Scripture Series: Trust Ye in the Lord Center Step Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, everyone!  Here to share the card I made for our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring the Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) found in Isaiah 26:4 which says, "Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." As we come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (Born-Again, John 3:3), it is important that we know why we believe what we believe---Who we are and what we have in Him!  When we make life-changing decisions (getting married or even buying a house), we have to know the ins and outs of what we're getting into, right?  Some of those decisions could be emotionally driven but once you've settled, you need a clear understanding of the actions you took. My Life Application Bible shared a very important explanation surrounding our highlighted verse which I'm sharing with you.  It says, "Isaiah 26 is a psalm of trust, praise and meditation.  Once more, God revealed the future to Isaiah.  We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but with God we can know perfect peace even in turmoil.  When we are devoted to Him, our whole attitude is steady and stable.  Supported by God's unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos (See Philippians 4:7).  Do you want peace?  Keep your thoughts on and your trust in God.  At times the "path of the righteous" doesn't seem smooth and it isn't easy to do God's will, but we are never alone when we face tough times.  God is there to help us through difficulties, to comfort us, and to lead us.  God does this by giving us a purpose (keeping our mind centered on Him, Isaiah 26:3) and giving us provisions as we travel.   God provide us with relationships of family, friends and mentors.  God gives us wisdom to make decisions and faith to trust Him.  Don't despair, stay on God's path.

Have you heard about a couple of famous Christians recently denouncing their faith on social media? One of them was a former Pastor and wrote a book about marriage before sex which became a best seller.  After a couple of weeks of his divorce to his wife of many years, he came over social media to renounce his faith and apologize for everything he wrote on his book against homosexuality and have recently participated in Canada's Pride Parade.  You can find more of this story HERE.   The other guy is a worship music writer, singer and active member of Hillsong.  He wrote many of the songs that is sang in many Church worship today.  Read more of him HERE. Every time I come across anyone denouncing their faith in Christ for whatever reason, my first reaction is sadness and concern not only for the people involved but for the many people that are following them gullible enough to be influenced to follow the same path.  Truth be told, there are many Christians struggling with their faith but to announce it to the world using social media platforms and proudly declare your rejection of Christ (The very One who opened your eyes to the Truth and gave you a new life) is diabolical.  Why?  Because apart from Christ, there is no other Savior.  Anyone who tasted and seen the grace, love and freedom that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ but turn around and trample on God's Only Son is tragic.  I can't think of a word that can best describe the abomination of such an action.  Let's face it, there are many people in the Church that are not rooted in the Word of God.  Some Pastors water down the Gospel or avoid critical topics so as to please people. And there are many other so-called Christians that attends Church with superficial things in mind.  If their favorite Pastor is not assigned to speak, or they find the style of music boring or there's not adequate facilities for their children to play or meet other kids, they don't show up or leave.  It seriously makes me wonder if they genuinely encountered Christ on a personal level and if they understand the depth of their relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ and His promises to us.    Surely, the Bible speaks of many trials that would come to believers that are designed to test our faith. Many throughout history and to this day are losing their lives in a horrendous way because they believed God and the Truth they received.  They are not rich in material possessions and had to rely on God for safety and provision---just to live another day.  If our faith is NOT grounded in  the infallible (unchanging) Word of God, we have no foundation to stand on.  Just because something didn't work the way you wanted/planned and He didn't wave the magic wand to answer your request does not mean God is unreal.  And not because you don't understand something about life and nobody in your Church taught you about suffering, eternal judgment and why Sin and Death are present in this world as people die in famine, sickness and diseases, does not mean that God is unreal.  God provided all the answers in the Scripture.  So if you need understanding, seek first the order of the Kingdom of God which is in His Word.  Study, do a research and listen to respected ministers in Apologetics yet also careful to investigate on the teachings you hear, making sure they line up with God's Word.  Personally, I only support one's Truth claim after confirming it with the Word.  This is a constant process that believers must undergo especially with all the media fake news we see daily.  I have doctrines that were enhanced with greater revelation through study.  And there are those that I found to have very little basis on God's Word.  Whoever I am listening to, I take only what is good (sound Biblical doctrines) and discard the garbage.  I don't follow or give my allegiance to any person.  What draws me to a person is the presence of Christ in his/her life.  I would like to describe myself as a modern-day BEREAN!  If you are attending a Church where the Word of God is watered-down, leave that Church and find one that feeds their flock with all the nutrients of God's Word.  Wanting to be filled with the Truth of God's Word in not a superficial need---it is a MUST for every believer!

