Scripture Series: Lord, A Light Unto Me Surprise Pop-Up Card---Join Us for Another Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, Crafty Peeps!  It's been a week and I am back with another card to highlight for today's Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Today is a wonderful day to praise the Lord!  The weather is nice although it can get too hot here in Texas.  But other than any external factors, I am grateful to be alive and to be a part of God's work here on earth.  Each time I open my eyes in the morning is a proof that God is still going to use me mightily for His glory.  It can be in my household, my neighborhood, fellow believers or even with strangers.  I have a friend whom I've only known for months although we've been going to the same fitness class for quite sometime.  One day, she asked me which Church I go to and before long, we became the best of friends.  God allowed me to share God's Word in this friend's life.  There are many traditions and beliefs that needed to come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and as new friends, we dealt with some of that.  There's no such thing as a perfect friend and despite the differences between us, I know that the Lord purposely allowed us to come together to fulfill His plan so, each day is a chance for us to grow in the knowledge of God as we continue to seek Him.  One day, we were in a restaurant for some breakfast after our fitness class.  God led me to share His Word to this same friend who at that time was overwhelmed with hopelessness.  To my surprise, a lady (with her friend) from another table approached us after they ate.  Neither me nor my friend were familiar with them so I wondered what she would have to say.  After all, we were talking about God in a restaurant and was not sure if it was a problem for them.  Yet, this lady told me how she overheard us talking about God and was so blessed to see believers who are not afraid to speak the truth of God's Word in a public area.  Her, approaching us---bringing  words of encouragement---blessed my life that morning as we exchanged numbers for future get-together.  Little did I know that that brief meeting would give birth to another friendship between me and that wonderful lady.  We started messaging each other and before long, God gave me another friend in faith.  You see, I don't believe that there's such a thing as accident in a life of a believer.  I may not know the extent of the work the Lord is going to allow me to spend with this new found friends but I am sure that we were brought together for a purpose.  Whether we are to lift up somebody or be encouraged by someone, we are to be sensitive to the leading of God each and everyday.  We must allow God to control our daily schedules and commit our time and effort to whoever/whatever He may lead us to.  Life gets too busy and had I just ran off each fitness class, I could have missed the opportunity to get to know a friend.  Oh yeah, I have a gazillion things to do at home but spending a bit of time to listen to what a friend will have to say and be able to encourage someone to continue trusting in the Lord and see their attitudes change in the light of God's Word is priceless.  The Lord wants us to go and  make disciples of all nations.  We don't have to go to another country or region for God to use us (unless He says so, of course!).  He can use us at home, at work, our neighborhood or even the people we meet in the gym, restaurants or the street.  The question is, are we sensitive enough to listen and obey the Lord's leading?  Are we willing to spend some of our precious time to show the love of Jesus to others?   Here are some Bible verses to encourage every believer to share the hope God has given us:

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." (Romans 12:4-14)

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:1-5)

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:11)

Our free Word Art Art today is courtesy of one of our DT members at WAW---Diane Noble.  She is sharing with us both the B/W  version as well as the colored version which you can find at our WAW Blog.  It comes from Micah 7:8 which says, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me."  This tells us that when we placed our trust in the Lord Jesus, we are safe and secure in Him.  The Lord knows our in and out---our past, present and future.  Though we may experience trials in this life, we are never alone.  We have the Mighty Warrior, Victorious One, the Lion of the tribe of Judah empowering us and providing protection for us everyday.  Through Him, though  we fall, we'll rise up!  His Word will be our light in the darkest paths.  His strength will be our strength.  No darkness will ever prevail against His radiant light.  Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Him---Jesus, the very Source of our Victory!  For this Card, I used a freebie image I got from Saturated Canary called "Pups and Me."  I colored it with my ProMarker and Prismacolor markers.  I've been wanting to make this "Surprise Pop-Up Card" for many months now and finally, I was able to give it a try.  The white base card is cute and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are all from Recollections.  I die-cut the circle and the lacy circle using my Nestabilities and Cuttlebug.  The fence border is cut using an MS Punch.  The flowers are from Recollections and I added some glitters (Stickles-Diamond) on them.  I incorporated several white nail head gems from Imaginisce and stamped additional border (Stampabilities) and  a couple of sentiments from Cloud 9 Design.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  It took me a while to make, mainly figuring out where I need to place the adhesive before sewing.  Those that were not completely attached needed to be secured but over-all, I am very happy with the results.  Enjoy the pics...

LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME SURPRISE POP-UP CARD FRONT:

 LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD WHEN CLOSE:

 LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD SIDE VIEW:

 LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD TOP VIEW:

 LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD INSIDE:

LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Dazzling Diva---Hexagons/ATG
Bombshell Stamps---Hip to be Square
Crafter's Cafe---Mom or Special Lady
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Crafting for all Seasons---Lots of Layers
Creative Moments---ATG/Bingo
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Ladybug Crafts---Favorite Embellishment (White Nail Head Gems)
Mema's Crafts---May Flowers/Celebrate Mom
One Sweet Challenge---Flowers
Words 2 Scrap By---Bloom Where You are Planted
Crafting at the Weekend---ATG
Stampin with the Dragon---Flowers 
STAMPlorations---Stamps and Flowers 

There you have it friends!  Hope you enjoyed browsing at the pics and reading this post.  Please don't forget to join us at this week's WAW Challenge by linking your "Anything Goes" projects.  You can use the free Word Art in your entry but it's not mandatory.  As long as your creation is family-friendly, inspirational and uplifting, you can enter up to 5 projects to have more chances of winning.  Our sponsors for this week are Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More (3 Digi Images) and Heart and Soul Rubber Stamp (Stamp set of winner's choice). You don't want to miss out on these wonderful prizes so, make sure to join our Challenge.   Have a blessed day, everyone!