Scripture Series: Fear of the Lord Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, Crafty friends! We have a new Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). As always, we feature a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site. I was privileged to write our WAW devotional at this time to give our Challenge coordinator, Karen, a much needed rest after her shoulder surgery.  I would like to share it here and I pray that it blesses you as well.  So, our inspiration Scripture for this Challenge that I featured in my card below comes from Proverbs 9:10 which says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

Before I came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, I grew up knowing that there is a God.  Though it was more of a religion than a relationship with Him, I knew that He watches over me and knows my every thought. I was familiar with the Ten Commandments and tried my very best to obey them.  But I also struggled with fear.  I was terrified of what God's punishment would be every time I violate a commandment or two.  After all, I was taught that God rewards the faithful and punishes the disobedient.

So needless to say, I feared the Lord greatly.  But hey, even in my limited understanding of God those days, that fear kept me out of many troubles.  The fear of the Lord is defined as "the continual awareness that our loving heavenly Father is watching everything we think, say and do."  When we ignore Gd in our lives, we deprive ourselves of understanding His ways, His love and His power.  Those who fear the Lord have a continual awareness of Him, a deep reverence for Him and a sincere commitment to obey Him.  Their fear causes them to focus on the Lord, and walk in wisdom while avoiding foolishness.

Today, nearly thirty years since I came to know God in a deeper and personal way through the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross, my fear of Him has transformed into respect (out of love for God) and awe (of His greatness).  I am fearful of doing anything contrary to His plan and purpose in my life.  Because I value him greatly, I desire to know His ways and deliver only what is pleasing to Him.  Therefore, I seek His Word and meditate on His promises daily that in my knowledge and understanding of Him, I would gain wisdom to choose and walk the path He has prepared for me.  I would like to share these passages from Proverbs 2 that tells us of the importance of seeking God's Word, gaining wisdom and the fear of the Lord.

"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

For this Card, I used an image from Bugaboo Stamps called "Guy Walking Dog" which I colored using my Prismacolor markers.  The base is a Kraft CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP is from American Crafts and Recollections and the white brads are from Recollections too.  Lastly, I stitched all over this project.  It's simple and masculine.  I love it!

 FEAR OF THE LORD CARD

 FEAR OF THE LORD CARD LAYERS

 FEAR OF THE LORD CARD INSIDE

FEAR OF THE LORD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Creations---ATG
Creative Moments----ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Cute N Crafty---ATG
Path of Positivity---ATG (Positive)
Scrapbook Stamp---ATG
Createful Heart---Add a Sentiment
Not Just Cards---ATG
Pause Dream Enjoy---ATG
Sunny Day Crafting---ATG with Animals
Creative Crafters---ATG
Worldwide Open DT---ATG

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 each week.  Great prizes to be won from our wonderful sponsors---Pretty Little Studio (price package) and Stix 2 Anything (price package).  Let your trembling turn into awe and reverence as you desire to come to the saving knowledge of  our Lord, Jesus Christ.  He is truly an awesome God!

Scripture Series: Bear One Another's Burdens Card---It's Time for Another Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, Crafty Peeps! It's time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As usual, we are featuring a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site.  This Challenge highlights a verse coming from Galatians 6:2 which says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

The past few weeks, we witnessed what the ungodly politicians would do to destroy anyone's reputation to derail the appointment of someone who would be faithful to interpret the rule of law (our Constitution) from being carried out in this country.  For the past eight years of previous administration, they wreak havoc to transform every pillars of our society towards ungodliness with an agenda to destroy this nation.  They turned many of us into a lawless, racist, divisive, unpatriotic, haters of God kind of people.  And all that time, God-fearing men and women of God vexed our souls and cried unto the Lord to save our nation from the demonic destruction it was headed to.  On Presidential election night of 2016, I felt sad in my spirit---not sure of the plight of Donald Trump whom I voted for earlier that day.   The thought of Clinton taking the office as POTUS and the evil she stood for horrified me.  So, even though I wasn't a fan of Trump (not knowing how true he would be to his promises during the campaign), I was led to vote for him as I prayed and plead the grace of God for our country.  It was not a fancy  prayer.  It was one of those prayers that words could not express coming from an honest place in my heart asking for the power of God to intervene and show our nation mercy and deliverance.  So, upon the announcement of Trump winning the election when the liberals were already celebrating their anticipated victory (I stayed up till it was announced), you can imagine how joyful and thankful I was to witness an honest to goodness miracle that day.  While rejoicing, I saw a report of the many others that did a coordinated prayer and election watch that night  not only here in this nation but all over the world, including Israel.  They showed a graph when election began to turn in our favor that night.  It was at the time when many of us prayed in unity.  Wow,  I cried tears of joy having seen an actual/tangible evidence of what I believed and claimed all along in my spirit---that God would answer the prayers of His people! 

