When I was raised from among the dead I was reidentified with Life. I no longer live by the standard of the dead that roam this Earth, but of the living who have everlasting life. A new creation means a new identity. I no longer identify with the dead, I identify with Christ. So it’s time for self-evaluation. Do I look, act, talk, live like I’m dead or alive? Who do others identify me with? What can I do to be like that living being? Am I an alien or a native? If I’m a member of Christ’s body I should look like it rite? I should be the part that I am and stop acting like something I’m not. I am not dead and I refuse to waste.

      I wrote this back in december of 2010 and just recently found it in a journal of mine. I spiritually punched myself in the gut. There are major times in my life when i seem to convince myself that now, because I believe, the standard has been lowered and His grace is sufficient and mercy triumps over judgement. When in reality, the bar has been raised and to whom much is given much is required. I need to live like im alive and stop acting like im dead.

      His blood DOES cover all, past, present and future, but naturally when you love someone with all your heart it’s visible. People who really love one another don’t just say they love eachother they display the love in many ways. So why is it any different with JESUS? He displayed His love so greatly. He jumped in front of a bullet that was rightly meant for me. Why? Because He loves me. The least I can do is live like I know someone died for me.

      In July or August of last year the evoke visual artists had our monthly 365 meeting and GOD had His divine moment. We all happened to be on the same page. I remember we were getting to know one another and were sitting around socializing and I felt the LORD was telling me to get connected with Jim because he has a “why not?” attitude…meaning he doesnt mind casually mentioning a desire to GOD (a want and not a neccessity) because he has the understanding that GOD doesn’t mind lavishing His children with blessings just because they are His. GOD is an abundant god, His love is overflowing and he already hears our desires so why not? ask God for simple things like a microwave. The worst thing that could happen is GOD says “no”.

       A couple minutes after I felt this in my heart i just couldn’t hold it in. it was obvious this bit of info was not just for me but it was for the group. So i looked at Jim and and said “GOD is telling me to connect with you because you have a “why not?” attitude”. Those who knew him already, laughed and agreed. So within the next month Jim painted a “why not?” block for a van Scott wanted and i believe he gave it to him as a prophetic piece. Susan wanted a microwave so she painted a “why not?” microwave.

       Just a couple months later Scott gets his van and Susan gets her microwave! Glory to GOD! Rite Susan? Correct me if im wrong about your microwave. lol Anyways…so i told the testimony to my sister from church and she mentioned “why not? an i-pad by the end of the week” and that’s exactly what happened. she got an i-pad by the end of the week. I mentioned in August we would have a wall full of these blocks. That’s because GOD moved again and said to make blocks for everything we want to happen in the show and for the show so that He can be glorified. Visual prayers on a wall with hope for the impossible will be power and glory to the Almighty. GOD is able to go above and beyond our expectations and that’s what i’m believing He’ll do. Why Not?

We possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel]

in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding

greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from

ourselves. -2 CORINTHIANS 4:7

God works through jars of clay, or what I often call “cracked pots”.

This means we are flawed, so when people look at us and see amaz-

ing things happening, they know it must be God at work because it

certainly could not be us. I believe anyone who really knows me does

not have any difficulty realizing the work I am doing on earth today

certainly must be God at work in and through me. They give Him the

glory, not me, because they see my imperfections and know my limi-

tations. God chooses the weak and foolish things on purpose so no

mortal can have pretense for glorying in His presence (1 Corinthians

1:27-29)

Imagine a pot with a lamp in it and a lid on it. Even though it may

be filled with light, no one can see the light within it. Yet if the pot is

cracked, the light will shine through the cracks. In this same way, God

works through our imperfections.

Can you love a cracked pot? God can! It is godly to love yourself in a

balanced, healthy way. It is ungodly to reject and despise yourself.

Lord, You and I are both well aware of my imperfections. I ask

You to shine Your light through my life, and know that You get

every ounce of glory for it. Amen. -Joyce Meyer 365 Daily inspirations

You see, being a “good christian” is not about letting people step on you, it is about standing your ground but with grace and love. It is about turning the other cheek, but turning it to the Lord knowing that He is the one who you look to. Whatever circumstance, there is a security knowing that although tragic things may happen, He is the one to comfort us. He is our Father, our Shepard, and He is the one who will bring Justice.

So, I prayed with my friend and hung up the phone. But the thing is, I was not done fighting. Last night, I fought for her in the name of Jesus! Calling out all oppressive spirits and I was not done.

“Father, my heart is burdened and heavy for your children. I pray strength in their time of weakness caused by their anger. But anger is not the issue, Father God, it is only a side effect to their underlying hurt. Lord, I pray healing. Lord, I call your presents…”

And as I went on frighting in my quaint and dimly lit apartment, He showed up.

You see, it became clear to me last night. I do not want to be anywhere where God is NOT moving and if I am ever somewhere where He is NOT moving, I will move Him. I say this with all sincerity, being a servant to the Lord, if I am ever in a place where He is not moving, I shall have faith and I shall act to where my God MUST show up.

