Out of the Fire : Into Power

"Out of the Fire : Into Power"

The Bible makes it clear that God prepares His People to serve His Kingdom through the fires of trials and tribulations.  Jesus instructed His followers to pick up their cross and follow Him.  But, one of the things that comes out of that process is a mature people, ready for service to the King.  A people who understand Holiness and are consecrated to God.  The Bible refers to the Church as "The Bride of Christ" and one day we will be reunited with our beloved at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Ref. Revelation 19:7)  As we allow God to purify us in the fire and refine us like gold, then we emerge from that time of testing with great strength and power. 

The Anointed

"The Anointed"

This is an abstract sympolism of many traits of God's anointed Saints; The Oil of Anointing that flows out of Heaven, the water and fire of life springing forth, the Wind of the Holy Spirit, Silver representing prosperity, the growth of New Life and the crown of authority resting on His people....

A Cry for Help

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." - Matthew 25:40

People all of the world are crying out in their suffering for help....from our next door neighbor to the farthest reaches of the planet....what are you doing to help them?  God isn't looking for excuses....He's watching for people who will give freely of all that they have been given and bring hope to a hopeless generation.  Are you serving your brethren?  Or are you serving yourself alone?

Full Scripture Reference: Mathew 25:31-46

Life Bursts Forth

"Life Bursts Forth"

 JESUS  =  LIFE!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotton Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:16-17

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."  - John 1:4

"He who has the Son (Jesus) has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  These things I have written to you who believe in the naame of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." - 1 John 5:12-13

"Jesus said to hinm, 'I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me."  -John 14:6

Life in Barren Places

Sometimes God will take us to a barren place.  It is a place where it seems like all of our hopes and dreams have died.  A place where there seems to be only death, descay and waste.  The Israelites left Egypt full of hope for a better future.  But, as the days wore on and they continued in the wilderness, the desert place, they began to doubt God and question his purpose for them.  But, even in that barren desert, God provided food, manna from heaven, and he provided water from a spring through a rock.    Even in the desert, God provided faithfully for the people.  His faithfullness renews our hope even in the wilderness places as God teaches us how to love and follow Him.  God allows us to walk in the barren desert so that we can see who He is and His faithfulness to us.

Scripture reference:  Exodus (The story of the deliverance of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt.)

A Heart Softened by the Blood

When we allow the Blood of Jesus to do its work in our lives, God takes our hard hearts of stone and transforms our hearts into heart of flesh.  He softens our hearts and gives us a new spirit.  He takes all our stubborn pride exchanges it for humility.  He takes all our sadness and gives us His joy.  He takes all our selfishness and create in us a compassion and love for others.  It is by His blood that we are changed into people that are able to be a light and impact the world around us.

Scripture reference:  Ezekial 11:19-20

Transformed by the Cross

When we come to know Jesus and the price that He paid, with His life, for us to be reconnected with our Father and Creator, there is a transformation that begins to take place in our lives.  God takes us from a place of darkness, lonliness and shame where we are bound by the chains of sin in our lives...(sins of idolatry, immorality, perversion, addiction, unforgiveness, pride....etc) and then he moves us into a place of light where His mercy, forgiveness, grace and favor shine upon us.  The place where the fire of His Spirit stirs within us and leads us to places of victory where we before only knew defeat.  It is a place where the anointing for change rains down like rain and brings us to a place of success, prosperity and abundance in our lives.  The crown in this painting represents the priviledge that we have to experience live as the children of the King of Kings.  The Cross of Calvary is where a hopeless, desperate soul receives hope and grace for future.

Scripture references:  John 3:16-17, Hebrews 12:28-29, Acts 2:1-4, Jeremiah 29:11, and 1 Corinthians 2:9

Protected by "I AM"

Sometimes God will take us through the fires of trials and tribulations in order to form us and test our hearts.  But, He promises us that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.  And sometimes Satan comes at us with  attacks, but God promises us that no weapons formed against us will prosper.  This painting is a rendering of these truths that are found in God's Word. 

Scripture references: Isaiah 54:17, Hebrews 13:5-6, Romans 5:1-5, and 1 Peter 4:12-16

Crumbling Walls/Rising Light

"Crumbling Walls/Rising Light"

So often in life, we find ourselves bound by walls of darkness that hinder us from being the people that God desires for us to be.  This painting is a rendering of seeing those dark walls crumble as the Light of Christ rises over our lives and in our hearts.  Jesus brings freedom, hope and life.  He tears down walls of anger, violence addiction and pain.  He restores all things lost and brings about abundant provision.  And like Jerico....as the walls fall, the promise rises.

Dream

"Dream"

God has placed a God-sized dream in each of our hearts.  This is a visual reminder to allow that dream to grow.  Nurtured and watered by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, that dream will lead us to the perfect plan of God for our lives.  

