"My Times Are In Your Hand"

Most of the time, I make art because I have something on my mind, or in my spirit (both really), and I have to express it. The things that are the deepest tend to percolate for a long time, and then bubble up at the appropriate moment. This artwork expresses a combination of celebration and grief. The topic: life in the womb and the loss of that life.

As images go, this is a simple composite with easy symbolism, at least to me. The child's silhouette is the key to interpreting this image. (It's my oldest grandson~ who is now 5~ when he was first toddling around, looking out at the rain through the door in the den). I probably had more emotion as I created this artwork than I have had with many others put together. Perhaps this comes through, but it's impossible for me to discern, as I will always feel the feelings when I look at it from now on.

It usually happens (when I make art) that I'm feeling first, then groping to express artistically what I feel. The thinking is intuitive as I gravitate to photos I've taken or licensed that I keep archived for just such an "emergency". As I made this, the Scripture verse I quoted in the title above ran through my mind. I was struggling to find comfort for a loss~ someone else's loss of a baby by miscarriage~ that seemed to trigger something in me I couldn't explain. Grief welled up in me and threatened to bring on depression if I didn't deal with it. Art's good therapy, especially if we let the Spirit of God be involved, which of course I do.

I'm not going to go into a big discussion of what's on my mind, as this is an art blog, meant for interpretation (although I do get teachy and preachy here, I just can't help myself sometimes). But I am sure I will pursue the topic more in depth on "Fireberries" when I have time. For now, just let me say that my understanding of the preciousness of life has deepened over my lifetime, and it is a compelling force behind my artwork.

No matter what people think in this day and age, every life that is conceived in the womb is created by God. He breathes life into that tiny embryo, and it is a living person with a spirit. No child, born or unborn, goes unnoticed by Him or is unknown to Him. Whether they are miscarried or aborted they go to be with Him. I learned this when I miscarried my first pregnancy so many years ago. I will tell that story sometime when I blog all this out.

I actually titled this piece "Revelation #16" and included it in my series (as I felt it had universal revelation in it and worked visually with the rest). The background is an outer space image from the Hubble telescope, and this particular photo is of the Crab Nebula. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crab_Nebula Its appearance was perfect for my artwork with the glowing, womblike section that holds the child. I love working with these public domain space images (I've been invited to submit some of my artworks using their Hubble images for one of their official websites, I just haven't gotten up the nerve to go for it-- fear of rejection you know). http://hubble.nasa.gov/multimedia/astronomy.php

When I look at the small version of this artwork, I see angels circling the womb. The "angels" are actually dogwood blossoms, which of course you can see when you look up close. But I like the feeling of the womb being protected here, and I believe this is God's heart and action: to protect the life that is carried within.

Although death has not yet been "laid at Jesus feet", I believe it has been defeated by Him via the cross and resurrection. It is one of my great burdens that we begin to get a hold of this revelation. The dogwood traditionally represents the cross and passion of Christ. I think it is fitting here, for He "tasted death for every one". "He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," so He also knows how to comfort us in our losses and grieving. He always gives us hope and courage to help us keep on living life with joy and thankfulness.

In this artwork, the womb is portrayed as a vehicle, a "space ship", for the journey of growth and development that takes place for 9 months. It's spiritual counterpart is the concept of "the hand of God", which never lets go of this infant no matter what happens. The new life (each an eternal spiritual being), here, is being escorted to the heavenly realm: if the fetus is born a baby in the world, then God's hand is ever-present to guide him into the heavenly realm, by the Spirit, as the child grows naturally.

There's a white heart of light/love around the baby, which is God's heart of love, always present no matter what the circumstance. I like how the patterns made by the nebula and the flowering branches created an umbilical cord. Natural life is drawn from God through the birth-mother, and spiritual life is drawn from God through the spiritual mother, the Church (Body of Christ). As you can see, there is a deeper, more spiritual meaning to this artwork. We are to nurture all lives that are given into our care, for they all belong to God and derive life from Him.

Textures were overlaid in this artwork, one of rain through a curtained window during a violent tropical storm, signifying grief and a "veil" of oppression that keeps us from seeing the purposes of God when things look dark. Laid over that is another texture: a peaceful beach scene with gentle waves at sunrise, after a storm. This signifies the natural birth by water, and the spiritual birth represented by baptism. Life overcomes death, and light overcomes darkness. Underneath all of this is a texture made from a photo of light shining through a chalcedony stone, which is blue like the sky. To me this says the light of the third heaven breaks through the second and first heavens with the Truth of God, colouring everything we see, whether we know it or not.

I hope you've gained some insight and inspiration from this artwork and from my explanation. Thanks for reading! Be blessed.

References:

Psalm 31:15 (whole Psalm recommended)

Psalm 22: 9-11

Hosea 13:14

Romans 8:38-39

Hebrews 2:9

Isaiah 53: 3-4; 61:2

II Corinthians 1: 3-4

The Gift

As I mentioned on my Flickr stream when I originally posted this piece on New Year's 2008, "this was my first artwork of the year". Actually, it was the last one of 2007, and is signed such. Here we are, making headway into 2009 and I'm just getting onto blogging this! I have so many pieces to write about! I chose this one today, just because. . . I suppose it is an "artist's statement" in itself, a kind of visual creed. So I will try to interpret it into English the best I can.

