Not a license to discard....

"When Darkness Comes... Look To The Light" K.Hitt- Copyright'12 All Rights.

 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. "Do not be be yoked with unbelievers".... NOT prejudice; wisdom.  Most importantly - God's wisdom.
This is NOT a license to discard an unbelieving spouse, or friend, or family member or stranger for that matter.  It is not a license to discard,  or cast out ANY ONE! None of us are any better than anyone else.  We all arrive by grace.
Yoked... what does that mean?  Fastening together the necks, collarpiece of a garment, something that binds or hold two pieces together.  4 in Websters - servitude, slavery- v.t.- put a yoke on, couple, link.

Context of this passage 2 Cor 6:14-18 asks the simplistic '...what fellowship can the light have with darkness?" (in part 14) 
Harnessed at the neck with two sanctions that literally oppose each other by core nature... a beyond difficult undertaking.  What this teaching is - do NOT knowingly enter yourself into such a union, unless you plan to change your belief.  NOT the other way around.  I DON'T KNOW for a fact, THAT is Paul's Counsel- it is what is heard though.

We are not to enter into a relationship thinking we will just change a person - OR - not be influenced by their way either.  NOT in a relationship designed for TWO becoming One,.  Think THAT is what is meant to this hearts hearing. 

Black and white may make gray with paint - not so much with dark and lights.  If you try to mix them together in a painting- instead of recognizing them for what they are and reflecting that; a gray painting makes for a lousy one!

Illuminated At Venice Beach - K. Hitt - Copyrighted

 In a painting the light and dark makes for the needed contrast.  Noting the one establishes the other.  They can NOT be united and establish aything but MUD, a mess !

Gathering To Glory - K. Hitt - Copyrighted

This an artist view of this passage.  Perhaps NOT the Biblical Times view of Oxen for example.  Paul, clearly compared the union between good and evil.  Perhaps too harsh a title for  some to accept.  It is what it is.  There are a lot of really good people that are truly unbelievers.  Ah- is that, this --- that gray area of acceptance?  Ask God.  Ponder that in your heart.  Sincere prayer here will indeed Godspeed a check to your spirit with His Spirit.  Jesus alone saves.  We are NOT to put our God to a test.  These the echo's this heart hears from studies.  They are Truths's learned.  This passage is one that we as believers are being asked to remember too.  God is light.  There is NO darkness in Him.  Nor is it posslble for Him to have any part with it.  THAT, quite simply is the choice being made- No matter how much you try to make it not about that.  It is what it is. 

Truth may be silent, it NEVER changes what it is.  Liked or not, Truth IS an Absolute.  God has given us insight into God's wisdom in the Word.  Test the spirits.  Those who have ears to hear, may they hear.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

Sometimes It Personal...??????? Dance In The Rain

Pastel done after hurricane passed through- 'Sapped In A Snap"

 (disclaimer: today's In His Light Before The Dawn, shares a bit more personally than usual.  It is disclosed, because feel it makes a relevant, 'living word' of God word picture.)
Hosea 10:12

Just watched a mom, in the rain walking her daughter to the bus stop for school.  Looked out the window  because heard singing/humming.  Mom, dutifully at her task at hand.  The child?  The child, skipping, spinning her clear bubble umbrella with a yellow trim, humming away down the road.  She didn't get the memo that its raining on the parade.

I did get that memo.  Well, you see, before being able to sit to quiet-time with a cup of coffee accustomed too... had to find the bottom of the sink and counters from a late dinner cooked in the kitchen after went to bed, and this just so happened to be the second day in a row for this scenario.
(sincerely understood, for extenuating circumstances for all involved)

I like that mom, dutifully did what needed done to meet the immediate need, with no---------- skip in my step.  More like a grumble.  ONLY the GRUMBLE causes it to rain on the parade.

The reality check saw and heard out my picture window this morn.  And in the air of 'all things happen for a reason' if had not dutifully met the demands before sitting- timing would have missed the parade.

