Scripture Series: Giving Thanks to God Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Before anything else, HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!  Hope you are spending a wonderful time with your family as we reflect on the goodness of the Father---every good and perfect gift that He graciously gave us through the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross.  And when I think about His faithfulness in my life, I can't help but reflect also on the trials for when I wrestled with all of them, God showed His supernatural power working inside of me that gave me victory to overcome.  All glory to His Name!

Today, we have a brand new Scripture Word Art (you can download for free) at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) site.  Me and my fellow DT's have used it in our projects like in the one I've  featured here.  It comes from Colossians 3:17 which says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."  

You see, how we physically (outside appearance) come across other people matter in how we are representing Christ to our fellow believers and the world.  I agree that personal appearance play a role in our initial contact with people but a true and lasting personality/impression is really a reflection of who we are (character) and the change we encounter from within.  What we allow ourselves to ponder on shapes our thinking and molds us to the kind of person we show on the outside.  Many have spent their lifetime perfecting the glamorous life but failed to develop what is truly important---making their spiritual life healthy and fabulous by constantly cultivating an intimate connection with God through His Word.  We must always remember that our bodies are earthly suits (temporal) that we will one day trade (like it or not) for an eternal body (permanent).  We must never ever allow the physical to take priority over the spiritual.  Our bodies on the other hand are to be used for God's purpose.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  In the original context of this Scripture, believers are instructed to have no part in sexual immorality as our bodies are for the Lord.  When we take part in it (in any capacity), we degrade and disrespect the temple of God and cause ourselves and others harm.  God wants to protect us from damaging ourselves and others, so he offers to fill us (our loneliness and desires) with Himself.  When we pay attention to other things and disregard our relationship with God, we turn ourselves away from the Lord and position ourselves to be devoured by the world.  Be careful that we don't deem anything more important than the presence of God in our lives.  Romans 12:1-2 says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

The point I'm making in all of these is that we should fill ourselves with the knowledge of God and allow Him to use  or bodies for His purpose.  Remembering that when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we gave Him permission to mold, direct and use us whatever and whenever He may see fit.  We must submit to Him everything---that includes our dreams, ambitions and intentions.  Whatever we say and do, we must intentionally ask ourselves the question---"Why am I doing what I'm doing?" and in all honesty to our Father, allow Him to make necessary changes if need be. Our outside image should be nothing more than a reflection of what's going on inside us.  If Jesus is the Lord of our lives, we are to reflect Him in everything we say and do.  This is a lifelong process we commit to daily and made possible by our yielding to the Holy Spirit of God in us.  Doing "all in the name of the Lord Jesus" means bringing honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living.  As a Christian (Born-again, John 3:3), we represent Christ at all times---wherever you go, in whatever you say and do.  

For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Uptown Girl Tiffany Loves to Text" that I watercolored with my Stabilo 68 markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV, the border sentiment from Will n Way and the corner stamp from Stampendous.  I also added some glitters to the image using Stickles (Crystal) and finalized the card with some stitching.   

GIVING THANKS TO GOD CARD

 GIVING THANKS TO GOD CARD LAYERS

 GIVING THANKS TO GOD CARD INSIDE

GIVING THANKS TO GOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-CARD

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Little Miss Muffet---ATG
Star Stampz---Add Some Sparkle (On the clothes and flowers on the image)
Crafty Creations---ATG
House that Stamps Built---ATG
Simon Says---ATG
Sisterhood of Crafters---ATG
Create with TLC---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG/Thanks
Create and Inspire---ATG
Creative Ladybirds---ATG
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Guys
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Fall Colors/Thankful
Love to Scrap---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Sunsational---Thanksgiving
Rubber Buggy---Thanksgiving
Worldwide Open DT---ATG
YSP---ATG

Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  There's wonderful prize awaiting our winner from our sponsor this week, Really Reasonable Ribbon  ($10 GC) and also a special prize package from our Challenge Coordinator, Karen.  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!