Scripture Series: All Things Are For Your Sakes Center Step Card---Join Us for Anything/Inspirational Goes at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, guys!  So, we began another Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) over a week and a half ago featuring another Scripture Word Art which you can download for free at the WAW site.  It comes from 2 Corinthians 4:15 which says, "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."

 

We just celebrated Thanksgiving Day in this country several days ago.  There's just so much to be thankful for but on the top of my list is that I am a child of God (Born-again, John 3:3), the Almighty Creator is my Father!  That happened the very moment I gave myself wholeheartedly to the One that God sent to redeem me---my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  I can't believe it took place more than thirty-two years ago.  I'm thankful for everyone that allowed themselves to be used by God to share the Gospel (death, burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ) to me and for those who have prayed earnestly for both my physical and spiritual well-being my entire life. 

As an Ambassador for Christ in this fallen world, we are to share the Gospel and pray for the salvation of those who are still lost.  For that is the very reason why believers (Born-again, John 3:3) are still in this world.  We have seen and experienced the immeasurable love and goodness of God that we can't help but share it to everyone.  But we know it's not easy!  For what seemed to be plain and simple to us is overly complicated to those who are lovers of this world.  James 4:4 tells us, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?  Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." I want to share a commentary in my Bible that  says, "The Gospel is open and revealed to everyone, except to those who refuse to believe.  Satan is the "god of this age."  His work is to deceive, and he has blinded those who don't believe in Christ.  The allure of money, power, and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ's Gospel.  Those who reject Christ and prefer their own pursuits have unknowingly made Satan their god."  Due to advancement in technology, we are constantly surrounded by temptations and the message of "Love Yourself" is propagated in every avenue possible.  They have distorted the true meaning of love which is "self-sacrificing" and is fully expressed in what the Bible tells us in Mark 12:30-31 which is, "loving your neighbor as yourself." Anything short of that is plainly self-serving.

But realize that we share the Gospel not of our own effort but the Holy Spirit of God empowering us.  We are God's conduits.  Is is He who gets into the hearts of sinners and begins transforming them from within for those who genuinely welcomes Him into their lives.   He does not work on man's timeline but His own plan and purpose.  Our part is to rightfully discern, listen and obey what He wants us to do and where He wants us to go.  There are times He sends us to sow while He uses others to harvest.  Each of us are a part of His wonderful plan to save mankind from the eternal wrath that is reserved for Satan and his minions.  For the works of darkness are no longer hidden.  Our society is being conditioned to accept every despicable acts/behavior/mindset that in the past were kept sealed and contained.  Take for example the "Balenciaga Scandal" that dominates the headlines these days and the exploitation of children.  Many were outraged but this has been going on for many years now but those who sounded the alarm were deemed conspiracy theorist just to brush off the truth.  By the way, I've seen so much worst without media reaction.  But the Body of Christ (Church, Ekklesia) is still in this world to be  the Salt and Light!  Our mission is not only to bring souls to God's kingdom but to also push back against the hostile takeover of Satan!  Each day, we spread God's truth to slow the decay of society and we shine the light of the Gospel as a beacon of hope in the darkened pillars of our society.  We come against all the powers of the enemy knowing that we carry in us the Cross of Christ, a reminder that we are one with the Lord Jesus as a Victorious Conqueror!  So let's do the work that God placed upon us.  Always stand for God's Word and declare what Christ has done for those who are perishing. Time is really short!  I would like to share My Life Application Bible's  commentary regarding our highlighted verse as it truly blessed me.  It says, "Paul has faced sufferings, trials, and distress as he preached the Good News.  But he knew that they would one day be over, and he would obtain God's rest and rewards.  As we face great troubles, it's easy to focus on the pain rather than on our ultimate goal.  Just as athletes concentrate on the finish line and ignore their discomfort, we too must focus on the reward for our faith and the joy that lasts forever.  No matter what happens to us in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life, when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away (Isaiah 35:10)."

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions called "Interchangeable Car Set" that I colored using my Ohuhu markers. The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  The DP's and washi tape are from Paper Studio and the brads from Recollections.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card for added dimension.

ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES CENTER STEP CARD

ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS

 

ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE

 

ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges: 

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Craft Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

Creatalicious---ATG/Christmas Non Traditional Colors

LeeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Inspired by A Song

Lost Coast---Something Seasonal

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/Open Technique

Scor Pal---More than One Score

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR Stampede---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

YSP---ATG

There's over a day left for our current WAW Challenge so head over there and join. 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 this week.  Great prize to be won from our wonderful sponsor---Waffle Flower Stamps & Dies ($15 e-GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, don't be weary in sharing the Good News of Salvation and what Jesus has done in your life.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you and empower you.

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