Black paint came first. Then I put speckles of gold paint on the canvas with the black. Someone said it looked very appealing in a strange way. This represented sin. But, I covered all the black and gold with bright red paint. The red overpowered the blackness and soon this picture you see emerged as I added more color. Now you see a picture of light. All the black is covered, no longer visible. Gone.
Once there was sin and darkness, but by the power of the blood of Jesus, sin and darkness are overcome.
Many people are crushed because of the darkness. Darkness shows up as depression, a lack of control, or a great sadness with a feeling of utter hopelessness. It can feel like guilt, dread, and fear. It also looks like hate.
Murder is entertained in your heart if you hate others.
It can start with not letting go of an offense. Forgiveness is the solution. Forgive the offender. You can then pray for the one who offended you. Your feelings will turn around. Praying for others is love in action.
When your thoughts are consumed with wanting what someone else has, hate for the one who has more can quickly develop. Hate grows out of jealousy. Perhaps your younger brother gets all the attention from your father and you feel unloved. When you hate others you are in darkness. It is a sin to hate others.
Cain killed his brother, Abel. Why did Cain hate his brother? Cain was jealous of Abel because he did what was right in God’s eyes, and Cain did what was wrong. He wanted God to be pleased with him like he was pleased with his brother Abel. God noticed Cain was angry at his brother and spoke to him about his anger.
“If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling, but because you have done evil, sin is crouching at your door. It wants to rule you, but you must overcome it.” Genesis 4:7
But Cain did not heed the warning. He did not turn around and do the right thing to get God’s approval. He did not overcome the hate he felt for his brother, so sin took over. Cain invited his brother into the field and killed him. This is hate in action. God then drove him away from His presence.
Sin drives God’s presence away. But obedience brings Him back.
You can love others by praying for them. This is love in action. Your heart will turn around and you will please God. Jesus said, pray for your enemies.
“You have heard that it was said, “Love your friends, hate your enemies.” But now I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-45
So, pray for your enemies, whether they hate you or you hate them or you hate each other. Hate will turn to love, at least in your heart. If you want to obey God, hate is not an option.
Everyone goes through some darkness, but you don’t have to go through it alone. God is the source of all hope. He is life. Joy and happiness come from being connected to God. If you turn to him and listen to his voice, God will walk through life with you. His presence will fill your heart with joy. God’s light overcomes darkness.
David said it so beautifully in Psalm 23:4.
Even though I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, LORD, for you are with me.
God is more light than any darkness. His light drives out darkness. Choose love over hate and watch light overcome darkness in your life.
Scripture quotations are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION, SECOND EDITION, Copyright©1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This Message is a NOW WORD. Thank You Lula for shedding light on my darkness with His Word . The painting is Beautiful , it’s like our soul breaking into life and light.So Anointed So Freeing So Powerful .
Thank you, Myrna! You are a mighty woman of God who knows Jesus. I am blessed to know you too. Thank you Jesus, for Myrna. She is a prayer warrior like no other! Hugs and love!
Thank you Lula for this entry! The Holy Spirit immediately talked with me when I saw the painting. The Lord told me that this is the picture of mercy and forgiveness. then I read your entry and the Lord was telling me how important forgiveness is RIGHT NOW in this time in history. Walls of hatred will come down right now when our country and its citizens start to forgive. It is the answer to our country’s problems! It starts with us! I was convicted to think about all the people in my life that I need to forgive. This was so important and inspirational! Love you and say hi to Glenn.
Hi Ken,
Thank you for sharing how God used this post in your life! That is very encouraging to me. I appreciate how Holy Spirit is stirring you up to act. I agree with you. We all need to forgive. When we all start to forgive, our country will thrive and flourish. Love you too. Glenn says hi back.
Reminds me of a song I sang as a kid.
Pass it on
It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s Love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.
That’s a great song, Pastor Danny. God’s love is so good that you want to share it! And so you do. Thank you for your work in ministry.