Hosea 10:12 is the verse highlighted from yesterday.  It calls us to make a radical NEW beginning for becoming fruitful and productive.

Do you think that might include to NOT be the source of the grumbling causing it to rain on the parade?
Thank you God for the reality check from a living breathing cliche walking down my street for me to see 'singing in the rain' or proceeding silently grumbling?  These the Choices we may make.

Many, many, many, years ago, when going through economic, emotional, disrepair everywhere, extremely difficult times; God whispered a sweet reminder in my ear: "Don't call your blessings curses" with worry, fear, discouragement, disappointment, etc.  Today's whisper came with a child, literally singing in the rain.  God's Word IS The Living Word of God - God breathed and relevant to EVERY BREATH we take in our today's.

Rain brings fear to me these days because the patches are failing on the roof, in spite son being up there yesterday trying to cover with supplies on hand the need.  You see, a while back static lightning hit my roof, along with making two entry and two exit holes it shook the poor old thing up, and insurance didn't cover enough to risk losing all insurance for.  The NEED here therefore way beyond immediate resources at hand, that with no surprise keeps getting worse.

Alas, I wake to rain these days differently;  I now proceed to drawing table to see how work is holding up.  For you see, that just so happens to be where leaking now shows its face.  Saw another first today - not only a spot on the ceiling - also drop on the floor!  Yes, a 'oh my' sigh, followed by a silent 'now what?'  Sure doesn't help to cry.

Do see a 'Thank You' still here; 'Thank God son was up there yesterday, or it would have been worse today.'  These simply show that more NEEDS done.  Painfully obvious!?!?!? Perhaps.  You think!!??!!  Yes, a big 'how?' arises under my breath.  Can't help but smile though at that precious little cliche that walked down the street today.  Somehow I am to remember to 'sing in the rain.'  God sent, Godspeed whisper in this ear.

What does Hosea 10:12 say?

     'Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek The Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.'

Reality check.  Now am re-writing notes wrote yesterday, in hopes that they register in my brain, heart, way.  Notes:  'unfailing love' translated from Hebrew word hesed, 'she would be blessed by God'

No longer be unproductive, but repentant, making a radical NEW beginning and becoming productive and fruitful.  God's covenant, therefore blessing on His people if they in righteousness were loyal to Him.
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How to apply God's Living Word this morn, as wake to some pretty harsh realities... yet am reminded to NOT grumble and rain on the parade.

Its NOT just in the literal 'to do' list.  Its in The spirit of which any and all is done, and the motive of heart is what is on our lips whe we speak.  WHAT is mine called to be?  "As unto the Lord" for one.

Sow------------ Sow for yourselves 'righteousness'. This NON-theologian hears that as 'The JOY in the Sovereignty of God'  God alone is the Righteous One.  We as His, inherit as heirs all the fullness of Him.

God is NOT going to come fix my roof per-say.  He is NOT in a panic over this either.  Couple of facts?  Yup.  Is a leaky roof from lightning that insurance didn't cover an appropriate word picture to 'The Living Word of God?  Is a little girl 'singing in the rain' Gods whisper this morn?

