Thursday 27 February 2014

WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY

WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY - WATERCOLOUR ON CANVAS,
PAM FINLAY
Along life’s journey we discover the windows of opportunity.  These are short periods of time during which an opportunity must be acted on or missed.  These moments are finite and before long they are gone in the passage of time.  We begin to realize that windows of opportunity are personally built into our journey of self -discovery and we can walk through them eagerly and effectively. 
In July 2013 I received a message from the Holy Spirit to paint this painting and I feel now is the time to reveal it.  The Holy Spirit said he was going to give me the last painting to paint first(the Alpha and Omega).  He emphasized TRANSITION and that word had to be placed in the painting. 

A key to arriving at God’s appointed place is our willingness to remain flexible and willing to “transition” to the new place.  Transition will never take place UNTIL we embrace change.  When the season is ready we will be ready.  God ordains the seasons in life to provide the greatest spiritual fruit and growth for us.  He ordains seasons of growth and rest.   By recognising the season we are in we are better equipped to respond appropriately.  To be sensitive to the season we are in is so important.  There are times of reflection, times of vision, times of healing and times of refreshing.    When we walk in the Power of the Spirit and leans not unto our own understanding we have stepped into the higher nature which is the place God desires us to live in. 
 Genesis 1 V14
14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.
The nine windows in the painting represent the firmament.
It had many windows, some of which opened and closed for the sun and moon to travel through or to let water which was held above, fall through as rain.
Symbolism of Nine in scripture – Marks the completeness, the end of an issue of all things as to man.
In the bible the number 9 is used 49 times and pictures finality or divine completeness from the Lord.  Jesus died at the 9th hour, the completion of His physical body.  His death marked the end of that sinful nature.  As 8 symbolizes the receiving of God’s spirit and a circumcision of the heart, the significance of 9 is that it signifies the fruit of the spirit.  Galatians 5 V 22-23.  Nine fruits of the Spirit.
 The veil is being removed, transitioning into the image of Christ by the Holy Spirit.  Christ Jesus is to be beheld in His light.  All will be revealed. 
I have been given the following scriptures

Numbers 12 V6-8
6 He said, “Listen to my words:
“when there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses:
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
Clearly and not in riddles;
He sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
 The Lord spoke to Moses face to face,. He received the full measure of His glory.
1 Corinthians 13 verse 12
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
 The tree in the painting symbolises the “Tree of Life”.
 
Blessings
Pam
 
 

Tuesday 25 February 2014

FAITHFUL AND TRUE

Faithful and True
Revelation 19 verse 11
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True and in righteousness He judges and makes war”.
Revelation 19 speaks of the bridegroom and His relationship with His bride and the wedding supper of the Lamb. 
Jesus, the bridegroom, is coming, followed by His bride, the army of God, manifesting in the fullness of God, with full authority, knowledge and speaking in righteousness. 
It will be a heavenly procession entering in triumph led by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 
Lord Jesus is the judge.  He is always faithful to His promise and what He speaks is true.  Jesus is a true emblem of justice and holiness.
 
Blessings
Pam
 
 
 

Monday 24 February 2014

KALEIDOSCOPE OF HIS GLORY

The Kaleidoscope of His Glory - Acrylic on Canvas 2014
 

A kaleidoscope is a circle of mirrors containing shapes and coloured objects continually changing patterns by reflection.  As the viewer looks into one end, light enters the other end.  The word “kaleidoscope” is derived from the ancient Greek (kalos) meaning beautiful, beauty.
Like the kaleidoscope, the pattern of God is reflected in us, a multifaceted beautiful new creation in Christ Jesus
 Peter 2 verse 9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.  His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

 Fruit is produced when you are on God’s wavelength.  Tapping into His light and into His power, sourcing the right frequency.  We have the ability to access His power.  He is the transmitter and in them only light and no darkness at all.
Ephesians 5 verse 8, 9
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord and walk as children of light
9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth

 God’s word promises completeness.  The pathway to his power comes only when we make the decision to walk in His light.  When you become attuned to the right channel, the God channel, through fellowship (koinonia) with Jesus maturity in him becomes part of His plan.

 Tune into his promise.  God’s kaleidoscope manifests all of His glory, all at once and all of the time.  He sometimes reveals different aspects of His glory at different times.  Gaze into the kaleidoscope of His glory.  Day by day He will reveal new facets of His character and this is what ignites our passion for Him.  He lights our way through life when we allow His light to shine through us.  Fresh bursts of colour come through the changes He allows in us.  Jesus has given us light for our path.  Follow Him.

