Scripture Series: Hope Joy and Peace Card---Grab our Free Scripture Word Art and Join the Fun of our Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, everyone!  As always, I am here to feature another inspirational project that highlights our free Scripture Word Art which you can get for free at our family friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Today's verse came from Romans 15:13 and it tells us, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."  You know, God is truly amazing!  As I finished creating this card and was getting it ready to submit it to our DT Coordinator at WAW, I stopped by Facebook and while browsing my News Feed, I saw the very same verse shared by one of the groups I liked.  I knew right away that something about this verse is important and the Lord wanted me to meditate on it.  When we see/hear the same words or phrase being repeated in the Scripture (examples like "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty" or "Verily, Verily, I say unto you") or same verse/s or message in different occasions, it means that  the Lord wants us to take that instruction to heart (something very important).    I don't know exactly how many times this happened to me but each time I experience it, it always deals with something that I wrestle with in my spirit.  I can honestly say that this is one of the ways God speaks to me and it's for the purpose of encouragement, to empower me, to instill hope and give me direction.  As the Holy Spirit translates God's working inside my heart and I begin to understand, He pours out his peace and joy as He affirms His presence in my life.  My situation may not have changed physically but something very real inside of me shifts.  

Okay, let me see if I can explain to you what was I wrestling with the past few weeks.  Believe it or not,   it's intense FRUSTRATION!  I do have some personal frustrations but it's nothing compared to the dismay and hopelessness  I see and feel for what's happening to our nation.  I talked to my Pastor/Mentor (my teacher in the College level Bible Class I've been going to for many years now) and I told him about this intense feeling of hopelessness and discouragement for the evil that is hovering over our nation and the world.  The lies and lawlessness, division and immorality, disrespect and the lack of apathy, the selfishness and conspiracy that are systematically propagated by the ungodly---there's just a lot for lil' ole me to take!  He told me that it is expected for a child of God to vex from all the ungodliness we see each day and to have a "Compassionate" (Mercy) spirit for those who are blinded by this world.  The sacrifice of Jesus to redeem all of mankind at the Cross which is the Only Source of salvation and which no man can ever repay nor work for is given absolutely free to them who would place their faith in Christ, our Lord and Savior.  But many, due to selfishness and all forms of pride and lust, have mocked the very sacrifice that could save them.  To be very honest, though it saddens me, I know I can't expect anything from the ungodly (without personal relationship with God) for they are doing what their father, the Devil is known to do (John 8:44)!  So, what truly frustrates me more than the schemes of the ungodly?  I submit to you, my heart cries out the more for those who profess they know God and are calling themselves Christians (which means a follower of Christ) but betrays and mocks the very God they profess to serve.  Most of this mega-Churches and high-profile Pastors with large following have watered down the Scripture, centers their teaching about making money and how to be successful (Prosperity Gospel) yet fail to teach their flock servant-hood, personal accountability, eternal perspective, God's holiness nor the coming wrath of God.  They favored men and betrayed God by lowering God's standards to tolerate and accommodate the evil doctrines of man so that they can continue to make money and build their human empires while all the while disguising it at blessings from God.  I am not saying that having a mega-Church is wrong but if a Church teaches accordingly to what the Scripture says, they'll definitely thin out (especially here in America).  Why?  Because God's Word requires a process of lifestyle change which not many people are willing to go through. The leaders of these congregations turned away from the God of the Bible, have aligned themselves with false prophets---having sold themselves to secular humanism.  I feel deep compassion for those who are being led astray by these men through blind obedience.

Another thing that breaks my heart is seeing those who profess they're believers yet operates by the dictates of their emotion (while abandoning the wisdom of God) and are looking at other people to make a drastic change for our country yet, have done nothing to shine the light nor stand for Godly cause other than talk loud.  Many have idolized men and when the people they taught would answer their problems fail them, they become bitter and passive that they don't want to do anything.  They generalize people and loses all hope while not admitting their own mistake of trusting man rather than depending upon God.  They are not content in keeping that to themselves but inflicts their negativity on others.  I submit to you, these are the things that truly grieves my heart---seeing the

the Body of Christ succumb to the pressure!  The Scripture tells us everything we needed to know about our origin, our eternal destination and everything in between.  I know the victory that awaits me after this lifetime and that empowers me to do what I must in accordance to the purpose God has sent me here for.  While I grieve, I am not paralyzed! I know the God whom I serve and like David, I can face the giants of our times armed solely by the power of God.  A few days ago, I made a decision to shut the noise of the world and instead,  battle everything in prayer.  There is power when we get down our knees and pray.  When we do so, we put an end to ourselves and allow God to take over.  In prayer, He speaks to me while I listen.  He reveals my course of action and through His Holy Spirit, I am compelled to act upon it!  God's confirmation of today's highlighted verse in my life has given me a renewed hope, joy and peace to whatever comes in our future.  Sometimes, we have to make a choice to silence every noise that causes our ears to bleed and listen solely to the voice of God.  Are you going to be part of God's  solution to this world or a burden to the brethren?  If we truly want to make a difference, start by asking God for His solutions through prayer.  He is our Only Hope!  Just want to share the following verses to encourage us to continue to live by the Word of God.  What He said before is still the same today.  God does not change His statutes for man but man is the one who needs to conform to God if he wants a life eternally in His presence.

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." (Ephesians 5:1-17)

For this Card, I used a stamp I bought several months ago from Wild Rose Studio called "Bella with Dahlia" that I colored with ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are all from Paper Studio, the scallop, the circle as well as all the fancy swirls were all dies from Nestabilities that I ran through my Cuttlebug.  I incorporated several nail head gems as well as glitters (Stickles-Diamond) on the flower.  Lastly, I did some fancy stitching all over this creation. 

HOPE JOY AND PEACE CARD:

 HOPE JOY AND PEACE CARD LAYERS:

HOPE JOY AND PEACE CARD INSIDE:

HOPE JOY AND PEACE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-CARD:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
CCC Digi Creations---ATG
Cute as a Button---ATG
Digistamps4Joy---ATG with optional Wings
Lost Coast---Circles
Paper Creator's---Dies and/or Punches
Paradise of Stamps---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Through the Purple Haze---Flowers
World Wide Open---ATG
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Fancy Folds
I Love ProMarkers---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Moo-Mania---Embellishments
Ruby's Rainbow---Die cuts or Punches
Crafty Sentiments---ATG
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG with Twist: Use Glitter
Papertake Weekly---To Die For
TTCRD---ATG
Try It On Tuesday---Flower/s
Tuesday Throwdown---Texture
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Crafty Boots---Fair and Square
Cutie Pie---Cute and Girly
Incy Wincy---Tic Tac Toe (Bling Bling/Free Space/Metals)
Love to Scrap---ATG
Melonheadz Friends---Hand-Colored Image
Not Just Cards---ATG
Stamp and Create---One for the Girls 
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Use Your Stuff---ATG
Whoopsi Daisy---Make It Girly

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---Stamp and Create ($25 GC) and Moonlighting & Co. (3 Digi Stamps).  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!