Benjamin the 7th son of Jacob as listed in Exodus 1:5. The meaning of the number seven – Completion, Perfection, Holiness all of which describes God and the accomplishments of His Right Hand, the Shepherd of His flock. Exodus 15:6-7 tells us: Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power. Your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of Your majesty, You threw down those who opposed You.
Opposition – contention, defiance, conflict, warfare – started in heaven when the mutation of a prideful heart was made apparent – “I will be like the Most High,” Isaiah 14:12-16 KJV. Because that prideful stance substituted love of God for love of self, that son of the morning is brought down to Sheol, the place of the dead where maggots and worms will be his covering.
Yes, Lucifer was cast down to the earth. This murderer, this manslayer, this cutthroat – ruthless, merciless, unscrupulous, immoral, dishonest – a liar and the father of lies, who from the beginning held not to the Truth (John 8:44). How sad, without God’s intervention, the heart of man will also not hold to the Truth; will not be made to follow – to act in accordance with, to abide, be guided by, yield to, bear in mind, comply with, obey, honor, respect and defer to the Word.
We are told in Hebrews 12:25 to see to it that we do not refuse Him Who speaks, but we do. It makes no difference who you are, what your personal beliefs or where you call home, in some fashion we function in the error deception causes. And of course, if we knew we’ve been deceived then it wouldn’t be deception. With this in mind, there is no way we could completely possess that “IN-TO-ME-SEE” knowledge that only the Spirit of Truth can reveal about ourselves and God and our human condition.
I share the things I have learned on the website ForGodForeHisGlory.com and believe me there are many things to learn, like those feelings and beliefs we lean on for support are not facts. Please don’t let offense sway you, for what offense generates: Discomfort, upset, anger, insult, sin, shame, disapproval…rises from deep within us and works against us.
God’s Word tells us if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). God has given me my heart’s desire – to share God and His Word, Christ Jesus, so the miraculous would be revealed in our lives. Because of the power of God, Holy Spirit, Who is at work within us, we would no longer have to ask or imagine, we would experience that immeasurably more God is able to do (Ephesians 3:20), when our heart is truly abiding in His Word.
In this world of vice our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs have been affected by the evil of negativity – Fear, Pride, Rejection, Rebellion, Manipulation, Deceit, Bitterness…the list is long and proves to be debilitating. But God, He planned something better for us and gives us entrance into His world of Virtue – Distinction, Value, Excellence, Advantage and Grace. When we come to God, sprinkled by the blood of Jesus, our spirit has been made righteous, has been made perfect by the Mediator of God’s New Covenant – Christ Jesus Himself (Hebrews 12:23).
When we enter God’s world of Virtue, life-changing transformations are accomplished for God and His Word and Holy Spirit recreate (restore, renew, revive) our soul. Their work won’t be seen maybe not even felt, Their work will become evident when we’re thinking, believing and behaving differently.
FINE – FAVORABLE, ILLUMINATING, NOTEWORTHY, EFFECTUAL
Adjustments are made, for God imparts spiritual gifts – Faith, Truth, Wisdom, Prophecy, Fear of the Lord, Joy. Peace, Discernment, Rest…to mention a few. Gifts that change us from the inside out so we can do as Isaiah 60:1 instructs: Arise and Shine for heaven’s Light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon us.
Holy Spirit always points us to Jesus by revealing to us what is of the Lord, and there is much to be discovered when we delve deeply into God’s Word. For instance, the meaning of the name Benjamin is: The right hand; son of the right hand; Go, turn to, the right side.
“Listen to Me, _insert your name, whom I have called: I am He, I am the
First and the Last. My own hand laid the foundation of the earth, and My
right hand spread out the heavens (Isaiah 48:12). I am the Lord, your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help
you,’ Isaiah 41:13.
“Yes, you are My servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous
right hand,” Isaiah 41:9.
Hold tightly to the Truth, don’t allow your feelings or what you may believe about something to sway you for the Lord is watching over you! The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The Lord will watch over your coming and your going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:5-8).
