Scripture Series: No Greater Joy/Who Make Our Souls Blossom Cards---There's Still Time to Join our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi everybody!  So sorry for another delayed posting of these cards I made for our current Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). You still have a few hours to join the current challenge but a new one goes live this Wednesday. Hurry! As always, one of my cards here feature the Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) from God's Word in 3 John 1:4 which says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

Though there may be few exceptions to the saying that "parents wants what is best for their children," it cannot be denied that we would do everything (humanly possible) to support our children to reach their full potential.  That's because we love them.  But for parents who truly honor and follow God (Born-again, John 3:3), supporting our kids does not only include taking care of their physical, emotional and social needs.  More than anything,  it is crucial that we provide them with a solid spiritual foundation.  Proverbs 22:6 clearly tells us, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The most important truth we can share and teach our children has everything to do with JESUS.  His death on the Cross, His burial and resurrection that freed everyone who humbled themselves before Him and by faith accepted His gift of salvation. That everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved." Philippians 4:8-9 wants us to focus on this as well, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Nowadays, every waking moment is a war to keep the minds of our children pure/wholesome. Every pillar of our society (social media, entertainment and even education among others) are systematically and viciously attacking the core of our young ones and the gullible.  It is so important to share "Truth" to our children.  As Christian parents, our Truth comes solely from the Word of God.  John 1:1-5 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."  This tells us that God's Word existed beyond time and only He can reveal Himself to His chosen vessels in His perfect time. We are to hold fast to the Truth that He planted in us which means that every life altering principles/doctrine (big or small) presented to us in this world will have to be first filtered  by God's Word.  We focus on the life and ministry of Jesus.  What did Jesus do?  That's right, we ask and meditate on the examples of our Lord for Jesus is the personified Word of God. If we want to live in Truth, we imitate Christ!  We don't accept nor act upon anything without consulting the Word of God.  John 1:14 tells us, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  Jesus lived among us and boldly told us, "He is the Truth."  This is very important since many claim to be authors of truth who have not read the Bible but are basing their facts on their own experience, emotional state or what others have told them.  Realize this, God's Word in the Bible didn't come from any man---certainly not the thoughts of the physical writers, but from the Spirit of God that gave them the inspiration.  I love what Gotquestions.org wrote in the conclusion of their article "What is Truth?" as it provided a great point.  It says, "The question Pontius Pilate asked centuries ago needs to be rephrased in order to be completely accurate. The Roman governor’s remark “What is truth?” overlooks the fact that many things can have truth, but only one thing can actually be the Truth. Truth must originate from somewhere.  The stark reality is that Pilate was looking directly at the Origin of all Truth on that early morning almost two thousand years ago. Not long before being arrested and brought to the governor, Jesus had made the simple statement “I am the truth” (John 14:6), which was a rather incredible statement. How could a mere man be the truth? He couldn’t be, unless He was more than a man, which is actually what He claimed to be. The fact is, Jesus’ claim was validated when He rose from the dead (Romans 1:4)."  Jesus is the Son of God. He is the second person of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.  Romans 8:11 says, "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you."

 

So to my fellow Christians parents, we have the living "Truth" inside of us and He always points us to His written Word (Bible) to guide us in our walk towards righteousness and to empower us to lead our children, family and friends to His perfect plan and purpose. Understand that the term "our children" here  is not limited to our biological kids.  It can also be anyone we disciple, help in some capacity or operating in our sphere of influence. Just as the Father poured out His love and patiently waited for us to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, let us not grow weary in feeding and nourishing our children with God's Word focusing on the living Word Himself---Jesus Christ! 

For these Cards, I used two sets of flower die cuts from Sizzix and inked them with Distress Inks.  The first card below included a sentiment from a Gina K. Designs (Challenge sponsor) and Hero Arts collaboration stamp set called "Friendship Blooms" while the second card featured our Scripture Word Art.  The base is white card stock, cut and scored to an A2 size.  I also added some Washi tape from Paper Studio, nail head gems from Imaginisce and ran it through my sewing machine for added dimension.  I saw this type of lay-out/design from a Paper crafting magazine and decided to try it.  I also made envelopes for these cards using coordinating card stocks.  I love it!