So here we are,  nearly two years after and President Trump exceeded every expectations.  Not only did he fulfill most of his campaign promises but he stood up with all the bullies in both national and international level.  I have seen how God used him from the very day he assumed office to undo the evil the former  administration established and bring us back to the rule of law, love of country and love of God.  And its obvious to me that he's able to do all that (amidst all the threat of terrorists and God hating citizens of this country) because the guidance and protection of Almighty God is upon him.  Surely, God can use anybody.  If God used a donkey to speak to Balaam in Numbers 22:28, why would we doubt that He could use a man (who does not fit our mold of spirituality) to run this country?  When God sends a man to fulfill His holy purpose, He gives him power and authority.  So until God's plan is fulfilled in that individual, no one can take him/her out.  But of course, Satan and his minions know that their time is short and had to display their vile and utter hatred against the rule of God in this country.  So they use everything we hold dear to us and they twist and pervert them to attract support and deceive the gullible and unsuspecting---those who are blind and weak in spirit.  They do everything to get a hold of public office and target our children.  They indoctrinate them with hatred for God and country and encourage them to all sorts of sexual immorality.  So be it in school or at home (where most media programs the kids watch, including commercials, are tainted with demonic agenda) parents (some unknowingly) feed their children to these Satanic wolves.  Recently, we saw the repulsive acts of godless politicians in the nomination proceedings prior to the confirmation of  now Supreme Court Judge---Brett Kavanaugh.  The undeniable lack of decency and baseless accusations of their politicians tried to force us to condemn people without due process---anything to get their way and continue their evil agenda to destroy this nation.  Church, we better wake up!  Let us stop waiting for others who are sleeping and have turned away from the Truth.  Yes, we are to pray for them but at the same time, we need to fight the good fight of faith.  Speak the Truth in boldness and refuse political correctness.  If one of us is being attacked for doing what is right in the sight of God, we are to carry each other's burdens by uniting in prayer and marching into action.  Always remembering Proverbs 29:2 which says, "When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan."  Let us not allow the wicked mob to intimidate nor stop us.  Encourage God-fearing man to run for office and support them in every way.  Start by voting God and freedom loving candidates to office this November.  I believe we are under God's protection so, let us go out there and defeat the demonic mob by exercising our God-given right to vote.  Be proactive, never passive!  That way, we can continue to see the law of Christ reigning in this nation.  Are you with me?

For this Card, I used an image from our wonderful sponsor, Graciellie Designs, called "Daffodil" from Simple Wisdom Set. I colored it with my ProMaker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The background stamps are from Dylusions, the glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and the border punch from EK Success.  I also attached some nail head gems from Imaginisce.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  

 BEAR ONE ANOTHER''S BURDENS CARD

 BEAR ONE ANOTHER''S BURDENS CARD LAYERS

 BEAR ONE ANOTHER''S BURDENS CARD INSIDE

BEAR ONE ANOTHER''S BURDENS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
PIP---ATG
Path of Positivity---Anything Positive  with optional Purple Shades
Scrapbook Stamp Society---ATG/Boys or Men
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Angie's Digital---ATG
Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Corrosive---ATG
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Country View---Plant-tastic
Craft Galore Encore---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG/Texture
Color It Create It---ATG
Happy Craft---ATG
House of Cards---Autumnal Flower and/or Colors
Just Keep on Creating---ATG
LeAnn's World---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Use Strips of Paper
Love to Craft---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft Business---ATG
Pause Dream Enjoy---ATG
Sparkle N Sprinkle---Use Glitter/Embossing Powder/Flocking
YSP---ATG
Crafty Creations---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Spooky
Crafting with an Attitude---ATG
Little Miss Muffet---ATG


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 each week.  You can win wonderful goodies from our awesome sponsors this week---Honey Bee Stamps ($25 GC) and Graciellie Designs (Digi Images).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, know that God is in control and His protection is upon everyone whose faith is established in Jesus Christ. Use each day to make a difference in this world.  

Believe in Today Center Step Card---Join Us for our Anything Goes/Monthly Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello everyone.  We have a new Challenge for this month at 613 Avenue Create that started a couple of days ago.  As always, it's Anything Goes with an optional twist, "Use Something Wooden."  I highlighted a card using stamped branches as background image to take on the twist for this Challenge.