Let shouts of joy and victory resound in the homes of the righteous for the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high! Yes, the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things (Psalm 118:15-16)!
God has given us His Word to transform, to perfect, to fully equip His consecrated people, His saints, until we all attain oneness – Kinship, solidarity, understanding, affection, tendency, preference…in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God, that we might mature as sons of God, which is nothing less than the measure of the fullness of Christ and the completeness found in Him (Ephesians 4:12 AMP).
Let the Lord’s brethren sing of God, for great is His love, higher than the heavens; His faithfulness reaches to the skies. Let our words and our deeds exalt God, Who has saved us and helps us with His right hand so those you love may be delivered (Psalm 108:3-6). So, they too can decree God’s Word: I will not die but live! I will proclaim what the Lord has done. He has opened for me the gates of righteousness. I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This the Door of God through which the righteous may enter. I will give the Lord thanks, for He answered me! He has become my Salvation (Psalm 118:17-21).
Yes, God’s right arm is endued with power; His hand is strong, His right hand exalted! Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne; love and faithfulness go before Hm. Blessed are they who have learned to acclaim, to applaud, to honor and offer homage to the Lord, for we walk in the light of His presence.
How blessed are those who rejoice in the name of Jesus all day long; who exult – are pleased, delight in and are overjoyed – in His righteousness. For the Lord is their glory and strength, and by His grace the body of Christ is exalted (Psalm 89:13-18). For the Lord remembered His love and His faithfulness; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. For the Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations (Psalm 98:1-3).
Instead of allowing fear, anxiety and worry disturb our times of rest, let us remember on our bed to think of the Lord for He is our help. We sing in the shadow of His wings! Let our soul cling to God’s Word of Truth, for His right hand upholds us (Psalm 63:6-8).
Like an open book, God watches us grow from conception to birth; all the stages of our lives are spread out before Him. The days of our lives all prepared before we even live one day. He has placed within our hands the power of free will to pick and choose, to determine and decide how each day should be painted. If only the dark and dreary hues of wickedness could be done away with (Ps. 139:15-19 AMP & Message)
Have you ever attempted to paint an image on a white canvas? Imagine what our choices would portray as color is added:
The vibrancy of reds – danger, passions, anger
The dark shadings of blue– rejection, sadness, violence
The graying of – doubt, disbelief, worry
How they change the beauty and appearance of:
The brightness of yellow – joy, happiness, friendliness
The splendor of pink – compassion, love, faithfulness
The warmth of green – growth, healing, security
The soothing of sky blue – peace, confidence, sincerity
The magnificence of purple – royalty, wisdom, spirituality
The purity of white – hope, goodness, simplicity
The complexity of reasoning, feeling, imagination, motive, intention….becomes apparent when red runs because blood was shed; when yellow is soiled by cowardice and greed; when purple is marred by self-centeredness and arrogance; when green is muddled by wealth and fame; when blue is darkened by rebellion and defiance; and white becomes stained by the blotchiness of shame, guilt, regret and oh so many of our tears.
There is so much to learn and experience during our life’s journey. However, to see our personage as God’s own handiwork (His workmanship) a new life’s journey must begin. For God reshapes and reconstructs our image of self when we’re in Jesus so we can know and experience the dreams and hopes and aspirations He has for each one of us.
This new beginning sets us on a journey of studying and appreciating the complexity of God’s craftsmanship. I took the following information from the article, “How to Appreciate Paintings.” Painting is a visual art which means the greatest paintings tend to be those with the greatest visual impact.
Many paintings can be extremely complex. Complexity arises because of the artistic methods used to paint the picture, and/or its narrative content and message. The techniques (strategies, how, ways) used by an artist can vary enormously to increase the complexity and depth of a picture.
