Mental flip-flopping creates spiritual instability. Thoughts and feelings come and go like the changing of the weather. However, if you allow yourself to be tossed – to and fro – by these, it creates an atmosphere of double-mindedness, which leads to instability.
As a gardener, I am reminded of how true this is. Once you plant something in a good place, you must leave it where it is. You have to water, fertilize and cultivate an atmosphere around it that is conducive to growth. If you keep digging the plant up and moving it to different locations based on the outward circumstances of the weather, it may hang on for a little bit, but eventually, it will die. Why? No roots are going to be established.
Renewing your mind is the same way. You have to decide what you believe about who God says you are, what you can do, and all he has for you in the kingdom. Once you do, you have to stay planted in that reality. This is not something God does to you but something God does with you. Over time, your roots will grow, and you will become established in the Lord. If you choose not to and allow yourself to be dug up every time the wind blows, no matter how much you love Jesus, it’s impossible for you to experience growth.
Stay planted, my friend.
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When your identity is established in Christ, your unique design is uncovered, and your kingdom assignment is revealed. But when your identity is rooted and grounded in brokenness from the past, your unique design remains covered and your kingdom assignment is hidden.
Many well-meaning Christians live their whole life in this place. Saved, and on their way to heaven, but still defined by who they used to be before they became a new creation in Christ. They spend their whole Christian life trying to do things for God, be a good Christian and ultimately pay him back for the free gift of grace. He is so generously given.  Not realizing the whole time that they have been restored as sons in the Kingdom of their Father. 
But seeking an assignment – along with the resources, ideas and opportunities – to do something for God never produces lasting fruit. it produces striving Christians trying to realize spirit birth results through their own works. 
The model of living that enables you to have lasting impact in the kingdom is to allow your assignment to flow out of your unique design, as you are rooted and grounded in the love of God as his child. 
No accomplishment for God, however earnest in your intent, will ever satisfy the longing for his presence only found in knowing your identity in Christ.  No amount of expertise will ever replace the favor of God and his grace operating in your life to open doors and connect you through divine appointments in a supernatural way.
He is the well of life, which is now living in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. He desires to flow freely through us in the unique way he has designed us for the unique things He is created us to do withHim in His Kingdom.
The frustration many Christians experience in not being able to walk in the abundant life, is not due to God withholding, blessings, or favor from them, but in their misunderstanding of how the Kingdom of God is designed to work in the life of the believer.The Kingdom is always on, always working, always available and always abundant for everything at all times. Alignment begins with establishing your identity in Christ, so that you can see the world, God, and yourself the way He does. His perspective for His assignment in your life.
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In Matthew 6, when Jesus taught about provision, He revealed a little-known Kingdom principle: you are designed to receive your provision through your design.
And why would he use the examples of birds and flowers? Because they have completely different ways of receiving from the Father in line with their design, yet both are abundantly provided for each day. They were made to exist and thrive in a different realm.
Consider the “birds of the air”. They are constantly moving around as they fly. They have unique vision to see opportunities for food and shelter. They peck the ground, eating bugs and earthworms. They have the ability to build their nests, lay eggs, and multiply. None of this stresses them out because it’s how they were designed by God. They were made to move and exist in the realm of the air.
And consider “lilies of the field” – simple flowers. They sprout, bloom and wilt all in one place. They grow deep roots which enable them to receive nutrients from the soil. They grow foliage that reaches toward the sun to receive light and life through the magical process of photosynthesis. They were made to bloom and flourish in the realm of the ground according to the seasons.
What about the branches in Jesus’ parable in John 15. They receive everything they need through their connection to the main vine. They were made to grow and thrive in the realm of the vineyard.
Birds can’t grow roots and aren’t designed to receive provision by photosynthesis. Flowers can’t eat earthworms. It’s simply not their design. It’s impossible.
But when each receive God’s abundant provision through their unique design – in the realm they were designed for – they thrive while in a place of rest. It’s second nature to them. There’s a flow and a rhythm to life unique to them. They don’t have to work for it, only cooperate with what God has already provided for them.
And so, Jesus finishes the story by reminding us that if the Father provides for the birds and flowers like this, how much more will He do it for us, His children, “of you of little faith.” In other words, you’re going to have to choose to walk this way by faith if you want to experience these results.
When you pursue provision outside your unique, God-given design and the realm God designed you for, it’s like a lily trying to eat an earthworm. It only leads to frustration. What brings exhilaration to one will bring frustration to another. What brings life to one will bring death to another.
The quicker you embrace this principle in your life and your uniqueness in the Kingdom, the quicker you will start to experience the abundant flow of Heaven’s supernatural provision in your life. That’s God’s plan for living.
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Many people resist the fact that God loves to bless His people with material blessings. Denominational church leaders rail against what they call the “prosperity gospel” while refusing to embrace the truth of God’s word regarding practical provision and finances.
One verse I love is Deuteronomy 8:18, where it says “Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you the power to be successful (create wealth), in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.” Here, God is saying that His blessing of His people with the ability to be successful (create or get wealth) actually confirms His covenant with His people. In other words, when people see how blessed you are because of me, they will know I am the Lord who keeps my part of the deal. Wow.
God’s supernatural provision in your life not only demonstrates His goodness and faithfulness to you, it also becomes a sign and a wonder to others who are still striving in their own strength.
“But Matt, if I’m struggling financially, does that mean God doesn’t love me? Or if someone is walking in financial abundance that God loves them more?” No, and no.There are lots of issues at work when people take a hard look at their financial life, like bad choices, mismanagement, fiscal frivolity, greed, or on the other side good stewardship, generosity, and talent.
Regardless of where you may need to grow and mature, realize your provision is a promise from the Lord because of your position, not your performance. Choosing to receive that by faith and disconnecting from the life of financial striving is where that begins.
No matter where you are on this journey, realize God has already blessed you with everything you need to thrive and flourish in this life because of your position as His child, not your performance as His worker. You only have to receive it by faith.
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Have you ever realized most of the things people pray for and/or prophetic words people seek after are often things already promised by God and restored through the finished work of the cross?
- Blessing and Favor: done.
- Assurance of Salvation: done.
- Forgiveness of Sin: done.
- Physical Healing: done.
- Financial Provision: done.
- Guiding My Steps: done.
- Overcoming the Enemy: done.
We all need prophetic encouragement from others from time to time. That is one of the beautiful benefits and blessings of being God’s child, and a part of the body of Christ. And probably why Paul tells us it’s the gift we should most earnestly desire in order to edify, encourage and comfort one another. But don’t get addicted to seeking the convenience “a word from the Lord” from others when really what you really need to do is learn to walk by faith on the word you already know.
Walking by faith requires us to take hold of what God has already declared as true and walking in that reality now, regardless of whether we see the manifestation yet in our life.
Prayer, in its best form, is a way for us to commune with God in His presence, hear His voice, allow Him to mold and make us into the image of Christ, and receive by faith those things which He’s already provided for us. No need to beg, plead or get desperate. Simply come and experience the freedom of new life in Christ. Then get up and walk in that new reality. As you do, the reality of the Kingdom you cultivate on the inside will be experienced on the outside.
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In John 7:38, Jesus’ promise to every believer is rivers of living water flowing out of your belly. The promise of Holy Spirit power moving in and through your life. What a picture of God’s overwhelming abundance!
And yet, for many, the issues of life have formed a dam over their heart, blocking that flow. Fear and anxiety, worry and distress, wounds from the past and their associated traumatic effects, beliefs, and assumptions that have little to do with God’s best, comparison and inadequacy, lies from the enemy and others.
Each moment of pain is like a rock, expertly placed over your heart until the gushing flow of God’s river of abundance is slowed to a trickle or even stopped.
Years of trickle or no flow can make you believe that’s normal, but it’s not. Your normal isn’t always Kingdom normal. Thankfully, Jesus has made a way for you to return to abundant life in Him.He is the dam breaker, the wall destroyer, the rock remover. As you invite Him into your situation, ask Him to show you what rocks are blocking the flow of your river. When He shows you, simply offer them to Him and invite Him to remove them from your life once and for all, healing your heart and restoring your flow.
There’s freedom IN you… let it out. There’s freedom FOR you as you let it out. There’s freedom for OTHERS as they experience your freedom flow. -
I hear people say “I’d love to but don’t have the money “ a lot these days. They blame it on the economy, political, the usual suspects. Normally, it’s in regards to something they desire to pursue regarding their calling in God’s Kingdom. Something like a conference or course, tools or skills, a program or resource they need to progress in their calling. And so there they sit… Stalled. Paralyzed. Shut down. Frustrated. For another year or even decade. in full agreement with their belief that they don’t have enough.
Affordability has nothing to do with whether or not God said to do something. That’s simply a reflection of your natural situation, not God’s supernatural ability.
Moments like this have everything with it to do with your willingness to step out in faith toward the vision God has shown you. Believing that where He guides, He always provides.Someone who says they can’t afford $10, $100 or even $1000 to pursue their dream (or the knowledge it takes to mature in the skills they need to operate in it) would “beg, borrow, and steal” to find that same $100 if I told them it would buy them a brand new car. Why? Because they are fully convinced in their heart that the car is worth much more than the $100 they need to exchange to get it.
Conversely, you encourage someone to step out in faith and believe God for the provision they need BEFORE they have received it in their hand and they will look at you like you’re crazy. Why? Because they are fully convinced that it sounds like a crazy idea. It won’t work out. You and God are not trustworthy. They trust their disappointment in the past more than God’s promise for the future.
I know this sounds offensive to some but it’s true. God always calls us to exchange what we have now for the promise of what’s to come. He always requires us to sow before we can reap. And Jesus himself tells us to pray in Mark 11 to pray like we already have the thing we desire, not begging like orphans. That’s how the Kingdom of God is designed.
The sooner you get used to coming into agreement with God and stepping out in faith – especially when it doesn’t make sense to your natural mind – the sooner you will see supernatural provision showing up in your life.