In this day and time, it is so important WHO we place our trust on.  Yes, I love my family and friends but they are people that can be emotionally unstable at times.  Only God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6, Numbers 23:19, James 1:17) so I must rely on Him at all times. As we live in the last of the Last Days, God warned us in His Word of the "Great Apostasy" (Falling Away).   Read more HERE.  This should not surprise us.  Let us hope that God's grace and wisdom  touch these people that they may find the error of their ways.  As we hear more of this happening in the future, we are to continue to pray and keep grounded in the Lord so as not to fall into the same trap.  Here are some verses I would like to share with you today:

"And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away."  (Luke 8:13)

"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”(2 Peter 2:20-22)

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability." (2 Peter 3:17)

"For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned." (Hebrews 6:4-8)

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9)

For this Card, I used an image from Wild Rose Studio called "Bella with Friend"  that I watercolored using Distress Inks.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  I  used several embossing folders from Darice and Park Lane, Nestabilities for the scallop frame and leaves punch from Fiskars.  I layered some flowers and brads, both from Recollections. I added some glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  Finally, I stitched all over this card.  I'm happy with the result.

TRUST YE IN THE LORD CENTER STEP CARD

TRUST YE IN THE LORD CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS

TRUST YE IN THE LORD CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE

TRUST YE IN THE LORD CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Gem of a Challenge---ATG
Allsorts---Feminine
Crafty Friends---Add Embellishments
Colour Crazy---Coloring
Scrapper's Delights---ATG
2 Sisters---Anything with the letter "S"  (I got "Scripture")
A2Z---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG/Humour
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Scribbles Designs---Include a Sentiment
Sweet Stampers---Dies and/or Punches
Creative Crafters---ATG
Tinker Dream---Sentiment
Worldwide DT---ATG


Time for me to go!  Please make sure to visit us at WAW and link up the projects you make out of our free Word Art although not mandatory.  You can link up any inspiring, uplifting, family-friendly projects, up to 5.  Our wonderful sponsor this week is Newton's Nook Designs ($20 GC). So, head over to WAW and show us your wonderful projects.  Enjoy your week.  Always remember to trust in God alone and the power of His Word.  All things will pass away but His Word will not!

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Scripture Series: Our Sufficiency is of God Card---Join Us for our Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, Crafty Peeps!  We are having another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Our Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) comes from 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 which says, "And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God."  The Church of Corinth was plagued not only by sexual immorality but great division.  In this verse, the Apostle Paul was dealing with many false teachers that created division and poisoned the minds of God's people.  They presented fake letters of recommendations to authenticate their authority as ministers of God to deceive people from the Truth.  Yet true men and women of God were proven by the work they've done in the lives of others as a result of their obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Not that they did the work of converting the hearts of this people through their own efforts but had been willing instruments of the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of every individual God placed in their care.  Therefore, no servant of the Lord could take credit for converting individuals.  We deliver the Good News (death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) to whom God sends us to and it's the sole work of the Holy Spirit to implant this Good News in a person's heart and cause it to flourish. I love what my Life Application Bible says about our highlighted verses and would like to share it with you.  It says, "Paul was not boasting; he gave God the credit for all his accomplishments.  While the false teachers boasted of their own power and prestige, Paul expressed his humility before God.  No one can claim to be adequate without God's help.  No one is competent to carry out the responsibilities of God's calling in his or her own strength.  Without the Holy Spirit's enabling, our natural talent can carry us only so far.  As Christ's witnesses, we need the character and special strength that only God gives."

