Scripture Series: Raised Us Up Together Card---It's Time for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends!  It's time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  This time, we are using a Scripture Word Art that comes from Ephesians 2:6 which tells us, "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
  
If we take this verse without investigating the "context" (the circumstances that surrounds an event, statement or idea that gives us the full meaning) for which it was written, we will miss the exceeding hope, peace and joy that is tucked in this verse.  To fully understand, we should first know the condition we were in before Adam fell into Sin and the curse that befall mankind after he disobeyed God (Read Genesis 1-3). The decay we see in nature as well as in our moral and spiritual condition as a whole or in part, including how we react to daily circumstances is influenced by our fallen Adamic nature. There's no way any of us (born under Adam) can appease the wrath (justice) of God through our own effort/merit/good works.  By virtue of the blood flowing in our veins, we are Adam's offspring.  We are all tainted by his disobedience and his alliance with Satan (high-treason) against the very God that created us.  The punishment---DEATH (spiritual, physical and eternal deaths)!  No one is exempted---NO, NOT ONE!  The moment you are born into this world, you are born a SINNER!  No one had to teach you to lie, to hate, to be selfish, to rebel.  For the Sin Nature you inherited from Adam (came originally from the heart of Lucifer/Satan) enslaved your human nature causing you to helplessly commit "acts of sin."  You need proof?  Okay, take a good look at those we claim innocent among us---toddlers and young children.  No matter how cute and behaved you think they are, the words, "Me, Mine, Give me" are among the early words you'll hear them say.  And do we teach them how to lie?  Not if you are a decent parent!  Yet at a very young age, they already exhibit signs of rebellion.  And once they grow up with all the worldly influences surrounding them, it just progressively gets worst.  We should all be familiar with these.  None of us (in our right mind and in all honesty) can dispute this Truth.  The Scripture agrees in 1 John 1:8 when it said, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Once we realized the true state of our existence, a wise man would ask, "Who then can save me from the curse of Sin and Death?  Who will pay the ransom/penalty for my Sin and how can I be reconciled to my Father in heaven?" My friends, this is why the Good News (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) truly brings good news to those who repent of their sins and admit their need of a Savior.  Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Only God is pure and holy!  He is untainted by the Sin that infected mankind.  He alone was qualified to pay the ransom to release us from our bondage with Satan.  Here's Truth---the greatest demonstration of love by our Creator to His creation is written in John 3:16 and it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  Jesus willingly gave His life for our freedom! At the Cross, He took all the punishment intended for us, fully redeeming us from the claws of Satan, his Sin nature and the three-fold nature of Death.  He made a mockery of Satan when He conquered  death by His resurrection.  And everyone who accepts this free gift of salvation by placing their faith (trust, believing, adhering, relying, depending)  on the finished work of Jesus Christ at Cross received a brand new lease in life, having the righteousness of God credited unto them.  It's simple---In Adam, we all die!  In Jesus, we live!  This is the very reason why a true believer denounces/reviles the idea that "there are many ways to God." Anyone who falls for this lie is absolutely deceived and if they die in that belief even after they were presented of the Truth about Jesus Christ, they will reap the due punishment for rejecting the One and Only Savior of the world!

Having laid out the Truth of Christ and placing our faith upon His victory at the Cross, we can now have a greater understanding on who we are and what we have in Him.  Because we are in Christ, we are also co-heirs with Him.  As His followers,  what happened to Jesus also happens to us.  We share His victory yet we'll also be part of His suffering.  Though for a little while we'd have to withstand persecution of many kinds (even to the point of death) for we uphold and deliver the teachings of Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News of salvation to this fallen world. Through our suffering,  we carry in us the hope of glory  promised to those who faithfully endure.  Even though we are surrounded by utter darkness in this present day and age, the light of the Spirit of God inside every believer shines even brighter till this period of grace/mercy closes and the judgment of God (Tribulation Period/The Day of the Lord) pours out to them that rejected Christ.  Believers, have no fear for He will spare us from the days of His wrath snatching us out of this world (Rapture of the Church/First Resurrection) to His glorious presence.  And when He sets up His righteous kingdom for a thousand years (Millennial Reign of Christ), we will be back to this earth to rule with Him.  One day, we will see the fullness of the glory of God and in His holy perfection, we will eternally dwell.  JESUS CHRIST IS MY VICTORY!
 
For this Card, I used an image from Stampabilities called "Stick Family" that I colored using my Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from American Crafts and the white brad is from Recollections.   I also did some fancy stitching on this project.  The most difficult and time consuming part of this creation is stamping the stick people and fussy cutting them but worth the effort.  I love the result.

RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD

 RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD LAYERS

 RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD SIDE VIEW

 RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD INSIDE

RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

As You Like It---Layers One or Many (I like Many layers because it looks and feels good)
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Crafty Creations---ATG
Simon Says Stamp---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 submit up to 5 entries per week.  Our wonderful sponsor for this week The Project Bin ($15 GC). So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  He truly loves and cares for you. 

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