Scripture Series: In Everything, Give Thanks Center Step Card---Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday again, everyone!  Here to feature another free Word Art for our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  It's taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  It's interesting how God told us to give thanks for EVERYTHING!  How about the times when things are not going so well for us?  When we are sick, in a financial bind, in emotional struggles with our marriage, problem with our kids and many other situations that brings us down.  Are we supposed to give thanks?  The answer is YES!  God did say---EVERYTHING!  For those that have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior, it's even harder to comprehend why we need to have an attitude of "Thankfulness" when things are not going our way.  Our sinful nature always wants what is for our own benefit and is predominantly selfish!  When things are great, we credit ourselves for everything we gained without understanding that it is because of God's grace that we are here in this world.  And so, we do everything we want and what's right in our own eyes and when we are faced with the consequences of our actions, we then remember God and blame Him for what were going through.  God said in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  This is a significant message that applies not for everyone but for those that have answered and will answer to God's call for repentance by placing their faith on the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the Cross.  It is only by complete and total surrender of our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ will we be able to understand why we need to be thankful for all things.  God allows trials and storms in our lives to develop our character.   Jesus lives inside every believer and when we meditate on the promises of His Word, we have the assurance that He knows what we are going through and that we are never alone in the fight!  We have to lay claim to all of His promises and believe that He will come through for us in His perfect time.  It's not easy to wait and honestly, patience is one of the virtues God is working constantly in me.  Yet I realized that without Him, I cannot do anything!  As a Christian whose trust is in Jesus Christ, there's nothing I can do but to "trust in the goodness of God."  Matthew 6:26-27 clearly tells us, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  He Who came to this world to sacrifice His life as ransom for all of mankind will not withhold the good things from His children.  Before I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, I lived my life the way I pleased and boy, did I get myself into a lot of trouble.  Those were painful experiences that I can now look back with joy because in the midst of the pain, I came to know the Healer!  Sometimes, when we could not see the reason for the storm and chaos in our lives, trust that God is able to turn them into something beautiful one day.  In Christ, there is always hope and nothing ever comes to us that the Father has not filtered.  Yes, give thanks and hang in there no matter what your situation maybe.  He will always provide a way out!  Here are some scripture that tells us to give thanks to our wonderful God.

"Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." (1 Chronicles 29-12-14)

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ"  (Colossians 2:6-8)

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Now, for my inspiration Card today, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Bench Buddies" which I paper-pieced and colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card.  The DP's are all from American Crafts, the washi tape from Paper Studio, butterflies from Recollections and glitters using Stickles-Crystal.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card!  I'm pretty happy with the results. 

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS CENTER STEP CARD:

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafting by Designs---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Celebration
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Hambo Hoedown---Thank You
House that Stamps Built---Give Thanks
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Home is where your heart is (My Home is with the presence of God)
Paper Pretties---Give Thanks
Scrapper's Delights---ATG/Paper-Piecing
Wonderful Wednesdays---ATG
Crafty Sentiments---Make It Sparkle
Digi Choosday---Thank You/Winter Colors
Scrap-Creations---Make It Sparkle
Loves Rubberstamps---ATG
ODBD---Holiday
Papertake Weekly---ATG
Party Time Tuesday---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Top Tip Tuesday---Chevrons (Top Tip:  To make your card fun, slant some elements of your project)
Tuesday Throwdown---Shaped Cards
Great Impressions---Thankful Thoughts
Jellypark---Festive
Craft Hoarders---For All You Do, Thank You!
Love to Scrap---Bling (Glitters)
Path of Positivity---Gratitude 
Perfectly Rustics---Stitching 

Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art in your creation and link it to our Challenge but is not a requirement.  As long as it's family-friendly, uplifting and inspirational, you can submit up to 5 entries.  Our wonderful sponsors for this week are Daydream Designs ($20 GC to their shop) and Heart and Soul Rubber Stamp Co. (2 Mounted/4 Unmounted Rubber Stamps of choice to their store).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  He truly loves and cares for you.