LOVE IS THE WORD | TREE OF LIFE | ALL CONSUMING FIRE

This painting is a part of the “trilogy” of paintings that one of my clients commissioned me to do. He left it completely in my hands to paint as Holy Spirit would lead me. As I asked Holy Spirit what He wanted me to paint I felt that The Word, His love as a burning heart and all-consuming fire, and the Tree of Life had to be together in one painting.

The day that I dedicated to start painting this painting, Holy Spirit spoke through the written word of my daily devotional from the School of The Spirit / Back to the Garden – Spirit, Soul & Body by Sarah Van Vuuren. School of The Spirit (p.227) addressed all the aspects of the painting. It speaks about the tree of life, the Word, and the heart.

This was such a confirmation that this is exactly what He wanted me to paint. Wow, wow, wow Holy Spirit spoke so loud and clear. I am in awe of how He draws near and makes Himself and His presence so known during the process of painting and shares what is on His heart.

Then I read about The Book of Life and God’s blood cleansing us as we repent according to the sewing and reaping principle of our forefathers.

Sarah Van Vuuren says: ‘“…when you learn from the Teacher of teachers, I desire to take you way beyond knowledge, right to the tree of revelation. “When I teach, I give revelation, because then you are able to live out your conviction. Revelation is a truth set on fire inside of you. It becomes alive in you as it pierces through your very being into the chamber of your heart. It is from this place that you can effectively walk in love-filled obedience”’ (School of The Spirit / Back to the Garden – Spirit, Soul & Body, Sarah Van Vuuren. School of The Spirit, p.227).

The Truth is The Word of God, so as we meditate on His Word, we receive His revelation, and it becomes alive in us and through us.

‘“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV).

The tree of life represents a life-giving tree created to support the physical and spiritual well-being of mankind. Jesus is The Tree of Life who brings healing to the nations.

Proverbs 3:18 refers to wisdom as a tree of life: “She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed”.

“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption”       (1 Cor 1:30, NIV).

“… down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Rev 22:2).

I painted the tree as coming from the Word. Jesus is The Living Word, The Word who became flesh. He is also the Tree of Life and therefore I felt to paint the Tree of Life ‘growing’ from The Word. I painted the leaves in mainly in red and orange tones representing the blood of Jesus

The Word has been painted very colourful. The colours to me represent God’s covenant. It reminds me of the rainbow. His Word is His covenant to us. His Word is alive and life-giving. It is God-breathed and inspired by The Holy Spirit and full of His promises.

The burning heart is in the centre and comes from the centre of The Word. It represents His heart. His Love burns as an all-consuming fire. He gave His life as the biggest act of His love.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:9-13, NIV).

There is an old song that goes like this: “All- consuming fire, You’re our heart’s desire, the living flame of God, come baptize us, come baptize us”

God is love. God is The Word. He is the Tree of Life, and He is a consuming fire.

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16, NIV).

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, NIV).

“…since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Heb 12:28-29, NIV).

Here are some beautiful lyrics that I listened to as I was painting: “I love the way you move my heart” from The New has come by Kelanie Gloeckler from the album You are the radiance

“Let the fire burn in me for the pure of heart to see You Lord” and “Baptize us in The Holy Spirit, Baptize us in fire” from Overcome – Live by Heather Clark/ Overcome.

His Heart Beats for You by Grace Williams/ Overflow

“Jesus come burn inside our hearts, Let Your fire fall on us, Let Your glory come! Fire of God, Come rest upon our face” from Fire of God by Jackie Baker

Blessings

Corinn