Scripture Series: To Every Good Work Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello, Crafty Peeps!  Just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!  Anyway, it's Wednesday and time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As always, it's Anything Goes and you can choose to feature our (free) Scripture Word Art or anything inspirational and family friendly. Our featured Scripture for this Challenge comes from 2 Corinthians 9:8 which tells us, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."  The context of 2 Corinthians 9 is about the importance of GIVING not  only of our resources but more than anything---ourselves.   People of the world work daily with the talents and resources given to them by God (though they seldom acknowledge that fact) to better themselves (selfish gain).  I remember watching some Hollywood personalities saying that everything they enjoy are of their own doing and that they don't need to thank God for He has nothing to do with their success during those widely telecast, Awards night.  They made sure they expressed to many their hate and blasphemy for our Creator.  But if we are going to use common sense, it's not difficult to determine the void in their arguments/worldview.  You see, take away everything that God provides them (air to breath, health, strength, soul, life and countless more) and they will cease to exist.  It's so ridiculous that I now have better understanding why Jesus asked God to forgive those who mocked Him while He gave His life to save mankind at the Cross.  In Luke 23:34, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Though I must admit how it makes my blood boil when I hear people mocking Jesus Christ, His Cross and His Church  using their vague fame to influence the weaklings, I have to take the same approach Jesus did.  I need to pray for these people for they have truly been deceived.  If not for the calling of Jesus in my life that one faithful day 26 years ago, I could not imagine what my life would be this very moment.  Who knows, I could have made it big but without the knowledge of God, it would not be worth it.  The Word of God keeps me in His Truth and without the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence, I could be an easy target of the enemy and could be spiritually blind and deceived like any other.

With all these, I implore everyone to recognize every blessing that God has showered you with.  From the smallest to the biggest of gifts (material or spiritual)---be grateful!  Recognize that whatever God gives us is not only to provide for our needs but to to also bless and share with people He's going to place in our path.  We do that with our talents, abilities, time and resources.  Yet those would be incomplete if we don't deliver them with a cheerful heart.  Remember that God always looks at the intent of our heart.  Many of us may struggle with cheerful giving or even giving in itself but if we constantly yield to the Holy Spirit and continue in faithfulness/obedience to His Word, we will find ourselves happily doing it for God's glory.  For to give is to truly trust God---knowing that He will continuously provide to accomplish His work.  I know what I'm talking about as I'm a work in progress in this area.  It's easy to share when you have so much but when you have just enough, it can be a challenge.  But our featured verse said something worthy of understanding.  God supplies us with everything we need and more so that we are able to give something.  There was not a time we only had enough unless I consider all the other things I want (luxury).  I always hold this quote true in all areas of my life----"I cannot give what I don't have."  God supplies me with more than my needs so I can share and do good works for Him.  Note that "good works" does not benefit a believer prior to us knowing the Source of all our blessings.  All the good works that would count towards our rewards in heaven (when we stand in the presence of the Lord at the Bema Seat) is a direct result of our acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior---the Source of everything we have in  this life and beyond.  Each and every believer of the Body of Christ are living the abundant life God has promised and are capable of every good work God prepared and equipped us to do.  And yes, it's not for our own glory but for God and God alone.  The following are some of the verses we should meditate upon that would help us understand the blessings in giving and gratefulness.

"As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

"One person gives freely, yet gains even more;another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."  (Proverbs 11:24-25)

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."  (I Timothy 6:17-19)

For this Card, I used an image from Sassy Cheryl Stamps called "A Special Girly Gift" that I paper-pieced with DP from Paper Studio and colored using my Touch Five markers.  The base is a pre-cut A7 card from Paper Studio.  I added some some metal gems from Imaginisce, glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and stitching to complete this design.  It may not have many layers like I normally do but it surely is one of my fave cards.  The  wonderful image and colors truly compliment our awesome Scripture in this creation.

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD

TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD LAYERS

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD SIDE VIEW

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD INSIDE

TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Gals---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Simon Says---Make it Sparkle
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Let It Snow
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
Card Mania---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafting Musketeers---ATG
Crafts Galore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG/Christmas
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Sunsational Stamps---ATG/Christmas/Winter
World Wide Open DT---ATG
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG


Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  There's wonderful prize awaiting our winner from our sponsor this week, 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 always remember to share unto others the hope you have in you.  Hugs!