Opentheword.org is not responsible for the content of external internet websites. These external links are provided for information.
Polls
Disclaimer
Opentheword.org is a library resource which holds articles containing different Christian viewpoints on a variety of issues. You will find articles on this site that disagree with each other.
Liberty, a free gift of grace is a spiritual weapon which empower artists to create works of God’s glory.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Release of the Captives
In a previous article on “Craftsmen in Captivity ” we discussed the many ways in which artists and musicians are taken into captivity. Today, we want to “declare liberty to those who are bound”. By open acknowledgment and repentance from sin and idols of the heart, one can set forth on a path of freedom for their spirit, soul and body.
The Psalmist recognized the one LORD God, Elohim, as the great deliverer who could literally cause the freed captives to dream and sing.
“When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue within singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us,
Whereof we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, O LORD,
as the streams in the south.” (Psalm 126:1- 4)
When Jesus Christ read a scroll written by the prophet Isaiah, he recognized the anointing of the Spirit of the LORD God gave him authority to proclaim liberty and set the captives free.
“The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound". (Luke 4:18)
“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”. (Luke 4:21)
Liberty, a Free Gift
God is a creator and designer of things past, present and things to come. Those involved in the creative realm, walking free of sin and condemnation, can get very close to the heart and mind of Christ. This spiritual weapon is extremely dangerous to our enemy of our soul who goes around as a “roaring lion” seeking to oppress God’s people.
“Liberty is not man’s own achievement, but a free gift of grace, something which apart from God’s action man does not possess at all. In its continuance, liberty is a covenant blessing, something which God has promised to maintain as long as His people are faithful. Liberty does not mean independence of God; it is precisely in God’s service that man finds his perfect freedom. (From The New Bible Dictionary, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., pg. 733).
Liberty is central to the gospel of the resurrected Jesus. He has instructed his disciples, to preach the gospel of the kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and set at liberty those that are bound.
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love;” (Colossians 1:13).
Last summer while playing my piano, I was inspired by the Holy Spirit and given a new intimate love song entitled, “Come Away”, based on Solomon of Solomon 2:10. One phrase of the song describes our freedom with the Bridegroom as, “Can’t you see, we are free, free to love each other for eternity”.
More recently while playing the same piano and singing in the spirit, various scriptures came to mind, as well as the word ‘libertad’. I knew this wasn’t an English word but felt that if the Holy Spirit was giving it to me, I should just keep singing it.
Later, I discovered the Spanish word for “libertad” means both “liberty” and “freedom”!
Creativity, Part of our Inheritance
“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father! Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ”. (Galatians 4:6-7)
Made in the image of God our Creator, every man and woman have some type of creativity within their DNA. It may be an inclination towards design by drawing, colours by painting, sound by music, shaping by sculpturing, words by song or literature, and on and on. Once an individual accepts the saving resurrection grace of Jesus Christ within their own heart, the Holy Spirit is given as a seal that they are “children of the Most High” and joint heirs of his promise.
Once infused with God’s Spirit, those inclined in the artistic realm, have access to ALL the Father’s creativity. Freedom in the creative realm is part of our inheritance.
“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21)
Discovering our Talents
Some may say, “I am not very creative, I sing out of tune and I don’t play an instrument.” But if they search deeply, they will discover at least one talent which if they steward properly, can give manifold increase.
You may question, “How do I know what my talent is?”
First, search within and ask, “What do I like to do?” Is there a specific activity or craft that peaks your interest? What talents do you recognize are within your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles? Perhaps within your family there is a certain gifting that has been passed down the generations which one only has to nurture and cultivate. It may be like an over-grown orchard, that one needs to prune the branches and kill the weeds before it will bring good fruit.
In my family lineage, music is prominent on both my father and mother’s side. Now my father was basically tone deaf, but one of his sister’s had a very good voice. Her daughter and several of her grandchildren are also singers who cultivated that gift for the enjoyment of many.
My mother was also a singer-pianist, but more of her immediate siblings were players of musical instruments. Those from my maternal side who have developed the gift of musical playing means they are privileged to understand another universal language.
A sister of mine who had no music ability, loved to sew and design clothes. Her two daughters have inherited her gifting. Another sister started working in painting and pottery after the age of 45.An older brother became more involved in drama and sang his first solo at the age of 59 to the amazement of the entire community who never knew he could sing.
The area of creative writing flows through many of my parent’s offspring.
3-D Development
As noted above, once you uncover your talent, age is not a factor in developing one, five or even ten talents. (Matt. 25:14-30). Great actors like Anthony Quinn and Tony Curtis in the later years of their lives, developed their artistic side and sold many paintings. “Messiah”, the greatest oratorio ever written was composed by Handel in 22 days when he was 56 years old.
The development of creative gifts is a 3-Dimension process and not for the faint-at-heart.
Dedication. It takes dedication and submission to study His word and learn His commands.
Discipline. One must become a disciple of Jesus Christ, the master craftsman, by sitting at His feet and Hearing His voice.
Determination. Living the life of a liberated artist takes determination and is not for the faint hearted.
The LORD is a Holy God and we must be holy to create artistic works which portray His spirit and life. A liberated artist co-operates with the Holy Spirit to design spiritual creative works which bring glory to our Heavenly Father.
“For, brethern, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
Myrna Petersen is a Canadian writer and musician who speaks with a prophetic voice to the Body of Christ. As OpentheWord’s Christian Arts Coordinator, her calling includes encouraging international artists, musicians and craftsmen to creatively use their God-given talents to release the glory of God. (www.accesscomm.ca/business/jeremiahmusical/ )
Myrna One of your many gifts is encouragement which the Lord has used over and over again to bless me. Praise the Lord for how He is using your gifts on this web site to encourage countless others. Reading your article reminded me that my email signature is also an expression of liberty in serving Him. Blessings, Nancy
"But He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. To give it up would be to hold Him in contempt." - Eric Liddel
"... and when I write, I feel His pleasure..." - Nancy Schalm, Orlando, Florida
With a growing library of information, it is becoming increasingly difficult for visitors to find articles of interest to them. One way to find relevant articles is to use our search engine located in the left Nav bar or click on the link below.
Click here for search engine.
Of God, Faith and ClayTuesday, 08 April 2008 | Rogier Donker An award-winning Potter describes how the Art of Pottery is very similar to the way God handles His children.
...Read
SpikenardWednesday, 13 August 2008 | Helene Rudolph Mary of Bethany selected the most expensive fragrance of the day, known as the herb of love, to pour on her Master's feet.
...Read
Forget the Da Vinci CodeWednesday, 14 November 2007 | Teresa Neumann
He say Leonardo Da Vinci's master piece contains a musical composition.
...Read
Our God a Consuming Fire - Part 2Thursday, 26 July 2007 | Dr. Tamara Winslow In Part 2 of Dr. Tamara Winslow’s in-depth study on worship she discusses the seriousness and importance of Spiritual protocols in the genuine... ...Read
Dance of the RestoredSaturday, 11 August 2007 | Dr. Ann Stevenson
Dr. Ann Stevenson discusses the restoration of God’s original pure and holy purpose for dance, when having its proper place in the Body of... ...Read
To Worship is to WarThursday, 04 October 2007 | Jo-Ann SassTrue worship in spirit and truth occurs when we find intimacy with the LORD and when we come to that place, we are also entering an unseen... ...Read
Christian Arts 
Liberty, a free gift of grace is a spiritual weapon which empower artists to create works of God’s glory. 
Show/Hide comments