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As you mature in the Kingdom, you have to pass through a number of moments that are designed by God as “eye of the needle” moments. An invitation to promise and fruitfulness, impact and influence that requires a shedding of the old. A release of what has been for what’s to come. A recognition of and repentance for reliance on things other than His voice.
For Abraham, it was his certainty and security. For Paul, it seemed to be His knowledge, authority, and reputation. For the Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10, it looked like his desire and dependence on his wealth. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25 NKJV. For the rich young ruler, it wasn’t about the money, per se. It was about his heart. And it is the same for us today.
These moments are designed by God as refining moments where we are faced with an opportunity to deeply examine our own hearts and make a decision.
Will we choose our desire, comfort, and understanding or trust God in the unknown?Are we willing to voluntarily lay down the things we have drawn strength, identity, and comfort from in exchange for the security of God’s presence and what He has has promised.
For every person, these moments are different and divinely crafted. Moments of struggle and contemplation that make us ask the hard questions and look deep into our own motives and framework for living. But in the end, when we choose to lay down the things that so easily entangle us, we are freed to pass through, unencumbered, to the next season.
What are you carrying today that needs to be released in order for you to move into the next thing God has for you?
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Christians who aren’t experiencing fulfillment and joy in their walk with Jesus often complicate Kingdom living through religious pursuits.
The simplicity that Jesus offers in walking with the Father and responding to the Spirit in alignment with our design and assignment gets replaced with more “spiritual” activities.
I’ve met so many believers over the years who are completely focused on things like praying for revival, spiritual warfare and intercession over their region/country, social injustice and political issues of the day, etc, and are completely worn down and worn out. It’s overwhelming. They are often pursuing things out of personal zeal and obligation without the grace needed to do it.
When we walk in the fullness of who God actually created us to be, it is spiritual warfare in itself. It causes demons to flee. It causes the powers of darkness to be pushed back. It places Jesus on the throne, and He is glorified in and through us.
Don’t hear what I’m not saying… none of those things are inherently wrong or bad. I just think it’s a lot easier for the religious mind to focus on things that “seem spiritual” rather than the simplicity of living in the freedom and power the Kingdom of God offers every believer.It seems if believers would actually start walking in the power they already had, the revival the have been praying for would suddenly appear.
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Every person is called by God and entrusted with a part of His nature as an image bearer: one who reveals and reflects God to the world. Such a high calling, yet one we easily forget because of the mundane pressures of life. Our fleshly reactions often replace purposeful Spirit-led actions.
Paul encourages believers to lead a life worthy of this calling and gives 5 principles for us to pursue: humility, gentleness, patience, unity, and peace.
- Humility, the willingness to put others before yourself, knowing your identity is in Christ, not in recognition or achievement.
- Gentleness, the choice to extend purposeful kindness and grace in moments when you want to respond harshly.
- Patience, the willingness to delay gratification and extend grace to others in a moment of frustration or desire. To wait expectantly while being filled with hope as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- Unity, the choice to prefer and pursue the collective good over our individual desires in order to honor one another and achieve a desired result in the Kingdom.
- And peace, the eagerness to walk as a conduit of God’s abundance, demonstrating our completeness in Him and inviting others into the same.
Choose today to walk worthy of the calling God has set before you.
“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” – Ephesians 4:1-4 NLT
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Creativity is not the exclusive realm of artists like Bach and Beethoven, Michelangelo or DaVinci. Nor is it reserved exclusively for Jesus in the working of miracles.
It is the birthright of every person who’s Father is Creator God.Creativity is how the Kingdom works. And while it carries inherent power on its own by virtue of being God’s gift in us, creativity is most powerful when inspired, directed and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Creativity is the divine process by which Heaven is ushered into earth through the cooperation of sons and daughters of the King.
When we see and agree with Heaven through our divine design, gifts and graces, we become a conduit of God’s transforming power in the earth.Creativity is an invitation to every believer to become a portal of God’s Glory.
For more about Kingdom Creativity, check out Matt’s books “Creativity According to the Kingdom” and “Prophetic Art.”
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Looking for free and low-cost resources to grow as a Christian artist spiritually, creatively and in business?
The Created to Thrive Foundations Course Book is the companion to the popular online course that’s helped thousands of Christian artists break through creative blocks, heal from limiting beliefs, and align their art with God’s purpose. Designed for artists in any medium, this book offers the same Spirit-led teaching, biblical insight, and practical tools in a self-paced format you can revisit anytime.
If you’re tired of feeling stuck or unsure of your calling, this book will help you renew your mind, reconnect with God, and step boldly into the artist He created you to be.
Here’s 7 more great places available now:
✅ The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly:
A weekly newsletter devoted to encouraging and equipping artists in their creative calling with devotionals, tips and best practices in their personal art practice and business.
https://thrive.www.matttommeymentoring.com/tca-weekly✅ The Thriving Christian Artist Podcast:
A weekly podcast devoted to encouraging and equipping artists in their spiritual, artistic and business journey.
https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/podcast.html✅ Matt Tommey Mentoring Blog:
Years of encouraging blog articles on a variety of subjects related to thriving as an artist in God’s Kingdom spiritually, artistically and in business.
https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/blog✅ YouVersion Bible App Devotionals from Matt Tommey:
A variety of free devotionals based on God’s Word to help equip and encourage artists in their creative calling.
https://www.bible.com/search/plans?q=matt%20tommey✅ Books for Christian Artists by Matt Tommey
A variety of books to help Christian artists pursue their creative calling.
https://www.amazon.com/Matt-Tommey/e/B008F0S2LQ✅ The Real Reason Your Not Succeeding as an Artist (and how to fix it):
A free PDF that uncovers the underlying reasons many artists aren’t really thriving in their life and how to fix it.
https://thrive.www.matttommeymentoring.com/therealreason
✅ The Created to Thrive Foundations Course:
The groundbreaking and transformative course by Matt Tommey that has helped hundreds of artists around the world experience creative confidence and freedom in Christ.
https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/foundations.html -
Has your art hobby grown large enough that you’re thinking about turning your passion into a business? In this article, I’ll share a few quick tips that will help you know when and how to get started on the road to business success as an artist. I know it will be a big help as you consider starting an art business.
Start with a Call to the Experts
While there’s plenty of sites that offer “free” legal advice out there on the internet for starting your own business, nothing beats professional, local advice if you want to get started on the right foot.
From navigating local, state, and national laws, picking the correct business structure, and exploring the liability and tax implications of owning a business, a good legal advisor and talented financial advisor can help you navigate the decisions you need to make and the steps you need to take as your hobby grows into a business.
Is Now the Right Time?
Once you have your team of experts assembled (attorney and CPA to start with), it’s time to take a look at the state of your art. Do a little cost-benefit analysis with your financial professional, and decide if your hobby has indeed grown into a business. A few of the questions to consider when you’re at a crossroad like this:
Are you regularly investing personal money into your art hobby?
Are you regularly selling your work or teaching art classes?
Is the money you’re making from your art becoming significant enough to replace a part, if not all, of your work income?
Are you making enough money to offset the expenses of having an official corporate structure in place?
As you work with your team of experts, you’ll answer these and many more questions in making this determination. But if you and the experts agree it’s time, then your next move will be to…
Pick Your Business Structure
One of the first things you and your team of advisers will consider is what type of structure you’ll be using to start your art business. Here in the United States, we use three basic types of business structure:
- Sole Proprietorship
- Limited Liability Companies
- Corporations
While I’m no legal expert (and this is not legal advice), here’s a basic overview of each type of business entity you and your team of experts will be considering for your needs.
- Sole Proprietorships are the most basic types of business entity. This type of business always has one and only one owner. Generally, legal documents are needed to start a sole proprietorship because it’s not considered a separate legal entity, different from its owner in the eyes of the law. The advantage is that it’s easy to start, and you’ll have total control of the business, but the downside is that as the owner, you’ll be personally liable for all the debts and liabilities of the business.
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are a step up from the sole proprietorship in terms of both complexity and legal protections for the owner. LLC’s were created as a hybrid of the sole proprietorship and corporation to stimulate small business growth. An LLC blends the simpler legal administration and tax treatment of a Sole Proprietorship with the personal and business liability protection enjoyed by corporations.
- Corporations are the most complex of the three legal entities. These are businesses that are owned by shareholders, managed by a board, and operated by officers. While a corporation does offer excellent liability protections for the owners, the increased fees, the complexity of annual reporting, and changing tax rules often make this a choice best suited for larger ventures.
Want to dive deeper and learn even more? Check out what my friends at LegalZoom have to say on this subject by clicking here.
Looking for more tips?
Listen to what I shared with Bonnie, one of my podcast listeners.Has your art hobby grown to the point that you’re considering turning your part-time passion into a full-blown business?
In my blog and in this week’s episode of 5-minute mentoring, I’ll be sharing a few quick tips that will help you know when and how to get started on the road to business success as an artist.
Connect with Matt online at https://www.matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
Has your art hobby grown to the point that you’re considering turning your part-time passion into a full-blown business?
In my blog and in this week’s episode of 5-minute mentoring, I’ll be sharing a few quick tips that will help you know when and how to get started on the road to business success as an artist.
Connect with Matt online at https://www.matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
One Last Piece of Advice
Once you’ve determined this is the time to turn our hobby into a business, do it right and do it with integrity. Setting up a business is not the kind of thing you want to leave to chance. Don’t fall into the trap of doing business under the table just because it’s easy and may save you a few dollars.
Walking with integrity in business, setting up your business, taxes, and financial accounts correctly is like weaving a net for the blessing God wants to send your way. If you have huge holes in your net because you’re not thinking and working through the details or because you’re avoiding taxes, then you’re potentially setting yourself up for disappointment and failure.
If an art business is in your future, then begin by finding those experts who can help you determine the best time, the best structure, and the best way to set up a business that will be a blessing to both you and others. -
Have you ever wondered about the balance between God’s design for your life and your responsibility to actually walk that out? Well, I want to share what the Bible says about this balance and reveal the two things every believer must do if they’re going to find it.
