Scripture Series: Peace of Thy Children Card---Be Inspired, Be Blessed with a Chance to Win at our Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi Crafty peeps!  So sorry for the  late posting.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, EVERYONE!  As always. we have an Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge that started a few days ago at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring a great Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site).  Our highlighted verse is an encouragement to all mothers out there.  It comes from Isaiah 54:13 which says, "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children."  

The promises of God in chapter 54 of Isaiah are for both Old and New Testament saints.  He chose different kinds of people, from all walks of life to carry out His purpose and to bring about His redemptive plan. These people became the nation of Israel and through her, we who were once outsiders (Gentiles) were grafted into the family of God by simply placing our faith (trust, believe, rely, cling, depend) in what Jesus Christ accomplished at the Cross.  Before the Mosaic Law was given, "faith" and "God's grace" were already established. Genesis 15:5-6 detailed the conversation between God and Abram, "He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."  In Genesis 17:5, God gave him a new name---from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of many nations).  Note that he's not just the father of the Jewish nation alone but of the many nations that God would gather from the four corners of the earth through the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ through His Body---the Church!  I believe even Abraham could not have imagined the vastness of this prophetic revelation. Another thing that God gave Israel is the Mosaic Law.  The primary purpose of the Law is to reveal the holy ways of God (his high standards) and to show us our hopelessness in keeping them to attain righteousness in His sight.  That in our bondage with Sin (Sin Nature and all its by-products) and Death, we would need the promised "Seed of the Woman," (Genesis 3:15)---the Messiah, our Savior to break free from sure damnation so we can be reunited with our Father in heaven.  In the New Testament, Galatians 3:5-9 explains, "Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe? So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." Jesus finished work at the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection) paved the way for the establishment of the Church (Ekklesia---the Body of Christ) and opens up the door of salvation by faith not only to the Jews but also to the Gentile nations. Here, we see that faith is the only way by which God imputes righteousness to those who believed.  As Abraham believed God in the Old Testament, we also believed in Jesus Christ today who is the perfect embodiment of God in the New Testament. Putting our complete trust in the person of Jesus, making Him our Lord and Savior gave us new life (Born-again, John 3:3).  Apostle Paul whom God assigned to take the Gospel to the Gentiles tells us in Colossians 1:24-28, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."

So, as we go through the context of our featured verse in Isaiah 54 and connecting it to our highlighted verse in Isaiah 54:13, we as parents who are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ are direct recipients of His promises.  Mothers play an important role in sharing God's Word to our children.  We are to train them to the holy ways of God, show them a good example and emphasize to them importance of prayer and action.  Though we may feel hopeless at times when we don't see the fruit of our labor, we are not to give up on them.  Believe that God has a plan for all of our children even when our earthly eyes cannot see it.  God is always good and always faithful and He will fulfill His promises to us and our children. 

For this Card, I used an image from A Day for Daisies called "Naptime" which I colored using my Hobby Colour/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP is from Paper Studio, the layered flowers from Prima, the brads from Recollections and the sequins and doily are from my stash.  The leaves are die-cut with Fiskars punch and the glitters from Stickles (Crystal.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.

 PEACE OF THY CHILDREN CARD

 PEACE OF THY CHILDREN CARD LAYERS

 PEACE OF THY CHILDREN CARD INSIDE

PEACE OF THY CHILDREN CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A2Z---May Flowers
Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Color Create Show It---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---Use Ink
CCC---Add Flower
Daisy Chain---ATG
Digi Doodle---Sparkle/Shimmer
Happy Craft---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft---ATG
Sognando Scrap---Happy Spring
Tales from the Scrap Room---Floral Frenzy
YSBP---ATG
Addicted to Stamps---Flowers
Angie's Digital---ATG
Dare2BArtzy---Flowers
Dragonfly Dreams---ATG
Corrosive---ATG


I hope you'd take the time to join us at our WAW Challenge.  It's Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly with uplifting and inspirational messages, you can link up to 5 projects.  Our sponsor this week is Precious Remembrance Shop giving away a Stamp Set a their shop.  I can't wait to see your projects  and leave you some encouragement on your Blogs.  Pray without ceasing and believe that God has a wonderful plan for our children!

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Miracle in our Midst Baby Shower Card---Join Us for our Monthly/Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there.  Another late post but just want to share the card I featured for our Monthly Challenge at 613 Avenue Create that began recently. It's Anything Goes as always but you can take on the optional theme, Shaker card.  Well, I opted for a pretty simple card that celebrates the miracle of God in the womb.

