Fine Art in the Heart
THE PRIZE OF LIFE
“I REALLY LIKE this article! The imagery is warming to my heart. I like seeing in my mind Him walking the halls of my heart, opening each door that may have been barred and scarred with wounds, and seeing his redeeming portrait there!” B., TX
What know I of Christ? What pictures of Him do I possess in the gallery of my heart? Who is He to me? Who do I say that He is? What impressions of Him remain of all the preaching I have heard? Of the Scripture I have studied? Do I know Him in various aspects of His attributes, or, have I not retained that which I have been privileged to hear?
“Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” Luke 8:18
Is there not the imminent danger of losing that which I do not retain of the knowledge of God which I have heard?
“That I may know him.” Philippians 3:10
Knowing God. Is this not that for which we have been created and apprehended? Is this not what that great apostle sought so fervently after?
“That I may know him…Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus (to know Him)…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (to know Him). Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you…let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me (as I seek to Know Christ more)…” Philippians 3:10-17
Jesus Christ is the Perfect, Permanent, Portrait of God.
Does the image of our LORD Jesus Christ appear upon the walls of your heart? If so, to what degree might that be?
There are deceptive extra-biblical writings that are designed to mislead (Colossians 2:8-10). It’s important to read God’s Word, literal Word, the King James Bible, for ourselves. That’s when all the deception was vanquished for me – that’s when all the false imagery and notions and philosophies begin to be cut away from your heart and mind and when the true image of our God begins to emerge, to be etched upon the canvass of our hearts (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.). God’s Word cannot and will not begin to get into me until I get into it. The pure portrait of who He is can only begin to be brushed upon the table of our hearts as we diligently, faithfully, daily ingest His words.
The incorruptible seed which is His Word, is encoded with His nature, which is etched upon the table of the seekers heart as it sprouts forth life. The image of God is inherent in His Word, which was granted us that we might know Him. (1 Pet. 1:23; Rom. 1:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3-4; John 5:39,20:31…) Truly this is the ‘prize of life’ – to know Him. (John 17:3; Phil. 3:10)
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“The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11
Remember that the seed is powerless to produce unless it is sown. Until it is buried in the ground, a seed will not begin to germinate and sprout forth. So it is with the Word, which, according to Christ, is the “seed.” Until it is planted in the soil of one’s heart, it will not begin to germinate and bring forth a root, then fruit, even the image of God.
Is your heart being cultivated by the Holy Spirit and your own will, to see and receive Christ, the Prize of life? Is the seed, the Word, being planted into your heart on a daily basis to bring forth the revelation of Christ in your heart? Can one expect a crop unless his heart is receiving the seed? Are we praying that Christ would be revealed to us?
PICTURES IN THE HEART
But oh, what a picture gallery is the hungry, godly heart which owns a growing collection of Messianic portraits upon its garnished walls. At its corridor (entrance) there is the Christ of redemption, then as you go in further, there is the Christ of provision, the Christ of healing and comfort and love and chastening and grace and deliverance and mercy and justice and peace and forgiveness… Surely, this is the true treasure of life – to see Christ in all of His diverse attributes, now and eternal.
Surely there are a multitude of attributes He possesses. There are four Gospels not one. Four human scribes who penned His glory, each from a different direction. Christ is the Theme of all of holy Scripture. Over forty men, who wrote the Scriptures under God’s inspiration, saw the Multi-faceted Diamond (Messiah) from different angles, yet it sparkled from each nonetheless. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)
He is our all in all. He is every single thing we will ever need Him to be – Savior, Mender of our broken hearts, Healer, Deliverer, Protector, Counselor, Guide, etc… As He told Pharaoh, king of Egypt, so is He today – “I am that I am.” He is the Author and Finisher (Completer) of the faith He has begun in us. He is all we will ever need and much more. Do we see Him as such?
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is (whatever you need), and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Oh that another portrait would be hung upon the open and waiting walls of this heart, as I seek His face. Oh that I would see my infinite Master in a fresh new way – a new attribute – that I might understand and know Him, so that this life might be filled with portraits of the Savior – that I might worship as Moses, with new pictures and purpose. Is this not why I am alive – to know Him and His ways? How can I possibly be perfectly pleasing to Him if I do not see Him for who He is?
