Redemption

Redemption

If you were to choose a synonym or phrase for the word redemption, what would it be? Atonement. Sacrificial Lamb of God. The Blood of Christ. Ransom for All. Purchased with a Price. Forgiveness of Sin. Justified. Grace. Deliverance from Sin's Bondage. Righteousness through Faith. Freedom. Eternal Inheritance. Peace with God. Adoption into God's family. Reconciliation. Choose one, choose them all for such words and phrases describe the powerful redemptive work of Christ on the cross as the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! John 1:29 & Revelation 5:8-14 There is no doubt in my mind, as the artist lead by the Holy Spirit, that this painting speaks of redemption through the blood of Christ for all who have faith to believe, and the painting also signifies the importance of the "sprinkling of the blood" explained in Hebrews 9 & 10.

Righteousness Through Faith - Romans 3:21-26

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²² This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^{[*See note below]} through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance (long patience) He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. ²⁶ God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous^{[and acquit]} the one who has faith in Jesus.

<sup>*The Greek for sacrifice of atonement refers to the atonement cover (mercyseat) on the ark of the covenant (see Lev. 16:15,16). Learn more about redemption at Gotquestions and Studylight. Both websites include multiple Scripture passages. 

As I was preparing this blog, the Holy Spirit brought the song, "I am Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave to mind. I thought, "Okay...that goes along with the message of redemption," but it wasn't until I found two videos on Youtube where the lead singer, Mike Weaver, shared the story behind the lyrics that I realized how very applicable the song is to every Christian believer.</sup>  

^{Quote from video: "Real humility is simply agreeing with whatever He (God) says about anything. Over my life, as a child of God, as someone who has been ransomed by the blood of Jesus, when He looks at me, He says, "Redeemed.""}

Redemption - Christine Nichols, 2009

All my paintings begin with prayer. I ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance from beginning to end - from choosing the canvas and paint colors to the last brush stroke. I pray that the Lord's message would go forth through the art and that Father God would be glorified. 

I believe all prophetic art has a message, but what the Holy Spirit speaks to me about a specific piece of art, may be different than what the Spirit says to you. Seek Him for a personal interpretation.

You can find more Christian Abstract paintings that the Lord has given me on my Facebook page, Christine Nichols-Art, in a Photo Album called FOR HIS GLORY. If you've enjoyed the art, you're invited to LIKE and SHARE my art Facebook page: STEEN ART.

Refiner's Fire

Refiner's Fire

Refiner's Fire

When a goldsmith purifies metals, the process includes fire to heat the metal to a liquid state and then remove dross which is solid impurities floating on a molten metal. Scripture speaks of the same type of process God uses to purify His people through trials and hardships. Peter, the disciple and apostle of Jesus puts it this way: "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7

But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a REFINER'S FIRE or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a REFINER and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and REFINE them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.

Malachi 3:2-4

"This third I will put into the FIRE;

I will REFINE them like silver

and test them like gold.

They will call on My Name

and I will answer them;

I will say, ‘They are My people,’

and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.” Zechariah 13:9

This painting went through a process of refinement as well including multiple paint layers, a covering, a dousing, and the final top layer of paint which is how the tie-dye effect was achieved on a 2'x4' canvas. Here's photographs of the creative process...

Refiner's Fire - Christine Nichols, 2009

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

All my paintings begin with prayer. I ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance from beginning to end - from choosing the canvas and paint colors to the last brush stroke. I pray that the Lord's message would go forth through the art and that Father God would be glorified. 

I believe all prophetic art has a message, but what the Holy Spirit speaks to me about a specific piece of art, may be different than what the Spirit says to you. Seek Him for a personal interpretation.

You can find more Christian Abstract paintings that the Lord has given me on my Facebook page, Christine Nichols-Art, in a Photo Album called FOR HIS GLORY. If you've enjoyed the art, you're invited to LIKE and SHARE my art Facebook page: STEEN ART.

 

Rise First - The Rapture

Rise First - The Rapture!