There is so much in this piece, and in many of the others, that I sometimes feel daunted with the task of describing their meanings. It always seems to turn into a major Bible study. I just have to deal with laziness and a need for good time management. In 2008, I posted a blog on 360 that describes some of why I write about my artwork. It's titled "A Clear Trumpet" (here's the link): http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-oj.OJZEheq8_EXpBB7LkDC.kEFovCw--?cq=1&tag=trumpet

Sometimes I forget that it's out of obedience to the Lord that I do it, not because I think someone will read or like what I write. So again I am reminded by the Spirit to be diligent.

This composite was created mainly for my husband, who likes it very much (maybe because it includes photos I took of and him and me). It graced his laptop for a long while, until I made him one for his birthday, which he liked even better! So, I guess at first glance, love and romance would be the main theme.

If you've read anything else in this blog, you've discovered that the husband-wife relationship, as well as the preparation of the Bride of Christ, is a major theme in my artwork. With this theme, one could see a story of a lover who has given his Beloved a gift of beautiful jewelry. Perhaps it is a bridal gift, as it is pure and white (the photo is of a necklace I made myself of natural rock crystal and pearls, along with Swarovski crystals. Since then, I have learned to clean any crystal obsessively before photographing-- haha!!). The roses also remind me of a floral bouquet a bride might carry.

Sgs 4:9
You have ravished my heart, My sister, [my] spouse; You have ravished my heart With one [look] of your eyes, With one link of your necklace.

To me, the main subject of this artwork is creativity. So much was going on in my spirit while I was making this! I was meditating on the image of God in us as humans. God put His stamp or signature in us as His creations. We are made "in His likeness and in His image". The ability to create is part of that image. It is "the gift" to which the title refers.

Gen 1:27
So God created man in His [own] image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Gen 1:26
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

One of God's first commands to His creation was to "be fruitful and multiply." The grapes in the picture are partly a reference to this. It can also remind us of the "fruits of the Spirit". . .love, joy, peace, etc.

Gen 1:22
And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."

As natural beings, we take this first to mean "procreate". We so take for granted our ability to conceive and bear children, in our "image and likeness, after our own kind"!

Gen 5:3
And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

It is such a privilege and awesome responsibility that we have been given. What terrible things the fallen human race has done to trample, desecrate and pervert the image of God that is to reflect and glorify God! I'm sure that was one of satan's primary designs in seducing mankind. Perhaps he was jealous of our ability to engage in sex and reproduce! Perhaps he was jealous of our special relationship to God.

Conceiving, birthing and raising offspring is a mark of our true godlikeness. In fallen humanity, it has brought about much heartache, but God's plan of redemption makes a way to turn the damage of generations around for His purposes and good pleasure. Indeed, raising children with His help is a wonderful experience, and continues to be as the young ones grow into adulthood and themselves bring new people into the world.

It takes a more ridiculous kind of faith than I could ever have to believe everything came about by some random act of the universe!!! I'm in awe of a God who has so much life in Himself that He could breathe it into a creation and have it continue and expand, as does the universe itself (the background contains a space image from the Hubble).

Another theme in the artwork is Eden: the fallen and the redeemed. I have already made reference to Adam and Eve in the creation and commissioning of mankind. There is a waterfall in the picture that is a special place my husband and I like to go. It calls to mind the four rivers in the garden of Eden, that represent living water:

Gen 2:10
Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.

Jhn 7:38
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

The overall image gives us a picture of an idyllic sort of place that optimizes love, contentment and intimacy. A "secret garden" is another of my favourite themes, reminding me of passages in the Psalms and Song of Songs. The word "Eden" comes from a primitive root meaning "take pleasure in, delight in, to luxuriate, be soft and pliable."

Psa 37:4
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

The tree in the picture poses a question: which tree is it? Is it the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, or is it the Tree of Life? To me this tree says we have a choice, to choose God's way, or to reject what is God's for what might seem "good" yet comes from the other tree. A good reference for this understanding is Rick Joyner's book "There Were Two Trees in the Garden." Part of the message of this artwork is "choose life":

Deu 30:19
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

The choice to conceive, carry and give birth to life is ours. Not only are we called to be fruitful in our bodies, but also in our minds and hearts. This brings us to a deeper illumination of what this work is about: the function of the God-given ability to conceive things in our imagination and to bring them to life. I think the imagination is a function of the mind and spirit working together: this is our heart. Real creativity-- whether artistic or musical or scientific or whatever-- flows out of our heart.

Psa 45:1
To the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love. My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue [is] the pen of a ready writer.

Pro 18:21
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

I don't have a clear revelation on how this coincides with the revelation about "speaking with other tongues" and getting interpretation. I do know the Scriptures are clear about the power of the spoken word. I truly do not know how much life is in a piece of art, or how much life can be in an artwork, or in instrumental music, or a mathematical formula, for instance.