NEW PICTURES FOR MOSES
Moses so desperately cried out to see His glory – to see the Lord in a new measure of His glory. Exodus 33:13,18… “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people…And he said, I beseech thee,show me thy glory.” Because He sought God, Moses was told by the Lord: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest…And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken (asked): for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” Exodus 33:14,17
Then God told Moses to stand upon a rock because He was going to reveal Himself to Moses in a new way (Exodus 33:18-23). The Lord showed Moses His “back parts.” v23 At this unveiling Moses worshipped in a whole new way. “Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.” Exodus 34:8
According to God’s prescription, the Bible, turning to the Lord, like Moses did, is the key to seeing Him in a fresh, new way:
“Nevertheless when it (the heart) shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:16
Now there was a new picture in Moses’ heart gallery of divine art. He knew God in yet more of His infinite characteristics, and could from there forward reflect upon Him in light of those ways. Here is what the eternal God revealed to Moses in His visitation:
Exodus 34:5-7 “And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”
Israel had just rebelled in worshipping a golden calf and needed God’s mercy. (Exodus 32)
In what new ways did Moses now see God for who He is? Here is what God’s revelation to Moses included:
According to Exodus 34:5-7, God Is:
· Merciful
· Gracious
· Longsuffering
· Abundant in goodness
· Abundant in truth
· Keeping mercy
· Forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin
· Will by no means clear the guilty
· Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
WILL GOD ADD HIS ART TO THE GALLERY OF MY HEART?
Does not the New Testament disclose to us that we are “partakers of the divine nature” through the “exceeding great and precious promises” of Holy Scripture? 2 Peter 1:4 The message conveyed here seems to indicate that the power and Word of God privilege us to have a deposit of “the divine nature” in our redeemed souls. Could this also reveal that we are then blessed to see a touch of His “divine nature” this side of Heaven?
He is ever so present in that heart with which He has been continually invited to commune. That heart which cries out to know Him and to see His holiness. His love can be found in that heart where He has been faithfully sought after. Your Creator has given you a promise – He promised that He will reveal Himself to you, if you will fervently seek Him:
“If thou seek him, he will be found of thee.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
His presence abides in that heart which He has transformed into His resting place. He is the Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, permanently fixed within the heart which seeks His face. (Ps 101:6; Is. 66:2)
We can be filled with who He is. For God has promised:
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
“They” are those who “hunger and thirst” after Him – to know Him. Like Moses, when we desire and behold Him, we are changed into His image, even the image of Christ to which we have been predestined to be conformed:
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Like Moses, when we “behold” and see His “glory” in a new way, we are “changed…from glory to glory.”
TREASURE IN THE HEART
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
Is it time for you to pray like Moses prayed…”Show me thy glory.” Exodus 33:18?
PRAYER: LORD, please help me to know you more today. Help me to enter into a place with You that I have never been. LORD, make me holy as You are holy. Please draw me Father as I seek Your face with a whole heart. Show me Yourself that I may know and love Thee more. In Jesus’ name, amen.
For a topical study of deeper proportions on this subject, see The Blood of Jesus.
If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here okay: Born Again: What is It?
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Abiding
“Fervent in Spirit” [podcast]
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11
Concerning being “fervent in spirit,” one commentator notes that this means to:
“Maintain zeal to the boiling point.” Dake
“Fervent” – A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest): – be fervent.
“Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged.” Adam Clarke
“Never let your zeal flag (lag, drop, tank), maintain the spiritual glow, serve the Lord.” Here we are reminded of the words of Jeremiah 48:10: ‘Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully,'” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Apollos was “fervent in the spirit.”
“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being FERVENT in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:25
In all things Christ’s saints are to be “fervent in spirit”:
“Not slothful in business; FERVENT in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11
Disciples of Jesus are to have a “fervent mind” toward all saints and ministers of His blessed Gospel:
“And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your FERVENT mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” 2 Corinthians 7:7
“Fervent prayer” is to be offered to God for other of His saints:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James_5:16
Jesus’ people are to have “fervent charity among” ourselves:
“And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“Fervent heat” will soon consume the wicked who refused the salvation that comes from Christ alone:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat.” 2 Peter 3:12
On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:
“2 Peter 3:
To be ‘fervent in spirit’ means to have intense, burning passion, zeal, and enthusiasm for spiritual matters, often linked to serving God, rather than being lukewarm or apathetic. It implies being ‘boiled’ with spiritual energy, actively engaged, and diligent in faith, as described in Romans 12:11, (‘not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord’). It’s a passionate, fiery commitment, distinct from fanaticism, involving earnest application and a deep love for God.
Key aspects:
- Intensity: A deep, glowing, or boiling heat of emotion and dedication.
- Diligence: Not being lazy or half-hearted, but actively applying oneself to spiritual duties.
- Spiritual Zeal: A strong desire and excitement for God’s will, the Gospel, and spiritual growth.
