.  I am thankful to be rooted in Christ and pray that he will allow my light to shine as I walk through my day.  I pray that He would guard my feet from the slippery path of sin, and that I would always remember that "paid in full" means paid in full.

Question to ponder:  What sin are you dwelling on, what shame are you not willing to accept forgiveness for?

The Curtain was Torn

 

In a moment everything was changed.  The Veil (curtain) was torn.  One Man had paid for all,  past, present, and future.  Today while reading in my bible I was reminded that I have direct access to God through Jesus, a privileged that Jesus paid dearly for.  My prayer today is that I would be granted a mustard seeds worth of faith in order that I might exercise some of the grace that Jesus has already bestowed upon me.  I pray that I may see others through the eyes of Jesus and allow him to work through me to show His love.

Tree - Vine

 I have really been drawn to 1 Peter this week.  There are several verses that really speak to and challenge me.  How often are we given an open door to share and watch the opportunity slip away.  Why are we so afraid to let people in on our source of hope, peace and joy?  I pray that I will have the ability to live out  the verses below.

1 Peter 3:13 - 15 
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.  "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.   But do this with gentleness and respect.

1Peter 4:10-11
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen.

Body of the tree

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Wind and Fire

John 3:8  The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."