I think there is more life in my artwork now than there used to be. I think there is death in some artworks, don't you? Could it be like seeds, that when planted, might have truth in it that could grow when given life in the heart? I don't know yet. You can seek the Lord along with me for revelation on that. I do know we are in training to have the power to create with our words. We are people made in God's image, and our destiny is to be creative like our Father. What will we create in eternity? I don't know. I look forward to finding out.

So far, I have used the images of winged horses, unicorns and fairies to depict the realm of the imagination. Children need to be trained to develop their imaginations, not have them fed full of stuff of doubtful value while blocking their ability to imagine for themselves. Creative play and a peaceful environment are essential for healthy development, and that need continues throughout life. At the heart of all creativity should be a strong foundation of truth. Without an anchor of truth, light, life and love (all attributes of God), our imaginations become darkened and we bring forth destructive things.

1Pe 1:13
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest [your] hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The "loins of your mind" is the procreation power of our imagination. The more revelation of Christ we have and the more we are free from lies, the more powerful our imagination is, and the more life we can bring forth. This type of conception and birth belongs to men as well as women, for it is spiritual:

Jer 30:4
Now these [are] the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah.
Jer 30:5
"For thus says the LORD: 'We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace.
Jer 30:6
Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man [with] his hands on his loins Like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale?

Jer 30:7
Alas! For that day [is] great, So that none [is] like it; And it [is] the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.

Jer 30:8
'For it shall come to pass in that day,' Says the LORD of hosts, '[That] I will break his yoke from your neck, And will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them.

The presence of the lion in my artwork is representative of Jesus, the Lion of Judah (Judah means "praise"). He seems to have a serious and authoritative look in this picture. It's almost like there's a spotlight on Him, and I believe the word He is about to speak is in the music lyrics that are in the artwork, taken from Handel's Messiah (they are from Scripture):

Mat 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Christ came that we might be set free from slavery to sin, and to deliver us from captivity to the world, the flesh and the devil. As long as we are in bondage to other "gods", we are not free to be the creators we are meant to be, and our works will not produce His life. Being yoked to Him is the greatest freedom we can know. He then begins to train us to be containers of His glory, and to bring forth works worthy of the King.

P.S. In regards to the Bride, I have said before that I don't believe we are married yet, we are betrothed. I had big questions for the Lord about how we could conceive anything, considering the marriage has yet to be "consummated". He then reminded me of the Virgin birth: how she received the Word of God and gave birth to the Son of Man, who was also the Son of God. This pertains to His Church, His Body, His Bride. A mystery perhaps, but something He will give us more understanding on if we seek Him for it.

Shelter

This composite began with a photo of a window! In my mind’s eye, I began to picture a place that was a shelter from the harsh winter. It is a surreal place. To me, "surreal" is exactly what the word itself implies "above real". Surrealism is a way for me to express spiritual and psychological things artistically . So this place is more than just a physical shelter, it is a place of warmth, safety and provision for the person who trusts in God. It is a "place" found only in the Kingdom of God: it is under His dominion and therefore receives all His benefits.

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Scriptures show a picture of the Lord Himself being the shelter for His people:

"For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy." Psalm 61:3

"I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah" Psalm 61:4

"And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain." Isaiah 4:6

"For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock." Psalms 91: 1-2

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. . .Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways."

Psalm 91: 8-11

Staying in the shelter means being obedient:

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." Proverbs 3: 3-10

Whenever I put a woman, princess or bride in a picture, it represents the "Bride of Christ". This is one Biblical representation of the Church, and because it is the last hour, the Bride should be busy "making herself ready". The model I chose for this picture had the look I wanted, but I was concerned about her pose for some time, and did attempt to change it. But after a while, the Spirit got through to me that this was just right.

***

Why is she looking in a mirror? Doesn’t this seem vain? While there’s much to be said about the Bride making herself ready, let’s just stick to what is expressed in the picture, and I’ll eventually get to the significance of the mirror.

In a prophetic picture of the Bride in Revelation, she is seen completely ready for her Lord:

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." Revelation 19:7-8

In this artwork, the Bride is still getting used to trusting the Lord to keep her safe from the current conditions in the world, here represented as the dead of winter. She is still focusing somewhat on herself and her identity, not too concerned with anything outside her home. In her place of trust, she is safe, provided for and even full of joy.

My rooms also represent the inner being, here, that of the Bride in a state of "dwelling in the Lord". There are varying symbols of her bounty in the room: she’s warm, and she even has a different attitude than the world outside, full of life and the fragrance of the Lord (represented by the vines and the roses). Out there amid the snowy trees (knowledge) is an owl, which blends in with them (subtle): it is the wisdom of the world that has been shut out. She has light, however, and the three candles represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is a jug for wine (Spirit) and a jug for water (Word).

