A CHRISTIAN’S LIFE

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

The Scene: “The branches are symbolic of God’s people who have been grafted into God’s Tree of Life, Jesus the Christ of Nazareth,” said the Holy Spirit.

The leaves sprout and provide shade in the summer. In autumn, the leaves fall off the branches to the ground. They then decay and nutrients return to the ground to be absorbed by the tree. The tree and its branches grow bigger and stronger from these nutrients. The growing tree represents the Christian’s life cycle, while the leaves represent the Christian’s good works.

The lesson: Remember that our origin is in Jesus Christ–-we have been grafted into Him. We were born of Him, we die to our fleshly nature and are raised again to be with Jesus.

• Note:All the branches have three parts with three heart-shaped leaves, coming off the main branch, symbolic of the Holy Trinity and the love of Jesus in our hearts–-the main branch being the Tree of Life.

Copyright: Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2014-2016; 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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                                                                                                         COVERED

Romans 4:7 ” Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

The Scene: A blanket or quilt-like cover of blue and white stripes representing Israel, with an applique made up of a combination of the Alpha, the Omega*  and the Sign of David, with wings of white symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

*Alpha and Omega are from the original Greek Testament, meaning “beginning and end.”

Psalm 17:8 ” Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

The Lord chooses those whom He will cover, protect. The righteous will gain His attention and favor.

Psalm 16:1-3 “Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord,’ You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. ‘ As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.'”

Copyright: Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2014-2016; 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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                                                      MORE OF JESUS

John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less.”

If God’s people are truly to represent God’s love to others, be “Ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), we must do as the Apostle Paul said, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

The Scene: A representation that as the Christian believer dies to self, the meaning of the cross of Christ,Jesus, becomes bigger and more important in our lives. Who see who He really is.

Helen H. Lemmel wrote,”Turn your eyes upon Jesus”, a song. “Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and Grace.” So if we dedicate ourselves to God, daily, and do His will, we will become more like Jesus, more and more. There will truly then be less of us and more of Him!

Copyright: Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2014-2016; 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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                                      INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS FROM GOD

2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”

The Scene: Gift packages, symbols of God’s love for His children.

Beginning with the gift of life and love, God gives spiritual gifts, the gift of His Son, Jesus, the eternal gift.  John 3:15-16  that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 11:29 ” For God’s gifts and his calling are irrevocable.”

Our God is great and He knows no limit when it comes to giving His children gifts.

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”

Copyright: Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2014-2016; 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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                                                   SECURITY (A spiritual message)

Isaiah 32:18 “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”

The Scene: A tree house built in the large tree which can be seen as “the Tree of Life.”

Psalm 91:9-10 “If you make the Most High your dwelling–even the Lord, who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.”

If God’s people who are called by His name will repent, pray and seek Him, He will provide safety from the evil one. (See II Chronicles 7:14)

Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.”

Isaiah 25:4 “You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall ”

Under His canopy we can be sure we will be safe from Satan as he roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (See I Peter 5:8)

Psalm 1:33 ” but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Find security in Jesus Christ our Lord, for we have the power and authority to overcome the evil one.

Copyright: Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2014-2016; 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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                                                            THE SON OF LIGHT

Genesis 1:2 “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

The Scene: Symbol of our God of Light.

Genesis 1:3 ” And God said let there be light, and there was light.”

“I Am the Son of Light,” Jesus said. “I Am the source of all light. Without Me all is darkness.”

John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I Am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”

Copyright: Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2014-2016; 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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                                       HOW GREAT IS GOD’S LOVE

Psalm 36:1 “How priceless is your unfailing love!”

The Scene: Symbols of abundant wealth in the form of gold, silver, paper currency.

God’s love cannot be purchased. God gives His love freely, to those who diligently seek Him.

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

He made it possible that our own sins could be removed, so that we could be saved and enjoy eternal salvation.

1 John 3:1 ” How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

Copyright: Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2014-2016; 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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                               PRUNING IS GOOD

John 15:2,4“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Remain in me and I will remain  in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine.”

The Scene: A tall pine tree with some of its branches missing, representing God’s children whom He prunes to make them stronger and better.

Jesus tells us,”Do not grumble or complain when I prune you, my children.” For pruning makes the remaining growth stronger (maturity in the Holy Spirit) and removes the dead, diseased growth (sin). (See Philippians 2:13)

Copyright: Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2014-2016; 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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