Scripture Series: In the Day of Christ Center Step Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends!  It's time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  This time, we are using a Scripture Word Art that comes from Philippians 2:16 which tells us, "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. "Wow, I just posted several days ago how negative thoughts both from the world and among believers of Christ truly affect our spiritual well being. So, I didn't plan for the same topic but based on what I felt God wanted me to share, this would be part two...LOL  (If you wish to see my first post, go HERE).

The world's obsession with cosmetic surgery, other than the ones medically necessary,  is something I couldn't endure watching because it shows the utter discontent by some over their physical appearance as they try to compare themselves with others.  They pay top notch dollars to achieve their shallow and perverted idea of beauty.  At its core, it shows how dissatisfied they are with how they were created and honestly, an insult to the very One Who created them.  Though I haven't met anyone in the Church (in all the years I came to know Christ) that is obsessed with cosmetic surgery, however, there's a lot of complaining about life, status, career,  relationships, etc. that makes me wonder if they have truly known God.  I'm not talking about the momentary feeling of hopelessness that we all experience due to momentary circumstances.  What I'm highlighting here is a lifestyle of negativity and passivity.  These are people who refuses to testify of  God's blessings in their lives yet always finds a way to discuss the negative in themselves and others.  I submit to you that there were times I asked people at the end of a Church service (when the Spirit of God moved mightily in the midst of the congregation) how they were doing?  I'd occasionally encounter someone responding this way, "Oh, I am having such a difficult time financially and feel sick all the time.  I feel like nothings is going right in my life and everything is just hard." 

You see, I'm the type of person that appreciates people's honesty and would like to encourage fellow believers by praying with them, giving them the encouragement of the Word of God or even offer help and support when necessary. I am also very aware that believers are on different levels of faith and we all need a deep understanding of God's Word in order to apply them to our unique situations.   And although we heard the same Word from the pulpit, not everyone receives the full benefits of what was taught because we all hear and see differently in the spirit (which is based on our exposure and study of the Word of God).  Like in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23 when Jesus was questioned by his disciples why He spoke to the large crowd in parables, Jesus said, "that in their seeing, they don't really see and in their hearing, they truly don't hear nor understand."  For our hearts are likened into a type of soil that the seed (Word of God) is planted on.  There are many kinds of soil but only a good soil brings forth good fruits and multiply.   As the daughter of the Most High God, I am to live and breathe God's Word.  I may be worried or caught up with negative thoughts at certain situations but once the Word comes into my heart, I yield to the hope God's Word imparts.  My situations may linger but inside me is a battle to drown the negative thoughts with the assurance and the power of God's promises. God's Word is always my default.  I find it hard to help and encourage anyone that  don't value the Word of God and wants to dwell on the negative.  For even Jesus didn't do many miracles in His hometown of Nazareth because of people's UNBELIEF (Matthew 13:53-58).  For every believer that comes to the saving knowledge of JESUS CHRIST approaches God by FAITH.  His finished work at the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection) saved us from the power of Sin and Death that plagued Creation since the Fall of Man.  Salvation is GOD'S FREE GIFT to mankind.  Unless we operate by FAITH (trust, adhere, cling, rely, depend) in what HE accomplished and believe that His grace is sufficient to save us, we will NOT benefit from God's free gift.  Be aware that faith is the currency of heaven and though God's power is not dependent upon our unbelief, He honors our free will to believe or not.  Hebrews 11:6 clearly states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Read and study Hebrews 11 if you want to know what FAITH is all about.

So dear friends, the reason why it's unbearable to hang out with negative and complaining people is because they constantly attack FAITH.  One day, I remember myself declaring that our family trip would be blessed with such a wonderful weather and immediately, my hubby said, "Oh, the news said that there's going to be heavy rains where were going with possible flooding later on in the day!"  So, I responded, "I don't care what the news said, "I believe that the Lord is blessing us with a wonderful weather and a safe trip!" Not that I was not aware of the weather but I actually chose to set my faith above what my physical eyes could see knowing that my God was able!  And I tell you, I have seen so many miracles happened just because I chose to believe.  And in those few times where negative things happened, God still provided a way to show He's very present in our lives.  Know that our words have profound effect in our daily lives.  We must breathe, live and speak God's Word into our circumstances daily.  Always remember that although we are in this world, we are not of  this world.  We should be operating in the truth of God's kingdom where abundance, joy, peace and hope dwells.  Yes, many would think we're out of touch or even crazy but we are here to please God, not people!

For this Card, I used an image from Sugar Pea Designs called "A Bushel and a Peck" that I colored using my Hobby Colour and Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white CD, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  I used several border dies from Lawn Fawn to create the background an ink them with Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  I used my own cloud stencil, stamped addtional images from Stampabilities, added some glitter from Stickles (Crystal) and embellished with butterflies from Recollections.  I opted to skip my usual stitching to highlight the inking.  So happy with the end result. 

 IN THE DAY OF CHRIST CENTER STEP CARD

 IN THE DAY OF CHRIST CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS

 IN THE DAY OF CHRIST CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW

IN THE DAY OF CHRIST CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE

IN THE DAY OF CHRIST CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A2Z---Sparkle and Shine
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Ching Chou---Make Your Own Background
Classic DT---ATG
Craft-Dee Bowz---ATG
Craft Galore Encore---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG/Bright and Fun
Createful Heart---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---Summer
Digi Doodle---Summer/Hancolored Image
Fabrika Fantasy---Summer
Happy Craft---ATG
Happy Little Stamper---Dies
LeAnn's---ATG
Mix It Up---ATG/Foiling
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft---ATG
Pearly Sparkles---ATG
Scribbles Designs---A Slice of Summer
Sweet Stampers---Summer
Creative Crafters---ATG
Tinker Dream---ATG
Worldwide DT---ATG
YSBP---ATG
Brown Sugar---ATG
Colour Crazy---ATG/Coloring image
Colourific---ATG
Crafty Catz---ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
QKR Stampede---ATG
Simply Create Too---ATG/Patterned Paper

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 is  Paper Smooches, giving away a $25 GC.  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  If you are trusting in Jesus, you are blessed beyond measure.

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