At this day and time where individualism and materialism are often encouraged, let us not forget that our life here is temporary and we should resist any temptation of glorifying ourselves/other people based on our/their talents and achievements.  While it is normal to see this world caught up in the web of deception and utter selfishness, every true follower of Jesus Christ need to be grounded in the truth of the Word of God to avoid being deceived.  Isn't it interesting that many of the famous talents of our time came from a Christian upbringing?   Yet they pursued fame and fortune and used the talent God gave them to serve their own interests till they no longer recognize the One that gave them such talent in the first place.  They not only rebel but have encouraged others to follow the same path of deception.  It is very easy for anyone to say they are Christians but the genuine believers of Jesus Christ are distinguished from the fake by their fruits.  Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-17, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."  I have to share a portion of an article from Gotquestions.org regarding these latter verses that truly opened my eyes to the importance of discernment.  It says, "In our lives, every word and every action is fruit from our hearts. Sinners sin because that’s what is in their hearts. Thieves steal, rapists attack, and adulterers cheat because those sins are the fruit being produced from an evil heart. Bad hearts produce bad fruit. When Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruit” concerning false teachers, He was giving us a guide for identifying them. False prophets, speakers of lies, will have actions that correspond to their errant message. Just as their message is anti-God, so will be their works. They will stray from the path of righteousness.  When we repent of our sin and receive Jesus as Lord of our lives (John 1:12; Acts 2:38), He changes our hearts (2 Corinthians 5:17). Now the fruit that is produced is good fruit. Galatians 5:22 lists some of the fruit produced by a heart in tune with God. Our attitudes, actions, words, and perspectives change as we walk in fellowship with the Holy Spirit (1 John 1:6–7). When our hearts change, our fruit changes.  Many false prophets have come and gone, and many of them lived in blatant sin while preaching their message.  Jim Jones openly engaged in adultery, drug use, and profanity.  David Koresh had child “wives” as young as 11. False teachers might display the “fruit” of sexual immorality, greed, materialism, gluttony, and other sins while justifying their behavior and lifting themselves up as something holy. Unfortunately, many people through the years have been duped into following such characters and joining them in justifying the sin. If only they had heeded Jesus’ warning that “you will know them by their fruit.” No matter how good or convincing someone sounds, if he is bearing bad fruit, his message should be avoided. 

Godly teachers will display good “fruit” such as making disciples (Matthew 28:19), using their gifts to benefit others (Romans 12:4–8), leading lost people to Jesus (James 5:20), loving their fellow believers (1 John 3:14), and seeking humble ways to do good everywhere (Jeremiah 29:7). All of these things are indications of a good heart. Often, people profess faith in Jesus as Savior, but it is a mere profession with no real faith. Some religious groups encourage baptism, confirmation, or other religious rites that are supposed to ensure one’s future in heaven. But as time goes on, the fruit being produced in such a life looks nothing like what is clearly prescribed in the Bible (1 Peter 1:16). Some attend church services but spend the rest of their time living entirely for themselves. Some may rise to prominence, even teaching or preaching, writing books, or dominating the media, but the fruit of their lives belies their words (Matthew 24:24). Greed, deception, immorality, pride, or dishonesty defines them, making them false prophets by Jesus’ standards (2 Peter 2:1–3). While we can never know anyone else’s heart, we can make wise assessments about other people by observing the regular fruit of their lives. All of us stumble from time to time, and we may go through seasons of bearing little fruit (1 John 1:8). But 1 John 3:4–10 makes it clear that those who know God will not continue a lifestyle of bearing bad fruit. We have been transformed, and the fruit of our lives is evidence of that transformation. Apple trees don’t produce bananas, and strawberry plants don’t produce figs. This fact of nature is also true in the spiritual realm. We can identify those whose hearts have been redeemed by the fruit we see in their lives." 

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions called "Road Trip" that I watercolored with Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The base is a white A7 pre-cut card from Paper Studio.  I originally planned colorful background using fancy DP's but the watercolor is highlighted wonderfully using a white backdrop.  To add more interest to this card, I just included some washi tape from Tape Works and some white nail head gems from Imaginisce.  I also scribbled "Jesus" on the arrow.  Lastly, I stitched on the card panels and walah, a card I truly love. 

 OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD CARD

 OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD CARD LAYERS

OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD CARD INSIDE

OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

2 Sisters on the Blog---Transport
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Craft Dee Bowz---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG
Color Create Show It Off---ATG
CCC---Summer
Daisy Chain---Summer
Fabrika Fantasy---ATG
Happy Craft---ATG
LeAnn's---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Entwined
Love to Craft---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft Business---ATG/Circle
Pearly Sparkles---Something starting with a "B" (Besties)
Scribbles Designs---Include a Sentiment
Sognando---Travels/Holidays
Tales from the Craft Room---Summer Fun
Creative Crafters---ATG
Tinker-Dream---Sentiment
Worldwide Open DT---ATG
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 enter up to 5 times each week.  You can win wonderful goodies from our awesome sponsor 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 as you continue to serve the Lord, bearing good fruits.

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Crochet Corner: Crochet Basket with Amigurumi Dog---Join Us for our Anything Goes Challenge this August at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, guys.  We have a brand new Challenge happening at 613 Avenue Create so feel free to link your Anything Goes projects with optional theme of  "Make/Decorate a Container” for the fun of sharing your craft.  I’ve been so preoccupied that this post came very late.  I don’t want to delay this much longer so, I’ll add my usual Scripture devotional soon.  Please check on my Blog again next week. I hope you enjoy my featured project and that it inspire you to create more.

