Scripture Series: The Kingdom of Heaven Center Step Card---Link With Us in Another Bi-Weekly Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello Crafty friends!  Two weeks passed and we are wowed by the awesome projects you linked with us at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Each Challenge, visitors and participants are blessed by the free Scripture Word Art and are inspired by the devotion shared at the WAW Blog along with the individual devotions the DT's shared in their own Blogs.  As a result, many participants have committed themselves to create inspirational projects with the featured Scripture.  They utilized their Blogs to share the Good News (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) and to reach their sphere of influence with the power of God's Word.  How amazing is that?  Glory to God!

Anyway, while writing this post, God dropped His Word in my heart. I believe this is what He wanted me to share so I'm going to obey His leading... It's found in Matthew 28:18-20---"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” If every person whose faith is in Christ (Born-Again, John 3:3) will take into heart this Great Commission the Lord Jesus entrusted to us, we will not be wasting our talents, opportunities, time and resources to things without eternal value.  Satan is working overtime knowing his time is short and judgment is going to fall upon him (and those who followed him) very soon.  We have seen the spirit of hatred for God's children intensifying.  The attacks aimed to destroy us by taking our religious rights here in America and the oppression all over the world are real and would overwhelm us at times. Furthermore, we are  seeing many leaving the faith and have followed doctrines (teachings) of demons.  There were ample prophecies and warnings in the Scripture telling us of such a time outlining many horrific and catastrophic events as we continue to advance towards the timeline of God.  On the flip side,  because we are hearing very little about the work of the Lord nowadays (caused by media bias and suppression), it does not mean Almighty God is silent and have given up on mankind!  Though it is a fact that many have abandoned the ways of God in our country and in the Western World, there are overwhelming evidence of many that have turned to Christ from countries deemed impossible to reach with the Gospel before.  The continents of Asia, Africa and South America where the enemy laid a stronghold for ages and with people deeply rooted in religious oppression via demonic teachings and idolatry, are now harvesting more souls than ever for the Gospel.  Communist China reported thousands coming to the Lord everyday. Muslims are turning to Christ in huge numbers daily despite the danger to their lives.  It turned out, God is showing them dreams and visions in their sleep, providing them answers to questions they were forbidden to seek.  Most of these new believers are now meeting underground to study God's Word and are telling their fellow Muslims of what they have seen and experienced!  It's powerful!

We better believe that no matter what happens, the Holy Spirit shall accomplish everything God had spoken in His Word.  Because we are partakers of this Truth, all of us should work together with the rest of the Body of Christ to accomplish the task the Spirit of God assigns to us daily.  We can start by using everything available to us to proclaim God's Truth.  If you have media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Blog, etc., that's a good place to start.   Instead of posting mediocre things, how about sharing your faith or your testimony on how God works in your life daily. You can also share the Word of God that the Lord placed in your heart to encourage your friends and family.  Don't get me wrong,  I don't have anything against personal things we want to share with others through social media.  But if those are the only things we post hour by the hour,  then, we ought to ask ourselves if that is truly the purpose God created us for in this critical time. Questions like, "Are we focus on God or self-centered?  Are we being Salt and Light to this world or are we afraid of persecution that comes with standing for the Truth?"  I shared this statement that God impressed upon my heart with my fellow students in our Bible class last week...I told them that, "Eternal perspective is a common denominator for every men and women of God that are willing to lay their lives/have laid their lives for God's Truth.  Knowing that there's more to life than our time on earth is vitally important in the way we would stand up on anything and everything that will challenge our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We have been witnesses to the power of God and the Truth of His Word! We are growing deeper daily in our relationship with Christ.  Understanding that God rewards those who diligently seek Him, this will empower us to be bold, firm, relentless and courageous in sharing the hope we have in Christ!  By the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of me, I can boldly declare that I can do all the work the Lord would place before me, no matter what the cost."   Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you?"  What a wonderful place to be in the presence of the Lord for all eternity. 

For today's project, I am highlighting the free Scripture Word Art coming from Matthew 19:14---"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."  My Life Application Bible provided a great explanation to this verse and one that blessed me so, I am sharing them with you.  It says, "The disciples must have forgotten what Jesus had said about children in Matthew 18:4-6.  Jesus wanted little children to come because He loves them and because they have the kind of attitude needed to approach God.  All people need child-like faith in God. The receptiveness of little children was a great contrast to the stubbornness of the religious leaders who let their education and sophistication stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus."  How true is that even to this day?  Anyway,  for my Card, I used an image from Mo Manning Digi Stamps called "Jumping" that I colored with my Promarker/Primacolor markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  The DP's are from American Crafts (Pebbles), the flower I layered is from Prima, the Washi tapes and brad from Recollections and the glitters are Stickles (Crystal).  I ran a couple of die-cuts (Lacy Scallop and Circle) from Nestabilities through my Cuttllebug and used an MS Punch for the fence.   Lastly, I ran most of my panels through my sewing machine for some fancy and regular stitching.  I am very pleased with the way it turned out.  God is good!

                                         KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CENTER STEP CARD

                                      KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS

                                   KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW

                                      KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE

                               KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Stamping Sensations---ATG
Crafting with Friends---ATG
DP2---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Cards Galore---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Simply Papercraft---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards---Just Us Girls
Crafting with Attitude---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Add Music
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Glitter n Sparkle---ATG
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
OSAAT---ATG with Hot Colors
Quirky Crafts---April Showers Bring May Flowers
Corrosive---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Our Crafty Corner---ATG
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Crafty Sentiments---ATG
Die Cuttin Divas---Polka Dots
Everybody Art---For Girls
Fairy Tale---Girls Only
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
PINspirational---ATG
Retarte---ATG
Tuesday Throwdown---For a Child
Crafting for all Seasons---Make it Girly
Crafty Gals---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
I Love ProMarkers---ATG
Paper Shelter---Make it Digital
Simon Says---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Bling It On
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG


Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  A wonderful prize awaits one winner from  Simon Says Stamp ($25 GC).  You can choose to incorporate the free Word Art (sentiment) you see in my card for projects you wish to make and link with us though it's not mandatory.  You can submit up to 5 projects (Anything Goes) as long as it's family friendly, inspirational or uplifting.  Can't wait to see what you come up with.  Have a blessed week and find opportunities to share the hope you have in Christ by being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. Hugs!