Heart Inspirations
Scripture art….to glorify God…and inspire the heart with His truth!
To Everything There is a Season
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“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.
When the sweeping arm of bitter cold struck our area this winter, outside, unprotected life was suspended…completely suspended.
There was no choice!
If you look carefully at the centre top of this photo, you can see the crystal-like formations of ice that solidified this water, almost as if Jack Frost himself waved a magic wand and everything was encased in ice!
Even though below the surface of the ice you can still see the leaves and other botanical elements–they’re still suspended in winter’s grip.
There is a season for everything!
Where are you in the seasons of your life?
Right now–today–you and I are NOT suspended or encased in ice like we see here–instead, as long as there is breath, there can be hope, and purpose and reason for living!
It’s our responsibility to find out–in God’s word–what that is! Let’s use our time well–to God’s glory–redeeming the time while we are blessed with it–to use our seasons wisely!
Hugs!
Lisa
For further study:
Eccl. 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every work into judgement…”
Also Micah 6:8; John 15:14; John 14:15.
“God Clothes Himself with Light…”
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This evening, as the sun was setting, I was able to capture this beautiful sight with the camera!
The image is significant however for a special reason: because this north-facing window was not glowing simply from some artificial light inside the building.
Instead–behind this window is another window–which faces west. The westerly window was capturing the glory of the setting sun and that light was being transmitted through the western window and on out through the northern window, creating this glowing effect from the sun itself!
I can’t help but think of God–Scripture tells us that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all! 1 John 1:5.
Psalm 104 affirms that “God clothes Himself with light”! Isn’t that an amazing thought!?
And yet, if we let Him, God is willing to live in us, and use us, shining through us…so that He may be glorified as folks see our actions and hear our words!
God’s beauty–reflected and transmitted through us!
It’s an amazing thought–humbling and motivating….
Hope you are enjoying His light–that it is very welcome in your heart–and shining out through glowing “windows”–that God would be glorified!!!
Hugs!
Lisa
Other verses for further consideration: Matthew 5:14-16; James 4:8-9.
God’s Love
As human souls, there is nothing greater that we can receive, than the love of God, our Creator!
How amazing, humbling and wonderful it is!
His love is a splendid gift we must treasure and never take for granted!
And how can we show our love to God in return?
Please notice John 14:15,
“If you love me, keep My commandments.”
and
John 15:14-15,
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
Our obedience to God, and His word—show our love in action!
The LORD is good….and He knows those who trust in Him–Nahum 1:7
Seven years ago today, my husband John came home to discover that our house was on fire!
Gratefully, fire rescue crews from all over our area quickly responded–I think there were seven different stations that helped–but the fire was difficult to extinguish.
When all was said and done–the house was ruined! And most of our belongings were either lost, destroyed or damaged.
Among them, many of my paintings–
Most of the paintings had been stored in the living room–many in rattan suitcases–which, of course, caught fire. And as the flames licked up the sides of those cases, something remarkable happened.
The living room floor collapsed!
The suitcases of paintings fell into the basement–which was by that time filled with water from the firemen’s attempts to extinguish the fire!
And the moment the suitcases hit the water, the flames were quenched!
But water colour paintings are rendered on watercolour paper–and paper pinned underwater for two weeks is a recipe for ruin.
After two weeks, once the fire investigation was completed, we were able to drain the water from the basement and my husband sifted through the debris, hoping to find anything of value–sentimental or otherwise! And as he worked in the frigid January temperatures, he did uncover some treasures! Including the cases of paintings!
It was amazing! And I am so thankful!
Once the charred cases were opened, we found the soggy paintings–and spread them out to dry! I think they all were damaged to some degree. They were covered with smoke patterns, cinders, broken glass and, with some, images from the paintings had been transferred onto their neighbours while under the water!
Yet–they had survived!
This painting is one of the survivors!
The smoke that covers it is mostly hidden behind the vignetted edging, which I added in editing. If you look closely, though, you’ll see that the snow around the swing is suspiciously darkened—–it’s smoke—
But I thought it was appropriate to share this painting with you–today–on the anniversary of the fire!
The Lord was so good to us through that whole ordeal! He showered us with love and kindness and provision!
And friends, neighbours and strangers were such a blessing!
The Lord is a very gracious God!
When bad things happen–and they will!–God is not the one to blame!