You know, I love talking about the Kingdom of God. It’s so simple. It’s so clearly laid out in Scripture. And yet, so many people, me included for many years, have no clue how the Kingdom works. But once you get an understanding of how the Kingdom of God works in your life. Wow, things really begin to change.
Ephesians 2:10 is one such scripture. It talks about the balance between the design of God on your life and your responsibility to walk it out. It says this, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
You Are His Workmanship
Now the first Kingdom truth I want you to grab onto is this: You Are His Workmanship. The Greek word for “workmanship” is poema, which we get the word poem. With that in mind, I want to paraphrase and expand upon the first part of this verse…
“You are a skillfully crafted artistic narrative that expresses the beauty and the heart of God.”
You are not here by some random chance or happenstance. You are explicitly designed as a work of art by the Lord for His Glory.
You Were Created for a Purpose
The second Kingdom Truth I want to highlight is this; You Were Created for a Purpose. “Created in Christ Jesus” is how Paul puts it, but what does that mean for us today? That means we are one in Christ Jesus, joint-heirs with Him, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and fully able to receive and walk in the fullness of the Kingdom of God. But for what end?
“For good works, which God prepared beforehand.” God designed, crafted, and fully equipped you to express His nature and His Heart to humankind in a way that only you can do. You are the perfect person for this mission, should you choose to accept it, which brings me to the next truth.
You Just Have To Do It
“That we should walk in them,” or as another version puts it, “for us to do.” Maybe you can relate to this, but for many years, I thought that because God had a plan for my life, that He was just going to make it happen. I believed that my role in fulfilling God’s call on my life was to wait on Him to do it. Guess what? That led to a lot of frustration because that’s NOT how the Kingdom works.
Overt action is implied at the end of Ephesians 2:10. While it’s true that God has a divine plan for your life, one that He’s had in mind for you for a very long time, His plan was for you to do it with Him. If you don’t walk out the thing God created you to do, then you’re going to miss the fullness of God’s design for your life.
I love talking about the Kingdom of God. It’s so simple. It’s so clearly laid out in scripture. And yet, so many people, me included for many years, have no clue how the Kingdom works.
For instance, have you ever wondered what your responsibilities are when it comes to fulfilling the plan, purpose, and calling that God has for your life? Well, in my blog and today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, we’ll dive into what the scripture says about this.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
You can also listen to this episode of the podcast on the app of your choice like ApplePodcasts®, Amazon Music®, Stitcher®, Spotify®, GooglePlay® or online at MattTommeyMentoring.com/podcastFuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
I love talking about the Kingdom of God. It’s so simple. It’s so clearly laid out in scripture. And yet, so many people, me included for many years, have no clue how the Kingdom works.
For instance, have you ever wondered what your responsibilities are when it comes to fulfilling the plan, purpose, and calling that God has for your life? Well, in my blog and today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, we’ll dive into what the scripture says about this.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
You can also listen to this episode of the podcast on the app of your choice like ApplePodcasts®, Amazon Music®, Stitcher®, Spotify®, GooglePlay® or online at MattTommeyMentoring.com/podcastFuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
This Might Be Your RoadblockBut Matt, if it’s that simple, why is it so hard to simply “do” the thing God has called and created me to do? The biggest roadblock most people face when fulfilling God’s call on their life is their mindset.So many good, well-meaning, Jesus-loving people simply don’t know who they are in Christ. Despite being fully saved, they allow their old natural way of thinking, their non-renewed mind, to dominate their life. Things like…
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Perfectionism
- Striving
- Feelings of Worthlessness
- The Imposter Syndrome (click here for my podcast on this)
…keep people from being everything that God has called and created them to be. I know it kept me from that for a long time. It may be keeping you from that right now. If it is, I want to encourage you to do what Romans 12:2 teaches and “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
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All of us have a past; it’s just a normal part of the human condition. But have you ever wondered how to let go of the past so that you are free to do all the things God has called you to do in life? I’m going to share a really practical strategy for renewing your mind, right out of God’s Word, that will enable you to let go of the past and truly begin to thrive in all God has for you.
How God Sees Your Past
All of us have done things and have had things done to us in the past that we want to forget. We want to get rid of it, but the enemy loves to continually bring those things up over and over. He uses these images of the past to torment us in order to impede our walk with the Lord. It’s frustrating for many and for some, it can be downright paralyzing.
This may be your current reality, but it’s not God’s best for you in the Kingdom!I’m so glad that Roman’s teaches us that:
- “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
And that Paul, in 2nd Corinthians, builds on this verse when he wrote:
- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2nd Corinthians 5:17
But as helpful as these two verses are, I love Scripture that gives us real practical strategy on how to walk out a Biblical principle here in the real world. And Philippians 3:12 – 14 is such a passage. Here, Paul lays out a powerful strategy for walking in freedom from the condemnation of the past:
- “Not that I have already obtained it or have become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which I was also laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I don’t regard myself as having laid a hold of it yet, but one thing I do, here it is: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 Emphasis Added
Forgetting What Is Behind Is A Process
That passage is such an excellent strategy for getting rid of, what is commonly referred to as stinkin’ thinkin’. I love how this passage starts with, “Not that I have already obtained it or have become perfect, but I press on.” Right at the beginning, Paul is letting you know this is a process, that he’s still in process himself…
- I haven’t laid hold of all of this yet.
- I don’t have it all down.
- I have not made all of the right decisions.
- I don’t have it all together.
If we’re honest with ourselves, I think we all can relate.
But Paul doesn’t camp out there. He continues with, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” I love how Paul forgets with intent.
As he is laying things down from his past, it’s as if Paul is intentionally saying, “You know, these thoughts, fears, and anxieties over my past that keep playing over and over in my mind, I’m choosing to and take those thoughts captive and forget it!” But he doesn’t stop there.All of us have a past; it’s just a normal part of the human condition. But have you ever wondered how to let go of the past so that you are free to do all the things God has called you to do in life?
Well, in my blog and this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’m going to share a really practical strategy, right out of God’s word, that will help you let go of the past.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
You can also listen to this episode of the podcast on the app of your choice like ApplePodcasts®, Amazon Music®, Stitcher®, Spotify®, GooglePlay® or online at MattTommeyMentoring.com/podcastFuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
All of us have a past; it’s just a normal part of the human condition. But have you ever wondered how to let go of the past so that you are free to do all the things God has called you to do in life?
Well, in my blog and this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’m going to share a really practical strategy, right out of God’s word, that will help you let go of the past.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
You can also listen to this episode of the podcast on the app of your choice like ApplePodcasts®, Amazon Music®, Stitcher®, Spotify®, GooglePlay® or online at MattTommeyMentoring.com/podcastFuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
Reaching Forward Is Key
What does Paul mention next? He exercises his faith, believing that God has so much more for him, and he leans into the process. Paul purposefully shifts his attention from the mistakes, hurts, junk from the past and begins to focus on:- The good things God has for him
- His calling and purpose in the Kingdom
- His divine design
- Where God is taking him next
Many of us have spent years focusing on the things we have done wrong. It’s too easy to be wrapped up in all the ways that we missed it and walk in condemnation over the weaknesses and temptations we’ve given into in the past.“Your outer life is the fruit of your inner life.” – Matt Tommey
Yet, if you allow those past failings to define you and dominate your thought life, then your life is going to be a mess. Why, you ask? It’s because your outer life is the fruit of your inner life. That’s why Paul talked so much about this in the New Testament.
Forget that junk! Press Into ALL That God Has For You.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
So, I want you to get this concept deep into your spirit today as you read this. If you’ve been having trouble letting go of the past, there is an easy place to start. Take a moment to reflect on one anxiety, fear, or regret from your past. When you have that thing in mind, find a few quiet minutes and take it to the Lord in prayer…- Lord, would You take this memory from me?
- Lord, would You take this pain from me?
- Would you heal this place in my heart?
- Father, would you give me fresh vision and hope for my calling in Christ?
- God, would You give me vision for this next phase of my life so that I can begin to meditate on that?
Listen, friend! That’s how you let go of the past. You take those old thoughts captive, you throw them out, and you replace them with the truth of God’s Word. You make that vision, God’s plan and purpose for your life, a reality by leaning into it. As you do, you’ll begin to move forward.
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Have you ever felt like your everyday experiences in life aren’t lining up with your hopes, dreams, and the promises of God over your life? Many people feel that way, including myself over the years, until I discovered a key in 3rd John 2 that unlocked a Kingdom perspective on prospering for me.
“I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3rd John 2 emphasis added
I love how this verse so perfectly defines thriving in the Kingdom. This is the same way that I explain it to my Created to Thrive Mentoring Program members.
This verse begins by showing that prosperity in life and walking in divine health are both part of our inheritance in the Lord. They are both meant to be a regular part of every believer’s life.
Over the years, I’ve found it’s easy to believe that God wants to abundantly bless His people with physical health, healing, and wholeness. But the idea that God wants His people to “prosper in all things,” financially, in the marketplace, and in life seems to be harder to accept for many people.In His sermon on the mount, Jesus said this,
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33 Emphasis Added
Thriving in the Kingdom isn’t a matter of working, sweating, figuring it all out on your own, and striving harder than everyone else around you. That’s the world’s way. That’s operating out of the mammon system and John knew this when he first penned the letter that would become 3rd John.
John learned first-hand what Jesus taught on that mount; that true Kingdom prosperity begins when you:- Put God first.
- Commit to doing life, art, and business God’s way.
- Expect God to provide for all your needs.
- Believe that God wants to abundantly bless you in all areas of life.
That’s normal in the Kingdom of God. God doesn’t have favorites. God doesn’t make some people sick and some people healthy. He doesn’t prosper some and not prosper others just cause He’s playing favorites. Nope, prosperity and health are your birthright; it’s normal for every believer.
Helping Your Soul to Prosper
Have you ever taken a moment to think about what it means for your soul to prosper? And what does thriving internally have to do with prospering externally?