"Rise First"

Scripture tells us that when the disciples witnessed Christ ascend into heaven forty days after His resurrection, they stood staring at the sky even after clouds hid Christ from their view. Then two men in white robes appeared and told the disciples that Jesus would return in the same manner. (Read Luke 24-Acts 1:11)

This painting depicts that glorious event, commonly known as the Rapture, when Christ returns to gather His Bride, the Church, unto Himself. Here's how I see the painting:

• The violet purple is the earth. 
• The two golden strips in the lower half of the painting represents the graves of people who have died believing in Christ to save them and are being raise to life in the Rapture. The title for the painting comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:16. "The dead in Christ will rise first."
• The risen dead together with those alive at Christ's return will be changed in an instant with a new glorious body like Christ's - transformed from corruptible to incorruptible. 
• The upper center gold, which looks like a golden bowl with steam rising from it, represents all believers with their new bodies being "caught up" and rising from the purple earth to the blue sky to meet Christ in the air!    

SCRIPTURE TEXT FOR PAINTING

The Comfort of Christ’s Return

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. ¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

The Resurrection of the Dead

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (transformed) ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”^{[Isaiah 25:8]}

⁵⁵ “O Death, where is your sting?^{[Hosea 13:14]}
O Death, where is your victory?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

"Rise First" - Christine Nichols, 2010

As I photographed the painting, "Rise First,"
I changed the light setting and this was the result.
Ooo those luscious blues!

The Rapture! by Christine Nichols, 2010


He who testifies to these things says,
“Yes, I am coming soon!”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Revelation 22:20-21

Many people have questions about Christ's Return - the Rapture, the Second Coming of Christ, and the End Times Tribulation. I have found that gotquestions.org is a reliable source of Biblical truth. 

Questions: 

"What is the Rapture of the church?"

"What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?"

"When is the Rapture going to occur in relation to the Tribulation?"

How does the Bible describe the glorified bodies we will possess in Heaven?

More questions about End Times 

All my paintings begin with prayer. I ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance from beginning to end - from choosing the canvas and paint colors to the last brush stroke. I pray that the Lord's message would go forth through the art and that Father God would be glorified. 

I believe all prophetic art has a message, but what the Holy Spirit speaks to me about a specific piece of art, may be different than what the Spirit says to you. Seek Him for a personal interpretation.

You can find more Christian Abstract paintings that the Lord has given me on my Facebook page, Christine Nichols-Art, in a Photo Album called FOR HIS GLORY. If you've enjoyed the art, you're invited to LIKE and SHARE my art Facebook page: STEEN ART.

 

Waves of Worship

Waves of Worship

I painted this on March 9, 2012 at First Love's Art Workshop. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was heavy when I was painting it, but I didn't understand the abstract until a couple of months later.  As I was studying it, the Holy Spirit gave revelation and all of a sudden it looked like an abstract of people kneeling in worship to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ! They are leaning forward with their heads bowed in holy reverence to Him. What once looked like multi-colored waves to me became "Waves of Worship."

I wondered about the muddy hues in the middle of the painting. It is the first and only time that happened while painting in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave the reason for the muddy hues. He said, "Don't look despairingly upon one another. You are one in Christ!" That's an illustrated message I will not soon forget! It reminds me of Romans 14:10-11. "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  

¹¹ For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me, 

And every tongue shall confess to God." Isaiah 45:23

Even though there is great diversity in the crowd of believers, we are united as one under His Kingship. He is the Bridegroom and we (His followers, the church) are His Bride. 

Waves of Worship by Christine Nichols, 2012

16x20 Acrylic Painting

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage;
⁷ rather, He made Himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    He humbled Himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
    and gave Him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father!  Philippians 2:1-11

<<<<<^*^*^>>>>>

All my paintings begin with prayer. I ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance from beginning to end - from choosing the canvas and paint colors to the last brush stroke. I pray that the Lord's message would go forth through the art and that Father God would be glorified. I believe all prophetic art has a message, but what the Holy Spirit speaks to me about a specific piece of art, may be different than what the Spirit says to you. Seek Him for a personal interpretation.

>>>ART PRINTS NOW AVAILABLE!<<<

Find more Contemporary Christian Art 

on my website, Christine Nichols Fine Art.  

