Scripture Series: To Every Good Work Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello, Crafty Peeps!  Just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!  Anyway, it's Wednesday and time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As always, it's Anything Goes and you can choose to feature our (free) Scripture Word Art or anything inspirational and family friendly. Our featured Scripture for this Challenge comes from 2 Corinthians 9:8 which tells us, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."  The context of 2 Corinthians 9 is about the importance of GIVING not  only of our resources but more than anything---ourselves.   People of the world work daily with the talents and resources given to them by God (though they seldom acknowledge that fact) to better themselves (selfish gain).  I remember watching some Hollywood personalities saying that everything they enjoy are of their own doing and that they don't need to thank God for He has nothing to do with their success during those widely telecast, Awards night.  They made sure they expressed to many their hate and blasphemy for our Creator.  But if we are going to use common sense, it's not difficult to determine the void in their arguments/worldview.  You see, take away everything that God provides them (air to breath, health, strength, soul, life and countless more) and they will cease to exist.  It's so ridiculous that I now have better understanding why Jesus asked God to forgive those who mocked Him while He gave His life to save mankind at the Cross.  In Luke 23:34, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Though I must admit how it makes my blood boil when I hear people mocking Jesus Christ, His Cross and His Church  using their vague fame to influence the weaklings, I have to take the same approach Jesus did.  I need to pray for these people for they have truly been deceived.  If not for the calling of Jesus in my life that one faithful day 26 years ago, I could not imagine what my life would be this very moment.  Who knows, I could have made it big but without the knowledge of God, it would not be worth it.  The Word of God keeps me in His Truth and without the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence, I could be an easy target of the enemy and could be spiritually blind and deceived like any other.

With all these, I implore everyone to recognize every blessing that God has showered you with.  From the smallest to the biggest of gifts (material or spiritual)---be grateful!  Recognize that whatever God gives us is not only to provide for our needs but to to also bless and share with people He's going to place in our path.  We do that with our talents, abilities, time and resources.  Yet those would be incomplete if we don't deliver them with a cheerful heart.  Remember that God always looks at the intent of our heart.  Many of us may struggle with cheerful giving or even giving in itself but if we constantly yield to the Holy Spirit and continue in faithfulness/obedience to His Word, we will find ourselves happily doing it for God's glory.  For to give is to truly trust God---knowing that He will continuously provide to accomplish His work.  I know what I'm talking about as I'm a work in progress in this area.  It's easy to share when you have so much but when you have just enough, it can be a challenge.  But our featured verse said something worthy of understanding.  God supplies us with everything we need and more so that we are able to give something.  There was not a time we only had enough unless I consider all the other things I want (luxury).  I always hold this quote true in all areas of my life----"I cannot give what I don't have."  God supplies me with more than my needs so I can share and do good works for Him.  Note that "good works" does not benefit a believer prior to us knowing the Source of all our blessings.  All the good works that would count towards our rewards in heaven (when we stand in the presence of the Lord at the Bema Seat) is a direct result of our acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior---the Source of everything we have in  this life and beyond.  Each and every believer of the Body of Christ are living the abundant life God has promised and are capable of every good work God prepared and equipped us to do.  And yes, it's not for our own glory but for God and God alone.  The following are some of the verses we should meditate upon that would help us understand the blessings in giving and gratefulness.

"As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

"One person gives freely, yet gains even more;another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."  (Proverbs 11:24-25)

"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."  (I Timothy 6:17-19)

For this Card, I used an image from Sassy Cheryl Stamps called "A Special Girly Gift" that I paper-pieced with DP from Paper Studio and colored using my Touch Five markers.  The base is a pre-cut A7 card from Paper Studio.  I added some some metal gems from Imaginisce, glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and stitching to complete this design.  It may not have many layers like I normally do but it surely is one of my fave cards.  The  wonderful image and colors truly compliment our awesome Scripture in this creation.

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD

TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD LAYERS

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD SIDE VIEW

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD INSIDE

TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Gals---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Simon Says---Make it Sparkle
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Let It Snow
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
Card Mania---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafting Musketeers---ATG
Crafts Galore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG/Christmas
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Sunsational Stamps---ATG/Christmas/Winter
World Wide Open DT---ATG
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG


Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  There's wonderful prize awaiting our winner from our sponsor this week, Simon Says Stamp  ($25 GC).  You can choose to incorporate the free Word Art (sentiment) you see in my card for projects you wish to make and link with us though it's not mandatory.  You can submit up to 5 projects (Anything Goes) as long as it's family friendly, inspirational or uplifting.  Can't wait to see what you come up with. Have a blessed week and always remember to share unto others the hope you have in you.  Hugs!

Scripture Series: John 3:16 Winter Bird Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, everyone!  I am posting a day late as I had internet connection problems yesterday that took a while to resolve.  But praise be to God as the enemy is unable to hinder this inspiration project from being published.  As always, we have a brand new Scripture Word Art (you can download for free) at the Word Art Wednesday (WAW) site.  Our bi-weekly Challenge started yesterday with our usual theme, "Anything Goes that is Family Friendly/Inspirational."