Everything that we do in the Kingdom is through faith. Meaning we see it, feel it, and believe it first, internally before we ever see those things manifest in our life, externally. That’s just how God has set it up. It’s not something God does to us but rather something He does with us through the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
I think that’s why Jesus taught us in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” You see, prospering in your soul starts with renewing your mind and aligning your heart, will, and emotions with the truth of God’s Kingdom. So when you pray, you pray like you already have the thing you’re asking for – from a place of gratitude – rather than begging God for what you need.
As you intentionally sow these Kingdom principles into your life, your thought life and belief systems begin to change. And over time, the internal prospering begins to manifest externally. Maybe that’s why Proverbs 23:7 teaches us that “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” -
People reach out and ask me all the time how to make money as an artist. Yep. Many well-meaning artists have asked this question and most believe that it’s a single answer, like there’s some shortcut or secret ad you can run to make everyone buy your art and make a million dollars.
SPOILER ALERT: There’s no silver bullet for learning how to become a successful artist. However, after working as a creative now for over 25 years, speaking to thousands and personally mentoring thousands of artists via my books, podcasts, and online artist mentoring program, I’ve come to understand some of what it takes to really thrive. I’m going to share some of those insights with you right here.
Since I also believe no one person has the corner on success, I reached out to several of my thriving artists friends who are creating beautiful work and selling the heck out of it all while living an incredible life.
Based on their input and my experience, here’s my top 29 tips for taking your artistic calling to the next level so that you can really start thriving in 2021.
- Have a Consistent Studio Practice and Treat it Seriously, like “Work”
- Don’t Wait for Inspiration… Start Creating
- Stay Focused by Minimizing Distractions
- Understand Why You Create & Stay Connected to that Story
- Keep Learning & Experimenting, Especially When You’re Successful
- Under Promise and Over Deliver.. in Everything
- Constantly Improve Your Communication Skills
- Fill Your Creative Well with Inspiration Outside Your Artistic Medium
- Cultivate a Positive Mental Attitude toward Your Work
- Avoid Negative Self-Talk
- Strive to be Uniquely You and Own It
- Practice Gratitude
- Cultivate Relationships with Your Clients
- Know Who Purchases Your Work & Why
- Listen to Your Heart
- Don’t Be Afraid
- Selectively Choose Your Place in the Market: Don’t Get Overexposed
- Focus Your Creative Expression within a Chosen Medium
- Practice Mindfulness, Prayer & Listening to the Still Small Voice
- Keep Pushing the Limits of Your Skills
- Always Deliver Excellence Quality
- Create a Business that Fits You
- Be Around Artists Who are Better Than You
- Be Open to Feedback & Constructive Criticism
- Go Deep, Not Wide
- Create Quiet, Reflective Spaces in Your Life
- Journal, Sketch & Steward Your Ideas Well
- Develop Meaningful Relationships with Other Artists
- Connect with the Creator who Created You to Be Creative
As you probably know by now, information doesn’t create change. Real change only happens when valuable information meets action and interaction; action on your part and interaction with others on your journey and an experienced mentor. Why, you ask? Most of the time, there are things in your life you just can’t see by yourself. For those who are willing, God uses mastermind and mentoring relationships to bring you to the next level of growth.
If you’d like to make this year your breakthrough year and really start thriving as an artist spiritually, artistically and in business, check out my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program and read some of their stories! Thousands of artists just like you have made the decision to be a part and it’s changing lives.
Thanks again to all my artist friends who contributed to this list. Each one is creating great work, thriving as a professional artist and a joy to call friend!
Matt Tommey
Margie & Lonnie Johnson
Suzanne Gernandt
Christine Kosiba
Cindy WaltonCheyenne Trunnell
Julia Fosson
Phil DeAngelo
Lorie McCown
Lisa KiddTom White
John Almaguer
Stephen St. Claire
Mary Carol Koester -
The essence of prophetic art is listening with the imaginative ears of your spirit to release the Light and Life of God through the work you create.
“Emerging” – a prophetic art by Matt Tommey. Cold Wax and Oil Painting on wood panel. 48″x48″.
As artists and Kingdom creatives, we hear, see and feel what others tend to miss not because we’ve got the super spiritual mojo, but mostly because we’ve learned to listen with the ears we’ve been given. This is the essence of prophetic art: learning to listen with the ears of your spirit via your imagination in order to release the Light and Life of God through the work you create.
The goal of this ability is never to exalt ourselves or our work, but rather to sense what’s going on in the Spirit realm through our natural and spiritual senses and translate that reality – the Kingdom – into the earth realm. That’s essentially what prophetic art is all about – God using an artist to bring transformation into a life or situation here in the earth realm through their art, their art process or the interaction with an artist.
Operating Prophetically in Our Art
Operating prophetically is at the heart of the creative process – seeing, hearing, feeling and sensing in the Spirit and co-laboring with your unique skillset and design to birth it into tangible form.Luci Shaw, in her incredible book “Breath for the Bones” says of this moving back and forth between Spirit and flesh, heaven and earth: “Sometimes I have seen myself as an amphibian, like a frog, created for two elements. I dive beneath the lakes surface, my earthly home so that my skin doesn’t dry out and wither, but I need oxygen for my lungs and have to emerge from below the surface to breathe. I discover that I am made for both earth and heaven.
“Like Enoch, like Moses; unlike Adam, unlike most of us, these extraordinary individuals moved seamlessly from restricted terrestrial living into the presence of freedom and life in its optimum dimension in the presence of God.” She continues “Not only are we responsible as artists somehow to demonstrate that it is possible to bring heaven to earth by living the life of grace in an ungraceful place, by gluing together the seen and unseen, but we are required to be links with the unlinkable, with otherwise disparate entities.” (Luci Shaw, “Breath for the Bones,” 2007 Thomas Nelson)
Because the nature of the creative process is the prophetic “glueing together the seen and unseen”, we should always be enlarging and sharpening our unique creative language in order to be able to hear and sense what God is saying in order to release Spirit-led Kingdom expression in ways that people can respond.
“Artists are the life-givers in culture. We are a pivotal intersection point where the Kingdom of Heaven meets culture. It is there that we have the unique opportunity, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to translate the Kingdom of Heaven into a language that bypasses words and goes directly into the human spirit. When we collaborate with the Holy Spirit in this dance of Kingdom creativity, His power, His Life and His Light merge with our faith, creative thoughts, imaginations, desires and skill into art that carries the literal presence and power of God. It is in this context that our art, no matter the creative medium becomes prophetic.” – Matt Tommey, Creativity According to the Kingdom
Prophetic Art Calls Order Out of Chaos
Just like God did on the day of creation as recorded in Genesis 1, we are called to come into chaos, bringing order and transformation into them as we release of the creative nature of God.In addition to bringing order and transformation to those things that are in chaos, our role as creative ones is also to be door keepers of the presence of God in the earth.
What does that mean?
It means we are called to release the presence of God in the earth through our creative expression and facilitate experiences where people can encounter the life and light of God as a part of their everyday existence.
This is the nature of the Kingdom!
Otherwise, what else are we supposed to be doing? When you reduce the Christian life to going to church and following a bunch of rules that you can never live up too, you embrace a dead form and deny the very power Jesus imparted to us through the cross, by the Spirit.
Your creative expression literally carries the life and light of God when you co-labor with the Spirit in your creative release.
Prophetic Art is Light in the Darkness
Remember in John 1:1 God is light and life and everything that was created was created through the Word, Jesus. Then in Genesis 1 God released his nature – Light – into the chaotic darkness and transformation occurred.Just as sons and daughters of the Creator God are made in his image, so our creative expression carries His transformative nature through our prophetic voice. That process happens like everything in the Kingdom happens, by faith because faith IS the substance or the tangible evidence that the things we’ve seen, felt and heard in the Spirit realm are actually real. Our role is to bring them into the earth realm and allow our creative expression to be a conduit for the mountain moving power of God to be released.
Now, the degree to which we get to do this in our life is not a matter of God playing favorites, but it’s based on stewarding well the gifting God has invested in us. The more you enlarge your capacity for his presence by becoming excellent at what you do, the more the father will entrust to you.
That’s how you grow in the Kingdom.
Prophetic Art is About Stewardship
Remember the Parable of the Talents and the guy who didn’t do anything with his talents? It wasn’t because of his lack of ability, but his lack of belief. He told the master of the field “I knew you to be a hard man…” In other words, I knew i couldn’t live up to your standards, so I just didn’t even try.- My friend, your belief about what’s possible, who God is and who you are in relationship to all of those beliefs defines your reality.
Just like the men in the Parable of the Talents, you are I are responsible for the revelation God entrusts to us. It’s literally a Kingdom investment that the Father is putting inside of you, waiting to see what you do with it. That investment has the ability to grow, produce, multiply and expand when mixed with faith or it can just sit dormant. Remember, God’s Word says in Proverbs 25:2 NIV:
- “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
What Tools Are in Your Hands Right Now?
As you think about your own unique Kingdom design and how the Father has designed you for your Kingdom purpose, ask yourself what is in your hand right now? What is it that the Father has given you? Maybe it’s:- An idea
- A resource
- A tool
- A talent
- Or even a relationship
Take these things and begin to steward them!
Raw Diamond in a Lump of Coal.
The Prophetic “Chipping Away”
Ideas that come from God are like diamonds in lumps of coal. There’s a lot of potential beauty inside but much has to be chipped away and polished before it can be realized. Make sense?So what needs to be chipped away in your ideas, process and art? What are the next steps you need to take to see that diamond begin to come forth and shine?
Don’t minimize this!
This is why we need the prophetic in our creative process, so we can sense where to move and what to do next.
Again, part of that prophetic “chipping away” is in our life too, because for all artists and Kingdom creatives, we’re on a journey of personal development, not just artistic development. We’re all growing in the gifts and talents that God’s placed within us, as led by His Spirit.
