Scripture Series: The Works of Thine Hands Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi Crafty peeps!  Here's the other card that I made for our bi-weekly challenge that started  a few days ago.  You can make an Inspirational/Anything Goes projects that you can link to our Challenge site, Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  You can also choose to incorporate the Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) or save it for future use. It comes from Hebrew 1:10 which says, "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.”

I would like to impart My Life Application Bible's exhortation on our highlighted verse.  It says, "The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 102:25-27.  In the quotation, he regards God as the speaker and applies the words to the Son Jesus.  The earth and the heavens rolled up like a robe reveals that the earth is not permanent or indestructible (a position held by many Greek and Roman philosophies).  Jesus' authority is established over all of creation, so we dare not treat any created object or earthly resource as more important than He is.   When we spend more time on ourselves than on serving Christ, we treat ourselves (His creation) as being more than important than our Creator.  When we regard our finances, rather than our faith in Christ, as the basis for security, we give higher status to an earthly resource than we do God.  Rather than trusting in changeable and temporary resource, trust in God who is eternal." Wow,  this is so true.  We only need to look and examine God's Word to find out what Jesus promised to everyone that would place their faith in what He accomplished at the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection).  We have eternal life in His presence where Sin and Death no longer exist.  Where time and distance no longer hinders us and we will live in total freedom to serve and love our God.  Oh, what a glorious day that will be.  But while we are still here on earth, let us totally submit ourselves to the Spirit of God so as not to be tempted by the radiance that the temporary things (fame, money, power, career, beauty) of this world persuade us to worship.  Only Jesus Christ is worthy of our worship!

For this Card, I used an image from Alleyway Stamps called "Home" that I colored using Hobby Colour markers and Distress Ink.  The base is A2 size using white CS.  I also added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) for added dimension.  The sentiment placed on the envelope is from Stamp Simply Clear Stamps.  I love this simply beautiful card.

 THE WORKS OF THINE HANDS CARD

THE WORKS OF THINE HANDS CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

AAA Cards---CAS with One Image and Optional TV Inspired
Double Trouble---Spring Things
Jan's Digi---ATG
PIP---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Sweet Stampers---CAS
Worldwide Open DT---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 Stamp Simply Clear Stamps giving away 2 Stamp sets or a Stamp set and a Die-cut from their store.  I can't wait to see your projects  and leave you some encouragement on your Blogs.  Pray without ceasing and let God's promises inspire you to share the hope you have with others.

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God Loves You Card---Join our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

A wonderful day, everyone!  A couple of days ago, we started another bi-weekly Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) and as always  I featured a card with our Scripture Word Art from Hebrews 1:10 which you can find in a separate post HERE.  Here,  I would like to share something about the other card I made that highlights the sentiments from our wonderful Challenge sponsor, Stamp Simply Clear Stamps.

GOD LOVES YOU!  Wow, such wonderful words to hear.  We (believers) love to tell our family and friends such profound statement but only few of our recipients could understand the depth of this truth.  We kept saying it that others thought they were meaningless expression.  Very few actually stop to really hear what the love of God is all about.  And when that happens, many Christians could not provide an accurate and Biblical explanation for it.  That is sad!

John 3:16 tells us, "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." There is nothing much greater than a love that one graciously extends to a person/people that purposely wronged him.  Here's the story:  God created man (male and female) and gave them life, power and dominion.  He was their Father.  God made them pure, holy and righteous knowing no sin.  But they allowed themselves to be tempted when they listened to the lies of the enemy. Since then, everyone born in the bloodline of Adam (all humanity) lost their position of authority.  Their spiritual connection with God was severed (spiritual death).  They become enemies of God and there's nothing they could do to change the outcome brought by the Sin Nature (nature of Satan) which also brought Death (spiritual, physical and eternal).  But God had a plan way before time.  God's Only Son, Jesus, would come to redeem us from the curse of Sin. Only a Man without Sin, untainted by Adam's sin could redeem humanity.   Jesus willingly gave His life at the Cross to set us free from Satan's bondage.  From the time Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin (untainted by the seed of man), His purpose was to offer up His life that everyone who would place their  trust in Him would be in right standing with the Father.  If they believe in their heart and confess (boldly in agreement) with their mouth God raise Him from the dead, they are saved.  They are no longer in bondage with Satan but are born-again into the kingdom of God's dear Son.  Romans 5:7-9 says, "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!" 