Color has always been an important feature, and its use was often subject to certain rules. For example, Egyptian painters used only six colors:
• Red – the color of power and authority
• Green – symbolized new life and fertility
• Blue – symbolized rebirth
• Yellow – symbolized the eternal, such as the qualities of the sun and gold
• White – symbolized purity
• Black – the color of death
The narrative content of a picture embraces at least four basic types of content 1. The main message 2. Subsidiary messages 3. Symbolism 4. References and analogies http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/how-to-appreciate-paintings.htm
If we were a connoisseur, someone who understands the details, techniques and pertinent principles of a particular subject then we have become competent to make critical judgments. God is a Connoisseur, the Creator of heaven and earth and of the sea and everything in them (Acts 4:24). And His main message is Love, that is Who He is, our loving Father. For God so loved the world He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, instead, they would have eternal life (John 3:16).
His subsidiary message: God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, no not at all! God sent Jesus to save the world through Him. The symbolism of God’s Salvation masterpiece: Light has come into the world. The Cross where eyes must look up to seek Him, Who laid His life down so we could know our heavenly Father’s loving-kindness. An empty tomb, a mercy seat, a Door of heaven opened to all who believe God’s Word, Christ Jesus and Holy Spirit, pure heavenly water, will make holy and cleanse the Church Christ loves and gave Himself up for (Ephesians 5:25).
References and Analogies of God’s redemptive work runs throughout the 66 books of the Bible. The Big Book written by 30 or more men in very different situations over 1,000 plus years, with no contradictions or inconsistencies because they looked up and Holy Spirit shared with them the deep things of God, and no one has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.
Paul who wrote 13 Epistles continues: We know these things because God sent His Spirit to tell us. No one really knows what someone else is thinking or what they are really like except the person themself. And, no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. God has actually given us His Spirit (not the world’s spirit) to tell us about the wonderful free gifts of grace and blessing that God has given us. In telling you about these gifts we have even used the very words given to us by Holy Spirit, not words that we as men might choose. So, we use Holy Spirit’s words to explain Holy Spirit facts, spiritual truths in spiritual words (1 Corinthians 2:9-13 TLB).
Do you know what a critical hour this is? How it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep, rouse to reality? For salvation, final deliverance is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone, and the Day is almost here. Let us then drop the dreary works and deeds of darkness and put on the full armor of Light (Rom. 13:11- 12 AMP) so the glorious hues of Love, can paint our lives, our world with splendor. Critical thinking is vital because
OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES MATTER
God reveals the complexity of His heavenly techniques and principles through His Word. God has given us a powerful tool – our imagination. However, unhappiness with ourselves or life can color our world gray. There is no secret formula to help us access our potential or overcome emotional trauma and physical pain.
Experience has revealed there is a path that can be taken that sets us on a spiritual journey to inner healing. I’m not talking about reaching a pre-determined destination; instead, an ongoing life journey of personal growth and transformation and freedom.
Because no two of us are alike, and because we have each conformed to the patterns of this world character deficits develop, as does harmful and destructive tendencies, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that cause injuries to self and others.
This spiritual journey leads us into renewal and recovery, restoration, rejuvenation and reconciliation with God, with self and with others. Through His Word, God invites us into a heavenly process for change:
• ASK and it will be given to you
• SEEK and you will find
• KNOCK and the door will be opened to you
For everyone who asks receives; and everyone who seeks finds; and everyone who knocks the door will be opened (Matt. 7:7-8). There is Hope!
So remember, when our heart was grieved, when our spirit embittered, when we were senseless and ignorant like a beast before the Lord, yet, we were always with Him. He holds us by His right hand. He guides us with His counsel and afterward He will take us into glory.
Whom have we in heaven but our God and Savior? How could anything on earth be more desirable than the loving-kindness and goodness of the Lord? Our flesh and our heart will fail, but let us not only decree, let our lives boldly proclaim – God is the strength of our heart and our portion forever (Psalm 73:21-26).
For the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world,” Matthew 25:34.
Lord, stretch out Your hand to heal
And perform miraculous signs and wonders
Through the name of Your holy servant Jesus
Acts 4:29-30