He is not a fair-weather deity. He is the light and in our dark times is where He shines brightest. So I bring encouragement, your testimony, like the blood of the Lamb, is alive. As you struggle with anger and fight this uphill battle take hold and know that, in spite the circumstances, when He is on your side who can really be against you?

this is how GOD answered me: Is there such thing as a “stay at home” christian? No. If we were all created the same then my answer would be yes. But my answer is no. God made each of us unique, therefore we each contribute differently to the body of Christ. You can pray to GOD, hear from GOD, see visions, spread the Word to everyone who walks in your door and still not be the whole body of Christ. Without feet GOD cant take you anywhere; without hands you cant help those in need. Point blank… Yes you are the church but it would take more than a lifetime to be every part of the body. Plus, reality check… if you were the whole body you’d be Jesus. God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He has a family why dont you? Many say “they are the church” but if they even knew what the church was, they’d know it is necessary to be part of the local body of believers. If you are the only member of your church then i suppose you are the pastor. well, where is your flock? Scripture says sheperds who only feed themselves will be condemned. Unless you are everything, you should be a member of the body of Christ, which is the church. His “people” are the church not his “person”.

so, simply we are too weak on our own to do life alone. dont decieve yourself by thinking you can because you can’t. we need GOD and we need family. in areas we lack our family can provide and in areas they lack GOD will provide. be encouraged to go to church. dont take this as a condemning message because that’s not what it is. it’s truth in love. enjoy the fullness of GOD by doing all that He allows you to do. Don’t put limits on GOD by putting limits on where He can speak to you. He doesn’t just talk while you are at home. church is your hospital, your school, your altar, a place where you learn to build up your life. don’t do it all on your own. it’s more joyous to do it with family. GOD BLESS!

            This is the word the LORD blessed me with, may it bless you and change the way you view life. September 9, 2010 I was reading a couple chapters out of Matthew and when I read through chapter 14 and I got to the story about Jesus walking on water. I had never seen or understood this story the way I did that day. How many of us would be super excited if we saw Jesus or a miracle in our lives? I know I would! How many of us can say we can spot out a miracle a mile away? Of course yea! How many of us tell GOD if I just see on more miracle I will believe? This was me! ….. Well we serve a funny GOD and this is what He taught me.

            Matthew 14: 24-26 “By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.” So Jesus here, funny man, is walking toward his people in the midst of their storm, not phased by the wind and waves, strolling by, enjoying the scenic route and walking ON TOP of the troubled waters. When his disciples see him they believe he is something that he is not. So again i ask you, how many of us would be super excited if we saw Jesus or a miracle in our lives? Judging by this story… the men who walked with Jesus whom had seen miracle after miracle were terrified. They didn’t even know, that what they were seeing was a major miracle. … To continue, Matthew 14: 27 says “At once Jesus said to them, ‘DON’T WORRY! I AM JESUS. DON’T BE AFRAID’ ” Immediately, we read Jesus assured his people that it is he who is walking in the midst of the storm. Yet… Verse 28 “Peter replied, ‘Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.’” So again I ask you, how many of us can say we can spot a miracle a mile away? Even Peter, one of the most well known disciples, who walked with Jesus,  had to ask for confirmation and he asked in detail. Many times we see something divine happen in our lives, Jesus clearly says it is him, but we doubt and are a little skeptical so we pray for confirmation… so what happens next? Verse 29 “‘COME ON!’ Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.” Immediately, we read Jesus answered and gave confirmation but… Verse 30 “When Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. ‘SAVE ME LORD!’ he shouted.” AGAIN!!! His people are seeing a miracle, don’t believe it, ask for confirmation, recieve another miracle, still doubt, fear the storm, fall, then cry for help. MY GOODNESS I pray im not that faithless. I pray I don’t fear the answers I ask for. …. the story ends verse 31-33 “RIGHT AWAY, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, ‘You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?’ When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down. The men in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, ‘You really are the Son of GOD!’”

After reading this, I strongly believe many hard things we go through in life are not the enemy. I believe many hard times in life (storms) are miracles in disguise. When every door seems to be closing and everybody you love seems to be leaving your side and your world is being rocked to the core… its simply GOD stripping you of the world. You are no longer of this world so don’t worry about it. Better things are to come whether it be in this life or the eternal one to come. Obviously, even the wind and waves are beneath our GOD’s feet so why are we still living in fear? After this I can no longer lean unto my own understanding. I must learn only to lean on GOD. Father I know you are with me. You promised.

contamination is the subject but the purpose of this painting is to find your sword. what do you use to fight being contaminated?

This month make a piece that represents or illustrates some kind of contamination that you battle daily. If you feel like doin more than one feel free. The LORD has been placing in my heart, “Stay at your post. Do not fall into your old ways and contaminate the plan. Your victory will be the beginning of many victories. Do not contaminate your testimony.”  In the Word it says “be holy as I am holy”. To be holy is to be seperated for GOD. 2 Corinthians 7:1 says “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for GOD.” Lately my mind has been a battlefield. By sharing my testimony to others I am reminding myself of my past which I believed I was finally done with. By helping them i am digging things up that i buried a long time ago. But it seems GOD wants me to confront but this time have the victory.

As i keep my eyes focused on GOD, He helps me battle in my mind. But i must exert some energy as well and do my part. There is one scripture I run to immediately when sinful thoughts begin to rush through my mind. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I pray, I praise, I worship with my life, and i recite this over and over all to fight thoughts. I must not contaminate my mind and spirit because at any moment it could mean the life of someone I know. I must stay at my post because I fear GOD and only those who fear GOD enter into His presence. The Word says, ” The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Fear GOD and find favor.

Whereas, through intense prayer I felt the Lord put it on my heart to chose the three primary colors… Red, Blue and Yellow.

Like the Holy Trinity, the three Primary Colors are unique and can not be recreated. It is pretty amazing!

Oh man! I am so looking forward to this challenge!!! (The excitement has officially kicked in)

Peace, Love and Paint
Crystal