 Revelation 4 Verse 3-5 gives a clear picture of what the Holy Spirit was showing me through painting.
3 And He who sat there was like a Jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty four elders sitting, clothed in white robes and they had crowns of gold on their heads
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings and voices.  Seven lamps of the fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

 

Friday 21 February 2014

THE FIRMAMENT - GOD'S HANDIWORK, HEAVENS EMBRACE AND A HOLY HABITATION

The Firmament - Pam Finlay Acrylic on canvas
 
The Firmament- God’s handiwork, Heaven’s embrace and a Holy Habitation
The Firmament is an arched, solid vault of Heaven.  God created the firmament to separate the “waters above“.  In the sky it is stretched out like a canopy.

The Firmament – It has many windows, some of which open and close for the sun and moon to travel through or to let water, which is held above, full through as rain, latter rain.

Genesis 1 Verse 6 -8 Then God said "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters".

As Ezekiel mentions in his vision in Ezekiel 1 Verse 22
“The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures was like the colour of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads”.

Psalm 148 Verse 4
“Praise Him you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens”

Fling wide your heavenly gates Lord, the scripture in Genesis 28 V 12 is ringing true this morning. Jacob’s vision of the ladder from earth to heaven.  The Holy Spirit woke me at twenty eight past twelve this morning and brought me back to this scripture.    God is saying "Here I am".

Jesus is the chief cornerstone.  We are precious in his sight.  He wants us to come out of the darkness and into His glorious light.  He has chosen us. 


 

 

 

Wednesday 19 February 2014

THE CROWN OF LIFE


The Crown of Life - Pam Finlay, Acylic on Canvas 2014 
James 1 Verse 12:  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
The flower represented in this painting, the Granadilla, is a symbol of the Passion of Christ and throughout Christian history has been symbolic of various aspects of His crucifixion.
The spiralled tendrils represent the lashes Christ endured
The central flower column represents the pillar of the scourging
The 72 radial filaments represent the crown of thorns
The top 3 stigmas represent the three nails and also the Holy Trinity
The lower 5 anthers represent the 5 wounds
The leaves represent the head of the Centurions spear
The red stains represent the drops of Christ’s blood
The round fruit of the granadilla is symbolic of the world Christ came to save through his suffering
Thank you Jesus for sacrificing your life for us on the cross at Calvary.  The cross put an end to all flesh so that our characters could be fully transformed into your image. 
The soul is where God works on us, purifying our heart and mind.  Jesus put an end to the sinful nature on the cross at Calvary.  We just have to live the life he has intended for us by faith.  God is refining and moulding us into the image He wants us to be, humbling us when we are fully submitted to Him.  The scriptures that I have been drawn to are:
Romans 12 Verse 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Malachi 3 Verse 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord, An offering of righteousness.
Mark 8 Verse 34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
Many other scriptures reaffirm the above.
God desires that we have the fullness of Him.
Ephesians 3 Verse 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge: that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 
The Full measure, Jesus says in John 17 V 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them”.
Lord Jesus Christ, Let your Holy Spirit fill me and transform my heart and mind so that I may choose abundant life in you and with you.  Amen.
Blessings
Pam

Monday 17 February 2014

"TRINITY - THREE ARE ONE"

A painting of mine called "Trinity - Three Are One" 

The butterfly as a Christian symbol represents and symbolizes the resurrection.

In our Christian walk we experience personal "metamorphosis" in our journey to becoming new creations in Christ. 

This journey focuses on becoming more intimate with the trinity and developing the true divine nature of the Christ.

The butterfly has three stages in its lifecycle.  The caterpillar stage, the chrysalis (cocoon)stage where it wraps itself up in preparation and the transformation stage of the butterfly, when it is resurrected into a new life of freedom.

As a butterfly proceeds through different phases in its lifetime so do we and these stages can sometimes prove to be challenging but it arises into a  fully perfected creature soaring high above all of the many layers that it has had to discard along the way of life. 

1 Corinthians 15 V42-44.  So it will be with the resurrection of the dead.  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable, it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory, it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.  It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15 V52  In a moment, 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.

 
The three yellow (signifying the colour of victory) butterflies are symbolic of the Godhead. 

 The significance of the trinity (three are one) is that it signifies divine perfection.

Three stands for that which is solid, real, substantial, complete, entirety.

God's attributes are three:  omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence.

Three times the seraphim cry "Holy, Holy, Holy" in scripture, one for each of the three persons of the trinity (Isaiah 6 V3)as did the four living creatures in Revelation 4 V8. 

Three times the blessing is given in Numbers 6  V 24, 25 and 26.

Numbers 6V24: The Lord bless you and keep you (The Father)

Numbers 6V25: The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;(The Son)

Numbers 6V26: The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace(The Holy Spirit).

Faith, Hope and Love are the three gifts of grace. 

Butterflies hover and I was reminded of the scripture in Genesis where it speaks of the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters.

Butterflies carry pollen from one flower to another.  They help to pollinate the flowers.  Because of this some flowers bear their fruits. 

The Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to receive God’s word, to fully understand the deeper things of God, the honey of his word.  Proverbs 24 V13,14.

God desires for us to eat of that honey so that our eyes will be enlightened.  1 Samuel 14 V27.

