Scripture Series: I Will Never Leave Thee Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello everyone!  I had a hectic Wednesday so, this post is coming out a day late.  Anyway, we are featuring another Scripture Word Art created by Karen Murray and is available for free download at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).   It's taken from Hebrews 13:5 which says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."   As human beings, we have desires for comfort and luxury. Some of us came from humble beginnings and wanted to shower our family (especially our kids) with all the things we weren't able to enjoy back when we were their age.   I remember the time when my brother and I were little kids and were just content to play outside with a small ball, or a stick, a wooden car, rubber bands or just plain 'ole hide and seek.   We didn't have the finest or the latest toys and games.  We often went to the park and enjoyed the swing and the see-saw with our peers.  Life was simpler with lots of hands-on time to bond with our family and friends.  Although technology did us a lot of good when it comes to communication and advancement, it also kept us all apart in some way.  Have you heard of people that text-ed themselves while they were sitting across each other in a table?  I know, it's ridiculous!  I often tell my 9 year old son stories and lessons learned when I was small and how simple my childhood was.  I didn't have as many toys like he has now yet grew up happy and content. 

The truth of the matter is, immediately after having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Born-Again, John 3:3),  I realized that true happiness and contentment is nestled in the depth of our knowledge of our Heavenly Father!  I used to be dependent on my circumstances (opportunities and disappointments) to measure success in life.  Knowing the Lord and who I am to Him/in Him tells me that no matter what my circumstances turn out to be, He is always there to provide and care for me.   I know that He who didn't withhold His One and Only Son to die in my behalf would not deny me of wonderful things this life could offer.  Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" We often make the mistake of thinking that what we want or see others have is what's best for us so, we end up feeling bitter when we don't get what we like or even prayed for.  We forget that we are the "created" and the "Creator" knows what is best for us.  He specifically made us with a purpose and equipped us to do what is pleasing in His sight.  Jeremiah 29:11 stated this very clearly, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  But we became blind with sin and without the "New Birth" in Christ, we will forever be lost when it comes to fulfilling what we came on earth for.  We look for outside sources to find happiness, peace and contentment when the Truth is, we need to look inside our hearts and hear what our conscience is trying to tell us.  Peace, joy and contentment only comes from answering the call of the spirit inside of you to be redeemed.  Material things only provide temporary satisfaction. Ask all the successful people with millions/billions of dollars in their name yet chose to end their lives at the height of their success throughout history.  Despite their fame, power and fortune, they were looking for that inner peace and contentment they clearly avoided in their lifetime.  They deprived themselves of a personal and up-close relationship with Jesus Christ!  I have experienced God's goodness and have proven His Word so true in my life.  I like how my Application Bible explained "contentment."  It says, "How can we learn to be content?  Strive to live with less rather than desiring more; give away out of your abundance rather than accumulating more; relish what you have rather than resent what you're missing.  We become content when we realize God's sufficiency for our needs.  Christians who become materialistic are saying by their actions that God can't take care of them---or at least that He won't take care  of them the way they want.  Insecurity can lead to the love of money, whether we are rich or poor.  The only antidote is to trust God to meet all our needs.  See God's love expressed in what He has provided, and remember that money and possessions will pass away."   In times when we are tempted to voice out any discontent, remember the goodness of God and you will see the blessings in each day.  Focus on that blessing before speaking and see how it will change your attitude and disposition for the better.  Leaving you with God's Word to encourage us to entrust our lives to the One Who created us.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:6-11)

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."  (Matthew 6:19-24)

 

For this card, I used an image graciously provided by one of our sponsors, Taylored Expressions called "Shooting Stars" which I colored with my Prismacolor markers.   The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Recollections, the fence border was created with an MS Punch, the glitters from Stickles-Crystal and Diamond and the white nail head gems from Imaginisce.  The sun was die-cut using Cricut and the Doodlecharms cartridge and the sentiment stamped on it came from Studio G stamps.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.

 I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE CARD:

 I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE CARD LAYERS:

 I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE CARD INSIDE:

 I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Cardmania---Spring
Dream It Up---Marching Into Spring
Allsorts---Spring is in the Air
Hanna and Friends---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Mema's Crafts---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
My Craft Creations---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG
That Craft Place---Mother's Day/ATG
Art by Miran---ATG
Cards Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Scrapping4fun---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG with Twist: Green
Creative Moments---ATG/Spring Greens
Crafting with an Attitude---Freestyle
DL ART---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Cute, Cute, Cute
Scrapper's Delights---ATG
Whimsy Stamps---ATG
Artistic Stamper---Spring is Coming (Sheep is rubber stamp)
Card and Scrap---Bling, Glitter or Pearl
Country View Crafts---ATG
CCC Digi Creations---All that Glitters
Die-Cut Divas---Spring/Children
Lia Stampz---ATG

I hope you'd take the time to join us at our WAW Challenge.  It's Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly with uplifting and inspirational messages, you can link up to 5 projects.  Sponsors for this week are Taylored Expressions and Bugaboo Digi Stamps (3 Digi Images). I can't wait to see your projects and leave you some lovin' on your Blogs.  Have a blessed day and I pray that you acknowledge the presence of the Lord inside of you and give Him the glory by sharing the hope we received from Him to others.