click on any image to enlarge

 Do KNOW, God's blessings remain.  Only ONE WAY to have them is to remember to 'live in them'.  Circumstances in the world, or the day, or the hour, or the to do list does NOT take them away.
Grumbling, worry, fear may.  NOT that they are not still there, God's Blessings.  Simply that you've closed your eyes to them and chose instead to live drudgedly?  Heck, I don't know how to word it.  You know what I mean.
Thank you GOD, have a roof!  Thank YOU GOD son was up there yesterday.  Thank you God there is a way 'to do' what's needed, even if personally don't know it, it can be learned.  May Gods wisdom and discernment guide the immediate priorities.  Thank YOU God for the whisper.  Thank You God for first loving and always loving.  Father God in 'Jesus' name.  Thank YOU God may trust that 'your unfailing love' "hesed", "blessings" remain! Guide me in them.  May these hands sow unplowed ground, and Your love reign down.
Forgive me my unproductive ways, Thank You God for the radical reality check.  May This truly be a NEW beginning of productive and fruitful.  Passion is to illustrate the Word of God as the Living Word of God that it is; and relevant and active in every breath we take in our todays.  Inspire the work ot these hands 'to do' that Your way God.
Even with a drip next to the drawing table, it remains.  Dream is that drip turns turns into a second floor, with North Light studio and small class room to share and teach in, along with separate quarters for living work away from family living area downstairs.  THAT the DREAM, green, employing/enlisting the gifts and talents of all family tenfold to bring it to a reality. "Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of all things" (Heb. : ) Daily prayer is to bless all OF this household, far off and near. Expand please our borders, boundaries, bounty and brethren.  Keep us from sin and its pain.  Forgive us our sins.  May we learn better and overcome in YOUR ways.  May NONE deceived or the deceiver have hold of us in any way: NO HOLD.  May we ALL reflect Your grace, Your Truth, You Love.  May your gifts and talents given multiply tenfold for your honor and glory.  Time to sow is now - thank You God for opportunity to plow.  Be the strength where weak, and every ability to meet every need.  Knowing by faith even the need for a bigger blue tarp is a fine reality check... as press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of us each and every one of us for.  In Jesus' name AMEN.  I pray a radical NEW beginning of productive and positive in each 'to do' today.  

In Your Heart And On Your Lips...

I often hear from others, in the many environments and hats that I wear- “That I am not religious” --- Well, neither am I.  Romans 10:8 describes The Spirit of my faith, in as much The Gospel does not ignore at all The Law- O.T., but as in The O.T. time religious zealots had absolutely NO FAITH. (10:1-3) The ‘religiously’ practiced rules and rituals to the extreme of missing out on a relationship, faith, in God.  Their faith was in doing it all correctly or – right.  Ok, NON-theologian over generalization perhaps…

God’s Word here, as the ‘living’ Word that it is – best replies to this.  Read it instead with an open heart ALL that is being said here.

Acts 23:11, Rom 9:18-10:21, Underlined R9:33, 10:4, 8-13, 14-15, 17

Acts 23:11 The following night The Lord stood near Paul and said, Take courage!” As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome”

R9:33 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.  They stumbled over the ‘stumbling stone’ 33 As it is written: “see, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall and the one who trust in Him will never be put to shame.”

10:1-4, 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

…8 But what does it say? “The Word is near you: it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you WILL be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you will believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  11 As the Scripture says, “ANYone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”  12 For there is NO difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and for EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  14-15

10:8 NOTES: The Word – In the O.T. passage the ‘word’ is God’s Word as found in The Law.  Paul takes the passage and applies it to the gospel, ‘the word of faith’ – the main point – readily available to ANYone who will receive it from God through Christ.  Righteous is gained by faith, NOT deeds.

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I confess my personal distain for ‘religious zealots.’ They have critically hurt me, and they daily give Christianity a bad name. YET by GRACE and God’s heart in my heart I am reminded that Paul- who wrote this book- at one time was one himself. We all arrive by grace to faith in Jesus.  None more than Paul illustrates the ANYone- this message speaks to.  Personally do not even know how to completely share my own ‘Damascus Road’ experience and conversion… awakening….

Simply will say- Jesus is ‘God WITH us’ – in EVERY way.  The Truth is He, and He alone sets one free, by abiding in Him and therefore, He abiding in you.  Holy Spirit Counsels your spirit with His Spirit.  ALL the fullness of the Deity is found in the face of Christ. R10:9 speaks to that specifically.  “Lord” (Greek Kyrios) is used over 6,000 times in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of O.T.) to translate the name of Israel’s God (Yahweh), it is clear that Paul, when using this word Jesus, is describing Deity to Him- Jesus.  ‘in your heart’ in Biblical terms the heart is not merely the seat of emotions and affections, but also of the intellect and will.  ‘raised from the dead’- a bedrock Truth of Christian doctrine. –Christian- simply means that they believe not only that Jesus lived, but also that He still lives.