NO GREATER JOY CARD

  

WHO MAKE OUR SOULS BLOSSOM

 

 

 

NO GREATER JOY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

 

WHO MAKE OUR SOULS BLOSSOM WITH ENVELOPE

 

 

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Perfect Time---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Classic DT---ATG

Country View---Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Daisy Chain---CAS

Die-Cut Divas---ATG/Autumn

Digi Doodle---Add Metal/Sparkle

Happy Little Stampers---ATG with Dies

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Frame It

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mirtillamente---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/Smooshing

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Crafting Challenge---ATG

Four Seasons---ATG Fall

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 enter several times in two weeks.  A great prize awaits our winner from our wonderful sponsor---Gina K. Designs ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, lead many to the Truth of God's Word.  True Christians are what's lightning up this darkened world.  Stand firm for Jesus!

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Scripture Series: But It Shall Accomplish Card---There Still Time to Join our Anything/Inspirational Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, guys!  So, we began another Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) over a week ago featuring another Scripture Word Art which you can download for free at the WAW site.  It comes from Isaiah 55:11 which says, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

For the first twenty years of my life, I was part of the "world" simply because I didn't have a personal relationship with my now Lord and Savior---Jesus Christ!  I subscribed to a bit of religion, ever relying to what others say and think about God or Jesus.  I remembered reading briefly the first few chapters of the Book of Matthew after receiving a pocket-size Gideon New Testament Bible distributed for free at my elementary school.  But I quickly lost the motivation to continue as reading was not my favorite pastime. It took several years before my next encounter with God's Word and it happened when my best friend asked me and another friend to go with her to a home bible study in our neighborhood. She told us that her school friend invited her so many times in the past and that this time, she couldn't think of any excuse to decline the invitation so she wanted us to go with her for support.  Not knowing what to expect, I ended up jotting down every verse the preacher shared.  My mission was to check the validity and accuracy of the Bible verses they quoted.  The three of us declined the invitation to come to the Lord, repent of our sins and invite Jesus to be our Lord and Savior that night because my friends and I agreed not to do so before we arrived at the Bible study.  But when I arrived home, in the privacy of my room, I hunted for another Gideon Bible (both Old and New Testament) that I received many years ago from the same school and started to see  the truth that was hidden from me by my religion.  The verses were crystal clear about Idolatry and how abominable it is in the sight of God.  From that day on, I haven't looked at the idols (images and statues) in our home or outside with Godly fear and reverence.  I believed that God planted something special in my heart that time.

 

It took several years more before I came to surrender my life fully to the Lord.  Things happened here and there till the moment I felt hopeless and life seemed meaningless. I could say it was my "rock bottom." There's truly a void in a man's heart (which we heard many talked about) that nothing/nobody can ever fill!  That void can only be filled by God!  It's hard to explain but for them who haven't given their lives to Jesus Christ, it is a reality!  We heard of many famous personalities who reached the pinnacle of success yet so unhappy that they decided to end their own lives.  As created beings, something in us longs for that perfect/untainted relationship with our Creator in the Garden of Eden before the Fall of man happened.  It was such a glorious time when we can freely commune with our infinite, powerful and loving God.  We messed that up and there was no hope of redemption from eternal damnation. God's ultimate solution was for Jesus, His One and Only Son, to carry the sins of the world and nail it on the Cross. Jesus came and accomplished everything He had to do to save us from our bondage to Sin. 1 Peter 2:24 tells us, "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." Then Jesus rose from the grave and sealed our victory over Sin and Death that whoever believes in Him is no longer condemned but have life everlasting in the presence of God.  For His victory is our victory! Ever since I embraced and trusted God's Word, the void in my being no longer exist.  Trials come and go but I never felt alone and hopeless.  The world may turn away from me but I will always have a loving Father through Jesus Christ and the guidance and empowerment of His Spirit inside of me.  

 

So you see, even before I knew Him, He already chose me. He drew me to Himself and allowed me to respond to His love.  Romans 8:29-30 says, "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."  Thank you, Lord!  Looking back, I saw how God planted His Word in my heart and though it took some time, His Word sprouted and grew to bear much fruit in accordance to His purpose in my life.  Our Father will surely use all of us believers (Born Again, John 3:3) to plant His Word to those who are still in the world. While we may feel discouraged not seeing growth where we planted (people we care and love), we have to keep going! Some may take weeks, some months, some years but when we plant the Word of God, it shall always bring forth a harvest.  For the Word of God is trustworthy, now and forever!

