Negative thoughts from the world or among believers of Christ (Born again, John 3:3) truly affect our spiritual well being. We are never short of negative news daily. When we watch TV, listen to the radio or search for information in any social media sites, 9 out of 10 stories conveys death, fear, harm and destruction. Many people who react instinctively to the news/stories they heard are prone to do more stupid things for simply not sorting through their feelings. Others look for answers from their so-called "experts" and believe without questioning everything they're saying. These people are lazy to search for the truth and would rather entrust their lives to someone they believed would never harm them. And there are those who don't really care because they'd rather drown themselves with watching movies or playing games that yield no fruit, totally oblivious to what is happening around them. But then there are those who take the time to look into the facts, analyze what is happening and asked all sorts of questions behind what is happening around them. They knew that everything happens for a reason so they ask God for wisdom and direction to lead them on what action to take as individuals and as part of the Body of Christ and be God's beacon of light into this world darkened by an evil agenda.
The Book of Jeremiah is such a great and timely read in this day and time. Jeremiah was asked by God to be His mouthpiece to warn the people of Judah regarding their evil ways that would subject them to Babylonian captivity. God had enough of the wickedness of His people who have forgotten Him and followed after false gods. From one evil king to another, they have disobeyed God, built and erected idols that were an abomination to God, practiced grossed immorality and have made their children a burnt sacrifice in the altar of Baal. They forgot their God and followed after the pagan ways of other nations. God said in Jeremiah 19:5, "They have built pagan shrines to Baal, and there they burn their sons as sacrifices to Baal. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing!" God's wrath was going to pour upon them that for seventy years, they would be in exile to Babylon. Yet even in God's anger, His love was still conveyed when He revealed to His servant, Jeremiah, what would take place in the future when He uses a pagan king (King Cyrus, a Medo-Persian) to fulfill His will for His people---even before Babylon began invading Judah. Reading God's Word in the Book of Jeremiah will open our eyes to the holiness and justice of God that would NEVER tolerate idolatry, disobedience and every evil/demonic acts. But most importantly, we can also see His compassionate heart that seeks to save those who repented and obeyed by giving them hope for their future.
So, what lessons did we learn from Jeremiah that would help us (believers) with the challenges of our day? As we go through this time of many uncertainties, let us not forget that GOD ALWAYS HAVE THE LAST SAY. Believers should not act like the heathen who don't have hope---merely trusting in what man has to say no matter how "expert" or "influential" you think they may be. We should submit everything to our Lord and that includes our every thought before we speak or act on them. The Lord is all powerful and all knowing. He knows the end from the beginning. He created everything---holds and sustains all of His creation. If we have questions about anything, He is the One we should call first. If He leads us to a certain individual to find some answers, that is great. But we shouldn't act without calling upon Him first. Having the assurance of His Word can make a big difference whether we live in perfect peace or defeated by fear in this time of many trials and uncertainty. I love what my Life Application Bible shared with regards to our highlighted verse above from Jeremiah 33. It says, "God would restore Jerusalem, not because the people cried, but because it was part of His ultimate plan. The Babylonian disaster did not change God's purposes for His people. Although Jerusalem would be destroyed, it would be restored (after the 70-year captivity and in the end times when the Messiah will rule). God's justice is always tempered by His mercy. God assured Jeremiah that he had only to call to God and God would answer (see also Psalm 145:18, Isaiah 58:9, Matthew 7:7). God is ready to answer our prayers, but we must ask for His assistance. Surely God could take care of our needs without our asking. But when we ask, we are acknowledging the He alone is God and that we cannot accomplish in our own strength all that is His domain to do. When we ask, we must humble ourselves, lay aside our willfulness and worry, and determine to obey Him." What a great and awesome God we have!
For this Card, I used an image from Bugaboo Digi Stamps called "Sketchy Boy Hi" that I colored using my Prismacolor markers. The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card. The DP is from Heidi Grace, the fish tail banners are from Martha Stewart Papers and the nail head gems and heart are all from Imaginisce. Lastly, I ran some panels of this card through my sewing machine for some fancy and regular stitching. Came out pretty cool!
GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS CARD
GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS CARD LAYERS
GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS CARD INSIDE
GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX
This Card is entered into the following Challenges:
Angie's Digital Stamps---ATG
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Corrosive---ATG
Gem of a Craft---ATG
Allsorts---Dots, Stripes, Ginghams (Used Dots and Stripes)
Crafter's Castle---ATG
Crafty Friends---Add Embellishments
Di's Digi---Include a Sentiment
Craft-Dee Bowz---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG
Createful Heart---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---Masculine
CCC---For the Men/Boys
LeAnns---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
MIUCB---AT/Masking
Not Just Cards---ATG
Creative Crafters---ATG
Worldwide Open DT---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 submit up to 5 entries per week. Our wonderful sponsor for this week is Art Glitter, giving away a $50 GC to their store. 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 and His peace abides in you no matter what is happening around you.
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What a great exposition on Jeremiah Jo Ann, and this passage in particular. Love how you have used the image to highlight the scripture
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Fabulous image and sentiment. Lovely work. Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
ReplyDeleteAnnette DT / Admin / Registered Owner for https://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com/
I like your cute and colorful card. Thank you for joining the Crafter's Castle Challenge Blog! Tracy, DT Member
ReplyDeleteJo Ann, I love your card with the cute image and your stitching.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining our challenge at
Let's Craft and Create this week and good luck.. Ursula Uphof DT
Great project Jo Ann. Thank you for sharing with us over here at LeAnn’s World 101 and best of luck with your entry.
ReplyDeleteWendy DT Member for https://challengeleannsworld101.blogspot.com/
A really great card - love how you fitted your scripture into the design.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at the Mix It Up Challenge Blog.
Helen x
Me again
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at the Love to Craft Challenge Blog.
Helen x
Fabulous creation! Thanks for joining us for Week 11 at Gem of a Challenge!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning card .Great design.Thank you for joining us at A GEM OF A CHALLENGE ,hope to see you again
ReplyDeleteŽeljka DT xx
A lovely card!
ReplyDeleteThank you soo much for taking part in our "anything goes + optional pink & purple” challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
Hope to see you again in our new challenge as well…
Hugs,
Melanie
(DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)
(DT Crafty Friends)
(DT The Sketchy Challenges)
(DT Simply Create Too)
(DT Kreativtanten)
PS: Sorry for the late comment, life had been very busy these past weeks…