Scripture Series: Peace I Give Unto You Card---Join Us for Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello Crafty Peeps!  Are you excited for another two-week Inspirational/Family Friendly/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW)?  I do hope so!  Today, I am highlighting another free Scripture Word Art (you can download at the WAW site) for our new Challenge.  It comes from John 14:27 and it says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  This verse is part of the verses that comes under the subject "Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit"  from John 14:15-31.  It is very important that we read it in context in order to have greater understanding about the kind of peace Jesus was talking about in our highlighted verse.

I would like to share what I read from my Life Application Bible pertaining to our verse today as it offers a wonderful explanation .  It says, "Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would help them remember what he had been teaching them.  This promise ensures the validity of the New Testament.  The disciples were eyewitnesses of Jesus' life and teachings, and the Holy Spirit helped  them remember without taking away their individual perspectives.   We can be confident that the Gospels are accurate records of what Jesus taught and did (1 Corinthians 2:10-14).  The Holy Spirit can help  us in the same way.  As we study the Bible, we can trust Him to plant Truth in our mind, convince us of God's will, and remind us when we stray from it.  The end result of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives is deep and lasting peace.  Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; with Christ's peace, we have no need to fear the present  or the future.  Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us.  The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain this hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict.  Jesus says He will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from Him.  If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ's peace. "

The life of a believer (Born-again, John 3:3) is not characterized by the absence of conflicts.  In fact, based on experience, there's more conflicts than ever before not just coming from the outside forces but most of the time, from within our own hearts.  Before coming to the Lordship  of Jesus Christ, we usually just look out for ourselves---what is best for us and our love ones.  Though I knew at a very young age about the "Ten Commandments" in part, I based my actions on the outward obedience without being completely aware of the damage my hidden motives and intent can do to my attitude and character.  After coming to the knowledge and Lordship of Jesus Christ and learning His ways daily, I knew I had to come clean and release wholeheartedly what is inside my heart and my mind.  Not that God is unaware of it but in love and submission , I needed to surrender everything to Him.  After all, Jesus already took care of all my sins (past, present and future) through His finished work at the Cross!  To tell Him about my concerns and struggles would be to acknowledge that He's got complete authority over my life and is free to do His work as He pleases.   

Though it seem like a simple undertaking for those that love God yet honestly, this is where most of our conflicts happen.  When we accepted Christ into our hearts, our spirits that were once darkened met the light of God and became Born-again into God's Kingdom.  But the other parts of our being (both soul and physical body which comprises our human nature) are not and therefore needs to be renewed by the power of God's Word daily.  Our soul (comprising of our minds, will and emotions) carry the baggage of our old ways and thinking that it needs to come under the new spirit Christ gave us.  Galatians 5: 16-17 acknowledges this conflict when Apostle Paul wrote, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."  Everyday, we are to submit our thoughts unto God and wait for His leading before we make any kind of decisions.  Acknowledge that  we are all a work in progress till we come face to face with Jesus Christ and are transformed to His perfection.  Before then, the Holy Spirit abides, comforts and directs us while assuring us of His peace as we deal with our human nature and with outside forces.  Each of us are in different levels of faith so, we have to be extra patient with one another and strive for peace in all circumstances.  It's proving to be very difficult each day but I know I am never alone. The  evil of these days are weighing me down but I focus on the blessed hope of our victory in Christ and I gain strength to stand and fight another day.  God's peace---it totally makes a huge difference!  I want to leave you some encouraging Bible verses to meditate on as  we continue the good fight of faith in this troubled times. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(Matthew 11:28-30)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:6-7)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

For this Card, I used an image from Saturated Canary called "Steampunk" that I colored using my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from my scraps, the flowers I layered are from Prima, the brad from Recollections and the leaves are stamped and fuzzy cut using Clearly Besotted Stamps I got free from a magazine purchase.  I also utilized an MS Punch to create a border, glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and some sequins from my stash.  Lastly, I stitched all over this creation.  I think it came out wonderfully....

 PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU CARD

 PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU CARD LAYERS

 PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU CARD INSIDE

PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
OLLCB---Something beginning with "F" (Flower)
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Dragonfly Dreams---ATG
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
OSAAT---ATG with Flowers
Crafty Sentiments---ATG
Deep Ocean---Colors of Summer
Fairy Tale---Sumner Special
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Retarte---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Lazy Days of Summer---ATG
Paper Shelter---Sunny Days
Crafty Addicts---Say It With Flowers


Hope you enjoyed my featured project today at WAW...I am looking forward to see your projects linked to our Challenge.  You can include the free Word Art in your projects to link,  but not a requirement.  You can submit any inspirational, uplifting, family friendly creations (up to 5) for more chances to win our prize from our sponsosr this week---CropStop ($10 GC) and Imagine That (3 Digi images). Always remember to call on Jesus 24/7.  He is always willing to listen and is able to meet everyone whose heart is seeking after Him.