I just watched a video of a #MarchforLife in Canada that is ongoing today.  I was appalled too hear that Canada does not have any Abortion restrictions at all---whatsoever for 50 years!  I can't begin to imagine the holocaust of babies ripped out of their mother's womb since the founding of that country.  The Bible says in Numbers 35:33, "Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it."  Make no mistake about it, God is going to hold a nation and every person accountable for those involved  in the destruction of the most innocent and vulnerable among us.  Not only the parents but everyone who support and cheer for this despicable act.  By reading the comments made on this rally's Facebook broadcast, I found out that there were realistic threats to everyone in that country that speaks against Abortion and the pulpits were/are silenced as the ministers of the Word of God had to risk their lives and freedom just to stand for Truth.  I heard from some friends years ago that Canadians are truly friendly and easy going people.  So when I had the privilege of traveling a few cities in Canada when I was still working in the Cruise ships, I personally experienced the Canadian hospitality and friendliness from the Canadians I met and worked with.  But for several years now, all I'm hearing are the vicious assault on life and legalization of everything ungodly like sodomy and the destruction of marriage and family.  However, I also believe that there are people fighting against such injustice.  But like here in America, they are not getting media exposure/support due to the blatant censorship of biblical and conservative values.  Despite the horrible threat, I am so glad to see many Canadians taking it out on the street and boldly standing for life and the things of God.  Evil entities are out there to systematically destroy our freedom to speak and it's up to us if we allow them to take over without a fight.  Remember that whether we choose to speak or not, they are still pursuing their DEMONIC AGENDA.  Would we allow them to take everything from us without resistance?  I hope not! 

The Scripture tells us to honor the authority (Human laws) that God has placed to govern us.  But what if the same government is forcing us to commit heinous acts that clearly goes against the laws of God?  Here's a portion of the article from Gotquestions.org that would help us see God's perspective when it comes to Human laws vs. God's laws:  "Daniel records a number of civil disobedience examples. The first is found in chapter 3 where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden idol in disobedience to King Nebuchadnezzar’s command. The second is in chapter 6 where Daniel defies King Darius’ decree to not pray to anyone other than the king. In both cases, God rescued His people from the death penalty that was imposed, signaling His approval of their actions.

In the New Testament, the book of Acts records the civil disobedience of Peter and John towards the authorities that were in power at the time. After Peter healed a man born lame, Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus and put in jail. The religious authorities were determined to stop them from teaching about Jesus; however, Peter said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19–20). Later, the rulers confronted the apostles again and reminded them of their command to not teach about Jesus, but Peter responded, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

One last example of civil disobedience is found in the book of Revelation where the Antichrist commands all those who are alive during the end times to worship an image of himself. But the apostle John, who wrote Revelation, states that those who become Christians at the time will disobey the Antichrist and his government and refuse to worship the image (Revelation 13:15) just as Daniel’s companions violated Nebuchadnezzar’s decree to worship his idol.

Civil Disobedience—Conclusion
What conclusions can be drawn from the above biblical examples? The guidelines for a Christian’s civil disobedience can be summed as follows:

• Christians should resist a government that commands or compels evil and should work nonviolently within the laws of the land to change a government that permits evil.
• Civil disobedience is permitted when the government’s laws or commands are in direct violation of God’s laws and commands.
• If a Christian disobeys an evil government, unless he can flee from the government, he should accept that government’s punishment for his actions.
• Christians are certainly permitted to work to install new government leaders within the laws that have been established.

Lastly, Christians are commanded to pray for their leaders and for God to intervene in His time to change any ungodly path that they are pursuing: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
  
To read the full article at Gotquestions.org, go HERE!  I pray that everyone who value Truth and Life reading this Blog humble themselves before God and seek Jesus Christ Who forgives anyone who humble themselves and repent from their transgressions.  God will give you a new meaning to life under the power of the Holy Spirit to speak boldly and fearlessly---a beacon of light for Him! Remember that in doing so, we will reap the rewards that will last forever.  Keep the good fight of faith.  God speed to all God-fearing Canadians fighting for life.  We, the #Pro-lifers here in America  are with you! 

For this Card, I used images and sentiment from Clearly Wordsworth and Heidi Grace stamps.  I colored with mt Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white pre-cut card with envelope from the Paper Studio and the blue CS is from my stash.  Once in a while, I love simple lay-outs like this.

MIRACLE IN OUR MIDST BABY SHOWER CARD 

MIRACLE IN OUR MIDST BABY SHOWER CARD  CLOSE-UP

MIRACLE IN OUR MIDST BABY SHOWER CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---Use Ink
Daisy Chain---ATG
Happy Craft---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Papercraft---ATG
YSBP---ATG
Angie's Digital---ATG
Dragonfly Dreams---ATG
Penny Black---All Things Feminine
Corrosive---ATG


There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the fun by joining our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.   Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week. Realize that when you hunger and thirst for God, He will always fill you up with great understanding that you can effectively communicate with others.

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...