It's a wonderful Sunday morning here in my neck of the woods. Summer is full blast in here but thanking the Lord that we are not into any triple digits yet as we've been the past several years. Nevertheless, it's still hot and I don't really enjoy every time I step into my vehicle and felt like I am cooking in an oven. But I am not complaining because I know that each day, whether rain or shine is a blessing from our Almighty God. I know for a fact that appreciation of God's blessing should not be based on how one feels, even the very situation that is right in front of us---a child of God receives his/her blessings not by feelings but by every word that comes from the mouth of God---His written revelation, the Bible! God's reality is different from our reality. His Truth is absolute while ours is often subjective. Each person's judgment is based on the culture they grew up with, their country, the values or the lack thereof as they were nurtured, the absence or presence of a role model in their lives like parents, even the crowd they hang-out with. Each of these factors affects our thinking and when we don't acknowledge God's Word as the Absolute Truth, each person's subjective truth would vary differently with others and thus, I can actually say that "man will self-destruct." When God created us, He equipped us with a moral compass (our conscience) to help us know right from wrong. Even people who have lived in the caves knew that it was wrong to steal somebody's wife or others property and have engaged in wars because of these without prior encounter with the Bible. Yet, as we are fed by the society we lived in, that conscience can be marred and constant neglect of what our conscience tell us results in brutal killings, rebellion, disrespect and many other things which results to death. God warned us of how the last days (prior to the Second Coming of Christ) would look like. The Only Way to be grounded to the Truth is to be grounded in the Word of God---meditating on it day and night, having a Born-Again Spirit that has been dedicated to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, ready to be a vessel for His Work. Let's examine these blatant warning from Apostle Paul for every Born-Again believer, those that are washed by the blood of Jesus Christ in 2 Timothy 3:1-15.
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
If any of us is seriously thinking that we are not close to those days, then, pray for the Holy Spirit to show us Jesus. To take away the blinders that had kept us blind from everything happening around us. Be the light that God intended you to be and expose every darkness around you. This is the time to pray for our nation, our states and local government. Pray for our neighbors, co-workers and family members. And after praying, it's time to act. The Bible declares in James 2:17 that "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." With God's leading, we are to expose every ideas, laws, rules, ordinances that falls short of God's glory and be willing to stand for Him. I know that courage is not grown overnight but if you spend time reading God's Word and learning from Jesus, you will be equipped with courage that He alone can provide. In my recent encounter with demonic agendas that tries to make it's way in our local government and seize to take the voice of every God-fearing person in a systematic way, I've seen the truth in this quote, "TRUTH IS HATE TO THOSE WHO HATE THE TRUTH." Jesus said in John 7:7, The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil." Have you been persecuted lately just merely for standing on the Truth of God's Word? If not, take heed that you have not become deceived yourself that the world is not able to see where you stand. Seek after God and He will give oil to your flickering lamp.
I would like to share with you this fat page/card I created for our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create. I am not sure what a fat page was at first but after much research, I've gotten some ideas. But since I am not into making fat pages, I decided to adhere my fat page to a card, like a topper, and it sure worked great. Our sponsor of this week is Lacy Sunshine Images and I am grateful that I was provided with this digi image to color called "Eleonor and Pickles-Tightrope Walker." I used my Promarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir to give life to this image. I began with a 4 x 4 Kraft CS and embellished it with several DP's from my stash (all left-overs) of Paper Studio and dark brown CS for matting. I incorporated a braided twine and mini clothespin, some gems and lots of inking using several Distress Inks---Vintage Photo, Fired Brick, Broken China and Spiced Marmalade. Then, I adhered it to a 5.5-inch, square Kraft card base, used a K & Company DP and dark brown CS for matting for my panel and attached an endearing sentiment I got free from Create with TLC. In many battles and frustrations, I found this sentiment to be so true---"Take a Deep Breath and Let It Go." As human beings, we are with emotions and we get hurt so many times especially with the many deception, twisting of God's Word happening around us. But we give these hurts to God---we let it go so as not to hinder us in our walk knowing that Jesus is always with us till the end where our VICTORY have long been established. Oh yes, God has revealed to us the end of this story and so, we focus on that glorious victory as we go through each battleground. This will all be but a shadow once we come to the fulness and absolute reality of God's presence. Hope you enjoy the pics and looking forward to hear your comments.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH - LET GO FAT PAGE:
TAKE A DEEP BREATH - LET GO FAT PAGE SIDE VIEW:
TAKE A DEEP BREATH - LET GO CARD:
TAKE A DEEP BREATH - LET GO CARD LAYERS:
TAKE A DEEP BREATH - LET GO CARD INSIDE:
TAKE A DEEP BREATH - LET GO CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:
*** WANT THIS CARD? AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! ***
*** WANT THIS CARD? AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! ***
There you have it folks. I am delighted to escort people to God's glory this morning. It is such an honor to stand before the King of kings knowing He has made you His righteousness. I hope you join us at our Challenge at 613 Avenue Create where you are allowed to create Anything with an optional twist. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Have a blessed day and remember that in Jesus, we are more than conquerors. So, lift up your heads and prepare for battle. He is our Victory!
Beautiful card love all the layers and your wonderful colouring, thanks for joining us at Crafty Catz this week, Jac x
ReplyDeletethank you so much for joining us for our very first challenge at the Hobby House
ReplyDeleteHugs Kate xx
Fabulous and wonderful card Jo Ann thank you for joining us this week at Crafty Catz
ReplyDeleteHugs Dianne xx
This is a fabulous card~! Love all the layers of goodies you added.
ReplyDeletePaulette
Your card is so sweet, perfect for a girl! Love the little frog ;)Thank you for joining us at Sentimental Sundays. Hope to see you again next week.
ReplyDeleteEllen (SS-DT)
Another beautiful creation. So love the bold striking colours and design. Pickles is just the cutest.
ReplyDelete{Would love you to visit my blog and join my 600-Follower Give-Away. Thank you so much if you already have entered and good luck.}
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}
Thank you for dropping by Brown Sugar to enter your card - This card it totally beautiful! We hope you will join us again this Friday! Gail DT
ReplyDeleteFabulous card and image. I spotted this on MIM. Faye
ReplyDeleteFabolous card,thanks for joining CCT this week!
ReplyDeleteHugs heidy
Gorgeous card, love the design. Thanks for joining us at Milk Coffee.
ReplyDeleteDonna x
great card thanks for sharing with us at 2 sisters this week , good luck with the challenge Tracy x
ReplyDeletefabulous card.. love all the details... thanks for joining us at our first return challenge @ Pollycraft -Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun! Lovely stamp! I saw it on Make it Monday.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! What a great card you have here. Thanks for joining us at Brown Sugar.Good luck.
ReplyDeleteGreat card. Thank you for joining us at The Hobby House.
ReplyDeleteDebbie x
marvelous card!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Sentimental Sundays...
Sandy S
SSDT
Such a sweet image! So funny!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at Card Mania Challenge and Good Luck!!!
Smiles, Kaly
Beautiful card, thanks for sharing it with us in the brown sugar challenge, karen
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job on your card:-)Thank you for joining us at CMC
ReplyDeleteHugs
Michele
Wow, this is GORGEOUS! I don't even know where to start, but suffice it to say, this card is the kind that makes me SWOONG - lots of layers, colors and texture! WOW! Thanks so much for joining us at Inspired By Stamping!
ReplyDeleteAmazing coloring here. Thank you for playing with us at Inspired By Stamping this week.
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE your card!! The colouring is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks For playing along at Stamping Dragon Designs
Bec DT