Hi there, Crafty pals! Here to highlight my inspiration project for our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) which began a week ago. As always, we feature a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site. It comes from Deuteronomy 5:29 which says, "O
that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and
keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and
with their children for ever!" What a wonderful passage. My Life application Bible explains this verse and it says, "God told Moses that he wanted the people to incline their hearts to fear Him---to want to respect and obey Him. There is a difference between doing something because it is required and doing something because we want to. God is not interested in forced religious exercises and rule-keeping. He wants our hearts and lives completely dedicated to Him. If we love Him, obedience will follow."
Obedience is one of the attributes we needed to cultivate in order to live a pretty fruitful and peaceful life with people whom God placed in leadership role in our lives. As believers (Born-again, John 3:3), we obey God first and above all, then we revere our parents and honor the people we work for. In the covenant of marriage (Colossians 3:18-21, Ephesians 6:1-4), God is the center, the man is the head of the household, the wife submit to her husband in obedience to God while their children honor and respect God by listening and obeying their parents. At the workplace, we are to serve our employer with integrity through obedience and effective delivery of what our position required of us. Jesus told us about the Parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21:28-32 which says, "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'" 'I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." This parable was to expose the hearts of the Pharisees as phony representatives of God. They pretend to do God's will but in reality, they habitually disobey. Yet there were those considered outcast of the society who knew nothing about the tenets of God but changed their thinking when they encountered the Lord and obeyed the will of God in their lives. Just examining these verses, we can see how God value obedience from His people. As a child of God, I want my "Yes" to be a resounding yes to God. That when He asked me to do something, my heart will not waiver but enthusiastically deliver in time what my Lord asked of me.
The totality of the Scripture was given to us so that we can navigate and discover God's purpose and perfect will for us in this world. Because of our darkened spiritual condition after the Fall of Man, He gave us our only way out from sure death---Jesus Christ! He redeemed and saved everyone (who would receive Him) from the eternal consequences of our Sin. When we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and obey His instructions, only then will we find true meaning for our existence. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." It is necessary for us to see God's Word as the absolute and final Truth in living a Godly (both inwardly and outwardly) life. I know it is easier said than done for the moment you committed your life to the Lord Jesus and your spirit man is reborn, a barrage of temptations will come against you to hinder you from obeying God. Your biggest enemy will be yourself (human nature). That's a fact! Overcoming them will involve crucifying our own selfish ways---putting into submission to God our soul man (our mind, our will and our emotions) and the dictates of our body (five senses). But God does not expect us to do this on our own which is the very reason why He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us and guide us towards living the victory He already won for us. One of the Armor in Ephesians 6:10-18 that God provided us is the "Sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God. We use the other weapons (armor) in a defensive manner but God's Sword is both offensive and defensive. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." The powerful Word of God gets inside the innermost part of a person and transforms a fertile heart so radically that when we speak God's Word in agreement with God, it is sharper and powerful. The Word that proceeded out of God's mouth in all its power is now coming out of our mouths which gives a deeper meaning to the Greek Word "distomos" which means---double mouthed/double edged. Amazing, huh! Today, we are bombarded by too many words from different people and so called experts and influencers. They have created different idols to go to for every condition/situation people are in. These days, the god of self is radically promoted and God's Word is trampled on and perverted to deceive many. If you can still sense the prompting of the Lord in your heart, open up yourself to Jesus Christ! He is the Word of God and He is the answer to everything we know nothing about in this life and the next.
For this Card, I used an image from
Art Impressions and watercolored it with my Stabilo 68 markers. The base is a white pre-cut A7 card from Paper Studio that comes with an envelope. The DP is from DCWV and I added some stitching for dimension. I choose to make this as simple as possible highlighting the background and the Scripture. I'm very happy with it.
THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME CARD
THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME CARD LAYERS
THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME CARD INSIDE
THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX
This Card is entered into the following Challenges:
As You Like It---Fave Tip (Find a paper that will serve as your background for fun and to save time)
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. An awesome GC
worth $30 will be awarded to our Challenge winner by our awesome
sponsor---Pretty Pink Posh.
So excited to see what you come up with. For the meantime, faithfully serve the Lord in total obedience with gladness knowing that our labor in Him is not in vain.
Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...
What a fun card Jo Ann, and beautifully made too. Once again your words are wise and God glorifying
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Thankyou for sharing this gorgeous card with us at CraftyCatz this week.x
ReplyDeleteI noticed your darling card when I entered the Aud Sentiments challenge and wanted a closer look at it-so beautiful and wanted to say hello!
ReplyDeleteYour happy couple is just so darling! So glad you joined us over at Morgan's ArtWorld. We hope to see you again.