This heart hears that in ‘the Word is near you: it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is the WORD of faith we are proclaiming.  Amen, respecting the Amen in Him, Christ Jesus- Amen.

Old, New, from a non theologians

Creation In His Hands- Acrylic Illustration- K.Hitt- copyrighted

Confess was a bit hesitant to share this entry, because know that I hold no knowledge in a theological perspective. Any and every inspirations share, is from reading simply God's Word, as the 'living word of God' that KNOW that it is, and how it was ' God breathed' to this heart.
With that said....
The last few days have found myself reading in the Old Testament. Jeremiah 26:24....b...supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
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Simply the preceding and this shows Divine intervention is protecting and saving Jeremiah The Prophets life.
This/These - know, need to know much more Theology to understand fully the Word Picture of this time.  Jerusalem destroyed, destruction of the house and the city. Jeremiah sent to prophesy to them:
Jer 26:3 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God.  Then the Lord will relent, and not bring the disaster He has pronounced against you. Noting: repeated from 7:3

This heart hears this in the light of the Old Testament made New in Christ, yet not one letter of the law changed.
In the New, here we would see simply The Truth of God and His love and desire that none perish and none be destroyed.

We live in a 'fallen world'  That does not change who God is, or His standards, nor should it change ours.

God quite simply is good, and is light.  Light can not unite with darkness, it only may dispel it.  If you choose to stay with the dark when light enters, then that is where you will be.  IF instead you choose to embrace The Light and receive it with Thanksgiving for it showing - lighting - your way.... darkness will NO LONGER hold claim to you.

This a NON-Theologians vision of treacherous times of the old, that see are really no different today.  NOR are the peoples reaction when they hear something they don't want to hear: 'shoot the messenger!'

Divine intervention protected His light in the dark.  It is no different today.

Jesus is our light of the world, Seek Him and His ways, abide in Him, therefore He in you ----He shall be the lamp unto your feet.  A lamp that lights step by step - by faith we know perhaps not

even whats down the road ---- our lamp does not reach that far, OR do we see ALL that He Divinely sees.  By faith we simply may KNOW with Jesus as our light in this world, our lamp unto our feet --- walking with Him will dispel the darkness as we press on to take hold of ALL He took hold of us for.

We, perhaps no prophet, or theologian, we are a part of God's family.  The Body of Christ.  No matter how big or small our part - it ALL is supplied life and purpose by the beat of the same heart.  The heart of Christ, as ours.  Allow yourself to SEE that Word Picture and believe, trust and obey.  As with the Prophet of old, Jeremiah, his message could not change to fit the world.  Divintiy led him, sheltered him, kept him.  The Divine will do the same for you.  "all the fullness of the Deity is found in the face of Christ"  He is with YOU and NEVER will He leave you.

Above, two days ago bookmark, yesterdays- Isaiah ....36:19- 37:29.  In summary of all read there, the message this heart heard there is this.:  Never allow pride to decieve you into ignoring or remembering who ALONE is Divine.  All that we are, and all that we do is NOT for our self, also we did not achieve it alone.  Not even Jesus Himself served Himself.  He cam to serve, to save, to love.  Jesus ALONE is our/The Savior.  'We' will save no one. 'We' may only reflect his love grace and truth. May we NEVER boast - accept unto the Lord.  All is to His Honor and Glory and Praise
forever and ever - AMEN.

A Touch, A Season, A Reason...

Catherine's Touch - Acrylic - Karen Hitt-copyrighted

Three perhaps in one today…. Have been under the weather, and slammed with work… THANKFUL always for time In His Light… Before The Dawn.  Perspective is always clearer when begin in the ‘living word of God’ to meet the demands of the day.

11Jan’12 Left off reading at the Red letters of Christ in Mark 5 yesterday, and His specific replies to faith answered there.

