Washed

Hallelujah! I am cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and by His Word! I am so grateful that I am forgiven, washed and free from a sin-conscious mind. My sins have been cast as far from Him as the east is from the west, cast into the sea of forgetfulness to be remembered no more. I will not allow the enemy to throw me into confusion, doubt and condemnation because of past failures and shortcomings. I thank my Lord that He is my righteousness, and that He is leading me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. The Holy Spirit brings conviction when I need it, and He leads me into all truth. So I can relax and be free from shame. Hallelujah!

"He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. " Micah 7:19

Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 20:9; John 15:3; Revelations 7:14, 19:8,14; Isaiah 1:18, 43:25; Ezekiel 16:4-14; Hebrews 8:12, 10:2; I John 1:7; Ephesians 5:26; Psalm 103:12; Philippians 3:13; Romans 8:1

"Washed" is a photo by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Artwork and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Forgiveness

I have been forgiven so much throughout my life, Lord Jesus, and I love You so very, very much for forgiving me. I owe my whole existence to You. Thanksgiving wells up in me as I meditate on all Your tender mercies. How could I do anything but forgive those who sin against me? I release every one who has ever injured me, for You have commanded it, and it is my duty. Even when my heart is broken, I come before You and spill out all my love to You in worship. I lift up in prayer all those who have hurt me and I ask you to bless them with Your presence, that they might be healed. I can lose nothing by pouring myself out to You, as I am totally Yours anyway. All I can be, then, is more filled up with You.

Luke 7:47-48; John 20:23; Colossians 2:13; Psalm 85:2; Matthew 6:12-15; Luke 23:34; Matthew 18:21-35

Psa 86:5
For You, Lord, [are] good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

The artwork "Forgiveness" is a montage of my photos, by Karen Gladys Henry ©2009.

Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry ©2009. All Rights Reserved.

Submitted to Love

Love dwells in me. Love never fails. I rejoice in every opportunity to become completed in love.

God is Love. God dwells in me by His Spirit. Every time I submit myself to Love and walk in the Spirit, I choose to become more like Him. His Love is changing me into His likeness.

I confess these things over myself, for this is my destiny, to become like Him in His Love:

When I submit to Love, I suffer long and am kind;

When I submit to Love, I do not envy; I do not parade myself, I am not puffed up;

When I submit to Love, I do not behave rudely,

When I submit to Love, I do not seek my own, I am not provoked, I think no evil;

When I submit to Love, I do not rejoice in iniquity, but I rejoice in the truth;

When I submit to Love, I bear all things, I believe all things, I hope all things, I endure all things.

When I submit to Love, I do not fail, for Love never fails.

When I am reviled, I do not revile in return. When I suffer, I do not threaten, but I commit myself to Him who judges righteously. Rather when I am reviled, I bless; when I am persecuted I endure. I submit myself to Love and follow His example.

I love Him because He first loved me. I submit to Christ who is Love, for because of His perfect Love, I am saved from fear; I am becoming an ambassador of His Kingdom of Love.

I Corinthians 13:4-8; I Peter 2:23; I Corinthians 4:12; I John 4:10-21

The artwork "Love Never Fails" is a montage of my photos and hand calligraphy done on the computer. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Quietness and Confidence

In returning and rest I shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be my strength. The work of righteousness in me will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. Lord Jesus, You are my righteousness. I will let Your cross be my yoke. I will rest in You.

Isaiah 30:15, 32:17; Romans 5:17; Philippians 1:11; Matthew 11:18-30

"Morning Meditation" is my own photo: by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Art and blog entry All Rights Reserved.

Supercharged!

This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it. I say to my soul, rejoice, for the Lord your God has given you the victory! I say to my body, rejoice, for the Lord your God is your health, your life, your energy. I will fear the Lord and depart from evil: it will be health to my flesh and strength to all my bones.

The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me and is quickening my mortal body, giving me life and vitality. I will press through every distraction that crowds me until I have touched His garment and His power goes out from Him to me.

By Jesus stripes I was healed, and I am healed now as I receive His Word by faith. I rejoice in His healing power, His willingness to heal me, and in the reality of my healing. I will rejoice until it is manifested in my natural body. I rejoice because all His promises are "yes" and "amen" in Christ Jesus.

I rejoice because God's mighty power is working in me. His strength is completed in my weakness. I can walk in His strength. I am well able to carry out every duty set before me today, with joy and thanksgiving.

I rejoice because as I press in to know Him I will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. He enables me to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him; I am becoming fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. I am strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, so that I can serve Him with all patience and longsuffering with joy.

I give thanks to the Father who has qualified me to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered me from the power of darkness and conveyed me into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I am supercharged.

Proverbs 3:7-8; Philippians 4:4; Romans 8:11; Luke 8:46; Ephesians 1:19, 3:20, 6:10; Colossians 1:9-13, 28-29; II Corinthians 1:20; Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24

Zec 2:10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD.

1Pe 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see [Him], yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory

"Supercharged" is a photo composite by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved. See title link for dancer photo credit.

