OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Isaiah 61:3b ” They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. ”

The Scene: A forest of  oak trees, though sparse in their spacing and number, stand tall. The ground around them is barren of any other vegetation; no weeds, no vines, bushes, etc. The tall tress are a representation of God’s holy people, a people of righteousness, those filled with His Spirit, trying to do right, followers of His Word.

The missing ground clutter–symbolic of the world’s sin nature. Works of evil have been removed.

Matthew 24:13-14 “But he who stands firm to the end will be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Psalm 96:1-2,11-13 “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. v.11-13 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the people in his truth.”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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5-42 TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

ONE DAY AT A TIME

Exodus 13:21-22 ” By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

The Scene: A representation of the pillar of cloud; each day God set the course for the Israelites to follow. Trusting Him, they followed the pillar of cloud by day and a pillar fire by night–not worrying about tomorrow or what the future would bring. Father God provided every day:  the Israelites’ water, clothing, and food.

Today we are called to do likewise, thinking only of today and what it brings (good and bad) trusting only in our God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Following the Holy Spirit as our guide; not by cloud or fire, but by prayer and meditation along with study on His Word, our Comforter the  Counselor will lead us through our day, if we let Him.

John 14: 15-18 ” ‘If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.’ ”

John 14: 26-27 ” ‘But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ ”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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5-41 COMFORTER/COUNSELOR

CONSECRATION

2Corinthians 8:5 ” And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”

The Scene: A store front; with people standing and sitting, waiting, as if for an assignment. The people represent Christians who have given of themselves (time, talent, treasure) to God and are called into ministry (the five fold ministry).*

*See Ephesians 4:11 Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

Acts6:1, 3, 7 “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food… ‘Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’… So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

As followers of Jesus we are called to follow His example, serve Him, as He calls us out for service and goes before us.

NOTE: When people allow themselves to be used of God and join together like an army, they are a powerful tool, a strong force for good, for God.

Psalm 40:7 “Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come–it is written about me in the scroll.’ ”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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5-40 CHRISTIAN SERVICE

A FIRM FOUNDATION

Isaiah 28:16 ” So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘ See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’ ”

The Scene: A solid rock wall built upon a rock foundation–the rock representing Jesus. He is “the Rock”. The cornerstone sets the orientation/direction for the structure.  The structure represents Christians and the Church.

Ephesians 2:20-22 “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Isaiah 12:2 ” Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”

When we build something we want it to last. When we build our tower of strength on the Rock, Jesus the Christ of Nazareth, we are assured that our faith, which leads to our salvation, will come through the storms and troubles of our lives–Jesus’ help will stand the test of time and we will reign with Him in heaven forever.

2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’ ”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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5-39 FIRM FOUNDATION

REFLECTION

1 Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see but a poor 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 Scene: A free-standing mirror that allows God’s children to see their spiritual immaturity at first and later to see, as mature ones, the reflection of the Lord’s glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Even born-again Christians are not fully mature, spiritually. The Lord says, ‘One day my people’s hearts will reflect Me.’

Proverbs 27:19 ” As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”

We are all called upon to reflect on what the Holy Spirit says to each of us.

2 Timothy 2:7 “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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5-37 REFLECTIONS

RENEWED LIKE AN EAGLE

Psalm 103:5 “Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

The Scene: Three*  soaring eagles, flying high in the sky. The eagles flew in a figure eight** pattern, going round and round, diving down and flying back up again.

*three–representing the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit and completeness.

**eight–representing new beginnings (healing, in this case).

A touch of oil for healing brought on this vision from the Holy Spirit; a promise of wellness at that moment.

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Don’t give up. Be strong. Be bold, the Lord (Jehovah Rapha) your God, is with you!

Jehovah Rapha= God our healer

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

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5-36 RENEWED (HEALING)

        REPENTANCE

Isaiah 1:18 ” ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord.  ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’ ”

The Scene: 1) soiled wash cloth; 2) pure white wash cloth; 3) bottle of bleach.

When we ask the Lord our God for forgiveness, in sincerity, in repentance for our sins, it’s like a soiled wash cloth (sin) being washed in bleach water (living water).  This is similar to hyssop being used in the Old Testament.*When left in the bright sun to dry, the cloth became white again after being dirty.

*Hyssop: a sweet smelling plant of the mint family, used in Egypt and Israel (Palestine) in ceremonial rites of the Israelites, which is a symbol for inner healing.

The Israelites used hyssop branches to spread the blood of a lamb or goat on the door posts of their homes to protect them from the angel of death as it passed by before their Exodus from Egypt, being led by Moses. (See Exodus 12:22-30)

Psalm 51:7 “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”

Matthew 4:17 “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ ”

Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.’ ”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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5-34 REPENTANCE

LIVING WATER

John 7:37b-38 “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

The Scene: stream and waterfall–with a poem given to the writer by the Holy Spirit. The stream, representative of Jesus, with the waterfall, a symbol of His power to save.

As we praise and give honor to our Lord and Savior we can rest assured His promise of eternal life is true.

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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5-31 LIVING WATER

DIVINE PROTECTION

1 Corinthians 10:13 “ No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

The Scene: a chasm in the earth: symbolism for hazards of the world; the likely fall into trouble/temptation. A bridge that represents the way through or across chasms–those areas in our lives that lead to a fall into sin, that we encounter in our daily walk through this sinful/evil world. And the three birds watching from above, representing the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 4:18 “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

He, our Lord, Jesus, will provide a way out when we are heading toward trouble/temptation/sin–if we call on His name to help us.

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.  Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Acts 22:14-16 “Then he said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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5-33 PROTECTION