Scripture Series: My Lips Shall Praise Thee Card---Come and Join Us for Another Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, Crafty Peeps!  We are having another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Our Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) comes from Psalm 63:3 which says, "Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." This verse was probably written when David was seeking shelter from Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18).  Being hunted by his own son and hiding from his enemies in the barren desert of Judah, David had longed for a friend---somebody whom he could trust and would ease his loneliness.  When you cannot even trust your own family, having turned their backs against you, those who know the Lord would call and seek refuge in Him. David was in such emotional distraught that he cried out, "O God, my soul thirst for you...in a dry and weary land." (Psalm 63:1)  God alone can satisfy our deepest longings and can meet our deepest needs.  David knew God and had seen His power and glory displayed in his life.  He had such a personal relationship with God that he knew God's love for him transcends his lifetime.

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt so alone and no one seemed to understand what's happening inside of you?  Outside, you put on a facade that looks like things are going well but the truth is, you go on day to day feeling empty---with  no real meaning and purpose in your life.  Folks, before I came to know the Lord, I was in that very situation.  Everyone thought of me as a very strong person! I wouldn't blame them as I tried to look and sound strong around people.  But the sadness and frustration was tearing me up inside!  I can tell you that it is only by the grace of God that I didn't turn to destructive/harmful  ways to numb the pain I was experiencing.  I know many Christians out there went through addiction, lawlessness, incarceration, abuse and a combination of many other things that led them to prison or even suicidal attempts having dealt with many trials and pain they inflicted on themselves or others while some were caused by the people whom they trusted and loved.  I listened to many of them and they all have powerful testimonies on how they came to know and received God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  But you see, unlike them, I played by the rules most of my life.  I walked a pretty straight line veering out of trouble.  I had a plan and made great in school---determined to do what's necessary to achieve a decent life without stepping on others.  But like everyone else,  I wasn't exempted from family troubles and didn't make wise decisions all the time.  And though I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I brought emotional pain to my family in my desperation and rebellion.  People saw me as loud and outspoken, yet I kept everything that truly matters inside and hid how I truly felt.  I felt sad, betrayed and abandoned by people I loved.  Though they were there, it just seemed  like they were mentally and emotionally out of my reach.  I was alone feeling hopeless with no purpose to live.  It was my rock bottom!

So why am I sharing my testimony to all of you in this Blog?  My point is this: That  I didn't have to be a murderer, an addict, an alcoholic, homeless a drunkard or steep into sexual immorality in order to realize my dire need for God.  Nearly three decades ago, God met me at my rock bottom!  No, he didn't come with a magic wand and changed my circumstances at that instant.  What he did was reached out to me and changed my heart through the power of His Holy Spirit.  With a seed (God's Word) that He planted in my heart a few years back, He took that tiny seed of faith and made it come alive.  He showed me one name to call---JESUS!  That moment, like King David, I cried to the Lord and asked Him to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior.  I told him to rid me of my loneliness and exchanged it with his love, peace and joy.  That time I confessed Him as my Lord, I immediately became His daughter and everything around me changed.  Though physically things looked the same,  but in the spirit---all things became new.  My past may not be as colorful as other believers  but I am a living testimony of the grace, power and glory of God just the same.  Like King David, I will never run out of reasons to praise Jesus with everything that is within me.  Let us forever  exalt His Holy Name!  Whatever your situation is at this moment, nothing is too small or too big for God.  Call Him and allow Him to reveal your true purpose which He created you for before the foundations of the world.  Don't wait.  Do yourself a favor and do it now.   Open your heart, believe and confess your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let this prayer be your guide:

"Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen."

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning Digi Stamps called "So Jazzed" that I colored using my Touch Five/Prismacolor markers. The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I also used a a blue CS for matting, a variety of Washi Tapes from Recollections, glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and some white nail head gems from Imaginisce.  Finally, I stitched all over this card.  I love how the colors made this card come alive.   

MY LIPS SHALL PRAISE THEE CARD

MY LIPS SHALL PRAISE THEE CARD LAYERS

MY LIPS SHALL PRAISE THEE CARD INSIDE

MY LIPS SHALL PRAISE THEE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Gals---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG/Embossing
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Winter Blues
2 Crafty Critter Crazies---ATG with Critter
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
The Crafter's Cafe---Lots of Bling
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Animals---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG/Cute
Create and Inspire---ATG
Createful Heart---ATG
CCC---ATG
Daisy Chain---Something New (Used the image for the first time)
Love to Scrap---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Paper Creator's Crafts---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 each week.  You can win wonderful goodies from our awesome sponsors this week---Bossy Joscie ($25 GC) and The Cutting Cafe (Digi Images).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you as you find true beauty in yourself and others through the eyes of our Maker.