August 17, 2019 (Added post)
As promised, here's a devotional I wanted to share with you and it comes from 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 which says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."  I chose these verses as it deals with "jars of clay" that coincides with our optional theme of decorating/creating a container.  I created this basket not with clay but using some appropriate yarn, tools and the skill and ability the Lord blessed me with.  From the talents we are given, we are able to produce beautiful and useful things.  But have we pondered on the reality that apart from our creation, we are first masterfully created by God to be beautiful and useful for His kingdom?  As human beings, we intentionally create things for a purpose.  Just as I created the basket you see in here to hold my yarn and stuffed animal, God has a unique purpose/mission for each and everyone of us.  

Though we were given talents, we couldn't function without the life, strength and the brain that also comes from God to produce something.  Acts 17:28 clearly states, "For in him we live and move and have our being.’As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ It is sad to see people boasting of their own talents and abilities as if they are their own god.  It is total madness as anyone with a clear mind could tell that no human can survive without God.  It is solely by His grace that we are alive today.  Every Born-again (John 3:3) believer should always consider each waking moment as an opportunity to serve the Lord knowing that He has equipped us with everything we needed to carry out His purpose as directed by His Holy Spirit inside of us.    I would like to share the exhortation I read in my Life Application Bible regarding the highlighted verses in this post.  It says, "The supremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings ("jars of clay").  Paul's focus, however, was not on the perishable container but on its priceless contents---God's power dwelling in us.  Though we are weak, God uses us to spread His Good News, and He gives us power to do His work. Knowing that the power is His, not ours, should keep us from pride and motivate us to keep daily contact with God, our power source.  Our responsibility is to let people see God through us.  Paul reminds us that though we may be at the end of our rope, we are never at the end of our hope. Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us.  Because Christ has won the victory over death, we have eternal life.  All our risks, humiliations and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate His power and presence in and through us.  We must ask ourselves, "Could I handle the suffering and opposition Paul did?"  The success syndrome is a great enemy of effective ministry.  From an earthly perspective, Paul was not very successful.  Like Paul, we must carry out our ministry, looking to God for strength.  When opposition, slander or disappointment threaten to rob you of the victory, remember that no one can destroy what God has accomplished through you."

For this project, I decided to take on the Optional Theme of our Challenge and that is to "Create or Decorate a Container."  With the very little time I had,  I knew that it would take me a shorter time to make this than to create or decorate some kind of box under paper crafting.  So, I saw this wonderful VIDEO tutorial at YouTube from "MJ's Off the Hook" channel.  Since I happened to have all the materials needed, I went on with it and I was amazed at how it turned out really cute.  It measures 9 inches in diameter and 6 inches in height using the Big Twist Super Bulky Yarn in the color gray.  Now, I crochet the Amigurumi Dog a while back and it's one of the 7 dogs I already completed from Kerry Lord's Book called Edward Menagerie Dogs.  This dog is called "Geoff the Westland Terrier" and is 9.5 inches when sitting and about 14  inches when standing. I used a worsted weight yarn. Some of the instructions are also in YouTube and it truly helped when I could not understand  portions of the written pattern and special stitches.  I am planning to post all the dogs I completed  here one day and I am sure I'll be adding a few more dogs in the future.  So, just watch out for them.  In case you don't know, next to Papercrafting, I am into Crochet a lot for several years now and made mostly clothing.  I hope I can find the time to post the projects I made soon.

CROCHET BASKET AND AMIGURUMI DOG

 CROCHET BASKET AND AMIGURUMI DOG TOP VIEW

CROCHET BASKET

AMIGURUMI DOG

This Project is entered into the following Challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Craft Dee Bowz---ATG
Crafty Animals---ATG with Animal/s
Fabrika Fantasy---ATG
Happy Craft---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Pearly Sparkles---Something starting with a "B" (Basket)


This it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge with an optional theme.  Can't wait to see what you create. The Lord is with you every step of the way so, don't compromise God's Word nor be afraid of the what the future holds based on your faithfulness to His Word.  Great is our eternal reward in heaven for us whose trust in not of the world but in Christ!

