Scripture Series: Be Joyful in Thee Card---Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday...

Hi there! Its time for another bi-weekly Challenge of Anything Inspirational at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Our Scripture Word Art (free download at the WAW site) comes from Psalm 5:11 which says,  "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."

As I read through Psalm 5, I saw King David's intimate knowledge and relationship with God.  The Spirit of God worked into his life that though he was born before the time of Jesus and the New Testament, he spoke of a "trust"  (believing, reliance, dependence)  in a God Who is able to save, protect and defend us.  The enemy fill our hearts with lies every second that if we are not grounded in the Truth (Jesus as the Way, Truth and Life), we can easily be swayed by twisted doctrines/teachings.  From the very beginning (Genesis 2:17), God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil for they will surely die (first mention of Death).  God established and made clear this Truth to His creation.  But Satan (in the form of a serpent) perverted that Truth and told Eve in Genesis 3:4-5, “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Satan planted doubt and influenced Adam and Eve to disobey God resulting to the Fall of Man.  Sin, which originated in the heart of Lucifer (called the Sin Nature), is the overwhelming desire to rebel against God which placed all of humanity (born into this world) in bondage.  There was no way out and we were doomed to face God's wrath forever.  Man became so selfish and evil with no reverence for God.  It's no surprise that  Jesus spoke this harsh Truth to those who claimed they know God but merely lied as they neither believe nor obey Him (in their actions).  John 8:42-47 says, "Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Friends, anyone who says that Jesus is just a gentle, meek and loving God has clearly no idea of the Jesus Christ of the Bible.  As much as He is a God who loves us (demonstrated by His sacrifice at the Cross to free us from the bondage of the Sin Nature and Satan himself, He is also a Just God.  That means He cannot tolerate any form of Sin.  By denying (render useless) the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross which is Almighty God's ONLY means of freeing us from being in Adam (literally, in Satan), you are declaring an all-out war with God and has chosen to invite His Wrath.  Believe me, I could not even imagine what is in direct opposite of God's love---outside of God's grace!  Many people think that this earthly life is all there is but until you stop focusing on the puzzle pieces of your life (selfishness), widen your perspective to God's big picture (eternal perspective), you will live a mediocre life filled with lies that will cause the destruction of your soul.  If there is a time to trust Jesus and claim the salvation He won in your behalf---it is NOW!  Who you trust and live for in this life will be the basis of your eternal destination. To be in Adam (rebellion and unbelief) puts you in the path of God's judgment no matter how great you think your life (good works) is here.

But like what our Scripture Word Art says, those who trust in Jesus have every reason to rejoice.  Why?  For our reliance upon the Cross and all its benefits has won for us "righteousness" in the presence of our Father in heaven.  This right standing with God is not by any works of our own but one that only God Himself bestows to them that places their faith in His Son.  It happened the moment I repented of my sin (being in Adam) and confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior (to be Born-again, John 3:3), I died from my affiliation with Adam and I became one with Christ (In Christ).  God paid for my sins (past, present and future).  Hence, I no longer have to carry the death penalty for my sins.  JESUS GAVE AND DID IT ALL!  By being in Him, He also gave me the power to trample over the lies and works of the enemy.  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of me.  By Jesus' blood, His Cross and His Name, I can destroy the works and power of the enemy in every shape and form.  Knowing His Word (the Scripture) is knowing His Will so I can confidently speak with boldness and certainty to have received everything God promised in His Word. WE HAVE THE POWER, IN JESUS' NAME!  Always look at the bigger picture and you'll see that fear should in no way cripple us in all our battles.  Rejoice! Jesus has so much in store for us than this temporary life can offer.  Having this mindset, I live each day with excitement of what Jesus would do through me...

For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Tiny Townie Tiny Dancers" and the flower stamps from Dylusions.   I watercolored all the images using my Stabilo 68 pens.  The base is an A7 Kraft card from Paper Studio, the DP is from American Crafts, the glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and the pearly dots were created with Liquid Pearls (White Opal).  I incorporated some inking using Pumice Stone Distress Ink and lastly, I ran some of the panels into my sewing machine to create some regular and fancy stitched borders. 

BE JOYFUL IN THEE CARD 

BE JOYFUL IN THEE CARD LAYERS 

BE JOYFUL IN THEE CARD INSIDE

BE JOYFUL IN THEE CARD  WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Creations---ATG 

Crafty Gals---ATG 

Creative Moments---ATG/Spring Has Sprung 

House Stamps Built---ATG 

Inspiration Destination---ATG/Masculine

Simon Says Stamp---ATG

Sisterhood of Crafters---Letter "B" (Ballerina) 

Stampavie and More---Spring

Crafty Addicts---ATG/Add a Sentiment

Wonderful Wednesday---ATG

Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art in your creation and link it to our Challenge but is not a requirement.  As long as it's family-friendly, uplifting and inspirational, you can enter up to 5 times this week.  An awesome GC of  $25 worth will be awarded to our Challenge winner by our awesome sponsor---Simon Says Stamp.  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up as we meditate on the name of Jesus today.  There is power in His Name and it's available to everyone that believes.