 

For this Card, I used an image from Stampendous called "Scenic Sampler" that I colored using my Paper Studio Brush markers and The Creative Expert Alcohol Markers. The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  The DP's are from Paper Studio, the glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and the whit nail head gems are from Imaginisce.  I used Nestabilities to die cut the lacy circle and the circle layer after I printed the Scripture Word Art. I also stamped a sentiment on the envelope tag from the same stamp set where the images came from.  Lastly, I stitched all over this project. 

 

 

BUT IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH CENTER STEP CARD 

BUT IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH CENTER STEP CARD  LAYERS

BUT IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE

BUT IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH CENTER STEP CARD ENVELOPE-BOX

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Dare2BArtzy---Shaped or Fun Fold Cards

Lil Patch of Crafty---ATG

Corrosive---ATG

Gem of a Craft---ATG

Allsorts---ATG/Roses

Di's Digis---Add a Sentiment

Taylormadecards---ATG/Transportation

Colour Crazy---ATG

Creative Creases---ATG with Fun Fold

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

Aud Sentiments---Summer/Sentiment

Cards 4 Galz---Use 3 of Anything (3 nail head gems)

C.R.A.F.T.---Back to School/ATG

MAWTT---ATG

Krafty Chicks---All Occasions

Crafty Gals Corner---Lazy Days of Summer

Ellibelle's Corner---ATG

Little Red Wagon---Day at the Beach

Paper Shelter---Frame It

Simon Says---Shimmer and Shine

Sisterhood of Crafters---Frame It

Paper Funday---ATG/Friendship

2 Sisters on the Blog---Text as Focus

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

Crafty Friends---Summer Colors

Creatalicious---ATG/Butterflies

Die-Cut Divas---Shaped Cards

Happy Little Stampers---ATG with Dies

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Feeling Distressed

Ally's Angels---ATG

More than One Score---ATG

PINspirational---Inspiration Image

QKR---ATG

Creative Crafters---ATG

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 enter up to 5 times this week.  Great prize to be won from our wonderful sponsor---Pretty Little Studio (Special Prize).  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.  The very reason we are still alive today is because there's still some planting of God's Word that needed to be done.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you and empower you.

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Scripture Series: I Will Praise Thee Forever Card---Join the Fun of our Anything/Inspirational Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

http://Hi there, Crafty friends! How about joining the fun in our Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). There's a few days left before we start another one next Wednesday. As always, we feature a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site.  So, our inspiration Scripture for this Challenge that I featured in my card below comes from Psalm 52:9 which says, "I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints."  

 

Psalm 52's main theme is about the judgment of God to the evildoer.  Now more than ever, we are experiencing what seemed to be the reign of godless (really demonic) individuals in every facet of our society, saturating key and powerful positions in national and world scene.  It is evident in the promulgation of fake news around the world, woke corporations, global, political and economic manipulations down to the eradication of family worth and values through demonic invasion of media and  our educational system.  These global elitists (whether they know it or not) had been advancing the world for the reign of the Antichrist which God's Word tell us will take place in the Tribulation Period. These are antichrist leaders that through crafty lies and perversion of local scenes and events have captured the minds and emotions of the gullible and convinced many to advance their evil agendas. 1 John 2:18 tells us, "Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour."

 

Most Bible prophecy/eschatology experts believe the Antichrist will be the ultimate embodiment of what it means to be against Christ. In the end times/last hour, a man will arise to oppose Christ and His followers (Body of Christ) more than anyone else in history. Likely claiming to be the true Messiah, the Antichrist will seek world domination and will attempt to destroy all followers of Jesus Christ and the nation of Israel. Gotquestions.org tells us, "The meaning of the term antichrist is simply “against Christ.” As the apostle John records in First and Second John, an antichrist denies the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22), does not acknowledge Jesus (1 John 4:3), and denies that Jesus came in the flesh (2 John 1:7). There have been many “antichrists,” as 1 John 2:18 states. But there is also coming the Antichrist. Other biblical references to the Antichrist include the following: The imposing, boastful king of Daniel 7 who oppresses the Jews and tries to “change the set times and the laws” (verse 25). The leader who establishes a 7-year covenant with Israel and then breaks it in Daniel 9. The king who sets up the abomination of desolation in Mark 13:14 (cf. Daniel 9:27). The man of lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12. The rider on a white horse (representing his claim to be a man of peace) in Revelation 6:2. The first beast—the one from the sea—in Revelation 13. This beast receives power from the dragon (Satan) and speaks “proud words and blasphemies” (verse 5) and wages war against the saints (verse 7). Thankfully, the Antichrist/beast, along with his false prophet, will be thrown into the lake of fire, where they will spend all eternity in torment (Revelation 19:20; 20:10).  

