Scripture Series: Unspeakable Gift Card---New Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge Happening at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello, everyone!  Just want to take the opportunity to greet y'all a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Though we see a lot of destructive forces that tries to discourage us, those who love the Lord have many things to be thankful about despite the chaos of everyday living.  Our Scripture Word Art, you can download for free at the Word Art Wednesday (WAW) site for this bi-weekly Challenge,  comes from 2 Corinthians 9:15 which tells us, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Many times, we wait for extraordinary things to happen before we feel grateful.  You see, one obvious characteristic of a disgruntled/discontent person is ungratefulness.  One way or another, we could have harbored such an attitude of have met people who are not satisfied with anything.  You could have given your best to these people, yet they have no appreciation.  They talk negatively about many/all things and even go to the extent of  rubbing others of their attitude.  It would make sense for people that deny God and His Word to act that way for they utterly dismiss the Author/Source of their blessings. But while it is clear as daylight that they are not in control of their existence (even the very air they breathe that is essential for their survival comes from the Lord)---they make a fool of themselves by dismissing God's existence.  Psalm 14:1 clearly states, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good."  So, when I encounter such people (personally or online), I honestly feel concerned!  Though their physical and spiritual blindness upsets me,  it also brings within me a compassion for their souls which moves me to pray that they may know Jesus before it's too late.  True, it's hard to pray for these people especially  when they speak despicable things just because we choose to believe in a Sovereign God. But in reality, they have no idea how blind they truly are! When I accepted God's Truth (reality in God's perspective) and His gift of life, God placed His Holy Spirit inside of me and revealed my desperate need for Christ.  Humbled by what the Lord has done,  I'm able to set aside hatred and allow the Lord to use me as I forgive and pray for them.

Yet lately, I am seeing more believers showing ungratefulness.  They sit with you in the Church and listens to the same message yet live in negativity daily.  I consider them "Yo-yo" Christians.  They are happy for a moment and with the slightest trial, they completely forget their blessings.  They keep on living in the past and would dwell on their old baggage, way of thinking and fails to listen.  I can say that today, I have a better understanding why many of God's people, rescued from their bondage in Egypt, didn't make it to the Promise Land.  Ungrateful people who says they abide by God's Word yet fails to live it are harder to deal with than those who know nothing about the ways of God.  One thing that is true---no one who has truly seen and experienced God in his/her life could dwell in constant negativity/ungratefulness.  My past attest to God's goodness.  My present speaks of His love and faithfulness. My future declares of His glory.   I am grateful for the air I breathe, my beating heart, a functioning mind and body, a warm bed to sleep on, waking up every morning, food on our table, a family that cares and so much more.   I am thankful for every seen and unseen things like the spiritual gifts, talents and abilities He blessed me with.  And yes, I'm also grateful for the trials as in those times when  I am able to see the power,  presence and glory of the Lord at work in my life.  One day, my life will be over and my gratitude will meet its ultimate and unspeakable reward---ETERNAL LIFE in the presence of my Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST!  As my Pastor always remind us students in our Bible class, "The worst day in a believer's life is far better than the very best day in the life of an unbeliever."   Let that sink deep into our spirits that we may never dwell in negativity again.  Leaving you with the following verses to be grateful about...

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"  (Colossians 3:15-17)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory"  (Ephesians 1:3-14)

For this Card, I used an image from Saturated Canary (store closed) called "The King" and colored it using my Touch Five markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I kept it simple to focus on the Scripture Word Art and how it relates to the image and I am pretty happy with the results.  Aside from fancy and regular stitching, I also added a few nail head gems from Imaginisce and some glitters (Stickles-Crystal). 

 UNSPEAKABLE GIFT CARD

 UNSPEAKABLE GIFT CARD LAYERS

 UNSPEAKABLE GIFT CARD INSIDE

UNSPEAKABLE GIFT CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Polkadoodle---ATG
Crazy Challenge---Christmas
Creative Fingers---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Christmas Paper
Crafting Musketeers---Christmas Wishes
Crafty Creations---Christmas
Sweet Stampin--- ATG Christmas
Crafting by Designs---Christmas
Little Red Wagon---Sparkle and Shine
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
Crafter's Cafe---Christmas
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Crafty Purple Frog---Magic of Christmas
Creatalicious---ATG with optional Sentiment
Digistamps4Joy---ATG with optional Christmas
Petal Lu---ATG
Sunsational Stamps---ATG
Sweet Stampers---Christmas


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.  A wonderful prize awaits our winner from our lovely sponsor for this Challenge---Simon Says Stamp ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, meditate on the goodness of the Lord and rely on His promises.  Expect only wonderful things from Him each day.  Be thankful always!