Anyway, we are going through the series on "Why we believe the Bible" at our Church. While other religions have some elements of the Bible in their doctrines yet they have either added their own (man-made) or twisted the Biblical teachings they have adapted. As a child of God (Born-again, John 3:3), I solely rely on the accuracy of Scripture to navigate me in this journey called LIFE---physically and spiritually, temporal and eternal. The 66 books of the the Old and New Testament which comprises the Bible is given by God to warn, lead and arm us with knowledge, wisdom and power to the narrow path He prepared us to take. The Old Testament is the foreshadowing of the Person of Jesus Christ Who is fully revealed in the New Testament. He is our only hope of re-connection with Almighty God after Adam led all of humanity to the path of rebellion (Fall of Man). No other book can point us to the Truth other than the Holy Bible, authored by the Holy Spirit, using several men of God that lived many years apart. It brings us to the conclusion that though many were used to pen the Scripture, it truly has One Author and this fact is proven by the accuracy and cohesiveness of the writings. 2 Peter 1:20-21 tells us, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." Gotquestions.org in the question "Who were the authors of the Books of the Bible?" answered, "Ultimately, above the human authors, the Bible was written by God. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that the Bible was “breathed out” by God. God superintended the human authors of the Bible so that, while using their own writing styles and personalities, they still recorded exactly what God intended. The Bible was not dictated by God, but it was perfectly guided and entirely inspired by Him. Humanly speaking, the Bible was written by approximately 40 men of diverse backgrounds over the course of 1500 years. Isaiah was a prophet, Ezra was a priest, Matthew was a tax-collector, John was a fisherman, Paul was a tentmaker, Moses was a shepherd, Luke was a physician. Despite being penned by different authors over 15 centuries, the Bible does not contradict itself and does not contain any errors. The authors all present different perspectives, but they all proclaim the same one true God, and the same one way of salvation—Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
History has proven the accuracy of God's Law and the Prophetic Words that came and are coming to pass. Even as I speak, the prophetic clock is active. Jesus is the completion of the Law (Torah) and the object of every prophecy. He told us in Matthew 5:17-18, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Jesus in His coming, ministry and finished work at the Cross validates the Bible. God's Word does not discriminate on status, race, color or anything this divisive world is using to create factions. It has no gray area! Everyone goes through the Only Way, Only Truth and Only Life revealed by God in the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, no one has an excuse! The Holy Bible is the single and most reliable book that reveals the infinite God we have no way of knowing on our own. His Holy Spirit (living in us) interprets God's Truth so that we may fully understand His ways. Speaking to the believers, Paul told us 1 Corinthians 2:6-14, "We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." Everyone who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior received the Holy Spirit and He dwells inside them. Without Him, people live in darkness---having no knowledge, wisdom nor understanding on their spiritual condition. Thus, we see the widespread hatred of God in our day giving birth to gross immorality led by depraved hearts and minds. Anyone who sincerely consults God's Word for Truth will be led by the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful to God's Word for lighting up my path now and forever. (Please scroll down for a VIDEO that will surely bless you regarding the validity of the Bible).
For this first card, I used an image from Sassy Cheryl Digi Stamps called "Little Girl Graduation" and colored it using my Touch Five markers. I stamped the sprig in the background using Penny Black clear stamps. I also adhered some Washi Tape from Tape Works and added Liquid Pearls (Silver Pearl). The base is an A2 pre-cut card that comes with an envelope (The same size used for all cards here). With some fussy cutting, this card came out awesome.
WISHING YOU ALL OF LIFE'S BEST CARD
WISHING YOU ALL OF LIFE'S BEST CARD INSIDE
WISHING YOU ALL OF LIFE'S BEST CARD WITH ENVELOPE
For my second card, I used clear stamps from two Stampendous sets (image and sentiment). I also colored the image using my Touch Five markers, inked the clouds using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink and the cloud stencil I created and adhered some Washi Tape from Recollections.
CHANGITO PIRATE BIRTHDAY CARD
CHANGITO PIRATE BIRTHDAY CARD INSIDE
CHANGITO PIRATE BIRTHDAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE
For my third and final card for this post, I used an image from Fiskars Clear Stamps and the sentiment is from Stampendous. I stamped using several colors from Stampabilities mini inks for such a colorful and vibrant effect. I also incorporates some Liquid Pearls (White Opal) for added dimension. It sure turned out lovely.