The Bible is so important for in its every page are God's instructions to His people.  We need God's Word to direct us in this world that is dominated by the enemy.  We are to share the Gospel to the world so that many would be saved.  Many are still living in darkness and they too need the light of God that we received.  The truth is every person (believers and unbelievers) will die (physical death) one day unless Rapture takes place where believers who are alive in Christ will be caught up in the air to be with the Lord forever. God will turn their mortal bodies into glorified bodies that can never be destroyed.  Yet while we are still here,  we remind ourselves of God's love for us and continue living this world through faith in His written promises.  Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."  Today's world  is engulfed with fear as it deals with the Covid-19 pandemic.  Sad to say but many so called "believers" are consumed by the same worldly fear and uncertainty.  Though we have lots of examples in the Scripture of God's mighty works and miraculous power and how He takes care of His people, many of us think and behave like the world.  We forgot His promises and are hiding from this giant named Covid-19.  We heard of the deaths and are consumed by the statistics the media and so called "experts" are feeding us.  We act like the ten spies that shared bad report regarding the Promised Land that poisoned many others with fear and unbelief.  Only two men (Joshua and Caleb) of the twelve spies refused to capitalize on what their eyes saw and gave giants that lived there credit.  They remembered God's promise of victory even through impossible situations/conditions.  However, like before, we have many fearful believers today.  Not only are they hiding from the giant, but they too are the ones openly criticizing/persecuting those who (like David) would bravely face the giant .  They are upset with the fact that others don't cower over the "possibility" of death.  No matter what reason they give, the core reason for them acting that way is obvious.  THEY ARE AFRAID OF DEATH!  They must have forgotten the Book of Job which showed us that God is in control of our lives (He alone can say when) and nothing happens to us unless He allows it.  God told us "not to fear/do not fear" 365 times in His Word. One for each day of the year!  Nothing is too hard for God.  He never leaves us nor forsake us.  We are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. No weapon formed against us shall prosper!  Why have they forgotten the promises of God?  Oh them who have little to no faith!  Seriously,  they have to REPENT  of their unbelief for the enemy is laughing at them. They have to turn back to God and be free of the cage they created for themselves!
 
For this Card, I used an image from Bugaboo Stamps and the sentiments are from our WAW sponsor this week, Stamp Simply Clear Stamps, in their "Farmhouse All Occasion Greetings" set.  The card is an A2 size and I had to make an envelope to coordinate with the card.  Very simple because I just want the message to shine.

 GOD LOVES YOU CARD

GOD LOVES YOU CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

AAA Cards---CAS with One Image and Optional TV Inspired
Double Trouble---Spring Things
Jan's Digi---ATG
PIP---ATG
Creative Sketchy---Flower/s
Not Just Cards---ATG
Sweet Stampers---CAS
Worldwide Open DT---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 prize from our awesome sponsor---Stamp Clearly Clear Stamps (2 stamps or Stamp and Die-cuts).  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.

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

Scripture Series: God Hath Raised up the Lord Card---It's Anything/Inspirational Goes at Word Art Wednesday! Join Us.

Hi there, Crafty friends! We have a new Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). As always, we feature a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site. Our highlighted verse today comes from 1 Corinthians 6:14 which says, "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power."