 

So, it's really no surprise when we see evildoers nowadays eluding punishment no matter how corrupt and vile they are while on the other hand, true and honest citizens are demonized or made to look like criminals for baseless or invented accusations.  Just this week, we see what they have done to President Trump and the invasion/ransacking of his home at Mar-a-lago in Florida.  Surely, if they have done that to an influential personality as Trump, what makes you think they cannot do that to anyone?  We have seen the grievous crimes of Obama, Hillary Clinton and Hunter Biden (among others) but none of them had been treated like such.  In fact, the media kept their mouths shut totally. So, while we as the Body of Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) see this happening, many will feel discouraged and helpless, not having the spine to expose biblical truths for fear of backlash.  Just in case you are unaware, the government had been coming after the Church and  the many teachings of the Bible, subpoena pastors for their sermons and even tried to get rid of the Church by classifying it "non-essential" for pandemic's sake.  Yet, this is why it is important for all God-fearing Christians to know what God has for us in His Word.  Everything in this world is temporary.  God has revealed to us what is waiting for Satan and everyone who followed him---eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire!  So while they may look like they are winning these days, we fight the good fight of faith because we were revealed the ending to this earthly story---JESUS WON!  I don't wake up each day guessing what life or eternity is going to bring.  I just need to focus on JESUS and His promises and speak those promises into everyday situation.  While the Church is still on earth, there is still hope for this world! We are the Salt and Light of this world in that we preserve, enhance and light up this decaying and darkened world.  Let us not be intimidated by what looks like success of the wicked but be confident that they've already been defeated through Christ. Therefore, be bold and be strong always!  God's got our back, our victory is certain and we have nothing to fear.

For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Tiny Townie Tire Swing" that I colored with Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white pre-cut A7 card from Paper Studio. After I printed the Scripture Word Art to a panel and stitched on it, I  attached the fuzzy cut image and decorated the inside (with stamped sentiment from the same set as the image) and worked on the envelope-box.  I love the simplicity of the design that gave more emphasis on the Scripture.

 

 I WILL PRAISE THEE FOR EVER CARD

 

I WILL PRAISE THEE FOR EVER CARD CLOSE-UP

 

I WILL PRAISE THEE FOR EVER CARD INSIDE

 

 

I WILL PRAISE THEE FOR EVER CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Gem of a Challenge---ATG

Allsorts---ATG/Create Your Own Background

Crafty Calendar---ATG

Taylormadecards---ATG/Transportation

Alphabet---J is for Juvenile Young Person

Colour Crazy---ATG Coloring

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

Paper Dragonfly---Summertime Buzz

Aud Sentiments---Summer with Sentiment

C.R.A.F.T.---Summer

MAWTT---ATG

Crafty Gals Corner---Lazy Days of Summer

Ellibelle's---ATG

Paper Shelter---Summer Break

Simon Says---Summertime Blues

Paper Funday---ATG/Friendship

2 Sisters---Focus on Text

A Perfect Time---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Crafty Friends---Summer Colors

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Feeling Distressed

Ally's Angels---ATG

Mirtillamente---ATG

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Pearly Sparkles---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 enter up to 5 times each week.  Great prize package to be won from our wonderful sponsor---CAS-ual Fridays Stamps ($20 GC).  Always remember that every believer is important to the Body of Christ and none of us are without talents and gifts to contribute to the Body.  God placed us at this time when many have succumb to darkness and the hope and light of the Gospel is the only cure. Time is running out!

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Scripture Series: That We Receive a Full Reward/Nuts 'n Bolts 'Bout You Note Cards---Join our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi everybody!  So sorry for the delay in posting this project I made for our previous Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  The new Challenge is coming out today and you can surely join the fun and possibly win a prize in a couple of weeks.  I have to skip this new Challenge but I am bringing this very late posting of what could have been published two weeks ago highlighting the Scripture from 2 John 1:8 which says, “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
 

The book of 2 John emphasizes on remaining in Christ's truth and love, obedience to God's Word/teachings and to warn us against false teachers.  From the time of Adam to this day, the serpent otherwise known as Satan had used a powerful technique to capture mankind by way of deception!  If there is any created being that knows the Word of God, it's no other than the devil himself. In order to deceive, he uses a measure of God's truth and cunningly pervert it with lies to achieve his evil purpose.  He takes advantage of man's weaknesses (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life) to stir up their emotions/curiosities to convince them that their selfish actions are justified.  Luke 4:1-13 showed us the audacity of the devil to come after  the Savior, Jesus Christ, thinking he could manipulate Him to turn against God's truth.  What did Jesus used to defeat Satan?  It's the authority that comes from the pure truth of God's Word.  

I believe that Jesus' encounter with the enemy in the wilderness at the start of his earthly ministry was written for all believers (Born-again, John 3:3) as an example on how we can keep our minds pure from the winds of deceitful doctrines that devours many people these days.  More than anything, we have to be certain WHO is the source of our faith, the subject of our attention, the treasure of our hearts.   Any other answer besides JESUS makes the person vulnerable. Deuteronomy 6 revealed the greatest commandment God gave humanity.  Verse 5 says, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."  The very similar message was recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  Every believer is commissioned by God to represent Him and speak of His Truth to this fallen world.  For we were once a part of the darkness and are now translated to God's kingdom of light simply by placing our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross.  We have an important work to do and that is to declare in words and in deeds the truth of God's Word! We are to testify of God's love for the lost and the importance of obedience to stay wise as to avoid the enemy's deceptive trap.

 

The trouble with some so called ministers today is that they have exchanged the glory of the One True God with fame, status, riches, connections and many other temporal things.  They became people pleasers, self centered individuals who uses the Church (Ekklesia, Body of Christ) as their platform to gain popularity and increased their members.  But the sad thing is when they are asked tough questions in their stance with Homosexuality, Abortion, Hell, Salvation and many other Church thinning topics, they sounded uneducated, confused and undecipherable in the Word of God.  I was sad and frustrated to see a well-renowned minister (whom I respected for many years) struggled to answer in an interview recently.  I don't believe he doesn't know what God's Word says but he was refusing to offend many.  In an attempt to sound moderate and pleasing to people, questions answerable by a simple yes or no weren't clearly conveyed.  In fairness, the interviewer seemed to be in an attack mode but if we are true to the Word of God, we are going to tell the truth no matter what it takes. By all means, we are to speak truth in love but without compromise.  As a matter of fact, truth will always be offensive to the unrepentant.  Let's face it, everyone that hates the truth would hate God and everyone that follows God.  Matthew 16:24-26  tells us, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"  I love what Gotquestions.org shared regarding this passage and would loved to share it. It says, "When Jesus carried His cross up Golgotha to be crucified, no one was thinking of the cross as symbolic of a burden to carry. To a person in the first-century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by the most painful and humiliating means human beings could develop. Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. But in Jesus’ day, the cross represented nothing but torturous death. Because the Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion, bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death. Therefore, “Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. After each time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:24-25). Although the call is tough, the reward is matchless."  

 

So, I will end this post by saying that do not get your "truth" from just anyone else.  Nothing wrong with listening to ministers of the Word but nobody should just take their word for it.  Everyone should subject their teachings to the magnifying glass of the Word of God to make sure we are not being deceived.  My Life Application Bible wrote a nice comment related to our highlighted verse in this post.  It says, "The term translated "deceivers' can also be translated as "impostors"; it carries the idea of leading another astray. The great danger of deceitful leaders is that they seem so sincere and believable.  They are not easy to spot in the crowd.  Usually they are winsome and attractive; otherwise, how they would gather people to themselves?  We do not want to become paranoid and suspicious about everyone we meet, but we do need to be wise in evaluating the character and conduct of those who would seek to influence people.  The way your teachers live shows a lot about what they believe about Christ.  So to be "rewarded fully" in 2 John 1:8 refers not to salvation but to the rewards of loyal service. All who value the truth and persistently hold to it will win their full reward.  Those who live for themselves and justify their self-centeredness by teaching false doctrines will lose that reward (Matthew 7:21-23).

For this note cards, I used an image from Stampendous Mini Clear Stamp Sets and colored the image with my Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 4-inch square card.  I fuzzy-cut the images, added some Washi Tapes from Tape Works and Recollections, printed the Scripture Word Art sentiment on one of the cards. The other sentiment I used on the other card is from the stamp set where the robot came from.  I made some envelopes and stamped a sentiment from one of the images in another set.  I think they came out so cute.

 

 

RECEIVE A FULL REWARD/NUTS 'N BOLTS  'BOUT YOU CARDS

 

RECEIVE A FULL REWARD NOTE CARD

 

 NUTS 'N BOLTS 'BOUT YOU NOTE CARD

 

RECEIVE A FULL REWARD/NUTS 'N BOLTS 'BOUT YOU CARDS

WITH ENVELOPES

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges: 

 

Digi Choosday---ATG 

TTCRD---ATG

A Place to Start---ATG/Balloons/Flowers

Crafting Happiness---ATG

Cutie Pie---Little Cuties

Jan's Digi---ATG

PIP---ATG

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG

Corrosive---ATG

We Love Stamping---Anything Stamped/Hot Sunny Colors

Gem of a Challenge---ATG

Taylormade Cards---ATG/Holidays in July

Fairy and the Unicorn---Anything Fantasy

Colour Crazy---ATG

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

Aud Sentiments---ATG

Critter Crazy---ATG with Featured Critter

2 Sisters---ATG

A Perfect Time---ATG

Bastel-Traum---ATG

Ching-Chou Kuik---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Crafty Animals---Anything with Animals

Creatalicious---ATG/Christmas in July

LeAnns World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Fun in the Sun

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

MIUCB---ATG/CAS

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Pearly Sparkles---CAS

QKR---ATG

Rabisco---ATG/Tag

Sognando---ATG

Creative Crafters---ATG

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 enter up to 5 times this week.  A great prize will be awarded to one winner by our awesome sponsor---My Favorite Things.  So excited to see what you come up with. For the meantime, serve the Lord with gladness knowing that our labor in Him is not in vain.

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Scripture Series: Ye Shall Be Free Indeed Card---It's Anything/Inspirational Goes at Word Art Wednesday!

 A wonderful day, everyone!  More than a week ago, we started another bi-weekly Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  You still have a few days to join the fun and possibly win a great prize.  As always  I featured a card below with our Scripture Word Art that comes from John 8:36 that says, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
 

Since the Fall of Man through disobedience in the Garden of Eden, every man born into this world inherited the Sin Nature which originated from the very heart of Satan.  This alliance with the enemy brought forth Death (spiritual, physical and eternal deaths) as mankind's spiritual connection with God was severed as we became slaves to the Sin nature that defaulted  us to rebel against the Holy God that created us.  We were hopeless on our own, our bodies would soon decay  and we're set to spend eternity in the state of damnation.  It was a curse that no mortal man would be able to escape from.  But God (in His omniscience) knew this would happen before time even existed.   Because of His great love for humanity,  He knew He would be sending His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem man from Satan's hands.  He who had no Sin took all the sins of the world and nailed it to the Cross---once and for all, so that anyone who placed their faith in His death, burial and resurrection (The Gospel/Good News) will live in freedom from the bondage of Sin.  Apostle Paul told us in Galatians 2:20, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  Wow, "Christ lives in me!"  That's how every Born-again believers would overcome this world ruled by Satan.  Jesus, the Son of the living God, defeated Sin and Death at the Cross and His victory is our victory. He is with us in navigating this earthly life and His promise of eternal life awaits every believer.  Sadly, the unrepentant, proud and rebellious at heart will suffer everlasting torment.  From the very beginning, the devil used lies in order to tempt man to disobey God and he hadn't change his strategy.   Jesus told us in John 10:9-11, "I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."   He also proclaimed in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  God provided the ONLY WAY for us to get back into His presence---that is trusting in Jesus Christ alone. 

 

On June 24, 2022, I greatly rejoiced in the Supreme court ruling that ended Roe v. Wade (Abortion Rights) on a federal level here in America. For fifty years, people were deceived to believing that the US Constitution has a place for this kind of barbaric acts which resulted in killing of over 63 million babies.  Even before I came to know Christ, I knew deep down my core (conscience) that regardless of the stage of development , a baby is a baby from the time of conception.  Just like I knew when our dogs were pregnant, we had new puppies after a few days/weeks.  I never thought anybody would be so stupid to think they can dehumanize a baby at any stage.  But for the sake of convenience, not willing to accept the consequences for their actions, they'd rather be called fools!  On the other hand, I give glory to God for He answered the cry of His people who'd been fighting for year against the shedding of innocent blood in this nation.  However, the end of Roe v. Wade doesn't mean that our fight for life is over.  The decision for Abortion is just passed on to the voters of each state.  Some of these states had been strongholds of Satan and his party that radically supports killing babies to minutes after they're born. Savages!  Truthfully, there was never a constitutional right to Abortion/Murder to warrant a federal protection---not then, not ever!  Satan have used many of the rich, powerful and influential leaders throughout history to destroy humanity.  In Matthew 2:16-18, just after Jesus was born, King Herod ordered the killing of male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and all that region to prevent the prophesied Messiah from coming.  In the Old Testament before Christ came, babies are burned as a sacrifice to Baal/Molech by their parents for economic reasons (for rain to water their crops and fertile agriculture). Today,  babies are sacrificed by their parents through barbaric abortions in the "altar of convenience" (career, future, status etc.) while Abortion facilities are lining up their pockets by selling aborted baby parts.  Now and then, they have one thing  in common---they're all murderers! That includes everyone who supports them.  For what kind of people would devise a plan to kill their own child whether it be in or out of the womb? And what kind of monsters are those that condones and aides these murders?  These savages are now acting like possessed demons raging with violence because they didn't get their way.  They can't deny who they truly worship, none other than the ancient serpent, their father Satan! Their violence is shown in their hatred for babies and they demonstrate that same violence to their opposition when they don't get their way.  They belong to the party of Death!  There's two very helpful articles about this topic here and here).  

 

Now more than ever, true believers must pray for our nation!  There is power in prayer and nothing is impossible with God!  The deceived will continue to be deceived and our fight will intensify as the days go by.  But we have the power of God living inside of us.  Through faith in Christ, we were set free to be Salt and Light at such a time as this.  Put on the whole armor of God and let's fight and stand for truth! I would like to share what My Life Application Bible shared about our highlighted Scripture in this post.  It says, "Sin has a way of enslaving us, controlling us, dominating us,  and dictating our actions.  Jesus can free you from this slavery that keeps you from becoming the person God created you to be.  If sin is restraining, mastering, or enslaving you, Jesus can break its power over your life. Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free.  He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right.  He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from self deception, and from deception from Satan.  He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God.  Thus Jesus does not give us freedom to do what  we want, but freedom to follow God.  As we seek to serve God, Jesus' perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be."

For this Card, I used a rubber stamp from Inkadinkado that I partially colored using The Creative Expert markers. The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I added some white nail head gems from Imaginisce. a bit of glitters from Stickles (Crystal) at the center of the flowers and incorporated the Scripture Word Art below the image. Lastly,  I did some fancy and regular stitching for added dimension.  It's simple but I love it!

 

 

YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED CARD 

YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED CARD CLOSE-UP

 

YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED CARD INSIDE

 

YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED CARD WITH ENVELOPE

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

2 Sisters on the Blog---Garden

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Ching-Chou Kuik---Just Colour It

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Creatalicious---ATG/Lots of Layer

DL Art---ATG

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mirtillamente---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/CAS

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Crafting Challenge---Taste of Summer

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

YSP---ATG

Gem of a Challenge---ATG

Taylormade Cards4u---ATG/Holiday in July

Pattie's Creations---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---Altenew Shop ($15 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, as believers of Jesus Christ, freed from the bondage of Sin through faith in Jesus Christ, let us use our God given rights to protect the life of those who cannot fight for themselves.

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...

Scripture Series: That He May Please Him/Kindness Cards---It's Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends! This is a very late post for our current challenge and you have a day left to join but a new one is starting this Wednesday at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As always, we are featuring a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site and while there, view all the wonderful cards/projects the DT's made using the featured Scripture.  For our existing challenge, our highlighted Word comes from 2 Timothy 2:4 which says, "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."