*

There are apples in the shelter, which represent a fruitful life, a rich harvest, health, and desire– as Solomon put it: "Sustain me with cakes of raisins, Refresh me with apples, For I am lovesick." Songs 2:5. This lovesickness is a recurring theme in my pictures of the Bride, for she longs to be united with her Beloved. She still rejoices in Him though, being reminded of His will by the Spirit (the dove) who dwells with her and gives her peace.

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She praises Him with music, represented by the violin. Because it’s a difficult instrument to play, she has to put in lots of practice! And she’s got loads of books! This is a little of my own preference here, for if I was to be "holed up", I’d want lots to read. But it stands for the Word of God, and how she’s getting instruction in His wisdom so she can rule and reign with Him.

I do occasionally use personal symbols (as occur in our dreams and we automatically know what they mean), and I sometimes use cultural symbols when they are generally known. The bluebird often signifies "happiness", and I use it to mean a true joy of heart and contentment. And to me, a hummingbird represents a passionate pursuit of God’s presence. The fuzzy cat is there to let us feel the comfort, and as a companion, for the Lord never leaves us or forsakes us, and He is the comforter.

There is also the element of waiting and preparedness, as shown in the Song of Solomon:

"A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, A spring shut up, A fountain sealed. A fountain of gardens, A well of living waters, And streams from Lebanon. [The Shulamite] Awake, O north wind And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, That its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits." Songs 4: 12, 15-16

Part of the preparation is self-examination, thus the mirror. This doesn't mean we are to be sin-conscious or legalistic, just honest and open to the Holy Spirit's conviction. Most of the time we know what we are doing wrong, but often we ignore it, going into a state of denial:

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified." II Corinthians 13:5

"But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." Galatians 6:4

But it’s not just self-examination that does the job, the Lord Himself examines us and purifies that which is faulty:

"Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart." Psalm 26:2

Faithfulness to the Word and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit are absolutely essential to the preparation of the Bride:

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." James 1:22-25

In this, she participates in the preparation of the work of her Beloved:

". . .that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5: 26-27

As the Bride hears His voice and obeys Him, she sees Him more and more clearly, and eventually will know Him as completely as He knows her:

"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." I Corinthians 13:12

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord..." II Corinthians 3:18

"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." I John 3:2

The Lord Jesus is drawing all His children closer to Him, preparing them with wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that we may live victoriously in this present age as shining witnesses for His glory. His desire is that we partake of all that He bought for us on the cross. He is our risen, compassionate High Priest in heaven, interceding for us at all times.

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Jesus is our Beloved who desires a deeper relationship with each of us. He is revealing more of Himself in these times, if we would take the time to look. His purpose is to draw all believers into the unity of the faith and Spirit, so that together we can reach our highest destiny: to rule and reign with Him forever.

". . . the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints," Ephesians 1:8

"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

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All the images used to make this digital "collage" painting are from Dreamstime.com (except for the bright pink roses). The list of credits and links can be found on my Flickr photostream, along with a larger view of this artwork: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artezoe/3311492419/

"Shelter" is a photocomposite artwork by Karen Gladys Henry ©2009. All Rights Reserved.

Mountain Top

As I pondered this piece, after I had finished it, I wondered to myself, "This doesn’t seem like a mountaintop experience to me! It’s too dark. What gives?" Did you have this reaction to it too?

I didn’t plan this artwork, as is usually the case. I began with a feeling, a need to express something for which I had no words or thoughts. Although the image is somewhat complex, with the layering, it is a simple expression. It is a picture of what it feels like to me, at times, to be in the valley, sharing the pain or burdens of others whose darkness or distress has overtaken them.(1-- this is the best I could do for footnotes, Scripture verses listed at bottom) It is the stark reality that although the light and peace of the Lord are always available, people don’t always live there. It is an expression of a desire for more of Him and the heavenly reality, remembering times of greater revelation, greater intimacy and greater glory, and a desire to rise above circumstances and reach a higher level of spiritual experience and power.

The female figure stands tall, though she appears lonely. She is located in two places at once– in the valley and on the top of a mountain. She has quite a vista– one of a sunset, and the other, the view from the mountaintop (2), and of the lion. So far in my pictures, the lion figure represents Jesus, the Lion of Judah (Judah = "praise" in Hebrew), who is the King. She is not afraid, as she knows this Lion, and He knows her. He is reclining, which indicates to me to "enter into His rest". His face is turning towards the viewer, which speaks to me of His interest and attention towards her. He is the focus of the picture. His presence is available to us if we accept the mountaintop as Reality, and approach Him, even in the midst of the darkness of the valley.(3) We may not necessarily see Him in all His glory, but we can interact with Him, receive what we need from Him, and lay our burdens at His feet. "Jesus loves me" is not a Sunday school platitude, it is Truth. The feeling here is not that this truth has been lost, but that a greater experience of it is desired and sought.

