Scripture Series: Crown of Life Card---I'm Back and Time for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello dear friends!  I can't believe it's been almost three weeks since my last post and those days were filled with hard work as we moved to a new place.  There's still boxes and boxes of stuff to deal with but I was determined to make it back to my DT work this week.  My biggest challenge was locating all the tools and essentials I needed to create as they were all in different boxes plus the fact that I was not sure whether I am capable of making anything after those stressful weeks.  But I tell you, God is faithful!  I believe that when He calls us to do something, it is Him Who makes sure the task is completed.  You see, I craft for Him and the only reason why my Blog is staying afloat with many things to share is because the Lord does not stop giving me revelation upon revelations.  There's always something to talk about when it comes to the goodness of God. There's a barrage of trials that tried my faith in those weeks and it was really tough.  But one thing I can say is that knowing Who the Lord is in my life kept me in the right path.  In times I don't have anymore to give---all tired (physically and mentally drained) and all frustrated, I know that despite the horrible feeling, the Lord Jesus will see me through.  Apart from Him, there is really no hope.  So even in hopelessness, He is a beacon of light that shines through---lighting my path.  I don't need to feel Him and get goose bumps all over to know He's there for me.  His Word tells me He's there---to never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6).   He is a Father who comes to the rescue of us (Born-Again, John 3:3), His children.  So, if trials come your way and everything seem hopeless,  place your faith in God.  He is our Only Source of recovery.  When He's silent, trust in His Word.  I keep trusting until I see the manifestation of His Word in my life.  Never give up, no matter what your circumstances are for we don't have any other option.  Everything outside of God leads to death and we can only turn our situation for the better if we allow God to take over our lives---not momentarily but for always.  Here are verses to remind us of God's promises in trials through Christ Jesus:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

So for my inspiration card today at Word Art Wednesday (WAW), we are featuring God's Word in James 1:12 which says, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."  What an encouragement...You see, all trials carry with them loads of temptation.  When things are not going our way, Satan works double time to add fuel to our emotions and make us think all sorts of deceptive things.  We are made to believe that God does not care about us and does not hear our prayers and cry for help.  As we allow our soul life (mind, will and emotions) to rule us, we give in to temptation and before we know it, we are back to the old lifestyle and has gotten worst.  Spiritual deterioration does not come in an instant, it make its way to us step by step till it has taken over us.  That is why we are not to give room for our emotions to lie to us.  Read God's Word and put your trust solely in Christ.  Hide His Word in your hearts so when temptations and trials come your way, you can speak against your situation by the power that is in God's Word.  I know how hard it is---believe me, I know!  But I have to go against my own self and rebuke any emotional hang-up that tries to bring me down.  I seek God's help to accomplish this and I am only victorious because He is with me.  In the future, all of these will make sense as we come to the presence of the Lord to receive the "Crown of Life" for trusting in Jesus at all times with all the rewards allotted for them that overcame.  What a glorious day that will be and something we can meditate on in the midst of a storm.    If you are inspired by this verse, you can download this Word Art for free at WAW Blog to feature in your projects and to join our Challenge.  I used an image from Bugaboo Digi Stamps called "Love Blocks - With Love."  For the base, I used a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I used mostly my scraps for the CS and paper pieces.  I used two embossing folders from Cuttlebug and embossed two round panels with my Cuttlebug machine.  I stamped a border with my Fiskars clear stamp and stitched all over.  Hope you like my comeback card.

 CROWN OF LIFE CARD:

 CROWN OF LIFE CARD LAYERS:

 CROWN OF LIFE CARD INSIDE:

CROWN OF LIFE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafting by Designs---Use Sentiment
Creative Moments---ATG/Use Flower
Fab 'n' Funky---Feels like Summer
Fresh Brewed---By the Sea/Summer
Moo-Mania---ATG
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Scrapper's Delight---ATG with Cute and Girly
Bearly-Mine---Let's Go Digital
Crafts Galore Encore---Use a Stamp or Digi Stamp
Crafting Musketeers---Summertime
Digi Galore---ATG
Imagination-Crafts---ATG
Just for Fun---ATG
Ladybug Crafts---Summer Flowers
Natalie and Amy---Summertime
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
My Craft Creations---ATG
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Deep Ocean---Lots of Layers
Crafty Girls---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Crafty Catz---Flowers
Wags 'n Whiskers---ATG
Glitter n Sparkle---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Stamping Sensations---Summer Blooms
Crafting at the Weekend---ATG
HIMCR---Use Scraps
Suzy Bee's---ATG
Time 4 Scrap---ATG
Treasured Time Stamps---ATG
Creative Fingers---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.  Lots of prizes to be won from our two wonderful sponsors---Marks Finest Papers (Stamp Set) and Yours or Mine Paper Crafts ($10 GC to their shop).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the peace of the Lord overtake you today.  I serve a good and faithful God---Jesus Christ!