Scripture Series: Shall Be Like a Tree Card---It's Wednesday and Time for Anything/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello, Crafty Peeps!  I am experiencing a busy week and an even more busy weekend ahead.  I cannot spend a lot of time crafting so,  I had to think of something wonderful with less time to make for our highlighted Scripture Word Art (you can get for free) at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) Challenge.  It's found in Psalm 1:3 which says, "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."  Psalm 1 is a very short chapter so we might as well consider the first two verses that came before our featured verse to find some context.  Psalm 1:1-2 says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."  I would like to share with you the entire exhortation to these verses in my Life Application Bible as I thought it explained it so effectively.  I hope you are blessed as I did upon reading...

"The writer begins this psalm extolling the joys of obeying God and refusing to listen to those who discredit or ridicule Him.  Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us, often in very subtle ways.  If we insist on friendships with those who mock what God considers important, we might sin by becoming indifferent to God's will.  God doesn't judge people on the basis of race, sex or national origin.  He judges them on the basis of their faith in Him and their response to His revealed will.  Those who diligently try to obey God's will are blessed.  Their happy condition is like, fruit bearing trees with strong roots (Jeremiah 17:5-8), and God promised to watch over them.  God's wisdom guide their lives,  In contrast, those who don't trust and obey God have meaningless lives that blow away like a dust.  Only two paths of life lay before us---God's way of obedience or the way of rebellion and destruction.  Be sure to choose God's path because the path you choose determines how you will spend eternity.  

Verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 1 hold simple wisdom---the more we delight in God's presence, the more fruitful we are.  On the other hand, the more we allow those who ridicule  God to affect our thoughts and attitudes, the more we separate ourselves from our source of nourishment.  We must have contact with unbelievers if we are to witness  to them, but we must not join in or imitate their sinful behavior.  If you want despair, spend time with mocking sinners, but if you want God's happiness, make friends with those who love God and His Word.  

The phrase "whatever he does prospers," does not mean immunity from failure or difficulties.  Nor does it guarantee health, wealth and happiness.  What the Bible means by prosperity is this:  when we apply God's wisdom, the fruit (results or by-products)  we bear will be good and will receive God's approval.  Just as a tree soaks up water and bear luscious fruit, we also are to soak up God's Word, producing actions and attitudes that honor God.  To achieve anything worthwhile, we must have God's Word in our hearts. "

For this Card, I used an image I got for free at Free Vintage Digital Stamps.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I used my Cuttlebug and my Honeycomb Cuttlebug folder to create the embossed background and a couple of metal brads for accent.  Finally, some fancy stitching for added dimension.  I am proud of this simple design which is quite a change from my usual layered and bold colored creations.  This week, I am going for some elegance...LOL

SHALL BE LIKE A TREE CARD:

SHALL BE LIKE A TREE CARD LAYERS:

SHALL BE LIKE A TREE CARD INSIDE:

SHALL BE LIKE A TREE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner---Girls. Girls, Girls
Scor-pal---More than One Score: Spring and/or Flowers (I used my Scor-pal on the envelope-box)
Sugar and Betty's---ATG/Layers
TTCRD---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Mod Squad---Encouragement
Ruby's Rainbow---CAS
Simon Says---CAS

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 enter up to 5 times this week.  Lots of prizes to be won from our two wonderful sponsors---Loves Rubberstamps (Brand new stamp set) and Sweet-N-Sassy Stamps ($10 Digi Stamps).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the peace of the Lord overtake you today.  Stay firm in God's Word no matter what!