Our featured Scripture for our Challenge comes from a very familiar passage in the Bible from John 3:16 and it declares, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  There's important factors we need to understand in order to fully grasp the Truth and Hope that this passage conveys.  First, we must ask why is there a need for God (our Creator) to send His One and Only Son to die at the Cross to redeem us?  To answer this, we must look into what happened to mankind in the beginning (Genesis).  Genesis 1 and 2 revealed God's creation process and how Man came into being.  He's created in God's image and likeness and we became alive (a living soul) when God breathe unto us the "breath of life" ( a portion of Himself).  Man lived in constant fellowship with God and was given by God authority over all His other creation.  But tragedy happened in Genesis 3.  Man betrayed God through disobedience, gave up the dominion (authority) the Lord gave him by handing it over to Satan and plunged the entire human race to Death (spiritual, physical and eternal deaths) ruled by Satan and his Sin Nature. Though Man didn't die physically that day, he did die spiritually and his intimate relationship with his Father was totally severed.  Since then, there's nothing human beings can do to regain that original status of righteousness (declared right) before the presence of God unless the Father intervenes.  As every man is tainted by original Sin, not one human being is qualified to redeem us all from the horrors of our ultimate and eternal separation from God.  We were utterly hopeless until JESUS came!

Now, that we established Man's dilemma after the Fall of mankind, we can now examine the second important factor of John 3:16 that is---the LOVE of GOD!  It is not the will of God to abandon us into hopelessness.  He is committed to fulfilling His purpose for man to rule earth the same way He rules heaven.  Though the enemy tried to delay that, God's Word and His purpose can never be thwarted.  It is through His Son, Jesus Christ, that He would accomplish this.  Jesus, Who is God, willingly clothe Himself in human flesh and became  a man (but without Sin) to redeem humanity from eternal doom.  God's love for us allowed the death of His One and Only Son to bring us all back to Himself.  The sacrifice Jesus did at the Cross destroyed every claim of the enemy over mankind. Through His death, burial and resurrection, we now have a means to fellowship with our Father like Adam did in the beginning.  This bring us to the third factor contained in John 3:16 as revealed by the phrase "Whosoever believed!" Though Jesus died for all of mankind, only those that believe in what He has done at the Cross shall receive His free gift of salvation.  To truly believe is to place you faith, trust, adhere, rely, depend your life on something you know is True though you don't  see it with your physical eyes.  Jesus revealed this kind of faith to Thomas (one of his disciples) who was doubtful of his resurrection in John 20:29, "Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Today, there are many religions and doctrines seeking to further deceive man so that they may never inherit ETERNAL LIFE which can only benefit those who put their complete trust in what Jesus did at the Cross.  Anything that deviate from the Only Way the Father has provided, no matter how religious or good it may be, is undermining what Christ has done for mankind's redemption.  People who embrace such teachings/doctrines are following the ways of man and have allowed themselves to be robbed of the Truth.  Here in America, people will have no excuse!  The Word of God (the Bible) is readily available to anyone who is willing to know the Truth and there are many teachers who teaches the full counsel of God and are willing to lead others to God's perfect will.  Yet many are too busy with mediocre things than what is truly important.  Our life on earth is too short compared to the eternal life that follows right after.  My plea to  each and everyone of you (family, friends and even strangers) that reads this post---please don't take what you read here for granted.  If you don't have an intimate/personal relationship with Jesus Christ nor have a clear understanding of what He has done for you at the Cross, take the necessary step!  Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and be prepared to take the time to study His Word and investigate His claim.  Each of us is very important to Him and He does not want any of us to share the eternal punishment designed for Satan and his followers.  RELIGION DOES NOT SAVE PEOPLE,  JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN! Do it before time runs out.  I did the very same thing 26 years ago and I have absolute confidence on spending eternal life in the arms of Christ based on what He did on my behalf.   If you have questions, please don't hesitate to leave me a comment and I will do my best to accommodate you.  

For this Card, I used an image from Bugaboo Stamps called "Winter Bird Trio" that I colored using my Touch Five markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  Finally, I'm able to use my Frantage embossing enamels and glitters to create a winter background. I also die-cut the lacy oval  with Nestabilities, some inking around the Oval frame using Distress Ink (Pumice Stone), flowers from Brides and the nail head gems from Imaginisce.  I added some stitching to complete this design.  I love it!

