Heartbeat of God

just a note

2009-12-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

Another Heartbeat message is on the way. Right now it is settling in my spirit as the Lord fills the details in with His wisdom and love. Soon, very soon....

Lost and Found

2009-11-10T14:26:00.001-08:00

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. he put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:1-3

The word "patiently" in the above passage could also be translated "intently". It is a word that implies action on our part and brings about action from the Heavenly Father. He inclines to us. He leans in, "What is my child in need of?" He hears our cry and it is He that takes us out of our pit of self-pity, discouragement, disappointment, grief, etc.

In Luke 15, Jesus spoke of leaving the ninety-nine to find the one. Consider this: are you willing to leave the ninety-nine of "the way things have always been done", "this is how everyone else thinks, acts, does life", "this is the most logical way to approach this"? Are you willing to risk leaving the sheepfold to pursue The One who calls you out of the pit of destruction and out of the miry clay? Are you willing to give up the comfort found in the open pastures of conformity to seek out the unique landscape of the high places?

In order to go after The Shepherd who makes our footsteps firm we must be willing to leave the ordinary behind. The way may be rocky and narrow that leads to life, but the Lord gives us hinds' feet; feet that are created for high, rocky, narrow places (Psalm 18:33). And as we stand upon the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus the Christ, He makes our footsteps firm. Standing there, with our eyes focused on Him, we sing a new song of thanksgiving and praise. There, from the high place, our song of praise echoes throughout the canyons of life. There, the lost are found as they see and fear and trust in the Lord.

It is time to leave "ordinary" behind and embrace the "extra" ordinary journey to the high places. Glory be to God!

Kind of makes you go hmmmm

2009-10-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

During the course of owning a retail art business I have recognizes there are (at least) three types of art buyers. There are those who purchase art they are told to buy either by friends or designers. There are those who only purchase art that "matches their sofa" and will not look at anything that isn't in their style, color, etc. Finally, there are those who purchase art because they have taken the time to be engaged by the art and at times the artist. The art speaks to their hearts and changes their lives. I have realized this is a great parallel to how we approach the Lord and faith. There are those that believe what they are told to believe by others. There are those that believe that which fits comfortably with their attitudes and lifestyle. And finally there are those that engage in the process, seek the Lord and allow Him to touch their hearts and change their lives. We know which one the Lord desires as His Word tells us that He longs to have compassion on us, that He draws near to us as we draw near to Him, that He hears when we cry out to Him. Lord, may I engage with You every step of the journey.

Entrances

2009-10-17T14:40:00.001-07:00

"He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: 'I know your deeds. Behold I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.'" Revelation 3:7-8

From birth to death we strive to be accepted and gain entrance whether it be to schools, organizations, relationships, careers, ministry, etc. Our training starts early as at a young age we are selected for the school play, spelling bee, or Sunday School Christmas program. We learn to interpret qualifications and only select those events for which we believe we'll be chosen and given entrance. We put plans into place in hopes of achieving the next level. We translate, speculate, and educate as we manage our success on this journey of life.

Jesus offers another way. Believe. Obey. Abide. All counter to the ways of man. In John 3, Jesus tells us, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Later int he chapter we're told, "Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." Believe in Him, do not deny His name; enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus told His disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised (Acts 1). They obeyed and received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. They became witnesses "Both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Men obeyed and nations gave entrance. What is the Lord requiring of you? Obey His voice and leading; enter the gate that opens before you.

Jesus says, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15). It is Jesus that places the open door before you. It is Jesus who has the key. It is Jesus who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one can open. Abide in Him; He will grant you entrance to a life of fruitfulness and harvest beyond your expectations.

"For I know the plan that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11) Hallelujah! Believe. Obey. Abide. Entrances will be granted to you.

ENTRANCES
Open doors beckon,
Gateways to new horizons,
Open pathways to new adventure,
Guided in the journey,
Surrendered to the path.

Painting is 24"x48" For purchasing information, please see the website or email me.

Welcome

2009-10-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Heartbeat of God, expressing God's heart through art and word. This blog began a year ago as an email distribution. With much encouragement from many, I have begun this new chapter of "Heartbeat". I invite you to comment, to ask questions, etc. It is my hope that as the word and art go out, God's anointing will go out with it and will accomplish all that He intends. For you who are on the email distribution, I will continue to send the Heartbeat newsletter to you. For those of you who would like to receive the email newsletter, please let me know and I will add you to the list. May the Lord bless you and keep you safe in His loving arms. This painting is titled "Hem of His Garment" and is the cover art for the book "Heartbeat of God". The original is 30"x30" and is owned by Becky Davis of Granite City, IL.