Victorious Warrior

I purpose it in my heart today to be the spiritual warrior God has called me to be. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus my Lord! He is the victorious, mighty warrior called Faithful and True, and I am also faithful and true because He lives in me. I hate evil and love good, because I have the fear of the Lord.

Out of His mouth comes the sharp two-edged Sword with which He conquers all of His enemies. His powerful Word is in me, therefore I also have the power to defeat all of my enemies with the sword of the Spirit. Jesus has given me authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt me. I rejoice that my name is written in His book.

I study the Word with diligence, and the Spirit of truth brings all things to my remembrance, so I have the word of wisdom I need at the time it is needed. My tongue is loosed from bonds of fear and timidity. I refuse to allow a religious spirit, false humility or apathy to steal my voice. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

God is Love, and I yield myself to Him, to be led by the Spirit of truth. Therefore, when I speak to people, I open my mouth with wisdom, and on my tongue is the law of kindness. I speak forth the truth in love. My enemies are not people, but demonic beings of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. I determine to be gentle with people and ruthless against the spiritual enemy. However, I will not rail or rant or join the devil in his own game of accusation and slander: rather I will say "the Lord rebuke you," and "it is written. . . "

I come before the throne of grace and favor, boldly, seeking first His Kingdom. I know my Father loves me and it is His good pleasure to give me the Kingdom. He is restoring dominion in my life. I inquire of the Lord, submitting to Him and receiving His strategies. In His hand I become a flaming arrow against the evil of our times. Praise the Lord!

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate." Proverbs 8:13

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matthew 5:44

Amos 5:15; Deuteronomy 32:35, 41; Psalm 119:163, 149:6; Proverbs 31:26; I Corinthians 13: ; Ephesians 4:15, 6:12; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16, 19:11; Zechariah 3:2; Jude 1:9; Luke 10: 17-20; Psalm 7:9-13, 127:4

"Rise Up You Warriors and You Watchmen On the Wall" is a photo composite by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Art and blog entry All Rights Reserved. See title link for stock photo credits.

Mastered by Truth

I cannot master truth, instead I must allow Truth to master me.

I submit to you, Jesus, for you alone are the Way, the Truth and the Life. You are my Lord and I shall have no other master.

Your Word holds the universe together, therefore it holds me together. I set myself to agree with Your Word and the Spirit of Truth, for anything else would be self-destruction and foolishness.

God, You are the Rock, Your work is perfect; all Your ways are justice; You are righteous and upright, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. You are a God of truth, and You desire truth in the inward parts. I am submitting to Your truth and Truth is forming Your character in me.

I come before Your throne of grace, Father, that I might turn from my inquities and understand Your truth. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. I hide Your word in my heart so that I might not sin against You.

I partake of Your word~ it is the milk and solid food that nourishes me. Your Word is becoming part of me, and this incarnate Word of Truth is changing me from glory to glory. I am being filled up with your Truth and the favor that comes with it.

I am gaining a more intimate knowledge of Truth from day to day. Truth is gaining the pre-eminence in me; Truth is rising up in me and I am taking authority over all the works of the devil, casting them down. When the devil comes to tempt and deceive, Truth comes out of my mouth like a two-edged sword to destroy every lie. I am taking every lying thought captive and punishing it with truth, after I have obeyed Truth.

I love Truth, and I am becoming more and more open to Him and transparent to others, for darkness, lies, deception and masking are all giving way to the clarity of Truth; therefore I am becoming more free each day from the tyranny of the world, the flesh and the devil. The Spirit of Truth lives in me, and comes along side to help me walk in the knowledge and understanding of the truth.

I worship God in Spirit and Truth, and Truth inhabits my praises. I am set apart by Truth, separated from darkness by His sword of Truth. I dwell in the City of Truth with all those who love Truth and are mastered by Truth. This heavenly City ~ full of truth, love and unity~ is shining more and more brightly and will draw all nations into it until the glory of God covers the earth.

Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 32:4; I Kings 17:21-24; Psalms 25:5, 51:6, 119:11; Daniel 9:13; Hebrews 1:3; John 1:14; John 3:21; John 4:23-24; John 14:6, 17; John 15:26, 16:13; Romans 2:8; Ephesians 4:15, 5:9, 6:14; I Peter 1:22; Zechariah 8:3

"Mastered by Truth" is a photo by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Art and blog entry All Rights Reserved.

Breakthrough

"Do not be discouraged! Your breakthrough is assured. Have I not promised it to you? Remember the way you felt when you started this painting? You were depressed, and you began painting the depression. You painted the desolation, coldness, isolation and loneliness that you felt then, and I surprised you by breaking through with a vision of my glory. You saw me touch the waters of your life, and the ripples began then. You knew me as the Lion, and trusted Me as that from a distance. But because you knew Me, you began to move towards me, and towards the promise of living in the light and beauty of My Kingdom.

You have been walking on that water ever since, keeping your eyes on Me most of the time, and most of the time feeling that you knew where you were going because you could see. Now you are feeling frightened: partly because you are getting closer to the Lion, and now you can feel Me but you cannot see Me, and partly because the ripples have turned into large waves, and there are dark storm clouds all around.