The great thing is that we’re not left alone in the process. Remember, it’s called being filled and skilled. It’s about operating at your fullest capacity, being totally filled with the Spirit of God and leveraging all the skill you have to release His Glory through your expression.
Building On the Prophetic Art Foundations
Ok, so you’ve got the foundation down, right?Hear, see and feel in the Spirit, and develop a picture or impression of what you’re supposed to be doing creatively. Then, as you chip away at the diamond and co-labor with the Father with whatever He’s put in your hand, the life and light of God will be released through your creative expression as a natural outflow of the Kingdom.
As I think a little deeper about my own creative process, I recognize 5 signposts that may be helpful for you to look for in your process. They are:
- Revelation
- Skillful Response
- Incarnation
- Transformation
- Abundance
Let’s talk about each one of these! (But before we do, let me share some of my favorite prophetic artists with you…)
Some of My Favorite Artists
Before we continue, let me take a moment to share some of my favorite artists who are creating incredible work while engaging the Holy Spirit in their creative process. While each may not call themselves a “prophetic artist”, God is certainly using their work to release transformation around the world. Click on the image to visit their website and purchase their work. (All copyright retained by the artist.)“We are called to come into chaos, bringing order & transformation into them through releasing the nature of God.” – Matt Tommey
How do you know if you’re creating art with the Holy Spirit of if it’s just you?
If you’d like to dive in a little deeper on creating with the Holy Spirit, this is an episode of 5-Minute Mentoring I did on the subject.5 Steps in the Prophetic Art Process
“Community” – a prophetic art piece by Matt Tommey. Woven kudzu baskets, encaustic wax, copper, clay, driftwood.
1. REVELATORY CREATIVITY
When a creative idea begins to percolate, it will usually come as some sort of inspiration. Maybe you see, know, hear, smell or sense something that catches your attention and you become inspired. It may be a place, a person, a song or a natural setting that you see every day or something that you’ve encountered for the first time. Regardless of how it happens, at that moment you have an encounter. The Spirit speaks and you have an “Ah-ha” moment – a light bulb experience where you know you need to pay attention.
Your willingness to sense and respond to that impulse is foundational in your ability to move prophetically in the creative process.The Art of Imagination
Defined by Google Dictionary, imagination is “the faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses.”
Your imagination is a God-designed engine inside of you that receives impulses, desires and information from yourself, others and the world around you and then formulates images based on the beliefs in your heart. The root word for imagination in Latin is imaginari which actually means “picture to oneself”. It’s literally a picture engine inside of you.- Faith creates pictures, pictures create desires within the heart and how the heart acts as an incubator for those pictures to become reality.
- Imagination is key to the believer because without it, the faith process gets derailed.
Your imagination is a part of you that interacts with the movement of God within you. It is a gift to every person ever created and gives you the ability to dream, to see and know before you actually create.
Just like every gift given by the Father to humanity, it has to be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus and set apart for His Glory.Imagination is the First Step
Imagining is the first step in the creative process and is centered in the human spirit. For the believer, imagination interacts with the Holy Spirit in our human spirit and is then processed through our soul and body. It creates an inner picture inside of us by which we create from.
This ability to see that which is not as though it already is, is the nature of God manifested through us; that is to imagine and see what is the highest, best expression of his Glory through our lives and creativity.- Without a picture on the inside you can’t function creatively or in the Kingdom for that matter, which is why the enemy is all about lying to, confusing and ultimately trying to conquer our mind.
Imagining the Beauty of God and Flowing with the Holy Spirit as you create Prophetic Art.
The Pictures Inside You
At the end of the day, it’s all about the pictures that live inside of you. Paul talked about this two times in particular as he encouraged early believers to mature in their relationship with the Father. First, in Romans 12:2 where he said “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” In other words, don’t think like the world thinks, don’t have their picture of reality and possibility in your mind and heart, but rather renew your mind with the God’s truth, which brings Kingdom transformation.Secondly, in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV he exhorts the church, saying
- “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down (vain) imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; “
Again, Paul knew that imagining or seeing an internal picture of that which is of no use or has nothing to do with the knowledge or God, the Kingdom or Christ has no place within the mind of the believer. Not only does it not have any place, but if left to germinate, it will eventually bear fruit.
Prophetic Imagination & the Kingdom Within Us
You see, it’s in our human spirit, through the process of imagining that we connect to the divine consciousness or the Kingdom within us. Instead of connecting to our rule and reign or, as Paul says “the pattern of this world”, we connect to the rule and reign of the divine Kingdom that lives inside of us through the cross of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s how we prophetically bring heavens reality and nature to the earth. This process of imagining is not only crucial to your creative process but to your whole life because creativity and living a life of passion and abundance are directly connected.God’s purposes are always followed by His promises and His promises are always followed by His pictures. When His promises and pictures are mixed with faith, they transform our identity into what God has already declared is true – an identity that can fulfill His purposes and release the fullness of the Kingdom here in the earth. It’s a beautiful circle: purpose, promises, pictures, identity.
Consider for a moment, Abraham in Genesis chapters 12-17. God wanted to establish covenant with humanity and had to do it through a man. The purpose? Relationship.
- Out of the purpose came a promise when God said He would make Abram the father of many nations, bless him, protect him, make him fruitful, make kings come from him and continue the blessings throughout his line of descendants.
Then, God gave Abram a picture in Genesis 15:5 when he said: “He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be. 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
Do you see? The picture took root in his heart.
Then what happened?
Changing a Name, Establishing a Promise
God changes his name from Abram to Abraham in Chapter 17 and with it comes a physical demonstration of the promise – circumcision – that showed the reality of the new identity which was rooted in the promise portrayed in the picture that was established by the purpose.Just to give you another beautiful example of how this works think about when the angel Gabriel came to Mary in Luke, chapter 1:
- God’s purpose was to redeem the world through sending Jesus. So he sends Gabriel and Gabriel says to Mary in verse 28 “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Basically Mary freaks out, gets scared and the angel has to reassure her of God’s purposes again for her life and reassure of her of her identity in Him. Then, once that’s done, the angel gives Mary a picture – an expected end – that she can mix with faith in order to see God’s plan established in the earth. What happens then? She runs down the hill to her sister Elizabeth’s house in order to tell her the purposes of God over her life, stand in her new identity and give testimony to the promise and pictures the angel deposited in her heart.
So what’s the bottom line here?
Dreaming with God inside your imagination is like an open door in the spirit realm.
Imagination is a Vital Part the Kingdom
Your ability to imagine – that is, see with God – is vital in your ability to creatively demonstrate the Kingdom and it’s tied to your acceptance of God’s purpose for your life, the identity He’s established in you through Christ and the promises He’s given you and a son and daughter in the Kingdom. Sometimes God will give the picture as with Abraham and Mary, and sometimes the promises and purpose produce the pictures like with David.Think about it, David was a lover of God and a worshipper. Firm in that identity, I’m sure God began to give him dreams, visions and promises that began to take root in His heart. How do I know that? Because I know God and that’s what He does for anyone who asks.
As He mixed his faith with the promises and pictures began to form in His heart of what could be – worship, everyday, for years, with unlimited access to the Father – and sure enough the purposes of God were established in His generation. Doors began to open, people began to respond and affirm His purpose and eventually he fulfilled that purpose as King and the establishment of the Tabernacle. Why, just because God wanted it that way? No, it was because God found a man who would dream with Him to release His nature into the earth realm through imagination and see transformation happen.
Strengthen Your Imagination
There are practical ways to begin strengthening your imagination. Pray in tongues, ask God for pictures, meditate on His word and specifically His promises regarding your identity and your purpose. As you do, pictures will begin to form. Mix your faith with the picture and the promises and watch God begin to bring it forth.
“Your imagination is a part of your being that interacts with the movement of God within you.” – Matt Tommey
How to Practically Partner with God
If you’ve been wondering how to partner with God in your life and creative process, this 5-Minute Mentoring episode will be an encouragement to you!2. SKILLFUL CREATIVITY
The next step in the process of prophetic creativity is not just imagining what could be, but then stepping out and responding. You have to see and agree.
If you only see, then you’ll just be frustrated because hope (a picture of an
expected end) deferred makes the heart sick. On the other hand, you can go through a bunch of wrote motions but unless there’s a picture of your expected end mixed with faith, you’re going nowhere fast. This whole process of seeing and agreeing is explored in detail within my book “Creativity According to the Kingdom.”
Suffice it to say, within your life there has to be a constant infilling of the Holy Spirit through an intimate relationship with Jesus. That produces desires, dreams, passion and pictures. It affirms your identity and causes you to triumph.
Response is Required
At the same time “faith without works is dead.” There must always be a response and that response is based in your skill set. As you grow in being filled, you must also grow in being skilled. Giving attention to both simultaneously, as led by the Spirit of God produces maturity and brings you into a place of increase. Proverbs 18:16 NKJV says “A mans gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.”
If you want influence in the world system, if you want to be a conduit of Kingdom transformation then you must pursue skill.“
The act of creating is by it’s very nature incarnational… it’s bringing the purpose and promise of God into the earth in tangible form.” – Matt Tommey
“Nested in Arms of Grace” – a prophetic sculpture by Matt Tommey.
3. INCARNATIONAL CREATIVITY
If imagination is source and skillful, Spirit-led execution is the process then surely art is the product. Your art, or whatever your creative expression happens to be brings into reality that which up until this point has only been a hope. The act of creating is by it’s very nature incarnational because it’s bringing the purpose and promise of God into the earth in tangible form.
No longer is this thing we’ve dreamed of just an idea, but now it has become an evidential reality.This incarnational process is a core part of God’s divine nature. When we participate in His divine nature – through His precious promises – we then become participants in the incarnation, bringing the divine into the earth realm for all to see, interact with and be transformed by. God led the way and gave us the pattern. God wanted to redeem the world (purpose) and so began to let the word out through his prophets (promise) that there was a Messiah coming. Through the prophets of old, God began to give a picture of what this Messiah would look like, how He would act and what He would do when He came (picture). The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us (skillful execution on the part of God co-laboring with Mary resulting in the Incarnation.) Now through the Holy Spirit and our ability to co-labor with him in our creativity, our artwork becomes incarnational (because we are joint heirs with Jesus in the new covenant), revealing the Nature of God in the earth. This is not a one-time event but our new, everyday reality as sons and daughters of the King.
