Woke up really early to be at the set of
the early morning TV show
"Umagang Kay Ganda"
(A Beautiful Morning)
at 4:30 in the morning.
I was asked to do a DIY demo of how to
make some embellished name tags and notebooks.
As a consequence, I was not able to paint on my Bible
this morning. Instead I am using a painting I did
a long time ago.
"Never again shall anyone eat of your fruit." Mark 11:14
Here, Jesus cursed the fig tree that had no fruit! I would not want to be that fig tree!
Every morning I wake up early, go down to my craft room, read the Bible, pray, paint while listening to preaching on Youtube, and research when I need to. Most of the time, my mind is as blank as the canvases I start with. But the more I meditate, the more I dig, I get surprised at what I find in the treasure the Word of God is!
When we read the Word of God, and stop to savor it, it will work in us and through us. Even if we think and feel we are not growing, we are!
The Word will not return to God without any effect on us. We will bloom and bear fruit.
"On what authority are you doing these things?"...."Neither will I tell you on what authority I do the things I do." Mark 11:27-33
In this passage, we see Jesus and His disciples walking through the Temple area. They are approached by teachers of religious law, chief priests and scribes. Quite an imposing and intimidating group of elders of the church! They ask Jesus a simple question, "On what authority are you doing these things? Who has given you the power to heal the sick, to walk on water, to feed 4000, to cast out evil spirits, to teach and preach?" Jesus could have easily answered that He was the Son of God. Instead He refused to enlighten them. Would they have believed Him if He told them the truth? They would have just used His answer to condemn Him as they eventually did.
Sometimes we have ulterior motives in seeking God. We do not seek Him for Himself alone, but what He can give us. That is why many follow and listen to preachers who teach the so called "prosperity gospel". Or we seek God because we need healing for ourselves or a loved one. We can seek God because we want to please our parents. We join a prayer group for connections. One man told me he went to church to find a good wife.
How sad that these wise men of the church missed the opportunity of a lifetime all because they had their own agenda! I do believe there is an inner urge within all of us to seek our Creator. "He made us and we are His." (Psalm 100:3) Our hearts long for Him, to be united with Him. But our minds! Our minds have a natural tendency to be independent, to desire to be self-reliant, to seek our own way, to rebel.
The only way to seek the truth is to go to the well of truth. And we need to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor. 10:4-5 Then, when we have a true desire to seek the truth, Jesus will be willing to tell us about the source of His authority!
"I want to see!" Mark 10:51
Sometimes when trying to understand a story in the Bible, I put myself in one of the character's shoes. This time I put on a blind man's clothes. It is probably filthy. Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, does not seem to have anyone with him, to guide him and take care of him. At this point in my life, I am just sitting by the roadside, just outside Jericho. I am probably begging for food, dependent on the kindness of strangers. What a lonely life, most would say! But being blind, my sense of hearing is acute. I can hear the chirping of birds, the little things no one notices. I am eager for any conversation and pay great attention to stories I hear as people pass me by. Recently there are a lot of stories of Jesus of Nazareth. Wonderful stories of how he touches people and they walk! My heart is full, and I am so eager to hear His stories, His parables, His teachings, but how can I if no one brings me to where He is? There is a little seed in my heart, a seed of yearning, a seed of hope!
Suddenly, there is a commotion. There is a sizable crowd approaching, a lot of shuffling feet. People speaking all at the same time, a lot of excitement. What is happening? I focus my attention so I can understand what is being said. I hear the name, "Jesus of Nazareth", and my heart quickens. Of course, I am not going to let this moment slip by! I shout as loud as I can, "JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE PITY ON ME!" I try to get up awkwardly, but people push me. I almost fall backwards, but I do not care. I keep shouting. Many are telling me to keep quiet, to shut up, but I shout even louder so Jesus can hear. "JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE PITY ON ME!"
Finally, I hear a quietness. Even if I have never seen Him, I know that voice. It is a compelling voice. "Call him over." Someone comes and guides me. He says gruffly, "You have nothing whatever to fear from Him! Get up! He is calling you!" I threw aside my filthy rag of a cloak, got up, and couldn't believe it. I was right beside Jesus! "What do you want me to do for you?" He asked. I knew I could ask anything, anything! I could ask for riches, for fame, for food, for new clothes, but I knew what I was going to ask! "Rabboni," I said in a trembling voice. "I want to see." Jesus laid a hand on me, "Be on your way! Your faith has healed you!" And then, miracle of miracles, I could see! I saw Jesus' kind face and my heart was full! I start to follow Him and never looked back.
Am I as eager to hear Jesus' teachings and stories so that my heart will be full of faith? Faith comes from hearing Jesus' words. (Romans 10:17) What do I ask from God? Are my prayers full of pleadings for this and that, and not for the most important prayer, to see? To have faith? We are all blind beggars in a way. We need the gift of faith so we can see God and all that we have in Him! Let us all pray like Bartimaeus,
"JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE PITY ON ME!"
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Hi, Patsy!
ReplyDeleteI can tell you spend a lot of time with Jesus because your paintings are so full of His love.
Have a wonderful day!
Mary
love your commentary and your art.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration, Patsy. Thanks for giving us a peek into your morning routine. I really like what you said about digging into the Word even when you don't feel like you are growing.
ReplyDeleteLovely paintings. The one with the flowers is delightful.
Congratulations on getting to be on TV. What a thrill and a great opportunity. Which one in the photo is you? My guess is the sweet-looking lady in the grey dress.
Hugs,
Teresa
Patsy, I am so blessed today to visit your blogged. I am in awe of your art. I spent time with God, but mine is in writing my prayers. Amazing art. Amazing you. I was your neighbor at Holley Gerth.
ReplyDeleteI love all of your artwork but your faithfulness to God's Word is what really inspires me.
ReplyDeleteYour artwork is wonderful. I love how you've used your reference models to express your love for the Lord. Your words are inspiring, too. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo very true. Again, a beautiful blog filled with wondrous art. Blessings, Janet PPF
ReplyDeleteHi Patsy, These paintings are super great. Thank you so much for sharing your very beautiful art with us this week at Word Art Wednesday on our 185th AGFF Challenge.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Carole
Another round of wonderful featured projects here, Patsy! Thanks a lot for blessing us with your entry this week at Word Art Wednesday. Make sure to stop by and join us again in another Challenge starting tomorrow. Leaving you with God's Word in Colossians 3:23-24 which says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteJO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com