Look me up on Facebook and like the page 

if you have been blessed by the art. 

May the Lord be glorified and may the art speak to your heart!

Thanks for reading this blog. 

Feel welcome to comment below.

Blessings,

Christine

Wave of Glory!

Christine Nichols, 2012

This abstract was painted in March 2012 at First Love's Art Workshop in LeSueur Minnesota. All my paintings begin with prayer. I ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance from beginning to end (from choosing the canvas and paint colors to the last brush stroke), that the Lord's message would go forth through the art, and that Father God would be glorified. 

I believe all prophetic art has a message, but what the Holy Spirit speaks to me about a specific piece of art, may be different than what the Spirit says to you. Seek Him for a personal interpretation.

The Lord has given a few abstracts that can be displayed in multiple ways. Here's individual views, which I think, changes the feel of the painting. When hung horizontally, it reminds me of the curvature of the earth, God's glory, and the heavenlies.

Original Acrylic Abstract, 2012 - Christine Nichols

While a vertical view reminds me of a surfer riding a huge wave. It gives one pause to realize the raw strength and beauty of God's creation, but none stronger than the Creator, Himself. He in control. He reigns Sovereign over ALL!

A number of titles have been suggested for this painting such as Illumination, King of the Universe, and Sea Wave. My working title is "Mystery." I love a good mystery and this painting still intrigues me. 

One of my favorite passages of Scripture reveals a mystery! Paul writes, "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^{[Isaiah 25:8]}

⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”^{[Hosea 13:14]}

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Wave of Glory - Christine Nichols, 2012

Find more Contemporary Christian Art on my website, Christine Nichols Fine Art.  Look me up on Facebook and like the page if you have been blessed by the art. 

^>^>^>ART PRINTS NOW AVAILABLE!<^<^<^

Wave of Glory - Vertical ^

Wave of Glory - Horizontal >

May the Lord be glorified and may the art speak to your heart!

Thanks for reading this blog. 

Feel welcome to comment below.

Blessings,

Christine

Untitled Abstact II

You Name It

Christine Nichols

I asked a Facebook group of Christian Prophetic Artists what the Holy Spirit spoke to them about this painting. The comments were many and greatly varied but three themes stood out: 

• The Lord's presence
• Worship
• Washing/Cleansing

I can see all three, but it mainly looks like a small snapshot of continuous praise to me as if the entire painting is too expansive to capture on earth and it goes on perpetually in breadth and length, depth and height, just as Christ's love for us is described in Ephesians 3. Perhaps the reason I perceive this piece in such a way is because found this gem as a photograph of the creative process, but I fully feel it is a piece of art on it's own merit.

 

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21

Untitled Abstract II, Christine Nichols, 2009

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 34:1-3 

 

I was told by a few artists that the painting reminded them of the song, 
"Wash Over Me" by Jami Smith.

 
Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

Psalm 42:7

My Painting Technique

All my paintings begin with prayer. I ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance from beginning to end (from choosing the canvas and paint colors to the last brush stroke), that the Lord's message would go forth through the art, and that Father God would be glorified. 
I believe all prophetic art has a message, but what the Holy Spirit speaks to me about a specific piece of art, may be different than what the Spirit says to you. Seek Him for a personal interpretation.
You can find more Christian Abstract paintings that the Lord has given me on my Facebook page, Christine Nichols-Art, in a Photo Album called "FOR HIS GLORY" 

 

Ultimate Sacrifice

The Ultimate Sacrifice 

The Ultimate Sacrifice is a series of two images taken from one painting entitled, Believe.  

Believe - Christine Nichols, 2009

12x12 Canvas, Acrylic

I began painting the 12x12 canvas in a church I was attending in 2009. The Holy Spirit choose the hues of sky blue with wisps of white and and dabs of red and directed the movement of the paintbrush as such. At one point, I was told by the Spirit to paint the number seven (7) on the canvas. The pastor of the church walked by and saw the seven in the middle of canvas. We talked about how seven represents perfection in the Bible. A short time later, the Holy Spirit told me to place a paper towel layer over the wet canvas. I obeyed and lightly patted the paper towels like a mother gently comforting her infant child. Carefully lifting up the paper towel, I laid it down to dry and stared at the image that had been lifted up from the canvas. 