The Kingdom is Established through Sons & Daughters
For me, this is where the rubber meets the road. The Kingdom of God is established in the earth as sons and daughters release demonstrations of the reality of that Kingdom into the culture, regardless of their unique gifting or calling. Jesus promised that we would do greater works than He did, that signs and wonders would follow those who believe in Him. My friend, your creative expression was destined from the very foundation of the earth to be the incarnated demonstration of God’s Kingdom in the earth.
Prophetic art is like a table set before the viewer where God is waiting to release His presence.
4. TRANSFORMATIONAL CREATIVITY
When your creation does come from that place of Spirit-birthed, skillfully produced incarnation, it literally becomes a conduit for transformation. Why? Not because of us, in and of our talent but because it’s carrying the very Light and Life – the very nature – of God. Just like the sacrament of communion, your art, like the simple bread and wine, becomes a means of grace whereby God can commune with his people.Since Spirit-born creative expression is both prophetic and incarnational in nature our art has the capacity to speak and continue speaking to everyone who encounters it over time. It’s a lot like the stone cairns that you see throughout the Celtic landscape of Scotland that were created and placed there to show the way over time. These stacked stone monuments act as reminders that in the middle of what seems like nowhere, there is a trail. Our artwork and creative expression can be a cairn of sorts in the Spirit, declaring that there is a path that leads to life through the person of Jesus. Instead of just having a one-time encounters, we literally have the opportunity to set up these places of intersection in the Spirit for generations to come. Songs that would be sung for generations, buildings to be built that would declare the Glory of the Lord, even tangible objects used in daily life all acting as intersection points where God shows up and connects with His children.
Art is a Table
Our artwork literally becomes, as in Psalm 23 a table prepared to nourish those who come and sit before the King in the presence of everything that seeks to kill, suppress and confuse them. Oh to think of it! That the overflow of your life! The very expression of your heart and hands would be used as a demonstration of the transforming love of God. You see my friend, art and beauty are not ornamental, as some out suppose. They are essential for all life because it is through them that we touch the very nature of the creator God.
“God cares much more that you create than what you create. Having you fulfill your divine design is the desire of the Father.” – Matt Tommey
“Flow” – a prophetic art basket by Matt Tommey. Bark, vine, copper and encaustic wax.
5. ABUNDANT CREATIVITY
The result of Kingdom transformation is always life, especially when it comes through the creative expression of sons and daughters. Life abundant. Life everlasting. Life rooted and grounded in love and the abundance of the Father of all Life. God’s abundance overflows when it transforms the hearts of man and through His grace He activates the dormant places in the heart causing vision, purpose and desire to spring forth. Man fully alive, fully satisfied in God, fully loved by God and fully able to stand in His Kingdom purpose.Cooperation, Not Performance
A life of abundance and creativity always manifests in our life when we come into alignment with the intention or design of God for our life, whether as co-creators or ones interacting with the Spirit-birthed creation. This doesn’t mean we’ll never have another problem in our life or that grace is some ticket to easy street. It does mean, however that worry is no longer an option because at the end of the day, you know you are secure, provided for and in the Beloved of Almighty God. Otherwise, we stay frustrated in the ego portion of our being – our soul, mind will, emotions – wresting with feelings of inadequacy, powerlessness and frustration.This understanding of how prophetic creative expression is birthed and transformation is released should encourage you because it takes the pressure off of you to perform. Rather, you just simply cooperate with the design of God in and through your life. You don’t have to be this or that, just stand as a son or daughter, receiving and stewarding that which God has entrusted to you.
Abundance is basically coming into harmony with the frequency of God in the earth and in our being. Otherwise we create dissonance by playing notes that don’t work together and tension, stress and anxiety are the result. I don’t know about you, but I want to be in harmony with all that God is doing!
PLEASE COMMENT BELOW AND LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT CREATING PROPHETIC ART! 🙂 – Matt
This blog is an excerpt from “Creativity According to the Kingdom: Connecting with Heaven to Create with God and Release Transformation”. To order your copy in print or on Kindle, visit Amazon.com today.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT EVEN MORE ABOUT PROPHETIC ART!
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Healthy relationships are vital to thriving in life. We were created to form life-giving, meaningful, and deep connections with other people. It’s just how we are wired as human beings, and we all need these bonds to be our best. God said it best, “It is not good for man to be alone.”
One of the things that the Lord showed me years ago was that the principle of sowing and reaping is not just a financial principle, it’s a Kingdom principle. It’s a universal law, just like gravity, and it works with every area of life, including relationships.
If you’re not actively sowing into relationships in your life, then I guarantee you’re not reaping those healthy relationships and healthy interactions you need to thrive in life. We’ve got to intentionally cultivate the relationships we want in our life. And so, I want to give you a few tips that I’ve learned over the years that have helped me grow in my relationship with God, with others, and in my life as a kingdom person.
#1 – Speak to Their Design
God has a design and a purpose for every person on the planet, whether they’re a believer yet or not, and whether they believe and embrace their divine design or not. God loves to speak to His people’s purpose, even when they aren’t living up to their full potential.“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Let’s face it; we tend to react to others based on what we see happening in their lives, what they are demonstrating. Brokenness, bad-habits, and unhealthy choices are easy to see and even easier to point out in others. But that’s not the way of the Kingdom. We have to look at others through the eyes of the Spirit to see past their current situation and speak into destiny.
In the verse above, God sent Jeremiah to speak life, destiny, and purpose to a group of isolated Israelites who were exiled because of a lifetime (actually several lifetimes) of brokenness. God’s desired connection with His people, and in this example, He modeled one way to sow into relationships.
Here’s What I Said On My Podcast About This:I genuinely believe that we’re called as believers to walk in life-giving, beautiful relationships with other people. We’re not meant to do this life alone. And yet, so many times, the enemy keeps us on the edges.
If you’ve ever felt alone and stuck on the outside, then you definitely want to check out my blog and tune into today’s podcast. I’ll be sharing three things the Lord showed me about sowing into others to have the relationships and connections that make life complete.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartistGet encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
To read the blog article this podcast is based on, visit: https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/blog/3-keys-for-healthy-relationshipsFuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
I genuinely believe that we’re called as believers to walk in life-giving, beautiful relationships with other people. We’re not meant to do this life alone. And yet, so many times, the enemy keeps us on the edges.
If you’ve ever felt alone and stuck on the outside, then you definitely want to check out my blog and tune into today’s podcast. I’ll be sharing three things the Lord showed me about sowing into others to have the relationships and connections that make life complete.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartistGet encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
To read the blog article this podcast is based on, visit: https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/blog/3-keys-for-healthy-relationshipsFuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
#2 – Pull the Gold Out of Others
As we learn to see others from God’s point of view, we begin to recognize their purpose and are in a position to bless their design. Think about where Gideon was when the Lord called him a “Mighty Warrior.” Gideon couldn’t see it at the time, but God acknowledged and blessed Gideon’s divine design and purpose in that declaration.
Approaching relationships with the goal of seeing the best, or “the gold”, in others is a great place to start. But turning your attention towards and sowing into the best in others is vital to cultivate those healthy, authentic connections you’re seeking.
#3 Don’t Wait, Initiate
It’s frustrating to be the one that always has to ask their friends out. Face it, we all love it when we get invited out to lunch after church or get asked to come over and hang out. It’s an unspoken message that says, “Hey, you are someone I want to spend time with.”
But what do you do when those invites aren’t happening on a regular basis? Take a step. Ask the Holy Spirit:
- Who should I ask out for dinner after church?
- Who should I invite over for a day in the studio?
- Who can I bless?
- Whose life can I sow into God?
Here’s the thing: If you always wait on others to sow into you, a lot of times you’ll be waiting a long time. And the enemy will spin that into offense, isolation, and the lie that something is wrong with you.
As you step out of your shell and begin to initiate instead of wait, bless others according to their design, and actively pull the gold out of their lives, you’ll start to see incredible fruit coming forth in your relationships. By sowing into others, you’ll become the person people want to be around.
By speaking into the divine design of others, looking for the best in them and initiating relationships you become a beautiful conduit through which God will release His Kingdom, not only in the lives of others but in your life, too. Remember, Proverbs 11:25 says”
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Thanks for reading! Comment below to let me know how you’re cultivating intimacy with others. Together, we can be used by God to change the culture around us for His Glory.
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Have you ever wondered how to sell art online? You have a website, you’re on social media, and you’ve got the new collection ready to sell, but where do you start? Whether you’re new to the game or are already a seasoned pro, here are 5 keys that will unleash your online art sales this year and give you more understanding of how to be a successful artist.
Key #1 – Artist, Know Thy Customer
First things first. Start by discovering your ideal client. Who is the person most likely, out of everybody in the world, to buy your work and put it in their home or commercial space? As artists, we’d like to think that the whole world is a potential client, but that’s just not the case.
In my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, I teach artists how to create a client avatar, or what some call a buyer persona. This is a semi-fictional representation of your ideal client based on what you know about your existing customers and the research you do in your local and regional art marketplace.
Listen To What I Said On My Podcast About This:Have you ever wondered how to start generating sales for your artwork? Well, as a creative, that’s THE question, right?
I get asked this all the time, and in my blog and this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’ll be answering this question and laying out a clear pathway so you can start generating some real sales for your art today.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
Have you ever wondered how to start generating sales for your artwork? Well, as a creative, that’s THE question, right?
I get asked this all the time, and in my blog and this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’ll be answering this question and laying out a clear pathway so you can start generating some real sales for your art today.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
Creating a client avatar (buyer persona) is easier than it sounds, and you’re probably already doing it to some degree and don’t realize it. It’s just the process of paying attention to the interactions and conversations you’re having with customers every time you sell a piece of art and collecting that data. Even if you’ve only ever sold one piece of art, you know something about the person who bought your art.
