4 minute read
Voice of Truth Cover Story
by Beverly Bray
Lord of the Harvest
Twenty-four years ago, God called me to become an artist. I came to a crossroad in life that stirred up serious struggles with my identity and purpose. Staring into my future, I only saw chaos, but God saw a better plan. Jesus taught me to see myself through His eyes instead of the world’s perception. Now, my primary life purpose is to glorify God with my artistic talents. My goal for every painting is to reflect God’s creation, communicate biblical truths, and declare the message of Jesus Christ.
At times, the Lord ministers through my skills while I draw live for church congregations and Christian outreaches. As I draw, the Lord reveals the message He wants expressed to those watching the art unfold.
Last December, I was invited by my pastor to usher in the new year, 2024, with my artwork. As always, I began preparing for the presentation by praying over the request, listening, and waiting for the Lord to give me a Word for 2024. He never fails to reveal His thoughts for my art. On my way to church, He spoke to me, saying, “I’m praying over the Harvest.” I then began the process of drawing what I felt this would look like. During this process, I pray constantly for the Lord to tell me what message this art will display. As the picture unfolds divinely, the message unfolds with it. “Identity” was the word revealed for 2024. As the portrait of Christ slowly unveiled on the board, Jesus reminded me, once again, to look into His eyes and that He is praying for the Harvest. We are His Harvest. He downloaded into my heart the following scripture from Matthew.
He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' MATTHEW 16:15-16 (NKJV)
Then I felt Him say, “Now ask Me, who do You say I am?” In a world steeped in an identity crisis, this is an urgent, critical question. Who does God say that we are? We are a new creation, a branch of the true vine, a friend of Jesus, chosen, God’s workmanship, sanctified, adopted, redeemed, heirs to the kingdom, His beloved, and much, much more.
Jesus is praying for us—praying for us to find ourselves in Him. He is praying for unsaved souls. And He is praying for laborers to prepare the Harvest by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.' MATTHEW 9:37-38 (NKJV)
He is the Master of the wheat field. We sow seed, and He waters it. He is the Lord of the Harvest. Jesus is praying that His people will respond to the need for harvest workers. He sees the multitudes and has compassion on them because they are weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Without the shepherd, we wander without purpose or understanding that we can only find our true identity in Him. Jesus came to be our shepherd, to save us all. Praise God.
Bev Bray is an amazing self-taught artist who displays God’s glory and anointing with every brush stroke. God infuses her art with a strong prophetic gift and portrayal of the Word. She often prophesies very accurately concerning her subject’s God-given identity when doing portrait work. Most importantly, her daily life portrays Christ with even more vibrancy than her canvases. You can view her artwork at www.bev-bray-artwork.com