The Holy Spirit constantly works to prepare us for greater closeness and deeper relationship with Christ. He spoke to me more about this piece as I meditated on my desire and need for more of Jesus in my weariness and in the place of seeing the darkness around me and feeling others’ pain. Prayer is where the mountaintop mingles with the valley, and our praise is where we connect with Him, in thanksgiving and worship. And His word is the food He feeds us to strengthen us on our journey. I need Him so much. I need more of Him to impart to others. I must keep my lamp filled with oil to shine the light in the darkness. I must carry the mountain with me in my heart.(4)

There is a dark frame in the picture, only a piece of one, and it speaks to me not letting the darkness dictate to me what I see. I must see the big picture, the true picture, and not let the darkness and evil of the world be my frame of reference, to box in my viewpoint. I must see with the eyes of the spirit, with eyes enlightened by hope and truth.(5) I must hold firm to the promises of God.(6)

The swallow speaks to me to "not swallow" the lies of the enemies of my soul: the world, the flesh and the devil. It also gives me a picture of soaring freely above, in the atmosphere of heaven. I must make my own atmosphere in the midst of trouble. A swallow is not a raptor, it is a bird that pursues and eats flying insects, especially mosquitoes. This speaks to me of the ability to "eat" the things that "bug" or harass people and the things that bite and spread disease, by opening our mouths and speaking the word of truth in the appropriate moment and manner. This reminds me of Jesus saying "I have meat that you know not of" as He ministered to the woman at the well.(7)

The woman is standing in ankle deep water, which indicates to me the need to press on to the deeper things of God, rather than to stand passively in shallow water. This water is the river of God, which flows from the throne of His presence (from the mountaintop). The scripture in Ezekiel, one of my favorites in the Old Testament, gives us a good word picture of this.(8)

So, I believe this artwork is a visual to help locate us in our life and pursuit of God, and to warn us and encourage us. As Christians, we cannot constantly live in a "mountaintop experience" as we tend to think of it, we must love God’s creation and people as much as He does, and go down into the valley, moved with compassion, taking the Light of Life with us.

But we must keep going deeper and higher in our relationship with Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. If we do not, we will be swallowed up by darkness, and our light and effectiveness will be gone. Kingdom living partly entails moving mountains: casting the prideful mountains into the sea, and doing our part in bringing the mountain of His Kingdom down to the earth as He rules and reigns in our lives.(9)

Epilogue: I’m continually amazed at what the Lord communicates to me as I seek to interpret the art He inspires me to do. I hope this helps you receive what He was saying to me, and to the Church, His beloved people, who are to be His Bride.

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Notes:

(1) "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1

(2) Since I took the photo, I know that it was early morning on the mountain. The sun is setting on the kingdom of darkness, but it is rising on the Kingdom of God.

(3) "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

(4) "For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21

(5) "the eyes of your understanding* being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" Ephesians 1:18

(6) "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." II Corinthians 1:20

(7) But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." Therefore the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! John 4: 32-35

(8) "Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this?" Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes."

Ezekiel 47: 1-9

(9) "Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." Daniel 2:35

All Scripture quoted from the New King James Version

Photo art by Karen Gladys Henry, copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. Credits for licensed images are on Flickr, link in the title of this blog.

Ancient Rival

Sometimes I do artwork as spiritual warfare. This particular piece is one of those. It began as an abstract photo of a red plastic screen at a restaurant. In it I began to see shapes, and as I worked on it, this is what it became. It's not the "prettiest" art, but to me it is important, because it depicts a devious enemy of the the Church of Jesus Christ.

I'm not going to write much about the evil spirit we call Jezebel, because there is plenty of material out there to study. A great resource is a book by John Paul Jackson, titled "The Veiled Ploy". I'll put up a link as soon as I get my connection upgraded. I've had plenty of experience with this evil spirit, having been under its influence in the past; but the Lord enabled me to break free of it and combat it at various times when I have encountered it. I will share what I have personally learned from the Lord about this evil spirit.

The book of Revelation speaks of this evil spirit in the letters to the seven churches. Jesus says to the church of Thyatira: "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." Revelation 2:20 NKJV It's quite certain that He is not talking of a particular woman here, or of woman at all, but a spirit whose characteristics are seen clearly in the Old Testament figure, Jezebel. Here, the Lord is revealing that this spirit is still at work in the church, and it must be overcome.

To see the Jezebel spirit in action, read the passages in I and II Kings that refer to this "queen", Ahab's wife: e.g., I Kings 16: 31; 18:4, 19; 19:2; 21:23-25; II Kings 9:22; 30-37. In the realm of the spirit, this evil entity will behave the same way. There is subtlety to it, as well as intimidation when it doesn't win by seduction. A demonic spirit is not male or female, and can work through or influence a person of either sex. Calling a woman a "Jezebel" is not the love of Christ, but it is common to see that spirit working through a "witchy" woman who doesn't respect men, especially her husband. Nonetheless, I have seen men who were totally given over to the Jezebel spirit, and their wives strongly controlled by the counterpart spirit we could just as well call Ahab (submissive, wrongly, to the controlling spirit).