ReplyDelete~ Arlene CT
OMG what a fun & fabulous card! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Signs of Summer’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
ReplyDeleteDarlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!
This is a smashing project!
ReplyDeleteWe do love to see all the entries at Classic.
Stay safe and well.
Thank you for sharing in our challenge at Classic Design Challenge we really appreciate you joining in.
Jackie DT
Just perfect for the Challenge!
ReplyDeleteGreat project!
We are so happy that you have shared this with us here at Colour Crazy.
Stay safe and well.
Good luck and we hope you will come back again! Jackie DT Member xxx
Beautiful creation! Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's ArtWorld. We hope to see you again.
ReplyDelete~ Sherry CT/Admin/Coordinator xx
Such a beautiful card, thanks for sharing it with us at the Creative Craft Cottage Challenge.
ReplyDeleteHugs Ilonka DT
What a fabulous card, I love everything about it. Thank you for joining us at Creatalicious Challenges.
ReplyDeleteAwesome card with the cute dancing couple!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining our challenge Createful Heart Design challenge
Diana DT
Such a beautiful card, thanks for sharing it with us at the Creative Craft Cottage Challenge.
ReplyDeleteHugs Ilonka DT
Fabulous card. Nice work..
ReplyDeleteThank you for entering your lovely project into Classic Design Challenge. Good Luck with your entry.
Annette DT
Back again, and again, super fabulous project. Thank you for entering your lovely project into World Wide Open Design Team Challenge. Good Luck with your entry.
ReplyDeleteAnnette DT
Back again, and again, super beautiful work as always. Thank you for entering your lovely project into Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge. Good Luck with your entry.
ReplyDeleteAnnette DT
So very fun - love the image and the little radio too! Thanks so very much for joining us this time at the Creative Fingers Challenge, Elizabeth (DT)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic card. Thank you for joining us at Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog for challenge #88 which has the theme Anything Goes. The sponsor is Fred She Said. Hugs Jackie DT xxx
ReplyDeleteSuper fun card, thank you for sharing with us at Double D!
ReplyDeleteDiane DD DT {Nellies Nest}
Lovely card you've shared with us at 2Sistersontheblog, thank you!
ReplyDeleteCaroline DT
Thanks for joining us over at the Clever Dexter Challenge Blog. We think your cleverly concocted creation is amazing. Looking forward to you joining us again in the next challenge!
ReplyDelete--- DT - Gina Ang ---
Clever Dexter Challenge
Nice card you shared with us.
ReplyDeleteNicolette DT 2Sistersontheblog
Muito alegre sua imagem e ficou um ótimo cartão. Boa sorte com sua entrada no Rabisco Challenge. Liliane Carvalho DT.
ReplyDeleteA Super and fun card and a great verse you added. Thank you so much for joining us in our challenge at QKR Stampede Good Luck and looking forward to seeing you again in our next challenge.
ReplyDeleteFaith A DT
This is such a fun card with this wonderful image!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining in at my Crafty Wednesday challenge this month!
Ellie
Ellibelle's Corner
I love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at our June Clever Dexter Challenge Good luck and we hope you join us too the next month! - DT Irene of Clever Dexter Challenge
Love that image and what you have done with it. Love your colouring J. Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's ArtWorld. Love to see you join in each month.
ReplyDelete~ Gail CT
Hello!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking part in the Clever Dexter Challenge!
I really like your project.
Good luck and hope to see you again soon! DT Roberta
A fabulous, fun card! Thank you for sharing with us at Scribbles Designs, we hope you can join us again soon ~ Janice, Inspiration Team
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute card! Thank you for joining us at Clever Dexter Challenge. I wish you good luck and we hope to see you again next month! - DT Marj
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at Paper Funday.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely gorgeous! Love your coloring and image are fab! ! Thank you for sharing your wonderful project with us at Rabisco Challenge.Claudia Martins DT/ Cordinator.
ReplyDeleteFabulous card Jo Ann.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining us for our Love to Craft Challenge for June 2021.
We hope to see you again soon,
Lou DT xo
JemLou Productions
Great card! Thank you for playing with us at Love to Craft Challenge and we hope to see you again next time!
ReplyDeleteXOXO, Aimeslee LTCCB DT
http://paper-paisleys.blogspot.com/
Such a sweet and adorable card! It has such a happy feel to it. Thanks for sharing with us at Double "D" Challenges.
ReplyDeleteAmelia (DT Double "D" Challenges)
Mandy your card gives me energy😃. Thanu you for playing along at Creative Craft Cottage challenge
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your entry
Greetings Marga dt
Great card. Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
ReplyDeleteWendy DT Member for https://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com/