Scripture Series: Renewed Day by Day Center Step Card---It's Anything Goes in our Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, friends!  It's another gorgeous Wednesday and time to feature another inspirational project to highlight our Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at WAW) at the Word Art Wednesday (WAW) Challenge.  This verse comes from 2 Corinthians 4:16 and it says, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." It is very important to know the context of this letter that Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church so we can fully understand the very essence of this message in our days.  The Church of Corinth were made up of believers both Jews and Gentiles who were united together through faith in what Jesus Christ had accomplished at the Cross.  Romans 10:11-13 tells us, "As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Through the Cross, everyone can be saved through faith in what Christ has accomplished and could come boldly to the throne of God's grace.  As people saved by grace, we desire to share God's love and forgiveness to as many people who would open their hearts to God's Truth.  And we work to make this happen through the ministry the Lord entrusted to us.  Though there are various ministries, each unite to an ultimate purpose---TO SERVE!  The moment we give our lives to Christ, we are called to service  through the talents and abilities we were equipped with, under the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Some are called to full-time ministry in a local or global Church Body while some are called to part-time or voluntary positions. 

Anywhere we go is where our ministry goes.  We are not confined to any walls or structure because the Spirit of God lives inside of us. We are His temple which means we are the Church!  If we work in an office or field, that is our ministry.  If we work locally, nationally or abroad on a mission, these are our ministry.  Whatever we say or do, we are reflecting the glory of God that dwells inside every believer (Born-again, John 3:3).  Since our ministry is work and people oriented (which includes people and systems of government that could persecute us for the message we preached), we can easily lose heart and quit.  I love what my Life Application Bible shared about our featured verse. It says, "We all faced problems in our relationships or in our work that have caused us to want to think about laying down the tools and walking away.  Rather than giving up when persecutions wore him down, Apostle Paul concentrated on experiencing the inner strength from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). Don't let fatigue, pain and criticism force you off the job.  Renew your commitment to serving Christ.  Don't forsake your eternal  reward because of the intensity of today's pain.  Your very weakness  allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen you moment by moment."

Each day we spend here on earth is another opportunity to preach the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) to those who would otherwise suffer eternal damnation without accepting God's Truth.  We are placed here as a "Beacon of Hope" and a "Light to Conquer Darkness." It is extremely important that we operate and see everything with an Eternal Perspective, that is, looking beyond what is temporary (our earthly existence) and setting our eyes to the glorious eternal future where we are truly destined to rule and reign.  I love how my Life Application Bible put this important fact into words. It says, "Paul has faced sufferings, trials and distress as He preached the Good News. But he knew that they would one day be over, and he would obtain God's rest and rewards.  As we face great troubles,  it's easy to focus on the pain rather than on our ultimate goal.  Just as athletes concentrate on the finish line and ignore their discomfort, we too must focus on the reward for our faith and the joy that lasts forever.  No matter what happens to us in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life, when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away (Isaiah 35:10)."

You see, I made a decision to serve Christ no matter what.  Every waking moment, I thank the Lord for another day to accomplish that which He assigned me to do here on earth.  This world is becoming such a dangerous place minute by minute as evil men and women, deceived by Satan, continues to spread their ungodly message in all the pillars of our society, seeking to devour those who are selfish, spiritually weak and faithless.  As Biblical prophesy unfolds before our very eyes like we've never seen before, let us overcome every obstacle by continuing to trust God's Word and faithfully accomplishing our earthly mission.  He is always with us and at His perfect time, He will bring us all to the glory of His presence  where we shall be with Him forever.  I would like to share the following verses to encourage us to fight the good fight of faith daily while holding on to God's promises of eternal future to all that loved Him.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me."  (Philippians 1:21-26)

"We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."  (1 John 5:9-13)

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”" (Revelation 21:1-5)

For this Card, I used an image from All Dressed Up Stamps called "Love to Shop - Girl 2" that I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card.  The DP's are mostly from Recollections and the rest from my scraps. I used Nestabilities for the the oval an lacy oval, Sizzix die for the butterflies and Fiskars punch for the flower.  I added glitters (Stickles-Crystal) to the butterflies and the image and some white nail head gems at the center of the flowers.  Finally comes stitching. 

RENEWED DAY BY DAY CENTER STEP CARD:

RENEWED DAY BY DAY CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

RENEWED DAY BY DAY CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

RENEWED DAY BY DAY CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

RENEWED DAY BY DAY CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Eureka Stamps---Autumn Leaves/Colors of Fall
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Wags 'n Whiskers---Use Die-Cut
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Catch the Bug---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Twist of Black
Creative Moments---ATG/Autumn Colors
Art by Miran---ATG
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Digi Choosday---Something New (DP's and image are new)
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Star Stampz---Add a Sentiment
TTCRD---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Simon Says---Autumn is in the Air
Crafting for all Seasons---Autumnal Hues
Crafty Creations---Falling for You
Fab 'n' Funky---Sassy Ladies
Paper Shelter---Xtra Vaganza
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Autumnal Colros
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Melonheadz Friends---Fall is in the Air
Not Just Cards---ATG
Our Crafty Corner---ATG
Path of Positivity---Resiliency
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Where the Heart Is---ATG/Use Stencils
Whoopsi Daisy---Hand-colored Image

Don't forget to join us at the WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art this week to make a project and link it to our Challenge although it's not mandatory.  You can also link other projects (up to 5) as long as it has uplifting/inspirational messages.  Our sponsors this week are  Live and Love Crafts (10 euros GC) and All Dressed Up Stamps (2 Digis).  Have a blessed day and remember to always be grateful and hold on to the promises of God in your life no matter what.  Let the Holy Spirit comfort you with God's Word and empower you daily.