Scripture Series: Tidings of Great Joy Center Step Card---Come and Join Us for Another Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, Crafty Peeps!  It's time to highlight another Scripture Word Art for our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  It's downloadable for free at our WAW site.  It's taken from Luke 2:10 which says, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold , I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."  How often do we see miracles happen in our midst?  There are many things that happen in our lives that we don't even see as miracles---instead we attribute them to "luck."  For a person without God (without faith)---chance, good luck or bad luck seem to apply but for a believer, everything (good or bad) happens for a reason (Ecclesiastes 3).  The birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, had long been awaited upon by the Jews yet so many of them (even to these day) are still waiting.  They failed to recognize the miracle that happened in their midst more than 2,000 years ago.  From his birth to the manner of His death, everything pointed out to His life free of glory, wealth and fame.  Instead of announcing His birth to the kings and influential people of that time, the angel came to the humble shepherds or what we call the common people.  I love what my Bible say about this verse, "The good news about Jesus is that He comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary.  He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept Him.  Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life.  Don't think you need extraordinary qualifications---He accepts you as you are."  That is so amazing...The God of heaven and earth, the Creator of everything that exists came to personally deliver me  and all of mankind from the bondage of sin!  That He cared enough to give His life so He can have eternal fellowship with me in His Kingdom!  I don't know with you but having known the depths of my Savior's love for me compelled me to love Him back.  The shepherds were terrified when they saw the angel for the glory of the Lord encompassed them.  After all, this was not an experience they encounter daily but their fears were confronted by an assurance that "There is nothing to fear (Fear not)."  For the angel of God brought the greatest news for all mankind (all the people) that brings exceeding joy to everyone who had long been waiting.  JESUS, our Savior was born and in Him, we have more than salvation.  We have been reconciled to our Father and His death, burial and resurrection caused us to live victoriously, eternally in His Kingdom as co-heirs with Christ.  And all we need is FAITH.

So whether we are young, old, rich, poor, weak or strong, famous or not---WE ALL NEED CHRIST!  Why?  Because men are all born sinners and needed His saving grace to break free from the bondage of Satan and his sin nature.  No amount of good works can eradicate that seal that Satan placed upon us except we be washed by the blood of Jesus.  From a child of the devil to a child of God, we need to be "Born-Again" (Born from above, John 3:3) which is the Only Way we can live free from the punishment (God's wrath) that will fall on rebellious and ungodly people.   Their place will be in the lake of fire destined for Satan and all his cohorts.  There will be eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Those who have ears, listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying...Call upon the name of Jesus, repent from your sins and ask the Him to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior.  As you continue to seek His Word, He will change you from glory to glory.  Take the leap of "Faith" today and be Born-again into God's Kingdom.  Here are some verses to encourage us to stand in the hope we have in Christ.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,  while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14)

"The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.  To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." (Colossians 1:26-28)

"Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us.  But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love.  He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.  He declared us not guilty because of his great kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life." (Titus 3:3-7) 

For my inspiration card today, I used several images from a couple of sets from Melonheadz and colored them with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card design.  I used embossing folders from Cuttlebug and Darice as well as liquid embossing using Frantage (Shabby White) embossing powder for that melted snow effect.  My first time to use it and loving it.  The lacy oval was cut using Nestabilities and the snowflakes was cut with MS Punch.  I also added some white nail head gems, liquid pearls (white opal) and glitters (Stickles-Crystal).  I was originally planning for one simple card but like always, it turned out more complicated...LOL I am so glad it came out great though.

 

TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY CENTER STEP CARD:

TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---ATG Christmas/Holidays
Craftin' Desert Divas---Christmas
Jingle Belles---Christmas
Pattie's Creations---Christmas Cards

CCC Digi Creations---Digi/Christmas
Aud Sentiments---Holiday Bingo (Die cut/Punches, Digi stamp, Bling)
A Creative Need---Playing with Snow
Brown Sugar ---Winter
Crafts 4 Eternity---Winter
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Christmas
Crafty Sentiments---Christmas
Gem of a Challenge---ATG Christmas
Papertake Weekly---Paper Play
TTCRD---ATG
Fussy and Fancy---Happy Holidays
V's sweet Ideas---Holiday Theme
Crafting by Designs---ATG with a Twist (Christmas)
Sister Act---ATG
Craft Hoarders---Celebrate the Season
Eureka---Let is Snow
Get Creative---Christmas
Mema's Crafts---Celebrate the Holidays/Cold Winter Days
Simon Says---Bling It On
Tuesday Throwdown---Family Christmas
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Loves Rubberstamps---Winter or Christmas Theme
Creative Moments---ATG/Winter
Party Time Tuesday---ATG
The Crazy Challenge---Christmas
Crafty Boots---Christmas
My Craft Spot---Christmas Shaped Cards
Little Miss Muffet---ATG
Inky Impressions---Winter Wonderland 

Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting our blessed winners from two of our sponsors this week, Crafty Ribbons (GC) and Freckled Fawn ($15 GC).  You can choose to incorporate the free Word Art (sentiment) you see in my card for projects you wish to make and link with us though it's not mandatory.  You can submit up to 5 projects (Anything Goes) as long as it's family friendly, inspirational or uplifting.  Can't wait to see what you come up with. Have a blessed week and always remember to take the time to talk to our Heavenly Father every chance we are given. Hugs!