Scripture Series: Together in Unity Card---Join Our Bi-Weekly Inspirational/Anything Goes 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 Psalm 133:1 which says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" 

 

Unity is the coming together of people and can only be possible when we share a common goal or interest in pursuit of an endeavor that will benefit us, others or both.  It is easier to unite with a small group of people as the larger the group, the more ideas and arguments arise especially when it has to cross different cultures and traditions.  But for believers of Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:16), we belong to a kingdom that never ends and governed solely by God's eternal Truth.  He created everything and only through Him will all His creation continue to exist.  Before the Fall of Man, everything worked in perfect unity based on the perfect system and principles placed by God.  There was no Sin and Death and the highest form of reality which is God's Truth was the order of each day.   But we know what happened when Man fell into Sin.  The Sin Nature (that comes from Satan) infected every human being and our own human nature darkened our hearts to the Truth.  We began to rebel from the Truth and live based on the dictates of our own flesh.  God's Truth is perverted and twisted to promote lies and deceive the gullible.

Though we sinned against God, He never left us without His Truth.  God gave us His natural revelation---the wonderful things we see in nature reveals His glory.  He also gave us His Law through Moses and revealed to us His will and purpose through His prophets.  And then He used men anointed with the Holy Spirit to bring us the Scripture,  But more than that, He gave us His one and only Son to redeem us from our sins and as a testifier to the Truth (John 18:37).  The Body of Christ is made up of people who received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word.  If we are true disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to subject ourselves solely to the will and purpose of God as instructed in His Word.  No matter what this world dictates, we are asked to follow the law of the land but only to the point where it does not go directly against the principles of Truth established by God. We are to firmly stand against every entity that would force us to do anything contrary to God's will through peaceful and legal means   The Bible contains God's instructions and no matter what country and culture we came from, we believers can unite for the same purpose and that is to uphold God's Truth.  But why there's so much misunderstanding and division in the Church today?  Could it be that many so-called Christians have been contaminated by the poison of self-centeredness and have exchanged the glory of God's Truth with political correctness, human secularism and moral relativism for the purpose of fame and notoriety.  Sad but true,  For if we truly abide in God's Truth, though we may have differences in minor things, we would all agree in the foundational doctrines of the Scripture.  Abortion would be called "murder,"  Sodomy is not about love but an abomination in the sight of God, Pedophilia is  child abuse and Illegal immigration is in every sense of the word "ILLEGAL. These are just some of the issues we face daily and God's Word are absolutely clear on where believers should stand.  And yet there are many Christians who are ignoring the Word of God and propagating false teachings and lies to appease the world.   That is why we cannot unite our country these days.  I'm not saying it's an impossibility but we cannot wait for everyone to wake up from their deception before the rest of the Body (remnant) unite to push the True agenda of God.  We have to get the Truth out there---boldly, unapologetically with compassion and love as our motive.  Even with the purest intention, we will still be judged as haters because we couldn't agree with their perversion.  But God's Word is clear in Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  Let us remember that in telling the Truth, we are giving somebody a chance to repent and get it right with God.  Yes, he/she may take it positively which would eternally benefit that person's soul or---negatively and subject ourselves to their hatred.  Any which way it's taken, the important part is that we obeyed God. 

I would like to share what My Life Application Bible wrote about our highlighted verse in this post.  It says, "King David stated that unity is pleasant and precious.  Unfortunately, unity does not abound in the Church as it should. People disagree and cause division over unimportant issue.  Some delight in causing tension by discrediting others.  Unity is important because (1) it makes the Church a positive example to the world and helps draw others to us; (2) it helps us cooperate as a body of believers as God meant us to, giving us a foretaste of heaven; (3) it renews and revitalizes ministry because there is less tension to sap our energy.  Living in unity does not mean that we will agree on everything; there will be many opinions just as there are many notes in a musical chord.  But we must agree on our purpose in life---to work together for God. Our outward expression of unity will reflect our inward unity of purpose."

For this Card, I used an image from Bugaboo Stamps called "Flower Pot 3" that I colored using my Prismacolor markers and paper piecing.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP is from American Crafts, the Washi Tape from Tape Works, the white nail head gems from Imaginisce and the stencil used in the background is from Recollections, inked with Distress Ink.  Lastly, I used some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) and included some regular and fancy stitching for added dimension. 

 

 

 TOGETHER IN UNITY CARD

 TOGETHER IN UNITY CARD LAYERS

 

 TOGETHER IN UNITY CARD INSIDE

 

 

 TOGETHER IN UNITY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges: 

A Bit More Time---ATG 

A Perfect Time---ATG

Classic Design---ATG 

Clever Dexter---Hello Summer

Country View---Use a Stencil (or Two)

Crafts Galore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/Aperture

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Scribbles Designs---ATG

Sognando---ATG

Sparkles---Floral Extravaganza

The Crafting  Challenge---Summer

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

YSP---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  My Scrap Cabin Shop, giving away a Seam Binding Bundle  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  Let us unite in doing the will of God and encourage others to do the same no matter what.

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