Scripture Series: His Name Immanuel Card---Join Us for Family Friendly/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi everyone!  This  post is way too late but lots of things happened in the beginning of this week that disrupt the normal flow of things.  Yet, despite of the desire of the enemy to kill, steal and destroy, I have a God that is faithful and true in Whose protection I am sheltered.  I would like to testify of the Lord's goodness to me and my son last Sunday morning.  It happened before 9 AM and we were on our way to our Church, just shortly after we left home.  We approached the first intersection and had a green light to proceed.  I saw a car on the left of the intersection that seemed to be stopped but when I was about to cross, that same car moved, ran over her red light and without even attempting to stop, collided with  my vehicle.  She had enough force that  pushed my vehicle and propelled hers several feet to the right side (my view point) of the intersection.  Stunned in disbelief in what had happened and how this vehicle seemed to appear charging at us, I was relieved that my son and I were not harmed physically that I could tell.  Though I knew my boy felt stunned, fearful and traumatized based on his panicked reaction following.  After all, we haven't encountered such situation before.  I glanced at the green light I had that even after the crash, the light remained green.   Clearly, the driver of the other vehicle violated traffic safety by breaking traffic rules which put me  and my son in harms way.

But GOD is our protection!  I realized it could have been worst and despite the great damage to the vehicle I love so dearly and is a blessing to me by the Lord, His ultimate protection was upon us.  Our trusted mechanic/friend with a garage responded quickly (though they were close on Sundays) upon hearing our need to drop off our towed vehicle for estimate/repair just a few minutes after the accident.  My own insurance took care of us right away and had me in a car rental later that afternoon.  While the  lady driver of the involved vehicle (whose perfectly fine after she hit us) did absolutely nothing to ensure our safety doubled by her insurance carrier (not open on Sundays) did nothing so far but dragged their feet to pay-off and played mind games on us. I know that my God is never going to allow them to get away with the harm this irresponsible driver and incompetent insurance are putting us through.  I know others would say it was a common occurrence in the streets but I firmly believe that everything that happens in the physical came from a spiritual origin.  What went on the mind of that lady as she mobilized her vehicle to collide with us, I may not know but you know what---Almighty God knows!  And being the Just God He is, He will see to it that "justice is served" for His children.  They can pull every trick they have in their books but I declare Isaiah 54:17 over everyone that seeks to come against me.  It clearly says,  "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me, declares the LORD."  I asked for prayers from everyone who loves the Lord and my brothers and sisters in faith that we all agree to paralyze  the wicked spirit and it's minions over our accident.  For every lying spirits attached to it---be destroyed and be fully terminated, IN THE NAME OF JESUS!  I declare that VICTORY IS OURS at all counts!  I believed it and I received it... IT IS DONE!  Glory be to God!

Anyway, I would like to remind you of the ongoing Anything Goes Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) where we feature a new Scripture Word Art every week that you can download for free at the WAW site.  It comes from Isaiah 7:14 which says, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."  Every year especially during the Christmas season, we see this verse quoted by many in social media, in cards etc.  While many people are busy fulfilling the hustle and bustle/tradition part of this season, lots of them lost the true meaning and significance of why we even remember CHRISTmas!  Oh yes, I am very aware of the pagan origins of this season and I recognize and understand why others would not want to celebrate.  One of the things being questioned, the Scripture did not specify the exact date of Jesus' birth for us to conclude that it's on December 25. Based on scenarios (like shepherds tending their sheep in the field at night) argued that it could not happened in December during cold Judean winter.  Many people have already fought long and hard to uncover  dates and all that  in attempts to convince others to consider their sides in this argument and I am not going to add myself to the mix.  Here's what I know...One faithful day, Jesus (Son of God) was born in the flesh and dwelt among human beings like you and me.  He came to obey the will of the Father---to redeem mankind from the bondage of Sin with his own blood at the Cross!  That in His Gospel (death, burial and resurrection),  all who placed their trust in His finished work are reinstated to their original position of righteousness (like Sin never took place!) in the presence of the Father.  Through a virgin called Mary, the Holy Spirit carried out the will of our Most Holy God which is the most significant thing that happened to humanity and is definitely worth celebrating, especially by those who personally experienced the grace and goodness of God. 

