Scripture: Redeemed of the Lord Card---Join Our First Challenge for the New Year at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends! We thank God for another year of inspirational challenges that's going to take place at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  We have wonderful sponsors lined up for you and I encourage you to link with us your wonderful Anything Goes/Family Friendly creations. Our Scripture Word Art (free to download at the WAW site) comes from the first part of Psalm 107:2 which says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy."

To further understand this verse, we are to incorporate Psalm 107:1 which tells us, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever." Those who are redeemed by God ought to declare/proclaim God's love and goodness so that others may know.  So,  who are the redeemed?  The Bible tells us in Genesis 3 how the first Man (Adam) plunged all of humanity to the bondage of Sin Nature (found in the heart of Lucifer) and Death (spiritual, physical and eternal deaths).  Whether we like it or not, we are all descendants of Adam by birth (physical).  We cannot change the nature handed down to us.  There is absolutely nothing human beings can do to break free from the demonic power that held us captive.  But God had a plan!  He clothed Himself in flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin---therefore untainted by the seed of Adam.  He showed us Who God is (His attributes) and what perfect love (Agape---selfless) looks like.  And in His perfect time, He died for all the sins of the world and buried it with Him at the Cross.  And when He rose again from the dead, He sealed the victory!  Jesus' finished work at the Cross (death, burial and resurrection) became the Gospel (Good News) that all of the redeemed (through faith in Christ) tell others.  The following verses further describes who God's redeemed are:

"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. (Romans 3:20-28)

Knowing what Jesus Christ won for us,  let us not grow weary of sharing the hope we have in us.  Remembering that we are the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.  Anyone who has not placed their faith in what Jesus Christ has done by confessing Him as their Lord and Savior (Born-again, John 3:3), will spend eternity outside of the presence of God (eternal damnation).  If we truly love our family and friends, we are to make this Truth known even if they condemn us for it.  Many of them are in bondage with their religion which is based on good works and void of God's Truth.  Every man-made religion is harmful and the Truth of God is not in them.  Almighty God gave us His One and Only path to salvation and that is by faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6).   Not in man-made idols of saints and religious characters, nor by wealth, power and fame.  Those who have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus have to proclaim this Truth in love to anyone whom God will place in our path no matter what the cost. Time is running out.

For this Card, I used an image from retired shop of Saturated Canary with an image called "Miss Personality" and colored it with my Touch Five markers with some paper-piecing.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I used an MS Punch for the hearts border, Recollections stamp for the stamped and fussy cut leaves and Studio 112 for the flower.  I also added some glitters in the clothing and flower and Glossy Accents for the image's heart eye glasses.  Lastly, I incorporated some stitching for a complete look. 

REDEEMED OF THE LORD CARD

REDEEMED OF THE LORD CARD LAYERS

 REDEEMED OF THE LORD CARD SIDE VIEW

REDEEMED OF THE LORD CARD INSIDE

REDEEMED OF THE LORD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Card Mania---Layer It
Classic DT---ATG
Connie Can Crop---ATG
Country View---ATG
Craft Galore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG
Daisy Chain---Add Some Sparkles
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Love
Not Just Cards---ATG
Paper Creator's---ATG
Paradise of Stamps---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Worldwide Open DT---ATG
YSBP---ATG


Don't forget to join our WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Scripture 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 Challenge are The Greeting Farm ($40 GC) and Craftin' Desert Divas (2 Digi Images).  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 as you share the hope you have with others.