When I Am Lifted Up...

By Hazel Holland

This is a watercolor I painted a number of years ago to illustrate a vision I had about the Spirit being poured out upon God's children. Tonight I finished fine-tuning the colors digitally. 

In this vision I saw children of every age flocking towards this pillar of light that represented Jesus Christ. Water was flowing very gently from the top of the pillar and this represented the Holy Spirit being poured out upon them. 

From every direction children flocked towards this pillar of light, and just as soon as they reached it the Spirit fell upon them, and they began dancing and worshiping God with childlike freedom and joy. 

The children represent you and I. We are God's beloved children whom He is drawing to Himself by His Spirit. For the Scriptures remind us that when Jesus Christ is lifted up He will draw all people to Himself. ♥

Christ Expresses His Life Through Us

By Hazel Holland

I was thinking today of how Paul reminds us to "not forsake the assembling of yourselves together".  Of course this exhortation is usually interpreted to mean "be sure you attend church each week". But is this what Paul meant when he made this statement?  Seeing one another around a corporate church gathering once a week is hardly real fellowship like the early church experienced as they met together in each others homes.

Real fellowship is based in intimate relationships.  Real fellowship is based on regularly connecting and becoming deeply involved in other people’s lives?  If we are honest we must admit that relationships with people in a modern day church setting are limited by programs and maintaining a common vision.  This is hardly fellowship in the truest sense of the word. 

But what can happen in small home group settings is the best kind of fellowship.  What joy comes from worshiping God together and praying with one another as we allow the Spirit to minister to each of our needs.  Studying the Word together and allowing the Spirit to let it pierce our hearts with His love makes us willing to carry each others burdens to the Lord.  This is the kind of fellowship my heart continually longs for.  

As we allow the Spirit to move in our lives, the gifts of the Spirit will be manifest in and through our lives as Christ expresses His life through us.  Fellowship with one another becomes sweeter as we remember that Jesus Christ is the burden-bearer?  Since He has already done all the heavy lifting we can release our works at the foot of the cross.  Then we will be free to enter into the joy of His "good" work.  

Our job is to simply rest in His finished work, enjoy sweet fellowship with Him, and love one another as He has loved us. Our work is to enter moment by moment into the rest of His marvelous grace and allow Christ to express His life through us. ♥

Flying Free

By Hazel Holland  

This impressionistic watercolor is another version of "Life in His Name".  When I place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior I undergo a miraculous exchange at the very center of my being.  I become a child of God - a new person in Christ.  The old has gone and the new has come. Now I can fly free in the Spirit as I live out my my new identity in Jesus Christ.♥

To see a larger copy of this  painting or purchase a print, please click here.

Pursue LOVE!

By Hazel Holland

After creating this impressionistic watercolor of beautiful plants from a larger painting of mine, I feel like these vivid colors are speaking to our hearts about the importance of faith, hope, and love.  They remind us that 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that the greatest of these fruits of the Spirit is love!  So pursue LOVE!♥

To see a larger copy of this painting or purchase a print, please click here.

Life in His Name

By Hazel Holland

As I began reading chapter 20 of the book of John the other morning, the Spirit began to minister to my heart in a marvelous way.  I was feeling physically and emotionally overwhelmed by the responsibilities of life.  I felt like I had no energy left to face another day.  I needed my Spirit to be restored.  I needed new life to be pumped into my veins...

All of a sudden Jesus began speaking to my heart through the Spirit as I read John 20...  "You may cling to me now My child, because I have already ascended to My Father and your Father.  I have already ascended to My God and Your God.  I give you My peace, My child! As the Father sent Me, I am also sending you... 

"You've already received the Holy Spirit...  So don't be unbelieving, because you feel drained and tired, but believe!  I am speaking these words to you now so that you may believe that I am the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in My name!"

My face was bathed in sweet tears of relief as I felt the overwhelming presence of God envelop me like a warm blanket.  Suddenly I remembered this impressionistic watercolor painting of a bird I had created recently, and it seemed to be the perfect picture to describe how His resurrection life began to pump through my tired veins bringing joy and anticipation!  I could face this new day because I have life in His name!♥

To see a larger copy of this painting, or purchase a print, please click here.

A Floral Rainbow

By Hazel Holland
 

I painted this impressionistic watercolor of rainbow colored flowers to remind us that God's promises to us in the gospel are certain and will never fail.♥

To see a larger copy of this painting, or purchase a print, please click here.

He is Risen

By Hazel Holland

This painting was my first attempt at using oil pastels. The colors do not blend quite as well as the soft pastels that I am use to using, but thankfully they are a lot cleaner to work with. 

Since Easter will be here in a few weeks I wanted to start painting some pictures that will draw attention to the One who is the Resurrection and the Life!

"Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Because of His great mercy He gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death" 1 Peter 1:3.

Have a blessed Easter.♥

To see a larger copy of this painting, or purchase a print, please click here.