This is a process that really never ends because every piece you sell is another chance to interact with people from a client perspective, from a strategic partner perspective, from a gallery perspective, and a referral perspective. As you do this over time, you’ll start to get a great picture of who these people are, what motivates them, what they’re looking for, and where and with whom they hang out, which brings me to the second key.
Key #2 – Go Where the Clients Are
In a recent article about how to sell art if you live in a rural area, I said, “If you want to catch fish, you have to go to where the fish are.” Makes sense, right? The same holds true with finding customers. Once you understand who your ideal client is and what they are into, it’s time to develop what I call intersection points. The goal here is simple, regularly getting in front of your ideal client using a variety of strategies.
Now that you are starting to understand who your ideal customer is, you want to be found by them. In the real world, you can do this through a variety of ways like exhibiting at the kind of art shows they frequent, volunteering for the non-profits they support, and speaking at social clubs they’ve joined.
But don’t let social distancing or physical separation keep you from being found. Advertise in the types of magazines they read, start collaborating with the interior designers they are using, and follow common social media interests. Again your goal is to cross paths with your ideal clients in as many natural non-salesy ways as you can so that they can find you. And this leads us to the next key.
Key#3 – Connect (Like Your Art Sales Depend Upon It)
The point of the first two keys is to get you talking with your ideal client. If you don’t remember anything else I share, remember this:No Connection, No Sale.
People buy from people that they know, like, and trust. Think about that for a second. As an artist, you have to build a connection with your client so that they feel connected to you, your aesthetic, and the work you’re producing. If you don’t build those connections, you won’t have many opportunities to make a sale.
So, again, these connections are built up over time, and they’re developed along with those naturally occurring intersections points you’re beginning to seek out intentionally. As the relationship grows with your ideal client, so will their interest in owning one of your pieces, which brings me to the next key.
Key #4 – Make the Offer Clear
The confused mind rarely buys. Now that you’ve got a potential client interested make it easy for them to shop. In simple terms, let your clients know precisely what they get from you when they invest in one of your creations. You should include details like:
- The name of the piece
- A good description
- The dimensions of the piece
- The mediums and media used
- If delivery is available and included
- If framing is available and included
- Available payment options
- The price
Whatever it is that you’re offering, make sure those details are available to a client browsing your website. This holds true whether you’re selling finished pieces, prints, or commissioned originals.Create a clear, compelling offer
This brings me to the final key.
Key#5 – Keep Your Checkout Process Simple
Make it easy for people to give you money. I recently had an experience with a local merchant that drove this point home for me. Instead of a quick swipe, signature, and press of the yes key, I received a 10-minute lesson in loving my technologically challenged neighbor.
It’s so easy to accept credit cards, checks, wire transfers, and even cryptocurrencies online, over the phone, and in-person in today’s world. There’s really no excuse for making it hard for a customer to do business with you.
Don’t know where to start? Check out Square. They are great. I use them for accepting credit and debit cards both online and in person.
So, there you have it, my top 5 tips selling your art, online and otherwise. Remember the keys:
- Create Your Client Avatar
- Develop Those Intersection Points
- Cultivate Authentic Connections
- Create Clear Compelling Offers
- Keep the Checkout Process Simple
Got Questions? I’d Love to Answer Them
I sure hope this has been helpful. If you have a question for me, I’d love to answer it here in my blog and on a future episode of 5-Minute Mentoring. Just stop by my podcast page and leave me a voicemail. Thanks for reading. -
In our social media-driven world, should you be working to collect an email address from your website visitors and clients? Absolutely! There has never been a better time to commit to an effective email mailing plan as a part of your overall art marketing strategy.
With all of the social media platforms available to us today, I get this question all the time from folks like Misty, one of my podcast listeners, “Matt, do I really need an email list, and if so, why?” It’s too easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “All I need is Facebook. All I need is Instagram. All I need is YouTube.” And as much as I would love for this to be true, today’s art entrepreneurs need to use a variety of tools if they want to create meaningful and profitable connections with their social media followers.
Don’t Keep All Your Marketing Eggs In One BasketI have been in the art marketing game long enough to realize that technology platforms, specifically social media, make significant changes without warning, often at a moment’s notice.
Companies routinely change their algorithms, what THEY think is important, which impacts what their users and your followers see in their social feeds. And when this happens, all of the organic connection you’ve worked so hard to build could disappear in an instant.
Next to your website, your email list may be the most crucial marketing tool YOU OWN. And I say, “you own,” because unlike the following you’ve built up on social media, you have complete control over the connections you cultivate with and content you deliver to the social followers and customers who have opted-in to your email list.
If the unthinkable happened and your social media accounts stopped being useful, you would still be able to use email to stay connected, create interest, inspire people, and bring them to an event, class, or sale.
Want to Hear More on This Topic, Then Listen To:
Have you ever wondered, “If I’m active on social media, why do I even need an email list?” Well, in my blog and on today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’m going to tell you why you absolutely should be building an email list and share some pro-tips that will help you thrive in today’s marketplace.
Now in this episode, I mention a few of my favorite email services. I encourage you to check out the following as you research which platform is right for you.
- MailChimp – http://www.mailchimp.com
- ConvertKit – http://convertkit.com
- ActiveCampaign – http://convertkit.com
Connect with Matt online at https://www.matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
Have you ever wondered, “If I’m active on social media, why do I even need an email list?” Well, in my blog and on today’s episode of 5-Minute Mentoring, I’m going to tell you why you absolutely should be building an email list and share some pro-tips that will help you thrive in today’s marketplace.
Now in this episode, I mention a few of my favorite email services. I encourage you to check out the following as you research which platform is right for you.
- MailChimp – http://www.mailchimp.com
- ConvertKit – http://convertkit.com
- ActiveCampaign – http://convertkit.com
Connect with Matt online at https://www.matttommeymentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
Giving away a free resource is a great way to build your email mailing list.
Building Your Email List
It all starts with building your list, giving your social followers a chance to become a bigger part of what you are doing. One of my favorite tips that I share with my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program is to offer their casual followers a free resource.
I use an offer similar to this on my website, podcasts, and in my blog. The embedded link takes visitors to a landing page where they are asked to share their first name and their email address so that I can send them this free resource. Feel free to click the picture to see what I mean, plus you’ll get a great free resource.
Your Invitation to Cultivate the Connection
The other thing I love about building an email list is this: When a person gives you their email address, they are telling you they are interested in what you do, but more importantly, they are inviting you into their world.
Think about it in these terms. If you owned a gallery on the main street in your town, you’d showcase your most impressive pieces in the front window of your shop as a way to capture the attention of folks passing by.
But thriving art businesses aren’t built upon the passers-by but by the folks who come into your studio. Once someone has come in through your door, they are looking to learn more, giving you a chance to build a connection and potentially gain a client.
In some ways, social media is the online equivalent to an attractive window display. It’s great when you get those likes, comments, and shares, but once a social follower opts-in to your email list, you then have the opportunity to connect personally. They effectively permit you to push that send button so that you can connect with them directly in their inbox.
Once you start building that list, be faithful to cultivating that connection through weekly or biweekly emails and monthly updates. Use email campaigns to reinforce what you are doing on social media and introduce them to new concepts you’re working on, collections you’ve completed, or classes you’re planning to teach.
Got Questions? I’d Love to Answer Them
I sure hope this has been helpful. If you have a question for me, I’d love to answer it here in my blog and on a future episode of 5-Minute Mentoring. Just stop by my podcast page and leave me a voicemail. Thanks for reading. -
Have you ever wanted to unleash yourself artistically and create free from the confines of always using reference materials when you embark upon an artistic adventure? Are you looking for a key to unlock and tap into a limitless supply of imagination that informs and inspires your creative process?
Well, in this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring and my blog, we’ll explore the nature of creativity in the Kingdom of God and the role that divine imagination plays in the artistic process.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
Get encouraged and connect with other artists on the Thriving Christian Artist Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/
Fuel Your Creative Calling with Weekly Encouragement
Join thousands of Christian artists who are growing in faith, creativity, and purpose.Subscribe to The Thriving Christian Artist Weekly and receive powerful, faith-filled content every week—designed to encourage your heart, spark your creativity, and equip you to walk boldly in your God-given calling as an artist.
? Click here. It’s free. It’s faith-filled. And it’s just for you.
Have you ever wanted to unleash yourself artistically and create free from the confines of always using reference materials when you embark upon an artistic adventure? Are you looking for a key to unlock and tap into a limitless supply of imagination and creativity that informs and inspires your creative process?
Lots of artists are looking for this, and recently one of my podcast listeners reached out for some strategies on how he could begin doing this. Nigel wants to break free from relying on photographs as his source materials into creating paintings birthed out of his imagination, but he’s finding it challenging to make the transition.
If this feels familiar, I get it, and I want you to know you’re not alone. I spent many years using reference materials, photographs, other works of art, and even general inspiration, to inform, inspire, and shape my woven sculptures. But as I began to understand the nature of creativity in the Kingdom of God and the role that divine inspiration plays in the artistic process, my whole world began to change.
As I pressed into my calling as an artist in the Kingdom of God, I began to discover the keys, Biblical truths, to unlocking the inner creative well* of inspiration that the Father has placed inside each of us. But before I dive into the “how-to,” let’s back up and take a look at how a healthy Holy Spirit-led imagination is supposed to function.
Creative Imagination is a Beautiful Engine
I believe that creative imagination is a beautiful creative engine that God has given us. It’s full of emotion and fully capable of sensing both the natural world we see and spiritual realities we can only perceive. In a sense, it’s a kind of divine alternate reality we can explore with the guidance of the Holy Spirit where we see, hear, feel, touch, and even taste things that are not YET tangible. And it’s not just what I believe; it’s an idea birth in scripture:
It is by faith we understand that the whole world was made by God’s command. This means that what we see was made by something that cannot be seen. Hebrews 11:3
Or this classic verse talking about Abraham’s faith:
God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. Romans 4:17
Your God-given, Holy Spirit-inspired imagination is how you get to see those things that are not as though they were. And as you begin to embrace the reality of what the Holy Spirit reveals, you have an opportunity to co-labor with the Father to bring those things to life through your creative expression.