Anyway, I am so thankful to the Lord for some much needed vacation time for mine and my son's Birthdays last month.  We couldn't justify an extravagant get-away but with what we came up with, it turned out great.  Been to some wonderful Asian restaurants and supermarkets and bought some of the food products I haven't seen for years from my country of birth, Philippines.  For my  second and third time, I tried two Airbnb accommodations and were very happy with the amenities we were provided.  We had some gloomy days with some heavy rain on a couple of the days when we were out in the coast but even that didn't stop us from enjoying the scenery.  We had lots of pictures with some dark clouds in the background but hey, it's not everyday we see them clouds...

What I really like to share is that thankfulness/gratitude does not come from having perfect life/situations.  Even in lack, there's always something to be thankful about.  I'm grateful for waking up each day, living and breathing the air that God provides.  I'm grateful for a sound body and mind, for opportunities, for food on our table, for family but most of all---for having Jesus in my life.  The other night, I experienced another battle with the enemy (demonic attack) as I was trying to get some sleep.  As I was physically laying in my bed, I felt as if I was being strangled (in the spirit). As I gasp for air, there was an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness that's trying to take a hold of me.  It tried to convince me that I would get no rest and that I would die.  In the physical, I didn't feel any pain as I laid comfortably in the same position.  But in the spirit, I was fighting an evil presence.  It's hard to explain as there are some things that can't be put into words and are only discerned spiritually.  I know what I'm talking about as this is not the first time it happened to me.  Throughout the course of serving the Lord, there were more intense situations similar to this that I experienced in between the physical and spiritual realm.  Most, if not all,  happened when God was about to  transition me to a higher level of service.  So, while I was battling the negative thoughts and the fear that goes with it in the spirit, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I didn't have to put up with this demonic influence.  That I have His power inside of me to stop and drive it out.  It was a light bulb in my spirit and right there in that instance, I spoke and said (in the spirit), "You have no power over me, Satan!  I am a child of the Most High God.  Stay away from me!"  And at that very moment---SILENCE!  Peace came through in my spirit.  The next thing I heard was my phone alarm.  I turned the alarm off and looked at the time.  I was amazed to see that I slept for 4 hours straight. And I exclaimed "Thank you Lord!"  Some may think I was only dreaming but I am not here to convince anyone to believe.  I am here to express my gratitude to the Lord for His Holy Presence inside of me that guides and protects me through both my physical and spiritual battles.  I have nothing to fear and have every reason to be thankful daily.  Praise be to His Holy Name! Just want to share the following verses to encourage us when we experience all kinds of battle:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." (Ephesians 6:10-20)

For this Card, I used an image from Penny Black that I had for many years now and colored it using my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers. The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card design.  The DP's are from My Mind's Eye, the stamped background (branches) is from Ditto and the stamped sentiment is from Stampabilities.  I punched some leaves using Fiskars punch, layered flowers from Prima, added a brad from Recollections and added some glitters using Stickles (Diamond).  Finally, I stitched over some panels.

 BELIEVE IN TODAY CENTER STEP CARD

 BELIEVE IN TODAY CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW

 BELIEVE IN TODAY CENTER STEP CARD

 BELIEVE IN TODAY CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE

BELIEVE IN TODAY CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This  Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
PIP---ATG
Path of Positivity---Anything Positive  with optional Purple Shades
Scrapbook Stamp Society---ATG/Boys or Men
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Addicted to Stamps---Autumn Colors
Angie's Digital---ATG
Dare 2B Artzy---Fall
Dragonfly Dreams---Autumnal Colors
Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Penny Black---Autumnal Splendour
Stamping Sensations---Shades of Autumn
Corrosive---ATG
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Artistic Stampers---Inktober
Classic DT---ATG
Craft Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG with Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG/Texture
Color It Create It---ATG
Daisy Chain---Autumn/Fall
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Use Free Stamp
Eclectic Ellapu---Fall
Happy Craft---ATG
Just Keep on Creating---ATG
LeAnn's World---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Use Strips of Paper
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---Fall Back
Scor-pal---More than One Score (Fall)
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Papercraft Business---ATG
Pause Dream Enjoy---ATG
Scribbles Designs---Patterned Paper
YSP---ATG 
Crafting with an Attitude---ATG 


This is it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge.  If you want to be challenged (like I was), take on the Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss it. Can't wait to see what you create. The Lord is with you every step of the way so, be at peace that you have Someone you can trust and have your back always.