The Satanic spirit we call Jezebel is jealous of the Church-- who is betrothed to Jesus, and is being prepared as a spotless Bride, full of glory and power, and who will rule and reign with Christ at His return. As Satan wants to be "like God" and tries to gain worship for himself, he has a counterfeit for everything he sees God do. This evil spirit works to get the true Bride away from her pure love of Christ, and to seduce her into defiling herself with occult practices, sexual immorality, and spiritual adultery and idolatry. It hates all things and people of God that are prophetic, and it tries to seduce people into using prophetic giftings for power and profit, and to lead others astray with false prophecy.

The Jezebel spirit especially hates the Bride of Christ, marriage, proper authority, proper male-female relationships, and godly creativity and imagination (because this births things from God). An Ahab-Jezebel type relationship is something to be repented of, whether in a Christian marriage or in a pastor-church relationship. [As I wrote this, I got a revelation that the Jezebel spirit is behind abortion, physical and spiritual! I haven't done a specific study on this, but it was confirmed to me by a prophetic friend after I posted this blog. I will be seeking the Lord for more insight into the topic, and will blog on it soon in "Fireberries" -- see link on top page].

It must be kept in mind that the Bride of Christ is not an individual person, but the Church as a whole, and that individualistic doctrines of brideship are most likely ideas promoted by the Jezebel spirit to keep a child of God separate from the Body, in pride and rebellion, and open to seductive and occult ideas that pollute the spirit and infect others.

As will be more and more evident, the Jezebel spirit will set "herself" up as the false bride of a false christ, and will seat herself luxuriously upon an idolatrous throne right in the midst of the apostate church: "So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication." Revelation 17:3-4 NKJV

This artwork reminds me of the following verse, now that I'm writing about it, for in it there is a man hidden in a cave-like place, and there is a rescuer coming with a torch: "For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water." I Kings 18:4 NKJV

The redness of this picture speaks to me of not only the bloody history of the original Jezebel, and of that influencing spirit's destructive work, but also of the blood of Jesus: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12:11 NKJV. Jesus has already overcome Satan and his tactics, and is coming to His Church in power (as the Lion of Judah) to help her enforce His victory. [Now, with the additional insight on abortion, I am seeing this red, cave-like place as a womb!!].

I believe we must fight to deliver the young people who are being seduced enmasse by the "dark side" of fantasy and witchcraft to such things as Harry Potter. There is a major difference between something birthed by a demonic spirit and something birthed by the Lord such as C.S. Lewis's fantasy writing or Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings"(at least partially, as I don't claim these works to be perfectly God-inspired-- are any of us?).

In my artwork, a unicorn or flying horse represents the creative and imaginative power that God placed in us, which is part of His nature and image. In this picture, the unicorn, not evil of itself, is being drawn to the seductive power of Jezebel. It is the Church's job to see the young generation, called to be prophetic and powerful in warfare against evil, delivered from the captivation of the enemy and trained and released against that enemy. We must see to it that our creative powers are used by the Holy Spirit and not by the devil.

It is crucial that all of us in the Body of Christ be cleansed of everything that is related to this seductive and rebellious spirit. Time is running out, but there is an open window of freedom available to all who will call out to God for help.

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The credits for the images used in this composite have been listed on my Flickr stream, with links to them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artezoe/3232829658/

Discovery

Although this composite may look like a simple fairytale or illustration for a child's story, it is much more than that. Remember that the pictures I blog about here are visual parables, or at least illustrations or pictoral representations of spiritual truths. When these are imparted by the Holy Spirit to you, the truth becomes revelation. Once you have a little knowledge of the "language" being spoken, you can get some illumination.

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Doorways, which I use often in my artwork, are quite obvious symbols--they're entrances to somewhere you're not yet. This one's permanently open, although somewhat hidden, if you don't know what you're looking for. This is also a living door to somewhere safe and inviting, not a dark and threatening door. It can be interpreted as either the Door into the family and Kingdom of God (Jesus said, "I am the door." John 10: 1-15), or else a door into another "place", experience or understanding within that Kingdom. The little girl (who happens to be my granddaughter) may be discovering the doorway for the first time, meaning she is being drawn by the Father into the family of God, and she is ready and welcoming the new thing.

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I see this artwork a little deeper though, and I think the little girl represents the child of God (if you are "born again", then you are a child of God). The reason I say this is that she seems to already be in a garden, or a manicured grounds, and that this is a special place within it. She is also dressed like a "princess", representing that she already knows her place in the family and in the Kingdom. The dove (actually, it's a pigeon here, but it will do as a representation) always stands for the Holy Spirit in my artwork. Here, He has already done His job and has led her to this passageway. She has gotten a glimpse inside, and she's excited!

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The name of the background photo is "Secret Garden" (for credits and links to the other photos used in this collage, see my Flickr stream:http://www.flickr.com/photos/artezoe/3185912827/), so far, a mystery, as are many of the "places" in the Kingdom until they are revealed to us. God knows what we are ready to receive at any given time; and receive is what this little princess is about to do.

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Beyond the entrance to this place, that shines with a richer light than where she is at present, stands a beautiful white horse. I don't know all that this horse could stand for, but I do know that, here, it surely represents this little child's dream. She is enraptured by seeing him, and though she is twirling in joy, she will run in to embrace him in just a moment!