Ultimate Sacrifice Series - Christine Nichols, 2009

The pastor walked by again and I asked him what he saw. He said, "Christ being taken down off the cross." I needed the confirmation because I had NOT painted an image of Christ or a cross. Just the number seven. I knew that a miracle had taken place. I was a bit shaken, but the Lord wasn't done yet. He compelled me to continue painting. Again, I obeyed and began painting as the Spirit lead, adding layers of paint and movement. Eventually, the movement turned into swirls of paint like a red ribbon weaving across and down the canvas. For the second time, the Lord told me to place a layer of paper towels over the wet canvas. I wondered what would happen this time as I followed His instructions. 

Ultimate Sacrifice Series - Christine Nichols, 2009

Lifting up the paper towel, I saw three separate images - again, none that I had painted. The top image represents the Lord's body as if it was tightly wrapped and laying on a slab in a tomb. If you look closely, you will even see the imprint of eyes, nose and a mouth. The middle image is Christ sitting up in the tomb. The third is a pile of His burial cloths and He is gone! The resurrection of Jesus Christ!! 

I would never presume to paint such a scene of Christ being taken down from the cross or of His blessed resurrection. I consider both "lifted up" images to be miracles. There is no other explanation. 

Succession of images taken from the painting, Believe. It wasn't until I bought the images and canvas home that the Lord instructed me to paint the word, "Believe"in gold on the canvas and gave me the Scripture verse, Romans 10:9. "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

ART: My Spirit

This prophetic painting is entitled "My Spirit" as in God's Holy Spirit. 
 
Painted in 2009, I've forgotten specific details about this painting, but the creative swiftness and anointing of the Spirit remains ever-present in my memory.  The painting process from beginning to end was no more than a half an hour tops. I was amazed how quickly the piece was completed. I remember applying a heavy coat of Gesso for the undercoat and then placing dabs of colors as directed by the Holy Spirit. Long, curved brush strokes from one side of the canvas to the other created the water or wave-like effect on the bottom half of the canvas. Shorter, straight brush strokes in a fan-like motion finished the top of the painting. The distinctive orange in the middle is a dove. If you look closely, you'll see an eye and the beak. 

Interestingly enough, when I took this painting to share at the church I was attending, some of the congregation saw a dove while others saw an orange boat. I can see both. The glory above the dove like heaven opening and the sweeping curves of blue beneath the dove could represent Jesus' baptism where the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove. On the other hand,  the boat angle and the motion of the water reminds me of the storm where Jesus calmed the wind and the waves merely by His commanding words, "Peace! Be still!" His disciples went from fearing the storm and losing their lives to fearing the Son of God with holy reverence. They exclaimed with wonder, "Who is this man that even the wind and the waves obey Him?" The painting could also represent the boat that was tossed about by the sea and Jesus appeared to the disciples as He walked on the water. 

Examine the painting, read the Scriptures, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom. It may well be that He will reveal a new revelation about this painting meant especially for you.


JOHN BAPTIZES JESUS
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
¹⁵ But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
¹⁶ When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. ¹⁷ And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17

 Prophetic painting by Christine Nichols ©2009

 
WIND AND WAVES OBEY JESUS
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41


JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER
Immediately (after feeding the 5,000 with five loaf of bread and two fish) Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. ²³ And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. ²⁴ But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
²⁵ Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
³³ Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33

 

The common denominator of the three stories is that Jesus is clearly declared the Son of God! Jesus is part of the Godhead: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three in one.

ART: Holy Flood of God's Love

QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT!

All my paintings are lead by the Holy Spirit and this piece is definitely no exception. "Holy Flood of God's Love" was my first larger prophetic painting. It measures 24"x30". The first step was to apply many layers of multiple colors. Then while the acrylic paint was still wet, I was directed to a new dry brush and told to use long, sweeping curves across the canvas. As the Lord directed my hand, He spoke a powerful message: "To receive the holy flood of God's love, DO NOT restrict the Holy Spirit!" Prompted to repeat the message as I moved the brush across the canvas, I began to see a shape develop. Each brushstroke and spoken word grew stronger, bolder as I moved down the canvas. By the time I reached the end, I was shouting, "TO RECEIVE THE HOLY FLOOD OF GOD'S LOVE, DO NOT RESTRICT THE HOLY SPIRIT!" It was a profound and powerful experience in the presence of the Lord! I was so excited when I finished the painting that I called my sister, Janel to share the experience with her. I couldn't keep the message to myself!


