Scripture Series: Author and Finisher of our Faith Waterfall Card---Join the Fun and Inspiration of our Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends!  This post is coming out really late.  Just been busy these past few days.  But I would like to share with you my inspiration project for this bi-weekly Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As always, we are featuring a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site.  Our highlighted verse today comes from Hebrews 12:2 which says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I remember quoting a familiar verse to my son every time I talk about walking in accordance to the will and purpose of God in this life. Proverbs 29:18 says,  "Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he," The word "vision" in this passage has to do with prophecy (divine communication) and revelation from God.  This revelation is classified in two ways, General and Special Revelations.  Psalm 19:1-2 tells us, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." Romans 1:19-20 declares, "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."  The revelation of God seen in Nature shows us the unparalleled beauty, wisdom and power of the Creator who created such wonder. Every human being on earth have access to it which is why its classified as a General revelation.  Though what we see in nature may point us to our Creator, it does not clearly reveal the means and the way by which mankind would be saved from eternal damnation after the Fall of Man in Genesis 3.  If God chose to keep us in the dark by withholding His redemptive plan from us, we'd be eternally separated from Him.  But because of His great love and mercy towards mankind, He gave us His Special revelation.  Hebrews 1:1-2 says,  "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."  God chose the nation of Israel to make known His ways to His chosen people which would in turn reveal it to all the nations of the world.  Prophets of old were given dreams and visions, revealing His redemptive work and fulfilling it with the coming of our Savior in human flesh. Jesus Christ was revealed by God to His chosen people from the Old to the New Testament, from Genesis to Revelation.  He's the Son of the Most High God and the most personal revelation (embodiment) of God to mankind.  John 14:8-11 tells us, "Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.^" Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves."  

So, how does God's revelations (General and Special) influence us in facing life's daily challenges as a believer?  What should be our attitude when our faith is under attack and we are persecuted for standing up for God's Truth?  When we know what Jesus Christ accomplished on our behalf through His death, burial and resurrection and we received Him as our personal Lord and Savior (Born-again, John 3:3), we become a part of both His earthly and eternal plan.  Through the wisdom and power of His Word and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us that enables us to hear and obey His voice (direction), we no longer go through life meaningless and purposeless like many others.  As believers, we begin and end our new life in Jesus Christ!  Know that He is with us from the beginning of our journey to the finish line.  Living a life in obedience to God is not easy in a world filled with rebellion and perversion.  Like Jesus, we will experience sufferings and persecution to hinder us from ever reaching the finish line.  But Jesus is our great example.  In spite of the physical and spiritual torture he had to endure to save mankind, He never lost sight of the eternal glory behind the momentary pain, suffering and shame.  No matter what comes our way, in life or in death, we should always remember that we belong to the winning team---the JESUS TEAM!  I would like to share with you what my Life Application Bible shared regarding our highlighted verse for it truly blessed me.  It says: "The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run with endurance, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit.  To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus.  We will stumble if we  look away from him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us.  We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep him in sight.  When we face hardship and discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture.  But we're not alone; there is help.  Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced.  Suffering is the training ground for Christians maturity.  It develops our patience and makes our final victory sweet."

For this Card, I used an image from Fiskars called "Happy and You Know It" and the short sentiments are from Stampendous from the set called "Inspired Icons."  I did a free hand cutting of the image's clothing.  I also incorporated a small heart from Imaginisce and some washi tapes.  Then. I did some stitching to complete this project.  I truly love this fun and interactive waterfall card.

AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD 

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD PANEL 2

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD PANEL 3

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD WITH MAIN SENTIMENT

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD PANEL 5

AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD BACK

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Creative Fingers---ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack---ATG
QKR---ATG
Scrapper's Delight---ATG
Gem of a Challenge---ATG
Catch the Bug---Unusual Folds
Crazy 4 Challenges---Interactive/Humorous
Createful Heart---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Creative Crafters---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.  Our Challenge winner will be awarded a wonderful prizes from our awesome sponsor---Pink and Main Clear Stamps and More ($20 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, live every minute of your life fully trusting in the Lord, both physically and spiritually.  Never ever trade joy that will last for all eternity for momentary pleasure.

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