Tree of Life

Tree of Life

(the painting--see http://www.kuhnegallery.com/)

Finished 4/11/09 by Mark Kuhne

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.

On March 15, 2008 during an International Fellowship of the Sword Conference at Christ’s Family Church International (CFCI), in the span of a few seconds I saw an open vision superimposed on Dmitry Shatrov as he stood on the stage about to share his thoughts to the audience. Visiting the United States, Dmitry is an apostle of CFCI and a native of St. Petersburg, Russia. Standing there, I saw Dmitry as a strong tree, older and stronger, with deep roots supporting a large and wide canopy overhead with fruit “raining” from the tree.

Dmitry then asked the congregation to open their Bibles to Proverbs 11:30 and started speaking. It was at that moment that the Lord nudged me, and said, “Paint it!” The Lord also said, “Present it to Dmitry as a gift to him in Russia.” Dmitry began to relate to Proverbs 11:30. He talked about his outreach in St. Petersburg to teens, especially teens on drugs. He talked about how his ministry has grown from one church to several. He shared about his generational roots of pastors: Dmitry’s father and grandfather were pastors that faced great tribulations and incarceration in a hostile environment towards Christianity.

In the painting, the mighty tree represents strength and wisdom, a good and righteous man or leader and the great blessings that spring forth to the places where they stand. It also represents God’s glory! The tree has a strong foundation with roots that are deep and wide. Spiritually the roots draw blue water or nourishment from the Holy Spirit, and naturally a leader draws from other leaders as well as from the Lord’s Word. Like a strong ministry with no end to its influence and reach, the canopy continues off the canvas and doesn’t end. The fruits are of one’s piety, instruction, prayers, and influence. Those that win souls need wisdom to communicate and show that they are wise. They are building God’s church on earth and spiritually reaching the heavens. They leave a legacy: their works follow them (Rev 14:13). “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together…” (John 4: 36-38). By sowing into the ministries of others, we can reap from their labors!

Give Christ the Glory!