Setting the painting on top of a large cabinet in the dining room, I saw it every time I walked out of the living room. One day, I stopped to study the piece and I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, "Flip the painting around." I did as I was told and tears began trailing down my cheeks. I saw a close-up section of a huge rolling wave with sunlight glittering on top of the water.In Scripture, Gold represents God's glory and the brightness of His presence. - Ezekiel 1:4; 1:27-28; 8:2 (KJV) Christ as the glory of God - Ezekiel 1:28, II Corinthians 4:6, Revelation 21:23 
 

Our loving God knows everything about us. What we like and don't like. He knows the desires of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him. Before leading me to paint this piece, God knew that one of my favorite things to do is sit by a lake or river and watch the sunlight dance across the waves. It mesmerizes me like the flames of a campfire. 

I live in Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but I don't know how to swim. Even so, this painting makes me want to take a leap of faith and dive into the holy flood of God's love! It wasn't long after I finished "Holy Flood" that I heard Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "Dive" for the first time. I was amazed at the how closely the lyrics match what the painting means to me. 

  DIVE! by STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN

The long awaited rains
Have fallen hard upon the thirst ground
And carved their way to where
The wild and rushing river can be found
And like the rains
I have been carried here to where the river flows, yeah
My heart is racing and my knee are weak
As I walk to the edge
I know there is not turning back
Once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush I hear a voice
That’s telling me it’s time
to take the leap of faith
So here I go 

I’m diving in, I’m going deep in over
my head, I want to be
Caught in the rush, lost in the flow,
in over my head, I want to go
The river’s deep, the river’s wide,
the river’s water is alive
So sink or swim, I’m diving in 

There is a supernatural power
In this might river’s flow
It can bring the dead to life
And it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing
Worth living and worth dying for, yeah
But we will never know the awesome power
Of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away
Into this holy flood
So if you’ll take my hand
We’ll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let’s go

PAINTING SCRIPTURE
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not quench the Spirit. NIV
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. NLT
Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.TNIV


Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.


GREEK WORD STUDY: QUENCH  
sbe'n-nü-mē 
metaph. to quench, to suppress, stifle

1) of divine influence

Romans 5:5
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
 
2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Prophetic painting by Christine Nichols ©2009

Do you remember reading that I called my sister Jan when I was finished with this painting? She shared my excitement, but later I learned that when she mentioned the phone call to her husband, Gary, all he said was that he hoped I continued with the art. I got the feeling that he thought I wouldn't. That the art was just a passing fad in my life. That was in the fall of 2009. Fast forward a year and half later to the summer of 2011. 

Jan and Gary attended my son's high school grad party. When Gary came in the house, he was struck by all the paintings on the walls as our home looks like an art gallery. Gary took the time to walk through the rooms and view the art. When he was done, he came back to this painting which is hung in the kitchen. As he stood gazing at the art, he said, "the painting drew him back and he couldn't take his eyes off of it." 

Before the grad party, I prayed that the art would glorify God and be a blessing to everyone who saw it. The one person I thought who wouldn't get it, got it. I was so blessed by Gary's comment. It's like that was the moment I arrived as an artist because in my mind, it's truly art when the painting affects someone that deeply and draws them in. Praise be to God! I couldn't have done it without HIM!

REFERENCES:
Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205:19,%20Eph%204:30&version=NKJV
Blue Letter Bible: http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Th&c=5&v=19&t=KJV#conc/19
Steven Curtis Chapman: http://stevencurtischapman.com/
http://stevencurtischapman.com/music/songs/dive-259
Christian Lyrics Online: http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/steven-curtis-chapman/dive.html 
Riding The Beast: http://www.ridingthebeast.com/articles/colors/