Prayer: Your WORD – Gather my spirit into Your Spirit, in it, with it, Godspeed the prayer.

Mark 5:19-36 and read on to 6:4. ‘…a climate of unbelief’ NIV notes the environment of /for Jesus in His home town.    “A Prophet With Out Honor” MK 6:1-4

To this NON-theologian, find it interesting how this follows three miraculous healings in Chapter 5.

A climate of unbelief, discern as being similar to ‘pearls before swine’ – not insultingly so, just an extreme accuracy.  Why – with each action we take, God’s wisdom and discernment in a faith filled prayer intercedes.

As in the preceding three miraculous healings in Chapter 5, each need could not have been more different – Their reason for their outcome the same – FAITH- Faith in GOD, specifically Faith in Jesus as The Son of God.  God with us.

Our faith therefore precedes us in/for both the good or bad.  ‘…in a climate of unbelief’ – Jesus simply chose to speak no further.  HOW INCREDIBABLY SAD IS THAT!  To have Jesus, The Holy of Holies in your presence, but because of unbelief, chose NOT to speak.  Amazing opportunity lost for His townspeople – simply because they refused to see beyond specific history.

Faith – is NOT by sight. By faith mountains may be moved, lost saved, ill healed, dead even raised.  God’s will is perfect and ALL knowing.  Its by grace, and free will too; He WILL NOT EVER BE YOUR DICTATOR.  In a climate of unbelief here in 6:1-4, He simply walks away – and He must.  BUT – if you come to Him in faith, even a simple touch – miraculously heals!

Mark 5:34 Just the womens TOUCH in faith – in the presence of Jesus healed that which for man had proven impossible to do so.  Understand that also here, was she not only healed physically, she was SAVED from the shame of her condition which labeled her culturally.  ANYONE that touched her was considered ‘unclean.’ Society casted her out beyond lower than low – out casted to no interaction allowed.

Yet her touch in a climate of FAITH with Jesus -----????  MIRACULOUS

Note the difference indeed.  Jesus – is our ‘God with us,’ ‘The Word made flesh’  The climate in which you choose to interact with Him, much difference in the outcome of His embrace.  One must choose to receive HIM in faith.  Only from there, does the JOY in His Sovereignty become fully realized.  We walk by faith, NOT sight.  In that faith – Jesus knows how to answer every call of faith on His heart to your heart.  According to our faith – is how we shall receive Him – Godspeed.

So, todays readings spanned far, 5:19-6:4  Faiths healing, and lack of faith that being silenced until another day.  Not that Jesus does not have the power… the choice is illustrated here in a reply in accordance to their faith.  Praise be to GOD, ALL may choose Christ and be saved. In Jesus’ name – AMEN

431 Burns Court - Plein Air Oil- Karen Hitt -copyrighted

(next day, dizzy has moved in with this cold)

Revelation. “dressed in white” – symbol of the redeemed. “…What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds.  See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.  I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name.

<><<><<>< Father, of all the times have studied, opened, read The Word – The Bible ---- A first heard, received The Red Letter of Christ in Revelation – as encouragement and acknowledgement.  Rev. 3:7b-8.

Thank You that You Know, and no one can close what You have opened – including any of our hearts… 

(now the 15^th of January. Slammed with more than a cold over a week- did not allot SICK time to the ‘to do’ list)

Matthew 4:7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’ [Duet6:16]

The NEW is as the old – made NEW in Christ.

Jesus Truly our Word made flesh.  Here, though He easily had the Sovereignty – ability – even authority – The KEY is His sinless, pureness of heart to be here to serve God and to do His Will.

To MEET God where He is – NOT the opposite of seeking Him to meet Him where He is.  God is Able – ALWAYS.  God’s Will be done on earth – as it is in heaven.

This, as with Jesus, a great temptation to comfort, ‘fix’ our way please God when we pray.  We have been saved, Yes.  We have been supplied with faith that in His Will can move mountains, YES!