 JOHN 3:16 WINTER BIRD CARD

 JOHN 3:16 WINTER BIRD CARD LAYERS

 JOHN 3:16 WINTER BIRD CARD INSIDE

JOHN 3:16 WINTER BIRD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Animal Friends---ATG
Create with TLC---ATG
Card Mania---ATG
Ching-Chou Kuik---Bright and Beautiful
Christmas Cards---Christmas/Holiday
Classic DT---ATG
Connie Can Crop---Baby, It's Cold Outside
Country View---Christmas
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG (with Bugaboo Stamp)
Crafty Enjoyments---Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG with Optional Traditional Christmas Colors
Daisy Chain---Happy Christmas
Die-Cut Divas---Layers/Layer It
Doodle Pantry---Anything Digital Goes
Paper Creator---Christmas
Pearly Sparkles---Merry Christmas
Petal Lu---ATG
Scrap N---Glitter
Scribbles Design---Happy Holidays
12 Months of Christmas---Christmas
YSBP---Sparkles


Time to go, everyone!  Please make sure to visit us at WAW and link up the projects you make out of our free Word Art although not mandatory.  You can link up any inspiring, uplifting, family-friendly projects, up to 5.  Our wonderful sponsors this week Crop Stop (prize package) and All Dressed Up Stamps (2 digi image). So, head over to WAW and show us your wonderful projects.  Enjoy your week.  Always remember that God loves you and has a great plan for your life!  

Awesome and Grateful Card---Join our neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create, for our December Anything Goes with Optional Twist Challenge!

Hello Paper Crafters! I know I haven't posted much the past few months.   I've been so busy---like CRAZY busy.  Aside from Cardmaking, I also love Crocheting and I'm trying to fulfill some orders that my family and friends requested.  Some of my projects takes a lot of time to finish but once I'm done, it truly gives me pleasure.  I'm always grateful to the Lord for the talents He entrusted me (those I'm born with and those acquired) for I know that He has a greater purpose for all of them.   James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  Creative talents along with spiritual gifts are all blessings from our Creator.  Whatever we make of them is certainly the gift we present to our  Father in  heaven when the time comes.   

ARE WE PRAYING?  I certainly hope so!  Despite the hustle and bustle of this season, we ought to be grateful for every blessing we receive each day.  Remembering that there are many enemies (both physically and spiritually) who are furious and angered by the joy and freedom we enjoy and would like to steal, kill and destroy the works of the Lord in this country.  I hope that in the midst of our busyness, we take the time to thank and bless the Lord for His protection, provision and leading in this country.  For the life of every man and women whom He uses to guard this nation from eminent danger.  For the military and law enforcers who honestly and faithfully serve and uphold the law of the land.  To the men and women in the political arena who fight against the demonic agenda of death (Abortion, Sodomy, Pedophilia/Pizza Gate, Racial Division/Tension, Media Lies/Manipulation, Rebellion, Persecution of Christians, Support of Radical Terrorism, Satanism and so much more)  as promoted by the current leadership.  To the voices of Pastors and Preachers who tirelessly speak in behalf of the entire Truth of the Gospel; refusing to conform to political correctness and allowing fame and selfish gain to rule their hearts and deceive their congregation.   For every believer who go outside the four walls of their Church to share the Gospel and represent Christ in their communities either to help those who are in need or to fight for the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves.  And to those who come together to pray---simple men and women--- kneeling, praying and pleading to God for His intervention in our nation.  Every believer has a part in God's kingdom here on earth.  Nobody's more important than the other.  Each one is significant in the eyes of the Lord.  Whatever we are doing and no matter where we are, when we think of the freedom and blessings God set forth upon this country---PRAY!  When we hear alarming news,  PRAY and don't allow fear to dominate your life.  You see, when we call upon the Lord, we are acknowledging the fact that He is Sovereign and therefore have complete control of everything that unfolds.  Christ in us is the evidence of God's love for us!  In Him, we are sure that the Father hears our prayers and has our best interest always.  Leaving you with the following verses to encourage you to trust in the Lord and pray continuously.

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowlerʼs snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.  If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.  “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:1-16)

So, I'm here to highlight the project I made for our Challenge this month at 613 Avenue Create.  As always, it's Anything Goes with an optional twist of "Holiday Happiness."  For this Card, I used an image from Saturated Canary called "Country Mama" that I colored using my Touch Five markers.  Though the store is now closed, I have a collection of wonderful images that I can still use for my future projects.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card including the butterflies I die-cut using Sizzix On the Edge Die.  The DP's are from my scraps, the leaves were punched with Fiskars, the flowers I layered from Prisma and the doily from Martha Stewart.  I also added some white nail head gems from Imaginisce, the brads from Recollections, glitters by Stickles (Crystal) and the awesome sentiment was a freebie I got from Create with TLC.  This card was a request done for a dear friend.   

 AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD

 AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD SIDE VIEW

 AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD LAYERS

 AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD INSIDE

AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Card Mania---ATG
Ching-Chou Kuik---Bright and Beautiful
Classic DT---ATG
Crafting Musketeers---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG with Optional Traditional Christmas Colors
Die-Cut Divas---Layers/Layer It
Digistamps4Joy---Make it Sparkle
Doodle Pantry---Anything Digital Goes
Petal Lu---ATG
Scrap N---Glitter 
YSBP---Sparkles 


There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge with an optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---Bugaboo Stamps,  Di's Digi Stamps and Rick St. Dennis.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week. Have a blessed day, everybody!