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Scripture Series: Riches and Honour Come of Thee Card---It's Time for Another Bi-Weekly Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello everyone!  It's been a couple of weeks since our last Challenge so we are starting another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge today at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring a new Scripture Word (you can download for free at the WAW site).  It comes from 1 Chronicles 29:12 which says, "Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all." In order to capture the context of this verse, it is necessary that we include the preceding verse which is 1 Chronicles 12:11 which says, "Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." In both of the verses, we can simply conclude that everything that sustains us and gives us purpose and strength to live in this world is from the Lord and for the Lord alone. 

The first thing that came to mind after I read the aforementioned verses were God's Word in Acts 17:24-31 that tells us, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”   When we acknowledged our Creator, we would always be reminded that He is the reason why we are alive!  We were but dust before He formed us and His breath of life made us a living soul (Genesis 2:7).  Who among us manually controls the beating of our hearts?  So you wake up each morning and commands the sun to do its job in the day and calls the moon to light up the  night?  Do each of us check the air composition in the earth's atmosphere daily and regulate it to sustain our need to breathe?  Who provides water that we drink and gives us the abilities/talents in order to work and prosper.  I could go on and on just pointing out the obvious.   Anyone who cannot fathom or accept who God is and his need for Him is called a "fool." Psalm 14:1 states, "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good." The longer one stays in this spiritual deception, the more depraved they become. Without accepting Jesus and His gift of salvation through the Cross, people remain spiritually dead in their sin with no hope of ever being reunited with God.  If you want to find out the Truth, start by turning off the world and take the time to look and listen to what God's creation and nature tells you.  Instead of appreciating just the physical attributes of God's creation, ask WHO is behind the creation and why did He create what you see?  If you are serious in your pursuit of Truth, you'll find the answers will always lead you to the Word of God which would reveal you Jesus and His finished work at the Cross.

To wrap up my devotional post today, I would like to share this article from Gotquestions.org that answers a critical question that we stumble upon in our earthly journey.  This inspired me and I believe it will do the same for you.  Here it is:  Question: "What is the purpose of man, according to the Bible?" The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God created man and that He created him for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). Therefore, the ultimate purpose of man, according to the Bible, is simply to glorify God. A harder question to answer, perhaps, is what does it look like to glorify God? In Psalm 100:2–3, we’re told to worship God with gladness and “know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Part of what it looks like to glorify God is to acknowledge who God is (our Creator, for starters) and to praise and worship Him as such. We fulfill our purpose of glorifying God also by living our lives in relationship and faithful service to Him (1 Samuel 12:24; John 17:4). Since God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26–27), man’s purpose cannot be fulfilled apart from Him. King Solomon tried living for his own pleasure, yet at the end of his life he concluded that the only worthwhile life is one of honor and obedience to God (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14). In our fallen state, sin separates us from God and makes it impossible to glorify Him on our own. But through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, our relationship with God is reconciled—our sin is forgiven and no longer creates a barrier between God and us (Romans 3:23–24). Interestingly, we are able to glorify God because He gave us glory first. David writes in Psalm 8:4–6, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.” (This is also repeated in Hebrews 2:6–8.) This verse reveals another purpose that God has given man: dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28–29). Again, though, this can only be properly fulfilled through a right relationship with God. The more we get to know our Creator and the more we love Him (Matthew 22:37–38), the better we understand who we are and what our purpose is. We were created to bring Him glory. God has unique plans and purposes for each person (Psalm 139:13–16), but we can know that, whatever those plans look like, they will ultimately result in His glory (Proverbs 3:6; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

For this Card, I  used the flowers/leaves images from Fiskars called "Petals from Scratch."  I also used a Hot of the Press stamp for the background in each of the flowers and for matting.  I created the pocket  after printing the highlighted verse on it.  Lastly, I stitched all over and added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) for some sparkle and shine.  I was just not in the mood to color anything today hence, I created my own patterned paper for some color...LOL

 RICHES AND HONOUR COME OF THEE

 RICHES AND HONOUR COME OF THEE LAYERS

 RICHES AND HONOUR COME OF THEE INSIDE

RICHES AND HONOUR COME OF THEE WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Country View---Texture
Craft Dee Bowz---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG
CCC---Summer
Fabrika Fantasy---ATG
Happy Craft---ATG
LeAnn's---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Papercraft Business---ATG/Circle


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 this week.  An awesome adhesive prize package will be awarded to our Challenge winner by our awesome sponsor---Stix 2 Anything.  So excited to see what you come up with. For the meantime, be grateful each day for all the blessings we receive from our Lord in Jesus Christ.  He made a way for us to be reconciled to God, our Creator.  Our future is bright (no matter what) both now and forever.

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