THOUGHTS OF YOU FLUTTER BY CARD
THOUGHTS OF YOU FLUTTER BY CARD INSIDE
THOUGHTS OF YOU FLUTTER BY CARD WITH ENVELOPE
These Card are entered into the following Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps---Summer/Beaches
Angie's---ATG/Red White Blue
Dare2BArtzy---Bright Colors
Dragonfly Dreams---ATG
Fashionable Stamping---Feminine
Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Penny Black---For the Boys
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Make it Funny
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Lost Coast---ATG
Crazy Challenge---Animals
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
2 Crafty Critter---ATG with Critter
2 Sisters---Beach
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Country View---Things with Wings
Crafts Galore----ATG
Crafty Animals---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crazy Ladybirds---ATG
Delicious Doodles---Beside the Sea
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
There you have it, folks! Don't miss the fun by joining our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create. Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week. I hope you have a great start of the year and know that through faith in what Jesus accomplished through the Cross as revealed by the Written Wordf, we have complete victory that we can effectively share with others!
WHY THE BIBLE?
I also would like to share the video of one of my favorite Christian apologist, Bro. Ravi Zacharias when he was asked by a young man in the University of Illinois, "Why we should believe the Bible as the Word of God?." This was taken many years ago in one of his speaking engagement. I learned so much. Watch and be blessed!
What beautiful cards Jo Ann - love the birthday one in particular, it's super cute.
ReplyDeleteLike you I believe the Bible is the unerring Word of God. I listen to Ravi Zacharias regularly on our local Christian Radio station
Blessings
Maxine
All cards are beautiful. Thank you for sharing the cute card with us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Carola
such a cute pirate card! thank you so much for playing along with us at the penny black and more challenge.
ReplyDeletelinda
You have been bust with such a great collection of cards, many thanks for joining our July challenge at Penny Black and More.
ReplyDeleteB x
Thank You for joining the Anything Goes at Lost Coast Portal to Creativity. You cards are cute.
ReplyDeleteWhat fabulous cards, beautifully made. Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Lost Coast Designs, and have a fun weekend. Sue xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, Jo Ann! I love the CAS nature of them, but also the dimension (I'm never happy with a totally flat card myself!) Love how you co-ordinate the envelopes, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your project with us at the Crafts Galore Encore July Challenge, “Anything Goes”. Good Luck and hope to see you again next month!
Carole x DT
Craftilicious Creations
Thank you for joining our challenge. It´s a lovely card.
ReplyDeleteCaroline DT 2Sistersontheblog
http://caroline-creaties.blogspot.nl
ps: maybe you would like to follow our blog?
So cute- all of the images are wonderful. Thanks for submitting with A Perfect Time to Craft. Vicki- DT
ReplyDeleteWell you already know how much I love your cards lol. Fabulous use of the white space and the insides are decorated beautifully too. Thank you so much for linking them to our challenge at Country View Crafts. Sue xx
ReplyDeleteLovely card :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us over here today at the Classic Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
Ania DT for http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/......
These are gorgeous AND adorable! Thanks for joining us at Love To Craft! Challenge Blog! Hope to see you again soon!!
ReplyDeleteHUGS!
Ann DT
http://anncard.blogspot.tw
Fantastic cards! Thank you for sharing with us over here today at the Classic Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
ReplyDeleteMaritza DT for http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/......
cute card
ReplyDeletethanks for plyaing with us at addicted to stamps
hugs
céline
wonderful cards - colorful and fun! thanks for playing with lost coast designs challenge!
ReplyDeleteWow. Really great designs. Thanks for entering the challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies. hugs, Teresa
ReplyDeleteLovely cards, thanks for sharing with Creative Lady Birds!
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards! Thank you for joining us at Love To Scrap! Hope to see you again!
ReplyDeleteSherry x
DT for Love To Scrap
Loose Stitches and Unraveled Threads – My personal Blog
That monkey pirate is very cute. Thanks for joining the Lost Coast Portal to Creativity challenge. Hugz
ReplyDeleteAll beautiful cards love the selection of images -----Thank you for joining us at Love To Scrap
ReplyDeleteCarol DT x
Beautiful set of cards..
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us over here at "A Perfect Time To Craft" and best of luck with your entry.
Anila DT for http://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com.au/...
What a wonderful project, Jo Ann! Your butterflies are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining in with our challenge at Country View Challenges!
xx Evelyn
Lovely butterfly card! Thanks for entering the D2BA Challenge! -Tasha :)
ReplyDelete