- Source: Often described as being moved by the Holy Spirit, a fire within.
- Biblical Example: Apollos was described as ‘fervent in the spirit’ as he taught diligently about the Lord (Acts 18:25).
- Passionate prayer
- Diligent study of God’s Word
- Active, loving service to others
- Bold witnessing for faith
- Being ‘on fire’ for God, not lukewarm”
Jesus says that those in His church who are “lukewarm” will be spued or rejected (Revelation 3:15-16). What’s the opposite of being “lukewarm”? – being “fervent in spirit.”
“Amen! Don’t let your fire die as the church in Laodicea did! They were neither cold nor hot. They were lukewarm. Comfortable! Indifferent! Their fire for the Lord had gone out. God’s not looking for people who play it safe but people who burn with fire for Him!!!” Karen Cochran
YOUR PRAYER: LORD, make me Yours. Please keep me close to You, NO MATTER what it takes. Break me dear LORD. Let the holy light of Your presence permeate and shine through my inner man. I am Your temple Jesus. Shine Your light on all darkness. I love You my LORD. In Jesus’ name.
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Abiding
It’s not all Going to be Pretty [podcast]
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3
One of Paul’s resumes of the sufferings he endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
“3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
You are His. Cling to Him. The LORD Jesus is going to bring you through, not matter what you face (Deuteronomy 13:4).
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2
“Hated”
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
“Ye shall Laugh”
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:20-22
“Through much Tribulation”
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
Eternity with Christ, “with Joy”
“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
“To Make them White”
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35
“Made white … the wise shall understand”
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10
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Articles
7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]
What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean?
Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). Do you know Him?
1. “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34; Ps. 22:1).
This concerned those who hung Him on the cross and how He became the sin bearer, the sin sacrifice and how the Father could not look on sin, so temporarily turned His head. Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven (Isaiah 53).
Application to us: Job 19:6-10; Psalms 139:8; 2 Corinthians 12:7-12; Hebrews 13:5-6
2. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).
He asked the Father to forgive them – a token of what His shed blood would pay for and facilitate – forgiveness of sin for all who come to Him on His terms to be saved. The sacrificial death of the Son of God satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to justify mankind (Isaiah 53:11).
Application to us: As God forgave us due to Christ’s perfect sacrifice, He mandates, without exception, that we freely forgive all others, from our hearts. Matthew 5:44; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Ezekiel 36:24-26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14
3. “Verily, I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43).
This promise of forgiveness and eternal comfort given to the thief who believed on Christ in his final moments is the same promise for all who come to Him and are saved (John 6:47).
Application to us: Immediate glory, comfort, and bliss with our LORD at the moment of death. Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:4; Luke 21:28
4. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46).
Jesus closes with the prophetic words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see His complete trust in the Father (John 5:30, etc.). Jesus entered death in the same way He lived each day of His life on earth, offering up His life as the perfect sacrifice and placing Himself into the Father’s hands (Luke 22:42).
Application to us: This is a great prayer! Stephen emulated his Savior when being stoned to death for Christ (Acts 7:51-60). “Commend” means to submit. Personally I find these words, while in prayer, rolling off my lips – submitting afresh, daily, and asking the LORD to take full control.
5. “Woman, behold thy son … Behold thy mother” (Jn. 19:26-27).
Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of his mother. None of his half brothers or sisters were there to care for her, so He gave this task to the apostle John (Mark 6:3). Here we see Christ’s humanity.
Application to us: We must take care of earthly responsibilities according to the counsel of the written Word of our God (Psalms 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
6. “I thirst” (Jn. 19:28)
Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall, and myrrh offered to alleviate his suffering (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23). But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21. By saying He was thirsty, Jesus prompted the Roman guards to give Him vinegar, which was customary at a crucifixion, thereby fulfilling the prophecy which showed that everything was happening according to God’s plan.
Application to us: We must endure hardness, bitter sufferings and seasons (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:3; James 1:2-4, 12, etc.).
7. “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30).
This means “paid in full.” The sin debt for all was fully satisfied in the sacrifice of our LORD Jesus Christ, the ultimate price was paid to satisfy the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind (Isaiah 53:11). He is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Application to us: Jesus accomplished our salvation single handedly, satisfying the claims of divine justice to redeem fallen mankind. He died to abolish law-keeping for righteousness and so we must “walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14-19; Hebrews, etc.) Read Romans 3-5; Galatians.
Making Peace with God | It is Finished! | Discipleship | The Gospel Centers Upon Christ’s Blood | Christology | The Gospel: What is It?
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