Do not be afraid to keep walking simply because you cannot see. If you were leading yourself, that would be the blind leading the blind. But I am leading you. You must learn to trust Me even when you cannot see. Your heart can see Me, but your mind's eye has not been trained to see what is coming. You have no words, no pictures, no sounds to describe something you have never seen or imagined, therefore you are unable to visualize. This is good, because now you are ready to receive My vision. Stay close to My presence and the sound of My voice, even if all you hear is a growl or a sigh, and you don't understand the words. I will guide you with My eye.

Do not fall into the temptation to despair when I show you things about yourself that must be brought to death. Have I ever left you that way? All you must do is remain in a position of humility and submission. I am doing a work, and I show you what was so that you can rejoice in My work when I am finished.

I am bringing you into your destiny, and the breakthrough you seek is something you cannot accomplish by trying or striving. I am the Master of Breakthroughs. I own them, and they serve me. You cannot make a breakthrough happen, you can only refrain from running backwards while My work is going on. I am changing you and your capacity to see, know, discern, receive, understand, and operate in a Realm in which you have never been, except in your dreams and in your imagination.

You cannot walk in My Lands with fear or pride, for they would devour you. You want to walk in My Lands, so let go of fear and pride. Leave them behind. Let them sink in the water. I am making that possible. I am making the impossible possible in you. Do not doubt. Do not despair. Do not be discouraged. I AM able. I AM willing. I AM!"

received on April 25, 2007

"Breakthrough" is an acrylic/mixed media painting by Karen Gladys Henry © 2007. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Bouquet of Blessings

Greet this day with a joyful shout all you lands of my heart! I will serve the Lord with gladness! I come before His presence with singing! I know that it is God who made me, and I am His person, His sheep. I belong to Him. He is my Good Shepherd and my King. His pasture is green, and He directs and guides me with love.

I enter His beautiful gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. I express my thanks to you for all your tender mercies, which are everlasting. You are so very good, my Lord, therefore I bless your name. Your truth endures to all generations! I loose your truth on all the people in my family, on all those in my sphere of influence, that thanksgiving and praise may abound towards You. I choose to be a blessing to You today by spreading the fragrance of your love.

I desire not to come before You empty-handed, so I arrange a bouquet of thanksgiving to offer you. I call to mind all the multitude of your blessings, the answered prayers, the provisions, the people in my life small and great, the freedoms I enjoy, the ways in which You have spoken to me and touched my life. With each blessing I recall, I speak my thanks to you. Each is a flower for this bouquet. The fragrance of thanksgiving rises and clears out all the bad odors of passivity, discontent, grumbling, complaining, negativity and unbelief.

I stir up my faith with thanking You for all You have done for me and for all that You are. I appreciate You more each day-- Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit-- and I again bless your name. I lift this bouquet of blessings as a wave offering of thanksgiving to you. My heart dances with joy and my body responds with lightness of step.

God, You are good, good, good, and I thank you again today for Your great salvation!

Psalm 100; Exodus 34:20; Romans 1:21; Colossians 3:15; Psalm 97:12; Psalm 107:8; I Thessalonians 1:2, 5:18; Song of Solomon 1:3; II Corinthians 2:14-15; Revelation 4:9, 11:17

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." II Cor. 2:14

"For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God." II Cor. 4:15

"Flowers Say I Love You" is a photo composite by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved. See title link for stock photo credits.

Open Heaven

I declare today that I have an open heaven! I position myself by faith to hear everything that the Lord has to say to me or show me today. The same door, Jesus Christ, is standing open for me that was open for John, and the same voice like a trumpet is saying to me personally, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." I respond to this call and I say, "Yes, Lord, I will come up there!" I will walk in Your heavenly realm, I will dwell in Your presence.

I declare today that the Spirit of wisdom, revelation and understanding is enlightening me and transforming me into the image of Christ. I love His word, and I incline my ear to hear His voice.

I ask, without doubt or wavering, for the wisdom I need for this day, and I know that I will receive it, for He has promised and I am not double-minded.

God has given me everything I need for life and godliness. I give all diligence to add to my faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. I go after these things, and they are mine! Because of this, I am fruitful in the knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. I am not blind or short-sighted, for my eye is single (good) and full of light, focused on Christ and His heavenly kingdom.

I am hidden in Christ and stand with Him on the holy mountain; therefore I hear the Father say, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." My life glorifies Him because I relinquish trying to glorify myself. I lay everything down for the exceeding treasure of having Him.

The day is dawning and the morning star is rising in my heart.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/

Revelation 4:1-2; John 10:9; Ephesians 1:17-19; II Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 119: 11, 18, 36, 97; Psalm 17:6; Proverbs 4:20; James 1: 5-8; II Peter 1: 2-4; 5-9; Luke 11: 34 [see KJV also]; Colossians 3:3; II Peter 1: 17-19; Philippians 3:8

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." II Corinthians 4:7

All Scripture is NKJV unless noted.

"An Open Heaven" is a photo montage by Karen Gladys Henry © 2008. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved.