Scripture Series: Nation Whose God is the Lord Card---It's an Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello fellow Crafters! It's been a week since my last post and honestly, it didn't feel that long to me...LOL  Time is just passing by me like crazy.  But anyway, tomorrow (July 4th) is our Independence Day celebration here in the United States and I would like to thank God, first and foremost, for preserving this country for many years, and continuing to do so for the sake of His people.  I am sad seeing a huge cloud of darkness hovering over this country as people began turning away from it's Judeo-Christian heritage which this country was founded on. It is in the very core of our Constitution and people who are abusing their power and influence, armed with deceitfulness are putting forward their evil agendas using different sectors of the society.  And all it takes for it to succeed is to keep the Church (Body of Christ) silent.  I submit to you that by not making our voices heard, we are not doing this country a favor.  Our lives are at stake and the lives of our children and our children's children.  When you make a decision not to take any side, somebody is going to make a decision for you (like it or not!).  Like I always said, if you are a believer of Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him by virtue of the New Birth (John 3:3), you are meant to be the "Salt and Light" of this world (Matthew 5:13-16).  Salt is used to prolong shelf life by slowing down the decay process of something perishable.  Light dispenses darkness by exposing every deed done in secret for everyone else to see thus paving the way to the discovery of the "Truth."  2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 tells us of a "Restrainer"  (keeping lawlessness from total dominance over all the earth) in this very important Bible prophecy which states, "For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he (Church, the Body of Christ which the Holy Spirit dwells in) is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming."  We are to function as a restraining agent of God in this world, in this evil times so, we need to examine ourselves and see whether we are still effective restrainers as we testify the works of the Lord and the message of the Gospel in this day and time.  All who put their faith in Jesus Christ have a "blessed assurance" as co-heirs with Him.  His Word (Scriptures) revealed to us the bright future awaiting us and the life here is but temporary, not even a wink, compared to the eternal life in the arms of the Father.  We are not to fear what can kill the body but Him which can destroy the body, the soul and the spirit altogether.  True believers are not to fear what the  future holds but are to comfort ourselves with the promises of God whose faithfulness is unfathomable.  As Apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."  God preordained our time here on earth and what you do with that time is what you will give account for when you come face to face with Him.  So, while your heart is beating, be faithful to the calling that the Lord has called you to do---making disciples of all nations and proclaiming the message of the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) to all corners of the earth, no matter what the cost. 

I am so excited to present to you the card I made to highlight the free Word Art/Scripture we are giving away at another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  It is very timely for our Independence Day celebration.  It's from Psalms 33:12 which says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance."  Notice that the blessing is not given to people with different gods---for many have declared that it's okay to have different gods as they (according to them) point to the same God.  This is a false teaching and must be confronted with the Truth of God's Word.   The scripture is very specific on who the Lord, Our God is and if our country is to remain blessed, then, we are to remain in Him---the Only True God.  Here's several scriptures that would point us who that God---the Lord this verse is speaking about:

"For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living."  (Romans 14:9)

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."  (Romans 10:9-10)

"Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:3)

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

Wow, I just love it when scriptures prove scriptures.  It's amazing how every facets of our lives are covered by this unique revelation of God through His written Word.   Before doubting the Bible, I submit that you actually read it first instead of depending on what people of the world say about it.  There's a reason why many (including Satan, himself) wants to keep us away from this Book, but God is sovereign and no powers of darkness shall prevail to him that puts his faith in Jesus.  

For this card, I used one of the images that I have from one of our sponsors this week---Eureka Stamps---digital image "14709-Flowers Border."  I printed this flower bush a couple of times and in different sizes with the purpose of layering the image and it worked.  I colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers, added glitters (Stickles-Lime Green) and some Liquid Pearls (White Opal).  I added  the die-cut butterflies using MS Punch that I layered and formed for a 3-D effect.  I used cream CS and stamped with 3 different colors utilizing a clear stamp from Glitz Design so as to make my own DP where the butterflies were cut.  I also added distressing on the edges by using Distress Inks (Frayed Burlap and Pumice Stone).   The card base is a Kraft CS measuring 5.5-inches square and incorporated a Hot pink and Blue Cs for panels and matting.  Lastly, I stitched all over this project.  Hope it blesses you.    

 

 NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD CARD:

 NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD CARD LAYERS:

 NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD CARD INSIDE:

NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafter's Cafe---ATG
Pink Elephant---Inspiration Photo
Simon Says Stamp---Patriotic
Paper Shelter---Photo Inspiration
HIMCR---Freestyle
Twist of Faith---Make Your Own Background
Tammy's Scrapin Corner---Summer Fun
Party Time Tuesday---Patriotic
Path to Positivity---Caring (To care for the welfare of this nation and its people under God)
Make It Monday---ATG
Creatalicious---Summer
Bearly-Mine---ATG
Loves Rubberstamps---ATG
Papertake Weekly---ATG
Color Me Creative---ATG
Ladybug Crafts---Favorite Embellishment (Gems)
Creative Craft 2---Stitch in Time
Happy Campers---Bling
Jellypark---Celebrating Summer
Crafting for all Seasons---Make it Girly
Crafts and Me---ATG
TTCRD---ATG

I hope you find the time to join us at WAW.  There's a couple of wonderful prizes to be won from our awesome sponsors---Lisa's Altered Art and Eureka Stamps.  You can use the scripture Word Art we shared with you in your project to link to the Challenge but it's not mandatory.  As long as you keep it family friendly, uplifting and inspirational, you are allowed to link up to 5 projects.  More entries, more chances to win!  Have a blessed day and as we enjoy the July 4th holiday, remember that our independence is not free.  We live in God's protective umbrella till this country chooses to throw the umbrella away.  My fellow believers in Christ, let us do the work God mandated us to do while there's still time for tomorrow will come like a thief in the night when all work must cease...See to it that you have the ONLY KEY valid to open the doorway to God's eternal Kingdom---JESUS CHRIST!