Scripture Series: Enriched in Everything Card---Time for Another Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello friends! I would like to say Happy Veterans Day to the men and women who fought for the freedom that every American enjoys today.  We also thank the ones that are continuing the fight for that same freedom both here and abroad in order to preserve such a privilege.  For their families that made the sacrifices, endured and are still enduring the pain of their love ones passing for the greater good of this nation, we can never say thank you enough.  Freedom has a hefty price thus we have to make sure to preserve the legacy of these people who unselfishly gave all they got.  I cannot help but remember the One that ultimately showed us what "True Love" is all about---JESUS.  He is the greatest example of true sacrifice and unselfish love.  1 John 3:16 tells us, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

We may not be part of the United States Armed Forces but everyday, we are confronted by many opportunities to bless, help and encourage others as the Spirit leads.  Some of these may require from us a higher price.  I remember one of the TV programs I saw way back that had the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa discussing about being fined  when they refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple on the grounds of their Biblical conviction.  In the height of their fight for religious freedom, Melissa Klein received an outpouring of financial support from all over the country online and some from their family and friends.  Some people did it by ordering baked goods but asked her to keep their orders free of the bakery's business label to avoid any backlash.  I remembered how she expressed her disappointment on them.  These are the kind of people who cheers on everyone that fights the fight for them  but has no backbone to weather the fight themselves.  I totally agree with Melissa.  These are people that are there for the good times but hides in fear when the going gets tough.  I'm sorry to say this, but the only way I can describe these people is "pathetic."  Know that everything hidden in darkness will be brought to life and those who loves to hide in the shadow, peeking in the light when it's convenient to them will be swallowed wholly by the darkness they find comfort in.  They were like the people that followed Jesus when their needs were met but when He was arrested, they all scattered in fear!  I pray that the Lord quicken us to be bold in fighting for what is right.  Only people who knows their eternal destination and the victory that was won for us by the finished work (death, burial, resurrection) of Jesus Christ at the Cross will triumph over fear.  They are those who are not obsessed with their earthly life for they know the greater life that awaits them in the presence of the Lord.  Blessed are these people for they shall accomplish great and mighty things.  On our own, we cannot face the giants of our day.  We all must become like David  who faced Goliath, armed with  the faith and the power of the Most High God---invincible and fearless! 

Anyway, the Scripture Word Art (free to download) for our Challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) comes from 2 Corinthians 9:11 and it says, "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."  We must realize that everything we have is from God.  Our every breath comes from Him.  The fact that we are breathing and has a beating heart is a testimony that we cannot live outside of His grace.  There are many people who have lots of material blessings but have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses.  They can go to every doctor in every country to find cure but to no avail.  What are all those material possessions for if they are laying in their beds in pain and weakness?   And then there's also those who are able to work but could not find any opportunity thus struggling to provide for their families.  All I am saying is that everything starts and ends with God!  We should cultivate an attitude of thankfulness unto the Lord for everything He is doing in our lives.  For all the good and even the bad.  For them that love God (Born again, John 3:3), the Lord told us in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Therefore, everything that God has given us is to equip us to be a blessing to others.  If we are blessed with material possessions, we are not to use them for worthless luxury but to provide opportunities for those whom God will place in our path.  You can also share talents, abilities or even your testimony to encourage others.  Every one of us has something to offer---no one has an excuse!  Note that you cannot possibly help everybody but we are to be sensitive to the ones that God is going to place under our care.  And while we are faithfully obeying the task God has placed upon us, the same God has given someone the mandate to also bless us. God uses the faithful to fulfill His purpose here on earth.  The bottom line is, every blessing comes from the same Source---Our Father in Heaven!  When was the last time you took the time to thank Him for all the marvelous things He has done?  I want to share the following verses for us to ponder on: 

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:11-19)

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning called "Tom and Tilly" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square.  I shaped the sides of the card using MS Punch and my Corner Chomper to shape the corners.  The DP's are from Recollections, the ribbon from my stash and the corner stamp image (in gray) from Fiskars.  I inked the panels using Distress Ink (Walnut Stain) and the brad top from Heidi Grace.  I attached several nail head gems for added dimension and finally comes the stitching all over this card.   Love, love, love the sweet image and how the papers helped in creating the scene.

 

                                               ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING CARD:

                                          ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING CARD LAYERS:

                                         ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING CARD INSIDE:

                                  ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---Leaves (in the roses)
Crafting with an Attitude---ATG
Crafty Girl Creations---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Simply Create Too---Give Thanks
TTCRD---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG
Just Keep on Creating---ATG
Simon Says Stamp---Thinking of You
DP2---ATG with Optional: Birthday
Crafty Creations---Give Thanks
Crafty Gals Corner---Thank You or Thankful
Creative Moments---ATG/Winter
Crop Stop---ATG (Used Stickles and Distress Ink)
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG with a Twist: Anything that starts with "B" (Bow/Brad Top)
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Retarte---ATG
Try It On Tuesday---Create a Scene
Tuesday Throwdown---Thank You
Artistic Inspirations---ATG with a Twist: Feminine
Craft-Dee BowZ---ATG with a Handmade Bow
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Crafty Boots---Remembrance/Thanks
Love to Scrap---Bling
Make my Monday---Many Thanks
Melonheadz Friends---Pick 3 (Bling/Bright Colors/Markers)
Our Crafty Corner---ATG/Lace and Pearls
Path of Positivity---Gratefulness
The Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Where the Heart Is---ATG/Winter Blues
Whoopsi Daisy---Lots of Layers

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---Crafty Secrets ($20 GC) and Really Reasonable Ribbon ($10 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, be thankful  and diligent stewards of God's blessings here on earth.  Accomplish everything that the Lord has placed under your care with boldness and faithfulness.  Have an awesome week!