Matthew 1

This painting represents the ALMOST and “not yet” side of being a believer. The mystery in believing something we can’t see, and the POWER knowing that God can create beauty out of nothing.

IN Matthew 1 Jesus’ genealogy is laid out, his birth is foretold to his parents in miraculous circumstances, and he is given the name Emmanuel before being born to Mary.

In this painting you will notice it almost seems unfinished. The flowers are outlined, the vase is barely visible, the leaves and flowers subtly sneaking through. It isn’t fully understood, but the beauty and mystery is there. The point of the painting is that beauty is being born out of a dark backdrop. That darkness does not impede the light from shining.

Christ birth is both beautiful and mysterious. There was so much fulfilled prophecy , and yet there was STILL so much that his parents did understand. His birth was ALSO proof that beauty is indeed BORN out of a dark backdrop, and that darkness did NOT impede the LIGHT of the WORLD from coming.

Following Christ today is much like the painting. We don’t understand everything, but we HAVE faith that Gods is making something beautiful out of darkness. We KNOW the LIGHT always wins, BECAUSE Jesus’ death and resurrection extinguished the darkness .

Excerpt from Lecture:

The name Emmanuel means GOD WITH US . This name given to Jesus proves that HE WAS God’s one and only Son, the one who came in bodily form to live among sinners , and ultimately die on the cross for their sins.

Because Jesus is Emmanuel - God with us - we KNOW for a FACT that God’s love for us is unimaginable. Jesus left the perfection of Heaven to come to a world of SIN for SINNERS. And not only did HE COME to US, He ultimately gave up HIS LIFE for US! GOD IN THE FLESH, Jesus, our EMMANUEL took away our sin by being our sacrifice on the cross.

Because Jesus became GOD WITH US, we can be forever WITH GOD if we put our trust in Him….

As we begin our study of Matthew this year this PRINCIPLE of JESUS being GOD in human form is going to be extremely important- because when we see Jesus’ compassion , love and purpose shine through as he interacts with the broken in this world—- what we are really seeing is how GOD views our world today.

In Matthew we are going to see Jesus weep with those who weep., LOVE the least of these, come near the outsiders and the hurting, LAVISH GRACE and FORGIVENESS on those who DO NO DESERVE IT— and most importantly- we are going to see HIM VICTORIOUSLY defeat sin and satan on the cross for our sake as as MIGHTY WARRIOR AND KING.

So as we read these account of Jesus’ life this year we are going to remember that he is EMMANUEL- GOD WITH US- THE ONE WHO CAME TO earth to experience our pain and suffering and GIVE US ETERNAL LIFE by SAVING US from SIN through HIS BLOOD.

Simple Obedience

This year I have the privilege of teaching through the Gospel of Matthew. As part of my study, I have felt the LORD nudging me to weekly post a painting that coincides with the chapter of Matthew we are studying. I am also going to attach a small portion of my lecture as a devotional as well.

The first week we started studying I did an intro lecture that highlighted the importance of studying and knowing GODS Word the Bible. The painting represents the powerful sword of the SPIRIT , GODS true word the Bible, that equips us to fight against the unseen forces in this dark world.

The painting shows the powerful reality that the sword of the Spirit brings, but also the LIGHT that comes as we proclaim GODS word .. IN the painting you’ll notice both gold and pink coming from the sword. The GOLD represents the power of CHRIST through the WORD , but the pink represents our own unique giftedness to TEACH and proclaim His truth. God doesn’t want us to change to be His servants, HE uses our different personalities and callings to proclaim HIS TRUTH in various forms. In the painting you’ll see the bible is open to Psalm 55 “ He rescues me UNHARMED from the battle waged against me”. Jesus alone has the POWER to fight our battles, BUT we are to speak HIS WORD and PRAY as faithful WARRIORS at His side.

Here is an excerpt from the first lecture:

Sister we are in a war. A war that is waging all around us for our souls. The War comes at us in different battles and forms— fear, busyness, apathy, doubt, unbeilf— but the WAR is waged by satan with an attempt to distract us from the TRUTH that JESUS has ALREADY WON. 

We are in a WAR — that might look crazy on the outside— but has ALREADY BEEN DECIDED ON THE CROSS. 

But until we get to heaven we are going to have to FIGHT — from a place of VICTORY but still have to fight- for the KINGDOM of GOD in our own lives and in the lives of those we love.

In Ephesians 6 Paul gives us a masterful list of armor for us to put on in this WAR this side of heaven. 

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

If you read the list in detail it is clear that all the weapons are defensive - they help us LIVE in this world— but the ONLY offensive weapons we are given is GODS WORD and PRAYER

GODS WORD the Bible is our SOURCE of VICTORY

Gods WORD and prayer is how we fight in this world. It is the source of HOPE- peace and strength. Without reading , applying and seeking HIS WORD we are vulnerable because we are not beating back the enemy in our life.

The other weapons are given and we have to remember they are there- salvation , righteousness in christ, the GOSPEL of  peace… but the SWORD of the SPIRIT the WORD of GOD must be used. We have to swing it, we have to fight WITH IT. It is useless if we don’t pick it up and fight WITH IT when we are attacked.

A sword not swung is a piece of metal. A bible not used in battle// In LIFE// is words. Its nice thoughts. 

YALL WE NEED A SWORD THIS YEAR. We cannot look at bible study like we always have. We have to look at GODS WORD like the sword and weapon it is against to the enemy. We have to pray GODS WORD- claim its authority and FIGHT WITH IT .

SO  will you commit to SWING YOUR SWORD. This year as best I can- with GODS HELP I am going to diligently TRY to help us apply HIS WORD and use it as the SWORD of the SPIRIT it was intended to be.

So will you begin this year by PRAYING? Praying that GOD Will equip me and Amy and your leaders to lead well for the cause of CHRIST. STOP RIGHT NOW AND DO IT PLEASE. Pray GOD makes us amazing sword trainers // pray GOD teaches us HIS word so we can teach yall.

And will you PRAY for yourself ? That GOD will awaken you to the battle you’re in- and give you the HOPE and CONFIDENCE that HIS WORD is your only HOPE.

Pray that GOD will use this years study to change your life, the life of your family as you seek HIM .

6 years ago on a prayer retreat I found myself drawing a stain glass window that was above me. I spent the whole day praying and drawing, creating a miniature masterpiece in my journal. At the end of the day a kind lady came up to me and asked “Do you draw often?”. I sadly told her I loved to draw and create but found little time to really invest in the hobby with my “busy schedule".” She smiled and told me that I needed to “find the time” because it was how I connected to God. I didn’t take her too seriously, but decided to start trying to create space to regularly paint. Fast forward 7 years and here I am. Painting (almost daily) as a way to connect and hear from Jesus.

When I paint I feel Jesus’ presence and delight. When I paint I know He is near. When I paint I see His beauty in creation and the creating process. When I paint I pray. When I paint I listen. At the end of each painting when I feel “It’s finished”, I ask the Lord to give me a verse to write on the back. Sometimes it coincides with the painting itself, sometimes it feels kinda personal for the recipient. The verse reminds me that each painting was done to honor the Lord and to bring Him praise, and that each painting I create is a gift I want to offer back to him.

Thank you for coming to my site. I hope that you are blessed by my work.

Until He Comes,

Alex