Painting

by Alan Breitenstein

August 15, 2021

Scripture Reading Isaiah 45:5-9

5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

8  Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

9  Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

I have been wondering for some time why there seems to be absolutes only in math and little science. Why 2 people can take the same material and come up with differing opinions. Such as 2 doctors reading the same MRI, CATSCAN, or X-rays and come up with different opinions or why there are differing views as to Scripture verses. What keeps people from seeing the same views? Why do people fall for a fallacy as there being more than 2 genders and  cannot view that all races are not alike? How do we determine who is right and what determines to be right? Why do people hold on to a view or even a tradition that seems to others as being ridiculous or a lie? The Lord God guided me in finding answers to all these questions and more in this search.

I found an article searching for what the minds of the world had to say on the question of where our thoughts come from.  This article came from the Proctor Gallagher Institute.

“The Proctor Gallagher Institute is a business that helps people in business.

Powerful things that stimulate a person’s imagination and are the source of everything we create. Thinking is a mental activity of the human mind that never ceases. It has no beginning and no end.“

Question:  Does this sound familiar? Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

The article continues: 

"Our personal thoughts are the intellectual expression of an electrical energy that flows constantly through the human mind. And our thoughts are the ignition for everything we do.

Nothing gets created without a person first thinking about it.“

Question:  This statement certainly blows away evolution. Does this also define God?

Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 10:6  And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Genesis 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Isaiah 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

These verses should pretty much sum up all things all the things created and by what source.

The article continues: 

“But we rarely give any thought to where those ideas and concepts come from. They just are. While labeling or describing the thinking process helps to bring order to our mind, we have never adequately understood why we think or how thoughts arise in our conscious awareness.

As human beings, we think. We do not need to know any more about the origins of thought or the mind. It’s more important to understand how to use it and how to take conscious control over our thinking.“

Comment:  Maybe it is time to consciously know more about the origins of thought, who is shaping or painting the pictures in our minds.

Romans 8:5-6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Continuing with the article:

“The majority of a person’s thoughts are automatic and arise from the subconscious mind. We do not consciously choose most of our thoughts. They simply appear from that constant flow of mental chatter.”

Question:  Could we be harboring thoughts of our ancestors as far back as 6000 years? Is that mental chatter from our ancestors; i.e. Our DNA?

Back to the article: 

"The thoughts we actually ‘think’ are the ones we focus on; the ones that catch our attention – which often come with a strong feeling attached to them.

These are the types of thoughts that we act on, and they are often a repetitive pattern of activity that deliver similar results and leave a person with a recognizable life and predictable future. We can, however, change our life if we learn to use our mental faculties deliberately."

Comment:  1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Back to the article:

"When we consciously apply reason or perception to originate thoughts and ideas, we can influence our future, but mostly we are guided through our days by our subconscious mind delivering familiar thoughts, ideas, observations and judgments into our conscious mind."

Comment:  Colossians 3:2 ESV  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Back to the article: 

"Those thoughts cause our actions and become habits of behaviour that deliver predictable results."

Question:  Once again who is painting those thoughts that we have in our mind?

Back to the article: 

"If a person is to take real control of their life and create the life they want, they must learn to take conscious control of the thought-stream in their mind instead of abdicating responsibility for thinking."

Comment: Scripture says

• Proverbs 3:5 ESV  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
• Hebrews 4:12 ESV  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• Romans 12:1-2 ESV  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Back to the article: 

"That begins with awareness of what they are actually thinking; to be able to distinguish between what automatically arises and what is consciously originated; learning to choose the thoughts that match their goals and desires; rejecting thoughts that arise that do not match their vision for their life.

We have the power and right to accept or reject any thought that enters our mind.

To do that, we must learn to recognize that our thoughts are not reality, or ‘the truth’, but offerings."

Comment:  This statement tells me the writer  believes he has free will to choose what thoughts he wants to be  real or true. He would know what is real and true if he were to examine the origin of thoughts.

Back to the article: 

"We have the option of choosing to believe and follow a thought, or to reject it and replace it with a better one."

Comment: Jeremiah 29:11 ESV  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Back to the article: 

"It requires awareness of that option, and practice of rejecting strong thoughts that do not fit our view of who we want to be."

Question:  Could this belief explain the reason for the questions that I had in the beginning of this message? 

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV  To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Back to the article: 

"Begin to choose thoughts that reflect your values and desired identity. Do not choose those thoughts based on present conditions or circumstances, which were created by past thinking."

Comment:  2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ

The article ends: 

"Choose your thoughts based on what you wish to be, do or have. That’s how you create a future you desire, instead of a predictable future that looks a lot like the present."

Comment:  Proverbs 16:3 ESV Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Now if you noticed, not one mention of Our Creator, and in other articles on the same subject by others were similar to this one and not one mention of the very source that influenced  them to write or be successful in their field. We have all been there before and fortunately for us The Great I Am put His Spirit upon us so that we could now know better.

Now to the answers to the questions above.  Why is it that two people can take the same material and come up with differing opinions; Such as two doctors reading the same MRI, CATSCAN, or X-rays and come up with different opinions or why there are differing views as to Scripture verses? What keeps people from seeing the same views? Why do people fall for a fallacy to there being more than 2 genders and cannot view that all races are not alike? How do we determine who is right and what determines something to be right? Why do people hold on to a view or even a tradition that seems to others as being ridiculous or a lie? It all has to do with the education given to them and their desire to know more or less. The absolutes are even being rejected. 2 plus 2 can be what you want it to be. I wonder what drink these people are drinking.

