GOD SURELY LOVES US! He thought of us even before He made time. He created everything in this world in six days and from day one to the fifth day, He declared each day "good." But He created something very special on the sixth day that He had to say "it was very good." He considered us the crowning glory of His creation. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." God plan is for us to live a loving relationship with Him for all eternity. But Man fell into Sin and ushered Death into the perfect world God made. The earth and everything in it was cursed by Man's act of disobedience and our spirits darkened when our spiritual connection with God was severed. Since then, we lived lawless lives---constantly devising evil for our own selfish gain. We were hopeless, unable to unchain ourselves from Satan and the wrath of God's judgment to sinful mankind. Though we betrayed God, He reached out to His people to preserve and teach us His ways. The Law was given to Moses to teach people of the Holy ways of God that no man can ever satisfy. But oh, how they tried! And though they've witnessed the great and miraculous power of the living God in their midst, they turned away from Him by worshiping pagan idols, practiced graved immorality and have sacrificed their children to false gods. Such was our condition---totally depraved! How could a righteous God make mankind when He knew they would be these evil?
The answer is found in His foreknowledge (Omniscience). God is timeless! He exist even before and after time. His love for mankind didn't end though He knew we would betray Him. God's redemptive plan was already in place way before creation began. Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God would pay our ransom with His blood on the Cross. It was the once and for all sacrifice of an innocent God/Man and a perfect demonstration of God's love for humankind.
John 3:16 declared, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus is God's perfect and only plan for salvation and He calls everyone to receive what He has done on our behalf. Once you acknowledge your iniquities, place your trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross and claim His victory over your life. Invite Him to be your personal Lord and Savior and allow His Holy Spirit to lead you to His plan and purpose for your life. Study the Scripture every chance you get and be a part of a Church that will help you grow in your faith. You are now Born-again (John 3:3) in the family of God and your mission is to share the Good News of salvation to your sphere of influence. It is truly comforting that even though we go through the process of sanctification (set apart, running the race with different conditions) daily, God already see us victorious (justified, righteous in Christ) in the finished line of life. Very soon, God's original plan for Man in Genesis 1:26 to rule over His creation (which was interrupted by the enemy) will finally happen to everyone that repented of their sins and entrusted their lives to Jesus Christ now and forever! That is why in righteousness, in judgment, in loving kindness and His mercies, we are truly God's people through Jesus, our Lord!
I would like to share what My Life Application Bible shared pertaining to our Scripture Word Art for it blessed me. It says, "The time will come when unfaithfulness will be impossible---God will bind us to Himself in His perfect righteousness, justice, love, compassion, and faithfulness. Betrothal in Hosea's time was more than a simple agreement to marry. It was a binding engagement, a deep commitment between two families for a future, permanent relationship. God was promising a fresh new beginning, not just a temporary rewriting of a tired old agreement (See Jeremiah 31:31-34). God's wedding gift to His people, both in Hosea's day and in our own, is his compassion. Though no merit of our own, God forgives us and makes us right with Him. There is no way for us by our own efforts to reach God's high standard for moral and spiritual life, but He graciously accepts us, forgives us, and draws us into a relationship with Himself. In that relationship we have personal and intimate communion with Him."
For this Card, I used an image and sentiment from
Stamp Simply Stamps called "
Pretty Poppies" that I colored using The Creative Expert Markers. The base is white CS in size A2. Aside from fuzzy cutting the image, I added some stitching for added dimension to this project.
I WILL BETROTH THEE and DREAM LOVE LAUGH CARDS
DREAM LOVE LAUGH CARD
I WILL BETROTH THEE CARD
I WILL BETROTH THEE and DREAM LOVE LAUGH CARDS WITH ENVELOPES
This Card is entered into the following Challenges:
MAWTT---Love/Anniversary/Wedding
PIP---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 enter up to 5 times each week. Our Challenge winner will be awarded a wonderful prize from our awesome sponsor---
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps (2 stamps or Stamp and Die-cuts). So excited to see what you come up with. Anyway, live every minute of your life fully trusting in the Lord, both physically and spiritually. We are His and we are to show forth His glory always.
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Beautiful cards. Love the colouring of your flowers. Anesha
ReplyDeleteVery sound teaching Jo Ann - and a pair of beautiful cards that you have made!
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Beautiful and spiritually uplifting creations Jo! Thank you for sharing both of your blessed creations with us at Jan's Digi Blog Challenge. I look forward to seeing you each month with a NEW challenge. Good Luck and Happy Crafting!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jan
(Owner & Illustrator of Jan's Digi Stamp Shop)
Very pretty floral cards thanks for joining us at the MAWTT challenge xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card
ReplyDeleteThank you for entering our Anything Goes Challenge atThrough The Craft Room Door this week. Looking forward to see you again next challenge. Good luck Ginny
My Blog As I do Rodos
Very Beautiful cards. Thanks for joining Aud Sentiments challenge. Elaine
ReplyDeleteStunning! Thanks for joining at The Paper Shelter #500: Favorite Past Challenge
ReplyDeleteHugs
Dewi
Just GOrgeous! I Love your design.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining us this week at Crafty Catz.
GDT Chrissyxx
Hi Jo Ann,
ReplyDeletethese are very lovely and wonderful cards and their designs look fabulous.
Love the wonderful flower images they are so colourful and gorgeous.
Thank you for joining the MAWTT Challenge.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L. DT
Your poppies cards are very pretty! I love the stitching and the bible verse. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creation at CAS on Friday! Stay safe and keep crafting! Valérie
ReplyDeleteBoth are so pretty with the gorgeous colors and great sentiments!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing at my Crafty Wednesday challenge!
What truly lovely and cheerful cards you've made, Jo Ann. So glad you joined in the fun on The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog. Good luck, and hope to see you again. Hugs, Lori - DT
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous designs Jo Ann, love the coloring. Thanks for sharing your lovely project with us at The Paper Funday Challenge! Donna
ReplyDeleteYour art is always so lovely, Jo Ann. Thanks so much for your testimony and for all you do to share God's precious word with our lost world.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Karen
Beautiful scriptures (I always appreciate readying your posts), beautiful cards, beautiful stitching! Thanks so much for joining us over at Little Red Wagon this week!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and rich colors on these pretty flowers!! Thanks so very much for joining us this time at the Creative Fingers Challenge, Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteFantastic cards. Love your coloring and stiching. Thanks for playing with us at Creative Moments.
ReplyDelete