The word of God is spiritual food, manna from heaven.  .

THE NECTAR OF GOD IS THE HONEY OF HIS WORD.
  SEEK HIS NECTAR.
 Blessings
Pam

 

 

Thursday 13 February 2014

BLUE POPPIES

 
Have you noticed the growth of a poppy.
Just before it blooms, it hangs it's head heavy with the promise of blossom.
 A sweet fragrance awaiting to be experienced.
 

Monday 10 February 2014

FAN THE FLAME

Fan The Flame - Pam Finlay
66 x 71cm Acrylic on Canvas

Angels have heard on high
The sound of the rushing wind
The midnight cry is closer now
The trumpets are sounding
Jesus is coming


Flowers in heaven represent the revelations of God’s beauty
Song of Solomon 1 V14, 2 V1.
The true flowers in heaven are eternal and perfect in their beauty, fragrance and form.
Hebrews 9 V24, James 1 V17.

Archangels are God’s messengers to humanity in times of crisis.  The archangel’s duty is that of a messenger.  The angel trumpet flowers represent the “rushing mighty wind” that was precedent to the descent of the Spirit.  Acts 2 V2. 

 

Symbolically the Trumpet Flower represents separation.  The colour orange is also symbolic of separation, passion, power, fire, harvest season, fruitfulness and joy.  You will see the colour orange is a predominant colour in my painting. 
In Revelation 3 V16 Jesus speaks of the gold refined in the fire.  God wants our character to be transformed into “Gold tried in the fire”.  Red and Yellow together make orange.  Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, he has given us the ability to manifest His character and be reconciled to God. 

He is the ultimate judge at this hour, examining our hearts, removing evil, repairing the damage of sin, and that fiery furnace is moulding and shaping us until we emerge perfected.  God gives out mercy instead of justice. 

In the process of refining gold it must be done accurately to ensure the final product is free from impurities. 

Malachi 3 V2-3, 2 Timothy 1 V6-7

Fan into flame the gift that God has given you, stir up, revive the embers, fan the flame and keep alight the inner fire of God, the gracious gift that He has given you. 
Kindle the fire within, stir up the gifts of the Spirit within to bless those around us. 

Matthew 3 V11,  Baptise us with the Holy Spirit and Fire.

  Change only occurs when we comprehend that we must be internally transformed, in order for us to bloom in desire of the most Holy God. 
When we surrender completely to the inward call of God we become truly open to the willingness to transform.

God has planted within us instructions for life.
The angels are showing us the pathway to enter the new garden of Eden Song of Solomon 2 V10-14.

Love and blessings
Pam

Wednesday 5 February 2014

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE - LEANING TOWARD JESUS

A mosaic I created  entitled "The Circle of Life"
 
A poem of mine that accompanies the mosaic.
 
“The Circle of Life"
 
Life’s natural cycles,
God’s times and seasons,
The Circle of Life is for a reason.
The beginning and the destination,
Fulfilling God’s eternal purpose for creation.
Enjoying the journey and making a difference,
 Bring joy to those around us,
His sons in coherence.
Perfection is His plan,
Love is the key,
Connected in that circle,
True gemstones of creativity.
Opening our hearts,
Developing our full potential,
God’s majesty and holiness
Is reverential.
Fully submitted,
In unison with Him
Adoration, pure worship
God’s glory within.
 
By opening your heart to a place of enlargement, God can develop your full potential to a place of abundance.  He is transitioning us to where He wants us to be.
Those true gemstones, as typified in my artwork, are  important as they express the heart of the Father and His love for us. The river of life is flowing in the centre.  Bringing connectedness, through swirls of creativity, to the world we live in.  Fully submitted and moving with Jesus in perfect unison, glory and obedience. 
The wheel within a wheel. Ezekiel 1 V16.
 
Blessings
Pam
 
 

Sunday 2 February 2014

WINDS OF CHANGE

Pam Finlay - Painting entitled "Winds of Change" 2013

Change is the absence of familiarity, an opportunity to embrace new challenges, to do something different from what you’ve always done.
“Winds of Change” signal a change in the weather like when strong winds herald an approaching storm.   Metaphorically in life sometimes unanticipated and sudden changes occur in our circumstances.  But when the wind has gone things often return back to normal.  These “winds” are often transitory and usually pass but your world can be turned upside down by these moments

The winds constantly change, transforming the environment just as God desires for spiritual transformation, transitioning us to where he wants us to be - truly manifested into likeness and character of Christ, into the fullness of Christ, Ephesians 3 V19, Ephesians 4 V13, Ephesians 4 V24.
The winds of change are on their way, shifting us into new ways, a deeper level of understanding and obedience.  They are beginning to take hold in the Word like never before.  Life as we have known it up until now is about to change and we need to be spiritually prepared for what lies ahead, learning to hear God’s voice and walk in His ways in a much greater capacity.
 
 
Blessings
Pam