Before anything else. I would like to say  HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY, EVERYONE!   A few months ago, we remember and celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ.   The next most important celebration for believers happens during the Holy Week when we acknowledge the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross and His glorious victory over death.  He told His disciples that He would rise again on the third day and He did.  You see, only the Giver of Life has the power to raise the dead back to life.  The same God who created the heavens and the earth and everything seen and unseen is in control of all His creation.  Nothing escapes Him.  Everything that happens is in accordance to His plan, His will and purpose.  God created Man according to His image and likeness.  He had a perfect relationship with God!   Man's need for salvation began when the first man, Adam, fell into Sin and that very nature of Sin enslaved him and was inherited by every man born to this world.  Man was doomed to die (physically) and though he would live forever spiritually, it would be in absolute torment---outside of the presence of God (absence of everything good).  Even if he wanted to, there's nothing he could do on his own effort to change that reality.  For the ransom for humanity's freedom against the Sin Nature and Death could only be paid by the One whose without Sin.  John 3:16 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."  The Father sent His Son (Jesus) to be ransom for our Sin! Born of a virgin (no physical seed from man) and conceived by the Holy Spirit (untainted and pure) to carry the sins of the world and nail them to the Cross.  Complete and total victory came when He rose again on the third day, demonstrating to all of us (who believed and received Christ) an absolute freedom over death.  When we give our lives to Him, we become one with Him.  Everything that happens to our Lord happens to us.  True, there will be many pains, trials and sacrifices but when we walk in obedience to God, we have complete victory both now and forever.  

Many people nowadays are filled with fear and uncertainty.  For nearly a month now, the Covid-19 pandemic have killed many each day all over the world.  Because this enemy is unseen, human knowledge and efforts are challenged for preventive measures to contain it.  Many people die daily of many other diseases. But the thought of falling prey to this unseen enemy is also challenging the quality of our faith on the God we claim to know.  Do you serve an all powerful God or the ones that couldn't even walk nor see?   Do you know that "fear not" (do not fear) appeared in the Bible 365 times?  God showed us many examples and stories in His Word to encourage us to stand and be brave knowing that we are not alone in the battle.  If you are a child of the One True God, He is always with you in the battle ground---every season, in whatever situation.  None of us want to die prematurely so we do what we can to act in wisdom, making sure we take care of God's Temple (our body).  But we should not be paralyzed by fear.  Nothing the enemy can do unless the Lord allows it (See Job 1:6-22)! Whatever happens, in sickness or in health, in weakness or in strength, in life or in death---God is for us both now and forever!  Jesus Christ lives and so shall we whose faith is grounded in Him!

Finally, I would like to share with you a part of this article from Gotquestions.org with the question, "Why is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ important to a believer (Born-again, John 3:16)?  Here's the latter part of the article which says:  "The Word of God guarantees the believer’s resurrection at the coming of Jesus Christ for His church at the rapture. Such assurance results in a great song of triumph as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (cf. Hosea 13:14).  The importance of the resurrection of Christ has an impact on our service to the Lord now. Paul ends his discourse on resurrection with these words: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Because we know we will be resurrected to new life, we can endure persecution and danger for Christ’s sake (verses 30–32), just as our Lord did. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, thousands of Christian martyrs through history have willingly traded their earthly lives for everlasting life and the promise of resurrection.  The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). And He is coming again! The dead in Christ will be raised up, and those who are alive at His coming will be changed and receive new, glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? It proves who Jesus is. It demonstrates that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It shows that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that the bodies of those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but will be resurrected unto eternal life."

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning Digi Stamps  called "Big Shoes" that I colored using Gamsol and Prismacolor pencils.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I used my Corner Chomper to shape two opposite corners.  The layered flowers are  from Prima, the brad from Recollections, the leaves were punched using Fiskars leaf punch, the white nail head gems from Imaginisce and the glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  For added dimension, I stitched all over this project.

 GOD HATH RAISED UP THE LORD

 GOD HATH RAISED UP THE LORD LAYERS

 GOD HATH RAISED UP THE LORD INSIDE

GOD HATH RAISED UP THE LORD

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Perfect Time---ATG
Classic Design---ATG
Craft-Dee-BowZ---ATG
Craft Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creative Craft Cottage---CAS/Fully Loaded
CCC---Add Flower/s
Digi Doodle---Easter/Spring
DL Art---ATG
LeAnn's---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Through a Wndow
Love to Craft---ATG
MIUCB---ATG/Fancy Folds
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Besties International---ATG
Papercraft Business---Easter
Not Just Cards---ATG
Sognando---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  Gina K Designs ($40 GC).  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, fear can't move you.

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