This verse is packed with Truth which emphasizes the importance of God's Word as we navigate in this world. It is our "blueprint" to the Kingdom of God that shows us how to operate under His purpose, favor and rule not only in this temporary world but most importantly, the eternal. To deviate from the precepts/statutes (a law or decree) made by the Sovereign God constitutes rebellion and betrayal to the very One who created everything. HE is the very SOURCE of our being and His "breath of life in us" is why we are even alive in the first place. Truth of the matter is, we are under the Lordship of the Very One Who created us. Without Him, there's no life! The illusion that we are the masters of ourselves and our destiny is incomprehensible and is so far from the Truth. Once we're faced with life and death situations, we quickly realize how we are never in control. No amount of wealth, power and strength can save you from the claws of death other than the mercy and favor of our Creator through Jesus Christ. He gave us life and He is the Only One who can take it away. Every time we decide to leave God out of the equation, we are putting ourselves in physical and spiritual danger. For if we convinced ourselves that we are accountable to nobody and we are not going to reap the consequences of everything we did in our lifetime (good or bad), we are in for a rude awakening. God is love and His love brought Him from His glorious throne to suffer God's wrath at the Cross of Calvary so that the punishment of Man's rebellion was paid for and wholly satisfied. God's holiness cannot tolerate unrighteousness of any kind. Therefore, God's love had to come down and quench the wrath of God that mankind deserved. So that by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, everyone who placed their trust in His finished work at the Cross would be saved. But many chose to harden their hearts and boast of their rebellion. Romans 2:5-12 is crystal on this when it says, "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."
In order to protect ourselves from the spiritual blindness that is devouring this world, we are to commit to seek the Word of God and consider what He has to say every time we make decisions. It is in our best interest to obey God's statutes or we are not going to reap the rewards and blessings His promises carry. Often times, we don't get recognition for faithfully obeying God but it should not discourage us for we know that nothing is hidden in God's sight. He will reward everything we do for His kingdom. There is absolute freedom (even in persecution) when we follow Christ! The reason why there's so much war on Christianity nowadays is because true believers cannot be placed in a box. When Socialism arises and government controls the masses and fails to deliver their unrealistic promises, the people are plunged into chaos due to starvation and hopelessness. Yet true Christians calls upon the Lord in the midst of their dreadful situation and find hope even in need. Psalm 37:23-25 says, "The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand. I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread."
Big government wants to be the "god" of the people but we come against them and declare, "You are not God and we are not bowing down to you. The Lord has power over all and He will come to our rescue." Now, with just this few illustrations, you can see how Christians can hinder this Satanic agenda of governmental take over. God's people are refusing to submit to their One World, tyrannical ruling. Therefore, the enemies of our faith are looking for ways to eliminate or instill fear to the children of God so that we are not to rise up and take our lawful place in shining God's light in this darkened world. Yet in the midst of dangers and persecution, we know that true liberty (freedom) is enjoyed by those who serve the One True God. For if we perish serving the Lord in this lifetime, we know that eternity awaits us in the radiant glory in Jesus Christ prepared for the faithful. When we know who we are in Christ and are operating under His purpose and plans, we are UNSTOPPABLE! So while we are given by God this window of opportunity to share the Gospel and participate in our governmental affairs, let us boldly represent God without apologies. For this Card, I used an image from WPlus9 called "Doodle Buds" which I paper-pieced and fussy-cut. The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card. The DP's are from my stash and I added some glitters from Stickles (Crystal). Lastly, I added some fancy and regular stitching.
WALK AT LIBERTY CARD
WALK AT LIBERTY CARD LAYERS
WALK AT LIBERTY CARD INSIDE
WALK AT LIBERTY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX
This Card is entered into the following Challenges:
A2Z---Sparkle and Shine
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Ching Chou---Make Your Own Background
Classic DT---ATG
Craft-Dee Bowz---ATG
Craft Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Colour Create and Show It Off---ATG
Daisy Chain---Flowers
Fabrika Fantasy---Summer
Happy Craft---ATG
LeAnn's---ATG
Mix It Up---ATG/Foiling
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Papercraft---ATG
Pearly Sparkles---ATG
Sognando---Summer
YSBP---ATG
There you have it, folks! 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. Wonderful prizes to be won from our wonderful sponsor---Stamp Simply Clear Stamps (2 stamps sets or 1 stamp set and a die-cut). So excited to see what you come up with. Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today. Exalt His Name wherever you go!
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What a gorgeous card Jo Ann - loving the contrasts of the flowers against the background papers. Thanks too for your wise words - Fear of the Lord is the only true freedom!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
Amen! This is a beautiful card and words. Jesus is our Lord!
ReplyDeleteSuch a adorable card. Thanks for joining us at the Colour it, Create it, Show it off Challenge Blog.
ReplyDeleteHugs Ilonka DT
Lovely Jo Ann. Thank you for sharing with us over here at Morgan's Artworld Open Challenge and best of luck with your entry. Love to see you join in each month. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWendy DT for http://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/
Beautiful card and flowers.Thank you for joining us at Daisy Chain
ReplyDeleteCarol DT x
Beautiful card you've created! Thanks for joining in our July Challenge at a2z.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful creation, love the flowers! Thank you for sharing with us over at Ching-Chou Kuik's Challenge. We hope to see you again.
ReplyDelete~ DT Sherry xx
Beautiful creation and flowers! Thank you for sharing with us over at LeAnn's World 101. We love to see you join in each month.
ReplyDelete~ Sherry DT/Coordinator xx
A great colourful card. Thank you for sharing with us at Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper. Rebecca x
ReplyDeleteYour background stitching is wonderful! Really pretty card, thank you for sharing your card with us at Ching Chou Kuik Challenges!
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous card you have made. Those flowers are beautiful. Thanks for entering our challenge again. Kym (Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Blog Challenge and Facebook Challenge Design Team Leader)
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely card Jo Ann. Thank you for sharing with us over here at Morgan's Artworld Open Challenge and best of luck with your entry. Love to see you join in each month. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGale DT for
http://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/
Lovely card, well done! Thanks for joining us at Daisy Chain Challenges.
ReplyDeletegroetjes, Ellen
what a pretty card love the colours you have used.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Leanns world 101
dt tracey
Great background and colors. Lovely. So glad you joined us at A2Z Scrapbooking.
ReplyDeleteThose flowers look nice over that nice background. Thanks for joining in over at a2z Scrapbooking.
ReplyDeleteJo Ann this is so beautifully crafted and is perfect for our July challenge. Thanks for sharing your creative talent with us. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Desíre
{Color It Create It Show It Off Challenge DT Member}
{Doing Life – my personal blog}
Beautiful! Thanks so much for participating in the Pearly Sparkles Challenge this time and good luck :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful creation! Wonderful flowers!
ReplyDeleteThank-you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge July "ATG".
Ileanaxx
I love your paper piecing & the fussy cut , The addition of glitz Dresses up nicely with out being over powering - I love the addition of stitching as well... The colour palette withe chalk board / grey feel drew me to the card. Great work! Thank you for participating in our papercraft challenge & we hope you will join us again in the next one.
ReplyDeleteLesli – Design Team member at Papercraft Business
Join in on the fun with our Papercraft Business Challenges!
Visit my blog - Vintage Scraps Canada.