Scripture Series: God is my Salvation Card---It's Anything Goes/Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

A great Wednesday to all my Crafty Peeps!  Today is the start of another Family Friendly/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Our free Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) comes from Isaiah 12:2 and it says, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation."  We can say that anyone whose still thinking straight knows that everything that exist on earth had been created by God and are formed with complex yet systematic function.  If we look into the detail on how God created the heavens and the earth all the way to the First Man in Genesis 1-2, every creation was perfect.  God spoke the Word and things began to exist.  Yet with Man, He formed him from the dust of the ground, made him into His image and likeness and breathe unto his nostrils the breath of life (a portion of Himself).  This "Life" we now have comes from God!  When the time comes for us to leave this physical body, we will give our final breath and live eternally. The question is, where do you want to spend your eternity? Genesis 3 showed us how Man messed up his relationship with God through disobedience and allowed the enemy to corrupt the eternal existence that was free from Death and Sin intended for all of mankind by our Creator.  Thank God---the story didn't end there!  The Word of God detailed His plan for redemption that can only be fulfilled by His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ!  Oh yes, the Bible is a book about amazing love.  It tells us of a Heavenly Father Who loved the world so much that He gave His Only Son (who knew no sin) to suffer the Cross as payment for mankind's sin against Him.  That through faith in what Jesus accomplished at the Cross, we are restored to our original status before Adam fell into sin---that is, RIGHTEOUS BEFORE HIS EYES!  There is nothing we can do on our own (that includes trying very hard to live by God's commandments,  good deeds/works, charities or devotion to religion) that will even come close to accomplishing that which Christ has done for us. In fact, man's own efforts are like "filthy rags" in God's sight!  No man-made solutions shall ever fix a man's broken spirit (separation from God that took place after The Fall).  Romans 3:23-24 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." When we adhere to the Only Solution that was prescribed by God Himself to the sickness of mankind as we place our faith upon the finished work of Christ (death, burial and resurrection) at the Cross, only then can we begin to understand the very reason why we live and function effectively towards God's divine purpose.  

The Holy Spirit that resides in every believer reveals Christ to us from glory to glory.  Our role is to yield to His working.  As we come to know Him more daily by studying God's Word and  as we continue to experience His love and care through various situations in life---our faith grows!  No longer shall we be conquered by fear nor any kind of uncertainties.  Notice that I didn't say we will not be fearful from time to time but knowing the God we serve cares and love us, we develop strength and confidence in the promises of God. Knowing that He is with us today, tomorrow and our eternal future.  Truthfully, many people live in fear daily!  It makes a big difference if we can remind ourselves of our personal encounters with God...I am talking about those moments when He became so real in your life!  When He's no longer Someone you read or hear about.  When His presence is so strong that you know and you know He's right beside you...When you can talk to Him about anything and everything under the sun and felt no condemnation! Whom your physical eyes may not see but seen by your spirit.  

You know what? Jesus Christ wants to have an intimate relationship with people. I cannot fully describe the joy and peace that comes when I allow myself to be lost in His presence. When my eyes is fixed and my heart beats solely for Him.  Until we come to this point of trust and surrender, the burdens and terrors of this world will continue to weigh us down .  People will run like cowards seeking for a safe place.  Yet, apart from the Lord, there is no safety!  If you have not known Jesus Christ in a personal and intimate way, today is the day!  There's no special formulas or steps needed to qualify in His presence.  All you need is FAITH (TRUST) and a HUMBLE HEART!  I want to share with you the following verses regarding the important role of FAITH in seeking a relationship with our Lord:

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."  (Hebrews 11:6)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."  (Romans 5:1-5)  

For this Card, I used an image from "A Day for Daisies" called "Fairy Flower Outing" which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor and embossing markers from Marvy Uchida.  I used a clear embossing powder to give the flowers a raised effect.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Recollections and American Crafts,  the die cuts by Nestabilities, the border punch by EK Success and the butterflies as well as the Washi tape are from Recollections too.  I paper-pieced the image and stitched all over this card.   

GOD IS MY SALVATION CARD:

GOD IS MY SALVATION CARD LAYERS:

 GOD IS MY SALVATION CARD INSIDE:

GOD IS MY SALVATION CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Addicts---ATG/Spots and or Stripes
Crafty Girls---ATG
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Autumn Colors
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Die Cuttin Divas---ATG
Digi Choosday---Something New (Image and sentiment is new)
Fresh Brewed---Great Outdoors
House that Stamps Built---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Creative Inspirations---ATG
Creative Inspiration---ATG
Simon Says---ATG
Whimsy Inspiration---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Crafting for all Seasons---Autumnal Hues
Crafty Creations---Falling For You
Crafty Gals---Things with Wings
Inky Impressions---Dots and/or Stripes
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
City Crafter---Geek Chic
Everybody-Art---Circles
PINspirational---Inspirational Pic
Try It On Tuesday---Autumn

Don't forget to join us at the WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art this week to make a project and link it to our Challenge although it's not mandatory.  You can also link other projects (up to 5) as long as it has uplifting/inspirational messages.  Our sponsors this week are  Lawn Fawn (Stamp Set) and My Artistic Adventures (Collage Sheets Digi).  Have a blessed day and remember to always be grateful and hold on to the promises of God in your life no matter what.  Let the Holy Spirit comfort you with God's Word and empower you daily.