Scripture Series: The Things of Others Card Set---Join Us for Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello everyone!  It's time for another bi-weekly Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). As always, it's Anything Goes with an inspirational theme/message.  We are featuring a Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) that comes from Philippians 2:4 which says, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."  In order to understand this verse, we have to take to consideration what the main verse is all about which talks about "imitating the humility of Christ."  I would like to share with you what my Life Application Bible say about Philippians 2:1-5. It says, "Many people---even Christians---live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves.  But "selfish ambition or vain conceit" brings discord.  Paul therefore stressed spiritual unity, asking the Philippians to love one another and to be one in spirit and purpose.  When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ's example of putting others first, and we experience unity.  Don't be so concerned about making a good impression or meeting your own needs that you strain relationship in God's family.  Selfish ambition can ruin a church, but genuine humility can build it.  Being humble involves having a true perspective about ourselves (Romans 12:3).  It does not mean that we should put ourselves down.  Before God, we are sinners, saved only by God's grace, but we are saved and therefore have great worth in God's kingdom.  We are to lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy.  Considering other's interests as more important than our own links us with Christ, Who was a true example of humility.  Philippi was a cosmopolitan city.  The composition of the Church reflected great diversity, with people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life. Although there is no evidence of division in the church, it's unity had to be safeguarded (Philippians 3:2 and 4:2).  Paul encourages us to guard against any selfishness, prejudice, or jealousy that might lead to dissension.  Showing genuine interest in others is a positive step forward in maintaining unity among believers.  Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve people.  Like Christ, we should have a servant attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear.  Remember you can choose your attitude.  You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others (Mark 10:45).  

What an amazing example of servant hood shown to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The kingdom of God is truly different from the worldly kingdom we live in.  In the world, people look for people to serve them.  Those with influence/power/beauty and riches that would catapult them  to power and fame.  Yet the kingdom of God are comprised of people who looks beyond the expectations of this world. Because nothing we gain in this world would matter in eternity (except the ones done for Christ), we don't waste out time on things of this world.  Instead, we invest on the souls of people that they too  may know Christ and create more disciples for the glory of God.  If we clear our minds of any worldly ambition, we can see every position in the service of God equally important.  There's no such things as superstars and extras in the service of the Lord.  For the teacher, pastor, evangelist, prophet and apostles are doing what God called them to do; the singers, dancers and instrumentalists are equipped with talents to escort the congregation to declare God's glory; the door greeters, the porters and the elders are assigned by God to assists in the over-all operation of the Church;  these are some of the positions we expect to see in our fellowship/services.  But how about the ones that comes after the service and cleans the Church; those that mops the floors, cleans and freshens the bathrooms and those that throw the trash or mows the lawn?  These are positions not given much recognition by men.  But the Lord Almighty knows who they are and God is pleased with their faithfulness to serve Him.  I always have to remind myself to do things for the Lord, not on pleasing others.  That is so when I'm ignored, treated unfairly, unrecognized or robbed of opportunities, I don't get consumed by frustration.  The church is made of people who are walking in different levels of faith.  It doesn't matter how long they've been attending  cause they'll be some that are blinded with worldly ambition that could cause jealousy, selfishness and prejudice leading to discord.  In these situations, I am always encouraged by what Hebrews 12:2-3 tells us, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Many people left their churches because they felt neglected, unrecognized or unfairly treated.  I understand how frustrating it could be at times but there are some who left for petty things,  I pray that we mature in our faith by focusing on Jesus than man's opinions or perception of us. 

By the way, I want to tell you the story on how I colored the images for this project with crayons, instead of my usual markers or water coloring.  Several weeks ago, my 12 year old son asked if he could borrow my alcohol markers because he felt his Crayola (120 colors) would not color great. He thought my markers were better based on how I used them in my cards.  Determined to show him that no coloring medium is useless (especially after spending nearly $20 for that Crayola set he barely used), I decided to color some images from Illustrated Faith Clear Stamps with his crayons. To my surprise, the colored images came out beautifully even though I haven't colored with crayons for ages.  My son was impressed and told me that it's because I colored well (LOL).  Just a few minutes later, God impressed upon my heart this principle/lesson---that those who trust in the Lord can make wonderful things from something others would consider useless or trash.  Like my son, I used to compare things with their counterparts and prefer the things I could easily work with.  Because of this, I ended up throwing things I haven't really given myself the chance to utilize.  Sometimes, you have to make yourself available to try new things and allow the creativity of God to work in you to make something beautiful out of the things you didn't prefer or consider.  If you believe you can do something wonderful because of the inspiration of the Spirit of God inside of you, everything you utilize in your creation renders a certain beauty.  God's inspiration makes all the difference!  Each coloring medium (cheap or expensive) works together with your inspiration to create a beautiful, one of a kind art.  This is great!  Then, God took me to the next level, "What if we can apply this lesson to our brethren and the people we meet each day?  After all, people are like colorful crayons at times.  What if we can cultivate friendship not only to people that we get along with easily but get to know others who may seem difficult or different and allow the Spirit of God to work wonders with that friendship?  My, oh my!  What a difference this would make in our relationships.  I know with people, this lesson is easier said than done.  But like everything we do for the kingdom, we have to allow the Spirit of God to work in us and through us.  Only then can we accomplish the impossible.  Glory to God!

For this Card Set, I used images from a couple of sets from Illustrated Faith that I recently purchased from Hobby Lobby. The base are A2,  pre-cut cards with envelopes from Paper Studio.  I die cut the lacy circles using my Nestabilities, punched some leaves with Fiskars and stamped the loopy border with my Stampabilities clear stamp.  The flowers are from Prima and the brads from Recollections.  I also incorporated some inking using Distress Inks (Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed and Peacock Feathers).  These cards turned out great. 

 THE THINGS OF OTHERS CARD SET

 THE THINGS OF OTHERS CARD SET WITH ENVELOPES

 THE THINGS OF OTHERS CARD (AQUA)

 THE THINGS OF OTHERS CARD (PINK)

THE THINGS OF OTHERS CARD (YELLOW)

This Card Set is entered into the following Challenges:

Aud Sentiment---ATG with Sentiment
Cards for Galz---Dies/Punches
Craft Rocket---ATG
Crafting with an Attitude---ATG
Time Out---Be Bright (Used very bright colors)


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 submit up to 5 entries per week.  Our wonderful sponsor for this week are Pink and Main ($20 GC) and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (digis). So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the Spirit of the Lord inspire and lead you today.