Intentionally Jumpstarts Your Creative Imagination
Pulling inspiration from your imagination isn’t something that’s going to happen on its own. Just as you’ve gathered reference materials specifically and intentionally over the years, you’re going to have to start cultivating and using your imagination intentionally as well. But believe it or not, you’re already off to a good start.
Your divinely inspired creative well won’t spring forth from a vacuum. As a Kingdom artist, you are called to create from not only Holy Spirit inspiration but also from the fruit of everything you’ve cultivated in your heart and mind over the years. That means that all of the inspiration you’ve gathered, the music you’ve listened to, books and poems you’ve read, and beautiful things you’ve been a part of are already in your well.
With this already in place, the next step is to partner with the Creator of the universe. Start by asking the Holy Spirit, “Holy Spirit, would You blow over me and awaken inspiration that is in my heart from years past? From things that I don’t even realize? Would You begin to activate those things in me so that I can begin to pull on those in my creative process under Your inspiration?”
Visualization Fuels Your Creative Engine
Now, the other thing is that I am a big believer in visualization, allowing the Holy Spirit to take your imagination on a journey that fills your creative well with inspiration. I believe that when you visualize in your creative imagination with the Holy Spirit, that your faith is activated as you come into agreement with:- Who God says you are
- What God says about your art
- Where God has called you to take your art
- How God has already provided for your art
It’s how you begin to see those things that are not as though they are. It’s also how you begin to co-create your artwork with the Lord. If this is feeling a bit new to you, don’t worry. Let me walk you through your first adventure with the Holy Spirit. To begin, you’ll need a few things:
Your sketchbook or art journal & a pen (Need tips on journaling? Read This)- A comfy place to sit
- Some worshipful instrumental music
- 30 or more minutes of uninterrupted time
So, begin by putting on the music, sitting down in your chair, and closing your eyes. Take time to connect with the Father and to let the cares of the world and the day wash off. Then once you feel ready, just say, “Holy Spirit, take me on a journey and open up my imagination.”
Now don’t be surprised if you find yourself drawn to some of the source photos or reference materials you’ve collected over the years. This is normal. But as the Holy Spirit begins to focus you on one idea or location, maybe an old Cathedral you’ve visited or a landscape you photographed years ago, invite Him into that place and into your imagination. Then begin to watch, look, and listen with the eyes of your heart.- What are you seeing?
- What are you hearing?
- What are you smelling?
- What colors are you drawn to?
- What is the atmosphere like?
- What is the landscape like?
- What else do you see?
Stay in that place, exploring with the Holy Spirit, until you feel a release. It may take 5 or 10 minutes, maybe longer. Then once you’re ready, open your eyes, pull out your journal and begin to capture in words or sketches what you just saw, sensed, and felt. But it doesn’t have to end there.
Over the next few days, go back and revisit this with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to highlight and reveal more details, insights, and nuances. Again, finish by capturing what you saw in your journal, sketching in additional details to better capture the essence of what you’re seeing. The goal is to use your God-given creative skills to capture the beautiful things you’re seeing and experiencing with your Holy-Spirit-inspired imagination.
Another Creative Tool for Your Belt
Over the years, these Holy-Spirit-led journeys have become vital to the ongoing practice of filling my creative well. I still use reference materials, gather inspiration from my walks in the woods, music I listen to, books I read, the art I admire. But now I allow the Holy Spirit to fuse these together in my creative imagination.
One time, I had a basket that I wanted to create. I’d never woven a basket like this before. I was stuck on how to connect the inside to the outside. That night before going to sleep, I simply asked, “Lord, would you show me how to do that?”
That night I had a dream, now this doesn’t happen every time, but that night it did. I woke up the next morning, jotted some notes in my journal to capture what the Lord had shown me, and then I went to the studio and did what I saw in my dream. WOW! And why not? If you could ask the Holy Spirit to lead your spiritual life, why can’t you ask Him for the same in your art life? That is the normal way that the Kingdom works.I hope you’ll give this a try. Start going on some Holy-Spirit-led journeys in your imagination. As you do, you’ll begin to create unique works of art from your creative imagination that reveal the Glory of God.
Got Questions? I’d Love to Answer Them
If you have a question for me, I’d love to answer it here in my blog and on a future episode of 5-Minute Mentoring. Just stop by my podcast page and leave me a voicemail. Thanks for reading.
* I was first introduced to this concept by Julia Cameron in her book, The Artist’s Way, where she says “In order to create, we draw from our inner well. This inner well, an artistic reservoir, is ideally like a well-stocked trout pond. We’ve got big fish, little fish, fat fish, skinny fish – an abundance of artistic fish to fry. As artists, we must realize that we have to maintain this artistic ecosystem…” As I have explored it more over the years, the Holy Spirit began to bring me more revelation about how inspiration works – how it’s discovered, held and nurtured within us. Central to my understanding is that the Holy Spirit moves over all the inspiration we sow into our heart and mind, allowing us to co-labor with Him in the creative process. -
Are you one of the many artists I know who lives, works, and creates while living in the middle of nowhere? Have you ever wondered how you can sell art and thrive in business if you’re stuck out in the boondocks?
Well, in this episode of 5-Minute Mentoring and my blog, I’ll share with you a few time-tested nuggets of wisdom that will help you thrive where you’ve been planted.
Connect with Matt online at www.MattTommeyMentoring.com or on Instagram and Facebook @thethrivingchristianartist
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One of the secrets to art business success that I teach artists is that “Connection is Key.” Your ability to thrive creatively is directly affected by your willingness and ability to connect with clients, strategic partners, mentors, and other creatives.
But what do you do if you live, work, and create in the middle of nowhere, or out in the boondocks, as we say down south? Is thriving while geographically isolated even possible? Well, the short answer is yes, and here are a few nuggets of wisdom that will help you thrive where you’ve been planted.
Create Community
No matter where you live in the world, the internet is your gateway to connection. Even if you only have a cell phone and a mobile data plan, you can still:- Connect with clients for art sales and art class sales.
- Find strategic partners for referrals and gallery opportunities.
- Join creative communities where you can be encouraged, inspired, and mentored.
So, where do you begin? Well, obviously, in today’s world, social media may be the best way to start building a connection with people online. Connecting with clients and strategic partners online is something you can do from anywhere. From regularly posting on a Facebook page or an Instagram account to posting your art process and how-to videos on YouTube, you’re only limited by your own imagination and a couple of tech tools like a phone, some basic lighting and internet connection.
But the benefits of social media for creatives don’t end there. One of the worst things about remote living can be a crushing sense of isolation, and it makes sense. We weren’t created to live alone. To combat isolation, consider starting your own Facebook group of fellow artists, joining an existing group or program (like my Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program), and even starting a simple group chat or text among creative friends! It doesn’t have to be fancy, just get started.
Fine Tune Your Website
Online art sales exploded last year with close to $5 Billion worth of sales. For many artists that I know, 2020 was their best year ever. Now they did have to pivot to prosper during a global pandemic. Still, the fundamentals of what they did on their websites will help any artist succeed.
Your website should pique curiosity, showcase your talents, inspire and inform your visitor, all while providing a clear, simple pathway for them to connect to you and the art you create. A great website is a mobile-friendly hub where you display, describe, and inspire people through your art. It tells the story of who you are, building that initial connection with your visitor. Then it presents them with an opportunity to purchase right on your website or through a link to a third-party site like Etsy, Fine Art America, or Saatchi Art.
Go to Where the Fish Are
So down south, it’s said, “If you want to catch fish, you have to go to where the fish are.” Make sense, right? The same holds for selling art. If art is not selling in your local area, you sometimes have to be willing to travel to where people are buying art. At this point, you might be wondering, “But Matt, isn’t online sales enough?”
Well, yes, but mostly no. I’m a big believer in something I teach in the Mentoring Program called The Parthenon Plan ™ . I encourage artists to create a multi-pronged, multi-strategy approach to building their art businesses. This concept helps creatives build healthy businesses with multiple income streams through the variety of methods they use to connect with their clients.
In a nutshell, don’t have all your “eggs” in one basket. Over the years, I grew my art business both only online and in person. I learned early on that I had to be willing to travel. From Atlanta to Philadelphia, from Atlanta to Chicago, or from Asheville to New Orleans. I sought out the shows and opportunities where I knew that my best clients would be.
“But Matt, I don’t know where to go. What do I do?” First of all, don’t let not knowing something paralyze you. Begin with a little research:- Get on Google and start looking
- Talk to other artists
- Visit the shows you’re interested in being in
- Read trade magazines and find out what’s going on in your niche
As we begin to return to a sense of normality post-covid, in-person shows and sales will come back. We’ll see old shows return and new shows and opportunities to connect and sell in-person springing up for those willing to do a little “road work.”
Be Intentional
The last thing that I would say is be intentional. Be intentional about going to where your best clients are. Be intentional about creating community online. Be intentional about developing strategic partnerships. Don’t be afraid to be deliberate and step out. Be prepared. You have got to build a net, if you will, to be able to catch all the “fish” that God is bringing into your art business.
I hope this has been an encouragement. Thanks for reading.PS: Combating isolation is one of the reasons why I started the Created To Thrive Artist Mentoring Program. Created To Thrive is a world-wide community of artists that have banded together to be encouraged, inspired, mentored, and challenged. They are embracing their calling as Kingdom artists while living life together online. Sure, we host a couple of live events a year, but we connect on Facebook, post on Instagram, and chat regularly on Zoom for the rest of the year. For many of our geographically isolated members, this online community has allowed them to find “their people.” Created to Thrive is truly a band of brothers and sisters who encourage and inspire each other along the way.