Scripture Series: Blessed Be God Card---Don't miss our Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, guys!  This is another late post.  So, we began another Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring another Scripture Word Art which you can download for free at the WAW site.  It comes from 1 Peter 1:3 which says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."  What a great verse but I would like to share this verse in the NIV translation and incorporate the rest of the Scripture that follows.  1 Peter 1:3-9 tells us,  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."  My Life Application Bible shared something wonderful about these verses that truly blessed me so, I want to share it with you.  It says, "The term "new birth" refers to spiritual birth (regeneration)---the Holy Spirit's act of bringing believers into God's family.  Jesus used this concept of new birth when He explained salvation  to Nicodemus (See John 3).  This term is a wonderful metaphor of a new life from God.  You cannot be a Christian without a fresh beginning based on the salvation Christ's brings.  To be Born-again is a magnificent gift from God.  Do you need encouragement?  Peter's words offer joy and hope in times of trouble, and he bases his confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.  We're called into a living hope of eternal life.  Our hope is not only for the future; eternal life begins when we trust Christ and join God's family.  God will help us remain true to our faith through whatever difficult times we must face." 

This past week, I have been so stressed by so many things.  From deadlines, projects I needed to get done, house cleaning and organizing---I am so overwhelmed.  It just felt like I haven't had the time to sit back and relax without looking at the time and even in my sleep, I would dream of all the things I needed done.  And to make matters worst, I had to deal with my truck suddenly overheating for a couple of days now.  This morning, I went to meet up with the ladies at my Church for our monthly Women's meeting.  It's always a pleasure to not only learn about the Book of Esther (our topic) but to fellowship and get to know these wonderful people aside from the usual hustle and bustle of our Sunday services.  We also get to share wonderful and tasty meals which we are provided with each meeting.  On my way to the Church, I was so stressed seeing the temperature gauge of my truck fluctuating like crazy.  For more than 6 years, it stayed normal till a couple of days ago.  Something was wrong but I had no idea.  I just remembered going through similar issue with my previous truck and was reminded of the stress and expenses I dealt with that time.  All of a sudden, I felt frustration.  My mind was in that state when I entered the room.  I was so blessed with the smiley faces and hospitality shown to me by my sisters in Christ that allowed me to momentarily forget about my issues.  So, while I was trying to concentrate on the benefits of our meeting, I have to battle with negative suggestions the enemy is flooding my thoughts.  It's over-all theme---WORRY!  You see, trials come in different shapes and forms.  From simple to complicated and/or life-threatening.  For other people, some problems don't merit much attention for it's not life altering. At the end of our meeting, we were asked if we have a prayer request.  I must admit that I initially hesitated to bring my concern to be prayed for.  I thought to myself, "Your problem is not a big deal compared to those who are sick of cancer or those that struggle with lots of pain." Therefore, it need not be highlighted!" Wow!  But the Spirit of God snapped me out of that deception and showed me that no issue/problem (big or small) is exempted from God's outstretched hand.  The fact that it bothers and worries me is enough reason for me and my sisters in the Lord to lift it up to the mighty throne of God who promised us joy and peace in His presence.  None of us in the Body of Christ (Church) are exempted from the trials that come to the inhabitants of this world.  But unlike the ungodly, we know that we have the Holy One on our side.  His promises to us goes beyond this life to everlasting.  Yes, we have to constantly battle with fear, anxiety, worry and stress of not knowing how and when God is going to meet our need but choosing to put them aside,  we walk with faith and reliance upon His Word knowing that He loves and cares for us.  When in doubt, I look at Jesus and what He's done at the Cross for me.  How He was sent by the Father to die/pay the price (death by a holy God/Man) so that anyone who believes in Him becomes a part of the resurrection of the saints that will live and inherit the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus.  I was spiritually dead once, born in this world in Adam, but now alive in the Spirit when I came to the saving knowledge, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  I have full access to the joy, peace and righteousness of my Heavenly Father while in this world.  He withholds no blessing from me---physical, spiritual and eternal.  If we only understand the benefits of our new birth in Christ, we will give no time for fear and worry.  God is always in control!  We just need to choose to TRUST HIM!

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning called "Wonder" and colored it using my Hobby Colour/ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I shaped the edges using a Crop-a-dile.  The DP's are from Paper Studio and the flowers I layered are from Prima.  I used a Sizzix dies for the flourish, added some glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and a brad from Recollections.  Lastly, I also did some regular and fancy stitching all over this card. 

 BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD

 BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD LAYERS

 BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD SIDE VIEW

 BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD INSIDE

BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Addicted to Stamps---Lots of Layers
Angie's Digital---ATG/Easter
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Pile It On---ATG/Lots of Layers
Corrosive---ATG
A Perfect Time---ATG
A Place to Start---ATG/Three, Four or Five
Classic DT---ATG
Country View---Spring/Easter
Crafts Galore---ATG
Crafty Animals---ATG with Animals
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Color Create Show it Off---ATG
Daisy Chain---Make it Feminine
Digi Doodle---ATG (Handcolored Image)
Fabrika Fantasy---Flowers
Happy Craft---ATG
HLS---ATG with Dies
LeAnns---ATG
Lets Craft and Create---ATG/Butterflies
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft---Easter
Pearly Sparkles---Flowers or Showers
Tales from the Craft Room---Spring/Easter
YSP---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 is  Stamp Simply (giving away stamp sets and/or dies of your choice).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  If you are trusting in Jesus, you are blessed beyond measure.

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