"May He grant yo according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose." - Psalm 20:4

"For the Love of Metallics"

All through scripture, the use of symbolism with precious metals is evident.  Silver and gold are representative of wealth, prosperity, purity, holiness....etc.  And bronze is used often times to represent various kingdoms and the falling away of faithful people.  Copper is used many times to represent the poor...such as the poor widow in the new testament who gave her only two copper pieces as an offering to the LORD.  I wanted to render a painting that pulled the metallics together to show the totallity and sovereignty of God...over the wealthy and the poor.  He is the God of all creation...copper, bronze, silver and gold.  The poorest to the wealthiest...He is Lord over all the earth, His precious creation.

Psalm 1:1-3

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." - Psalm 1:1-3

"The King of My Heart"

"The King of My Heart"

-Dayna Lopez, Artist

This was painted with black and metallic silver acrylics on stretched canvas during a live worship session at North Palm Ministry Center.  It is 16 x 20 in.

It is a rendering of the position that Jesus Christ holds in the heart of believers...His followers.  He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, yes, but He is also the King of each of our hearts.  He is Lord over our lives.  This is His true position...on His Throne as the Eternal King.

A Kingdom of Kings and Priests

"A Kingdom of Priests and Kings"

by Dayna Lopez

The Bible teaches us many times that those who follow after Jesus Christ and seek to live in the "Light" as He is in the light, will have the reward of serving with Him in His Kingdom as co-heirs as priests and kings.  He has promised to bless those who love Him and serve Him now with governmental authority and the anointing of the power of His Holy Spirit.

Christians are called to take His Presence to the nations and share the Good  News with all people.  As we do this, He gives us the governmental anointing of Priests and Kings.  This is our identity in Christ.  We may live in this world for a time, but this world does not give us our identity.  Our identity is assured with Jesus as His friends and as the children of our Heavenly Father.

Tongues of Fire

"Tongues of Fire"

16 x 20 in.

This painting is a rendering of the baptism of the Holy Spirit from Acts 2:1-4.  As the disciples were in unity together, the Holy Spirit descended on them as "tongues of fire" and they were filled with the anointing and power of God.

It is also interesting to note that in Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist referred to One who was coming that would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. That One he spoke of is Jesus Christ.  As His followers seek after Him in faith and obedience, He fills them with the Holy Spirit and with the fire of His Presence in their lives.

His Banner is Love

"His Banner is Love"

16 x 20 in.

As we cling to the Cross and stay close to our Savior...His Banner of Love shines over us.  His favor is on us and His love shines through us.  Let His love shine over your life today!

"He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love.  Sustain me with cakes of raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am lovesick."  - Song of Solomon 2:4-5

Eden Restored

(Close-up of Center)

"Eden Restored"

18 x 24 in.

"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proeeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midde of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding it's fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." - Revelation 22:1-5

War of Two Kingdoms

"War of Two Kingdoms"

16 x 20 in.

There is a battle taking place for the future of all mankind.  Satan and the Kingdom of Darkness are working through every area and industry to make people slaves to addictions, selfishness, pleasures of the flesh, great logic and knowledge without recognizing the source of all knowledge and wisdom.

Then, you have the Kingdom of God, working and laboring to set captives free from darkness with the love, mercy and grace of God.  Leading them to redemption at the feet Jesus Christ.  The victory is already assured for this Kingdom of Light...but, we have to labor to take hold of that victory.  Souls are hanging in the balance.  Do not be deceived...if you are not pursuing God's Kingdomin faith AND obedience, then you are trapped in the Kingdom of Darkness.  Let Jesus set you free today!

Satan and the kingdom of darkness have an assured end as well.  God has already spoken it in His Word.  It will come to pass.  Satan and all who are deceived into following him...even if they don't know it...will suffer the consequences of their sins.  Only Jesus saves from the pit of Hell.

Which side are you on?

Anointing His Bride

"Anointing His Bride"

8 x 24 in.

The Bible refers to the Church many times in the New Testament as "the Bride."  One day we will sit at the banqueting feast with Jesus for the Marriage supper of the Lamb to His Bride and we will reign and rule with Him in His established Kingdom.

Joel 2:28-33 talks about how God will pour out His Spirit on His people.  The Chruch, the Bride, is who will receive that anointing.  The Bride are those who have made themselves ready to receive the anointing through consecrating their lives in obedience and holiness before God.  Eating His Word and allowing it direct their lives in communion with the Holy Spirit of the living God.

In Isaiah 62:5, God says that He rejoices over His people in the same way that a bridegroom rejoices over his Bride.  "So shall your God rejoice over you." (verse 5)

Worship Through an Open Heaven

"Worship Through an Open Heaven"

18 x 24 in.

Portfolio

I will post paintings and works here as they are completed.  Critiques and discussion are welcome!