1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

The majority of our kindred brothers and sisters love the milk of the Word and stay drinking milk. Some even find the milk of the Word repulsive. They would much rather drink sour milk. Those who want some meat of the Word get the most tender part like a filet mignon and they can digest it. But meat comes in different categories like really tender, medium and really tough.

I remember when I was a child and our family was at the supper table and mom fixed some steak and that was something we rarely got for I come from a family of 10. Well dad got really upset with the toughness of the steak and he took it outside and threw it. It ended up on the neighbor's garage roof. He couldn't cut it, chew it, nor digest it and he just lost it. When things don't go right we tend to lose our temper. Well one just couldn't blame mom, for she went to the store and probably saw a good looking piece of meat and it had to be on sale and she more than likely thought that this would be a nice treat. We all know how our eyes deceive us. Well it wasn't a nice treat and that steak was like Scripture to a lot of people: hard to cut, hard to chew, and hard to swallow.

We also have to beware of those who pass out false doctrine, pretending and halfheartedly using Scripture passages to sell their paintings to others. I have found this happening amongst fellow CI members. Not that their intentions were to deceive, but it is what they want to believe. As soon as we figure out that we are nothing and that it isn't about us, that it is all about what God wants for us, the better off we will be.

Have you ever noticed having strong beliefs on a matter only later to find out there is more to learn on that matter?  God just gives us a little at a time and until we are ready for more, He then gives us more. Sometimes we either reject more for we think it counteracts with what was given us or savor the moment for better understanding.

Have you ever been afraid of being wrong? If so, then we need to upgrade our education.

Have you ever noticed people looking for approval of their beliefs?  My wife was in a conversation with an acquaintance friend and she asked my wife if she had gotten the vaccine and my wife told her no. The woman said that she thinks everyone should get the vaccine. Obviously that woman is insecure in her decision and it upsets her when she finds out others did not do what she did. She would feel better if everyone had gotten the vaccine, for then she wouldn't feel so insecure. Maybe she should have upgraded her education on the matter.

In the future when discussing matters concerning Scripture, if one makes a remark in regards to my beliefs I will just reply "Oh I am sorry I did not realize that you are in the early stages of learning;  just wait until you get to a higher grade of learning, for you are in for a ride."

Romans 1:28  ESV  And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Ezekiel  11:17-21

17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’

18 And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. 

19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 

20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 

21 But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.

Here God is saying that He will give us a soft heart and woe to those whom He hardens their heart, like Pharoah's heart.

Imagine how awful it had to be for the Egyptians watching Pharoah make stupid decision after stupid decision in destroying them and the land and their possessions. 

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

My wife was in a conversation with a black woman who said she was a school teacher.  She said she taught those children that if they were told by police to stop, they are to stop, for if they didn't, they might be shot. Now this is a picture  that has been painted into her head and yet she doesn't see the picture that is painted into the minds of other people at the very same time and that is that the blacks are in the news the majority of the time for crimes of all sorts. 

To solve a mystery one has to ask and answer the questions of who, what, where, why, when, and how.

Only God's remnant can answer these questions in regard to the downfall of Christianity. Those who call themselves Christian cannot answer the questions "who and why"

Jeremiah 17:1 ESV  “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Isaiah 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

Now to more Scripture verses. This next verse is for us to experiment with when we are sick and depressed or down about something.

Philippians 4:8 ESV  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

It certainly is not easy to do when our surroundings and fleshly mind pound away at us like a storm.

Psalm 139:17 ESV  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Psalm 19:14 ESV Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 94:11 ESV The Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.  (it must be the carnal thoughts of man)

Philippians 4:6 ESV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 John 4:4 ESV  Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Romans 7:25 ESV  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

James 1:14-15 ESV But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Now to verses of the Serpent's art. The following passages relate to the carnal or fleshly mind. Examine these passages to see if it is at all possible to rid ourselves of the carnal mind.

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Romans 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

1 Corinthians 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal thoughts.

Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

Numbers 16:28  And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind

Can we get the carnal mind into subjection to the spiritual mind?

No matter how many differing thoughts there may be it comes down to just two sources for those thoughts: the carnal and the spiritual. The spiritual mind can only be instilled into us from Our Creator. We are born with the carnal (Psalm 51 v 5).

The ones who focus on the paintings of the Lord in their mind are truly blessed. Every artist puts their name on their painting. You know them by their fruits. We are not perfect and have a long road ahead of us.

What would be God's answer to the question "Lord do we have faith the size of a mustard seed? This is a preview question for another message.

In conclusion, be aware of Who is doing the painting in your head and know what spirit you are in.  If we are unsure of what spirit we are in, should we make a decision on matters that we come upon? What would the Master say to the servant if the servant made a decision without asking Him.

What is sad is that people blame God for all the ills of the world and refuse to look at themselves for those ills. People flock to mountains, oceans, scenic views, do you think they ever give God credit for its beauty?

Be Thou my Vision Oh Jesus of my heart.