During the whole world's acknowledgment of the CHRISTmas season, we have the opportunity to tell as many people of that Truth.   In this world where the name of Jesus and everything about Him is being removed from the minds and hearts of people, especially our children, this is the time we are collectively seeing and hearing Christ in CHRISTmas.  The lights, the tree, the decorations, the shopping  for gifts and gift-giving and  many of men's tradition may have been used as pagan symbols and rituals which many are opposed to. But why on earth would we allow the devil to claim all the wonderful elements and attributes the Lord has given us and count them evil when we can utilize them to proclaim the Truth and share with others the true meaning of our celebration?  I'm not trying to convince anyone, I am merely sharing why I do what I do...I decorate my balcony with lights because the beauty that these colorful lights create reminds me that we are somehow similar to those lights, different colors---plugged into a Source, and through faith in Jesus, we can shine so brightly for everyone to see.  The beauty and potential of those lights can never be seen till electricity (like the Holy Spirit) flows through them and empower them to shine.  I decorate a tree with lights and wonderful ornaments to remind me of how my plain and simple existence had been decorated by the presence of God through faith in Immanuel (God with us).  To make myself very clear,  I no longer allow the enemy to use the traditions of men to define what CHRISTmas season is for me.  I can even choose to light up my balcony for the entire year if only there are no restrictions  having those lights up after CHRISTmas and if electrical consumption was not an issue...LOL  Friends, it is important to know the motive behind your celebration for God looks after the heart.  As for me, as long as this world still attaches the name of CHRIST to this season, I will tell as many people the true reason for the season.  That Jesus came one blessed night because of His LOVE for all mankind!  I want to share with you the great promises fulfilled by the birth of Jesus Christ through the following verses and how that same Great Promise leads us back to God's eternal glory. 

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?  “And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.  “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."  (Matthew 18:11-14)

"And He (Jesus) was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.  And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21)

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

For this Card, I used one of our sponsor's image, Bugaboo Digi Stamps, called "MaryJoseph" and colored it using my ProMarker/Prismacolor.Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is A7 size card that comes with an envelope from Paper Studio.  The panels are just white CS and I used an MS border punch for the mini hearts border.  I used a bit of glitters (Stickles-Crystal) for added dimension on the image and incorporated some white nail head gems from Imaginisce and lots of stitching.  The message of today's Word Art is so powerful and I felt that coupled with the image, nothing more is needed.  I seldom make a CAS card but it sure makes me happy when I get to create one.

                                                  HIS NAME IMMANUEL CARD:

                                              HIS NAME IMMANUEL CARD LAYERS:

                                              HIS NAME IMMANUEL CARD INSIDE:

                                        HIS NAME IMMANUEL CARD WITH ENVELOPE:


This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Quirky Crafts---Anything Christmas
Creative Moments---ATG/Bling It Up
Crafty Gals---ATG
Simply Papercraft---ATG
Crafty Creations---ATG
Snowflakes Promise---Winter/Christmas
Clear It Out---Christmas and Glitter
Craftin' Desert Divas---Christmas
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Addicted to Stamps---ATG
Crazy Challenge---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Art by Miran---ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
Fussy and Fancy---Words
Morgan's Artworld---Non-traditional Coloured Christmas Cards
Pattie's Creations---Anything Christmas with an Image
PDE Linky Party---ATG
QKR Stampede---Use Some Glitter
Craft Rocket---ATG
Crafting with an Attitude---ATG
Creative Knockouts---"Tis the Season
Digital Delights---Stamped Image(Digi/Rubber)
DL Art---Christmas
Scrap and Craft---ATG Christmas
Star Stampz---Lots of Layers
Doubleclick Skittles---The Beauty of the Season
Fresh Brewed---ATG Christmas
Ruby's Rainbow---Christmas with Metallic Twist (Nail head gems are metal)
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Celebration
Whimsy Stamps---ATG/Holiday
Catch the Bug---Color
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG 


I surely hope you will come and join us at the WAW Blog.  You can upload up to 5 entries as long as it has an uplifting/inspirational message.  Wonderful prizes are awaiting the winners courtesy of our sponsors this week---Bugaboo Digi Stamps (3 Digi Images) and the Crafty Individuals (15 euros GC).  Our Challenge is "Anything Goes" so you can be as creative as you want to be.  I can't wait to see what you come up with.  So, this is it for me today.  Have a blessed weekend and remember, in Jesus, we are in right standing with God. To Him all glory is given!