Here, we are reminded of a Key from the Old Testament, Deut. 6:16 In God’s Living Word, it remains very relevant in our Today’s –

Through Christ Jesus the mystery erased, God with Us – Made New in Christ How we are called to live ‘The God breathed’ in His will be done, NOT ours.

Season's Close - Plein Air Oil - Karen Hitt- Copyrighted

Yes God is able to smooth any road that we must travel… it is NEVER for us to put ‘the Lord your God to the test’ By faith we may KNOW that God not only has our back, He has our front, side, top and bottom.  Of course in this life, petitions of sincere Godly intervention, Help shall be our prayers-

Test always the spirit of the prayer, and the motive of heart in it.  God’s will be served in our prayers of faith, and TRUST, in Him- is where ALL Joy remains in His Sovereignty.

As the butterfly must concur the cocoon,

or if every experience in this life was a mountain top one – what significance would the mountain top hold?  As share with students in drawing even- You must have the darks to establish the light.  The GOOD news remains the ultimate TRUTH – “Light dispels the dark- every time”

Have Dock... Will Peer - Acrylic- Karen Hitt - Copyrighted

Test the spirit of each prayer, as our hearts are filled more and more with Gods – Because He first loved, we have been given His love, to not only receive it – to give, live it out loud too.  This the circle of life, as eternal is the circle – is His eternal love.  Joy is in The Sovereignty of God.  Praise be to Him through whom all blessings flow- AMEN and Amen, respecting always the Amen in Him.

Prayer: To live a life out loud that does not put the Lord my God to the test.  

That I may meet Him where He is.  Knowing, where I am weak, He indeed will be my strength.  His will is perfect, His love complete.  In Jesus’ name- Amen.

silent prayer in the His will be done

 

Kindness & Sterness...

Momma's Heartbeat- Acrylic - K.Hitt copyrighted

 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God:... (Romans 11:22 plus context)
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ANY adequate doctrine of God MUST include these two elements.  When we ignore His kindness, God seems a ruthless tyrant; when we ignore His sterness, He seems a doting Father.
...GOD IS ABLE! Is the bottom, top, line!

As Ponder role of parenting young adult children - AND looking in the mirror at self too ---- THIS particulary relevant this morn.
Tough love without success self earned as a goal -  is merely ruthless.  Expressing unconditional love and support without boundries is just as ruthless.

God is ABLE.  Simply cast care to Him seeking His wisdom and discernment... AND STRENGTH.  No one wants to see a loved one suffer.  Nor does one ever want to see a loved one not succeed.

"Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God"  Not only as Jew or Gentile being grafted back in; as prodigal son, daughter, friend, self...
'provided that you continue in His Kindness...' '...AND if they do not persist in unbelief.

No free ride is given with Gods FREE GIFT.  Yes, by grace is how we ALL arrive with it and here the same way.

God loves you TOO much to leave you the way you are.

Therefore remember the kindness and sterness of God.  Seek His wisdom and discernment on how to proceed, press on.  His love and grace forever remains.  No promise He made is ever broken, nor will it be.  Abiding in Him, HE abides in you. THAT is where ALL freedom lives life outloud, and Godbreathed.
in Jesus' name- Amen.

where is....

Illustration Acrylic- "Where is Your Lamp" Karen Hitt- copyright ALL rights

"The Lamp of the Body" LK 11:33-36   35 "See to it then, that the light within you is NOT darkness.  36 Therfore if your whole body is full of light, and NO part of it is dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you"
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Many times it is NOT that we need more light: it is that we need instead, good eyes to allow the light to enter.

From the beginning (Gen 1:3) to the middle (PS 18:28) to the end (Rev 22:5) of time, God's light. For God IS Light

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, " I AM the Light of the world.  Whoever flollows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

And He in us? Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cann not be hidden."
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So, quite simply must ask self this morn.... 'Where is your lamp?' ....where is your light?