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Honestly, my heart swells at this very moment in gratitude for my Heavenly Father's gifts!. How often He has surprised me and overwhelmed me with His love! Sometimes it's been in response to long held dreams and prayers, and sometimes it's been a complete surprise. He knows me better than I know myself, and He has placed dreams in my heart and then made them come true. So, at least on one level, this noble horse represents the Father's good gifts and provisions (e.g. companionship, transportation).

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"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

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"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

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"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11 (Another reference ends a little differently: "how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13).

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Those of us who are born again of the Spirit (John 3:1-21) are children of God, but we are still supposed to grow up in Him and become mature. The Father doesn't stop surprising us, though, or giving us gifts; however, the gifts become more powerful, and require more responsibility the "older" we get.

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Even though this little girl looks young, she has been given a large responsibility in the care of this horse. It also appears that the horse knows her and is awaiting her entrance with patience and love. This horse could be seen as a new move of the Holy Spirit in her life, one with more power and authority [appropriate follow-up reading would be Rick Joyner's "The Torch and The Sword"].

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I also see another, even deeper meaning to this artwork. In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ is shown as returning on a white horse. Could it be that the archetypal "knight in shining armor" (always shown riding a white horse) is actually based on this? It is almost every little girl's dream to be "swept off her feet" by a "knight in shining armor"! Disney® and company have certainly capitalized on this with all their "Disney Princesses"™ merchandise. Some cynics scorn this, but I see it as an indication that it is more than just a girlish fantasy. In the greater reality of things, it is the Bride (one picture of the Church) who longs for her Prince, her "knight in shining armor" to appear. Jesus Christ will return for her, when she is fully mature, trained to "ride", and ready to do battle and to reign with Him.

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"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19: 11-16 [all verses are from the New King James Version]. I suggest reading this whole chapter, and even through to the end of the book, as you'll see the Bride there.

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I hope this artwork and these words encourage you to enter into that deeper, more intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father (or to come into the Kingdom for the first time via the new birth). He has many awesome gifts for you, many new and glorious revelations and experiences to share with you, and most of all, He Himself to spend forever getting to Know.

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I always enjoy writing out the interpretations of these pieces, as I always receive more about them as I do, which always blesses me immensely!

Come Further In

This composite image was inspired by C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". If you've read it, you'll be reminded of the lamppost, the 100-year-winter brought about by the illegitimate "reign" of the White Witch, and Aslan's coming, which brought about a quick reversal of it all. Here I have depicted the breakthrough of Spring. We are standing at the lamppost, just at the edge of Narnia, as if we had just walked through the wardrobe and entered another world! Aslan is calling us to come further in, as the Beavers called the Pevensies, before they had met Aslan.

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I love compositing (although I get very impatient sometimes with the finishing off of all the edges! if I do a picture the way I want, it has soooo many edges to clean up. It's good for my character.). This media gives me a full range of expression in a surrealistic genre, which allows me to express the spiritual reality I am trying to convey. I am only limited to my vision/imagination and the images I can find. For a list of credits, please see the Flickr post: http://flickr.com/photos/9014943@N06/3095793249/

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My use of lion imagery in my artwork is limited to one meaning: Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah. I don't use the other biblical identification, that is, the devil prowling around as a roaring lion. I was happy to find a lion photo so perfect for this "painting", as he seems to be smiling, and not threatening. C.S. Lewis, as well, used the lion imagery to create a character in Aslan that is so expressive of the character of Christ that I seek to emulate him. It is quite evident to me that he knew the Lord personally.

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Controversial it may be, but C.S. Lewis's use of "magic" and beings from classical mythology in his fictional works conveys spiritual things in a way that can be understood by anyone. He speaks into the imaginative capacity and the longing for spiritual things which typify so much of what we see in fantasy genres today. Yet his motives remain completely different and pure. He also employs the archetypal teaching methods of the ancient fairytales, an understanding that has mostly been lost. It is still a viable teaching and training tool.

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I hope to be worthy to wear the mantle that Lewis left behind for those who would carry a message of Kingdom reality to those who seek to know the truth, especially the young. This generation is hungry for spiritual things, with a need for a strong identity and a desire for power to deal with the evil they see. Satan is working overtime to give them what they desire, but they don't know they're being trapped into the evil they wish to combat. It is up to the citizens of the Kingdom of God to reach the young with the truth of the good news, and it's going to take great imagination and power-packed expression to do so. It's a visual generation, and so I want to use visual imagery, along with writing, to speak to the heart.

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So, what am I saying with this artwork? That Aslan, although a fictional character, stands for Jesus Christ the true King of all Who is calling us to know Him personally, and to follow Him into His Kingdom. Narnia stands for the true realm of the spirit and godly imagination, where we can discover who we are and what we are meant to do. Here is a place where we can picture the purposes of Heaven being worked out in the physical world. It is a place where Heaven and Earth connect, and the Sons of Adam and the Daughters of Eve are taught to reign. We learn to fight the enemies of God with truth and to take down the evil works of such enemies, in our own minds as well as in the world around us, for the good of others. We learn to serve one another and be obedient to the voice of the Spirit, and to step out in faith. In this story, the coldness of the heart is being melted and the heart renewed by real encounters with the King.