 

I hope you all noticed that we are living in an environment of deception where many no longer recognize wrong from right and right from wrong. Isaiah 5:20-21 says, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!" Without Jesus, His Word and our obedience to His instruction leading our lives, we would all fall in the trap of this world's blanket of deception.  Let's take for example the recent Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.  Like similar incidents that happened in the past, the social media deceivers/influencers of our day went after the weapons rather than the motive and mental condition of the attacker. It's like clock work.  I never heard a thorough discussion/news/reporting by the mainstream media on the background, lifestyle, orientation of the criminal and how to spot people with lunatic tendencies and effectively secure our schools from them and their kind.  Instead, they have to go after our second amendment right to bear arms with the intent to strip every lawful gun owners the right to protect themselves from harm that could come to their homes or their communities (including their schools) from the lunatics, criminals or government overreach.  They argued that "guns are the problem."  My challenge to them is this:  Show me a gun that would fire itself!   Truthfully, I can live peacefully in a gun warehouse for as long as no one with an evil intent breaks in and uses any of the weapons to harm me.  Likewise, a kitchen knife will not cut and prepare cooking ingredients by itself  unless utilized by a cook with the motive to prepare a good meal for his family or his customers.  I hope it is clear with us believers in the Lord (Born-again, John 3:3) that it is the intent/motive of a person that causes harm or good and not merely the objects.  God showed us that while a rock is used by Cain to kill Abel, God didn't vanish the rocks from existence, did He? He however dealt with Cain.

So, what is the significance of a clear understanding of the Scripture with regards to our attitude towards such despicable attacks to our communities and our second amendment right to bear arms?  While we comfort victims/families and do whatever we can to help people in their time of grief, we however can't allow ourselves to be emotionally overtaken as to give up logic and the protection secured for us by our constitutional amendments.  Satan's agenda involving stealing, killing and destroying (John 10:10) is actively carried out by his demonic armies since the beginning of time and it uses darkened minds to advance their master's goal.  They don't mind "killing" the vulnerable so they can "steal" the rights of the lawful and God-fearing citizens in order to "destroy" everything that God started in this beautiful land.  But aside from their bad and fake acting of concern, you will know them by their fruits!  For it's the same party that shouts injustice on the killing of school children are the same party that demands "abortion" in and out of a selfish mother's womb.  Behind all of them is Satan and they don't have a bit of concern for any of our children.  They fight to expose children from such a young age to every manner of perversion till they lose their minds and commit despicable things.  Ask the Lord to open your "true" eyes.  They're the new breed of predators out to kill and use our children like perverts.  If you cannot see the true agenda there, then I can only pray for God's mercy to touch you that you may see again.  

 

For telling the truth, I have been insulted, cursed, mocked and called many names.  But I set aside all emotions and I continue to walk boldly into the enemy's camp because I have a clear understanding of the goal,  purpose and the victory that awaits everyone redeemed by the blood of Christ.  I speak when God wants me to speak and withhold when God wants me to withhold.  I'm far from perfect but I know God can use me.  I also know that when God calls me, He equips me.  The only issue is whether I would allow myself to be slowed down by my fear or emotions.  As a soldier in the mighty army of God, I can't!  There's just too much at stake.  I would like to share what My Life Application Bible imparted with regards to our highlighted verse today.  It says, "As Timothy preached and taught, he would face suffering, but he should be able to endure. Paul used a comparison (2 Timothy 2:3-7) with soldiers, athletes and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want.  Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline.  Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules.  Like farmers,  we must work extremely hard and be patient.  But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of the harvest.  We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal  of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with Him."

 

For these Cards, I used an images/sentiments from our sponsor, Stamp Simply called "Delighful Dahlias" and "Pretty Poppies." The white A7 card base is from Paper Studio that comes with an envelope.  The DP's are also from Paper Studio, the nail head gems are from Imaginisce and I ran it through my sewing machine for added dimension.  

 

THAT HE MAY PLEASE HIM CARD 

KINDNESS CARD

 

THAT HE MAY PLEASE HIM/KINDNESS CARD SET

 

THAT HE MAY PLEASE HIM/KINDNESS CARDS WITH ENVELOPES

 

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafting Happiness---ATG

Get Creative---At least  two Patterned Papers

Jan's Digi Stamps---ATG

Use Your Stuff---ATG

Little Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG

Corrosive---ATG

We Love Stamping---ATG

Gem of a Challenge---ATG

Allsorts---ATG/Sun, Sea, Sand

Crafty Calendar---ATG

Taylormadecards4u---ATG/Red, White and Blue

Beyond the Blue---Flowers

Crafty Catz---ATG

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

Cards 4 Galz---Two or More Patterned Papers

Krafty Chicks---Stamp Act

Ellibelle's---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 this week.  A wonderful prize awaits our winner from our lovely sponsor for this Challenge---Stamp Simply ($20 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, meditate on the goodness of the Lord, rely on His promises and resist the lies of this world. Value your God-given rights!

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...