Instead, He is the very One to thank–for He can provide the rainbows in the middle of our storms!
While we live our lives, we are going to sustain damage in many forms–just like this painting! Yet it is God Who can work with us, covering our sins and imperfections–if we let Him–by drawing close to Him, and clinging to–and following His word! He offers redemption from our sins–through the precious blood of Christ, when we are baptized into him to have our sins forgiven.
The smoke on this painting illustrates just that–though damaged–it’s not destroyed or ruined–it’s redeemed!!
We can experience that same thing–on a much grander scale–our very own redemption! Now that’s truly beautiful! His grace is completely powerful—and amazing!
Please see Romans chapter 6!
The Lord is good…and He knows those who trust in Him! You can trust Him!
Sending hugs!
Lisa
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet and a Light to My Path~~Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105
How richly blessed we are–that in a world so full of darkness–we may have His light!!
May we choose to walk in that light!
1 John 1:5-7
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light , we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
…the Joy of the LORD is Your Strength. ~~Nehemiah 8:10
“…the joy of the Lord is your strength…”
Nehemiah 8:10
These lovely ornaments, captured in the early morning sunlight are a delight to the eye–but oh, so fragile! Made of paper-thin glass, it takes very little for them to break. In fact, the gold heart actually is broken–you may just be able to detect it in the top left corner……but in their fragile delicateness, they illustrate the point of this passage!
Even when we adamantly insist that it isn’t so–we human beings are fragile creatures!
We get tired; discouraged; sometimes our bodies become sick; or our hearts are bruised and broken……
God understands that about us! He understands everything about us!
But He invites us to draw near to Him, and when we do, He is the source–for strength–for hope–for healing–for peace, for purpose–for joy!
What a wonderful God He is!
Here are some passages if you’d like to study further: James 4:8; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 31:24; Psalm 31:4; Micah 6:8; Psalm 51:10-12
Hugs!
Lisa
Let the Beauty of the LORD Our GOD be Upon Us–Psalm 90:17
There are many things in life that bring us glimpses of beauty–and one of my favourites are the flowers GOD’s created for us to enjoy!! You’ll find them often as subjects in my paintings!!
The beauty in fragile flowers is passing and temporary, however–it’s not long before the lush petals begin to fade and droop, withering away!
But if we invest the interest, time and effort in developing the beauty of the LORD inside of ourselves–in our hearts and souls–we’ll not be disappointed with a beauty that fades and withers over time!
Instead, we may enjoy a beauty that only grows and becomes greater with time and the application of God’s precious principles for truly joyful living!
That’s a beauty worth seeking!
Hugs!
Lisa
Water.
Refreshing, life-giving, nourishing.
Liquid.
As the streams pass along the edges of the rocks, I wonder where they’ve been…what they’ve seen…what experiences they could tell, if they were able.
What about you?
What experiences have affected the course of your pathway, enhanced your journey, caused you to grow, flavoured your waters?
We cannot deny that many people and events make an impact on our lives—as we allow them to.
But one thing is vital to remember as we travel the course of our days, our weeks, our months and years, and it is this:
“What does the LORD require of you?
but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8.
Ultimately, regardless of all the powerful influences upon our lives, we get to choose—-in reality, we have to choose—–
—–and the most momentous choice of all is to choose to walk humbly with our God, in obedience to Him…..doing justly….loving mercy!
Regardless of the course we must pass, the environment, or even the influences that may hound us, choosing to walk humbly with God will make an amazing, nurturing, and refreshing difference in our lives today, and bring calm and sweet waters in the end!
I’m so grateful for that!
Hugs!
“In Everything Give Thanks”
Thankfulness.
It’s an easy thing to say—but another thing entirely to do, when we find a worm staring us in the face after biting into an apple—
—or worse yet, when we find part of a worm staring us in the face, after having just swallowed a bite!
Thankfulness! Can we practice it?! Then?!
How many of us own a paring knife?!
Life is less than perfect….. …..but we can decide to sure enjoy the good part….anyway!
Because there certainly is a good part!
We can always be thankful for the part the worm didn’t get!
And thankfulness helps us…by changing our perspective…improving our outlook…increasing our appreciation….and calming our hearts….
Now…anyone for a beautiful apple?
Please don’t fear life’s imperfections!
Instead, be thankful!
Hugs!
Lisa
But Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Our LORD
Hello!!
Heart Inspirations 