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In this artwork, the lamppost also signifies those who are called to be "lightbearers", to guide others along the Way, into the Kingdom of God. As the lamppost was planted in Narnia, and its light was a perpetual one, so our light will be if we are rooted in the Word of God and stay in our appointed places. Staying filled with the oil of the Spirit is a concern as we pour out what we have been given, but if we're connected into the Vine, we will always be alive and full of oil.

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The blossoming branches I have placed here are almond trees. This has a great deal of significance. First, it's a prophetic picture of Christ's anointing and authority in Aaron's rod that budded (Numbers 17:8-10; Hebrews 9:4). It also reminds of the golden lampstand in the Mosaic temple, which was shaped like a blossoming almond tree (Exodus 25:33), giving us the spiritual picture of one who lives in the presence of God and stays lit. There is also a verse in Jeremiah: Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word." (Jeremiah 1:12-13 NKJV). The almond tree is the first to blossom in Spring. This speaks to me of the need for us to be hearing from the Lord about the times and seasons and to be ready to speak and demonstrate these things in an early and timely fashion, for "concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you." (I Thess. 5:1 NKJV), meaning it was considered normal to know what's going on. Jesus promised that we could know things in advance: "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. "(John 16:13 NKJV)

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I may "paint" in parables, but this blog is for those who desire to know the meanings in them. Jesus told the meanings of His parables to His disciples. If you're reading this, Jesus words pertain to you: And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'(Luke 8:10 NKJV) If you're His disciple, He will guide you into all truth.

The Letter of Marque

It was "International Talk Like a Pirate Day", and I was thinking about pirates! I wanted to make an artistic statement, and I had a basic idea of the picture and format, but no clear concept in my mind of what it would say. But I did have a feeling that the Lord had a declaration, or proclamation to make, so the first thing I did was to procure a parchment image.

After working on the background all day, I discussed with my husband a concept that I had, unclearly, that turned out to be the "letter of marque". I decided to research that on Wikipedia the next day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_Marque

When the background was done, I went to bed, not knowing, still, what the document would contain, but praying that the Lord would speak to me about it. First thing the next morning, I read about the "letter of marque" and began searching the Scriptures for what the Lord was saying pertaining to this. Keep in mind, please, that this is a spiritual statement and NOT a natural or political one.
Here is the final outcome:

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The Letter of Marque
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The Decree of the King, Jesus the Christ, the Word of God: King of Kings and Lord of Lords; The Faithful and True Witness of the New Covenant of God; The Holy Lamb, Slain from the Foundation of the World; The Righteous Judge and Captain of the Host; The Only Begotten Son of the Almighty God, The Beloved, Firstborn Among Many Brethren, Who Lives and Reigns Forever in the Heavenly Realms of Glory:
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I Hereby do Authorize the children of God, called, chosen and faithful, (Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him Through faith in the working of God, Who raised Him from the dead, Having triumphed over and disarmed all principalities and powers,)
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To plunder those who plundered them,

To pillage those who pillaged them,
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And to take back everything I have given you by My promises, Which has been stolen from you through Satan’s piracy: Confusion, intimidation and deceit.
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For he who touches you touches the apple of My eye.
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Beware lest you become pirates yourselves, For pride cometh before a fall. He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.
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Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the LORD.
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Do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, Against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, Against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
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Though you walk in the flesh, you are not to war after the flesh, For the weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God For pulling down strongholds, Casting down arguments, and every high thing That exalts itself against the knowledge of God, Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, And being ready to punish all disobedience When your obedience is fulfilled.
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Therefore, take up the whole armour of God,

Praying always in the Spirit.
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Be sober, be vigilant. Be valiant, be courageous.
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong, do not be afraid,

For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
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Sealed by the Spirit of Truth

Until the day of redemption.
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Here is a list (by no means comprehensive) of Scriptures that this decree was taken from. Hopefully, you'll see from studying these verses that I haven't made up a thing, just related them to a subject people know and are interested in.

Revelation 19:11-16; 12:11,13:8; Isaiah 11:2-5; Romans 8:29; Psalms 96:10; Hebrews 2:10; Ephesians 1; Colossians 1, 2:9-15;
Ezekiel 39:10; Zechariah 2:5-11, 4:6; Proverbs 22:23, 24:15; Deuteronomy 23: 14-16;
Jude 1:23; Galatians 6:1; Romans 2:3; Proverbs 8:13, 16:18; IICorinthians 10: 3-6, 17; Ephesians 6:10-18; I Peter 5:8; Joshua 1:7-9;
II Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30; John 15:26, 16:13; IICorinthians 1:20; 3:6; II Peter 1:4; Isaiah 42:22; Joel 2:25

Until next time,

Karen