Scripture Series: That They Would Fear Me Card---Join Us for Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, Crafty pals!  Here to highlight my inspiration project for our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) which began a week ago.  As always, we feature a Scripture Word Art  that you can download for free at the WAW site.  It comes from Deuteronomy 5:29 which says, "O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!"  What a wonderful passage. My Life application Bible explains this verse and it says, "God told Moses that he wanted the people to incline their hearts to fear Him---to want to respect and obey Him.  There is a difference between doing something because it is required and doing something  because we want to. God is not interested in forced religious exercises and rule-keeping. He wants our hearts and lives completely dedicated to Him.  If we love Him, obedience will follow."

Obedience is one of the attributes we needed to cultivate in order to live a pretty fruitful and peaceful life with people whom God placed in leadership role in our lives.  As believers (Born-again, John 3:3), we obey God first and above all, then we revere our parents and honor the people we work for.  In the covenant of marriage (Colossians 3:18-21, Ephesians 6:1-4), God is the center,  the man is the head of the household,  the wife submit to her husband in obedience to God while their children honor and respect God by listening and obeying their parents.  At the workplace, we are to serve our employer with integrity through obedience and effective delivery of what our position required of us.  Jesus told us about the Parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21:28-32 which says, "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'" 'I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.  "Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."  This parable was to expose the hearts of the Pharisees as phony representatives of God. They pretend to do God's will but in reality, they habitually disobey.  Yet there were those considered outcast of the society who knew nothing about the tenets of God but changed their thinking when they encountered the Lord and obeyed the will of God in their lives.  Just examining these verses, we can see how God value obedience from His people.  As a child of God, I want my "Yes" to be a resounding yes to God. That when He asked me to do something, my heart will not waiver but enthusiastically deliver in time what my Lord asked of me.

 

The totality of the Scripture was given to us so that we can navigate and discover God's purpose and perfect will for us in this world.  Because of our darkened spiritual condition after the Fall of Man, He gave us our only way out from sure death---Jesus Christ!  He redeemed and saved everyone (who would receive Him) from the eternal consequences of our Sin.  When we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and obey His instructions, only then will we find true meaning  for our existence.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  It is necessary for us to see God's Word as the absolute and final Truth in living a Godly (both inwardly and outwardly) life.  I know it is easier said than done for the moment you committed your life to the Lord Jesus and your spirit  man is reborn, a barrage of temptations will come against you to hinder you from obeying God.  Your biggest enemy will be yourself (human nature).  That's a fact!  Overcoming them will involve crucifying our own selfish ways---putting into submission to God our soul man (our mind, our will and our emotions) and the dictates of our body (five senses).  But God does not expect us to do this on our own which is the very reason why He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us and guide us towards living the victory He already won for us.  One of the Armor in Ephesians 6:10-18  that God provided us is the "Sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God.  We use the other weapons (armor) in a defensive manner but God's Sword is both offensive and defensive.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  The powerful Word of God gets inside the innermost part of a person and transforms a fertile heart so radically that when we speak God's Word in agreement with God, it is sharper and powerful.  The Word that proceeded out of God's mouth in all its power  is now coming out of our mouths which gives a deeper meaning to the Greek Word "distomos"  which means---double mouthed/double edged. Amazing, huh!  Today, we are bombarded by too many words from different people and so called experts and influencers.  They have created different idols to go to for every condition/situation people are in.  These days, the god of self is radically promoted and God's Word is trampled on and perverted to deceive many.  If you can still sense the prompting of the Lord in your heart, open up yourself to Jesus Christ!  He is the Word of God and He is the answer to everything we know nothing about in this life and the next. 

  

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions and watercolored it with my Stabilo 68 markers.  The base is a white pre-cut A7 card from Paper Studio that comes with an envelope.  The DP is from DCWV and I added some stitching for dimension.  I choose to make this as simple as possible highlighting the background and the Scripture.  I'm very happy with it.  

THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME CARD

THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME CARD LAYERS

THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME CARD INSIDE

THAT THEY WOULD FEAR ME CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Colour Crazy---ATG

Crafty Catz---ATG/Animal

Creative Fingers---ATG

As You Like It---Fave Tip (Find a paper that will serve as your background for fun and to save time)

Aud Sentiments---ATG with Sentiments

Krafty Chicks---CAS

Crafty Creations---ATG

Double D---Signs of Summer

Ellibelle's Corner---ATG/CAS

Paper Funday---ATG/Sparkle/Shine

2 Sisters---Maritime

A Bit More Time---ATG

Perfect Time---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Clever Dexter---Fave Technique (Layering)

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Designer Paper

Creatalicious---ATG/At or In the Water

Createful Heart---ATG

Creative Craft---ATG

LeAnn's---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Buttons

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---No Rulz

MIUCB---ATG

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR---ATG

Rabisco---ATG/Once Upon a Time

Scribbles Designs---ATG

Sognando---Free Time

Creative Crafters---ATG

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.  An awesome GC worth $30 will be awarded to our Challenge winner by our awesome sponsor---Pretty Pink Posh.  So excited to see what you come up with. For the meantime, faithfully serve the Lord in total obedience with gladness knowing that our labor in Him is not in vain. 

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Scripture Series: The Lord Will Perfect Card---Join Us for Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

 Hi there, everyone!  Here to highlight another project featuring our Scripture Word Art for our bi-weekly Challenge that started a week ago at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As usual, you are invited to link with us your inspirational  (Anything Goes) cards/projects.  Our featured Word Art this Challenge (you can download for free at the WAW site) comes from the first part of Psalm 138:8 which says, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands." 

One of the many things I love about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3)  is being certain that I no longer navigate this world alone.  That no matter what happens each day, God is with me always and that all things will work together for the good.  And though I hold this truth in my heart,  I am not immune to pain, suffering and uncertainties,  The enemy is trying so hard to inflict us with doubts, fear and hopelessness when were in the midst of storms and trials in our lives.  My biggest challenge is patience.  I'm the type of person that if I can do something today, I would not wait for tomorrow to accomplish it.  So when I'm faced with a problem, I do everything I can to find solutions (the same day) before it becomes a bigger problem.  Now, this is not wrong in itself as God can also lead us to immediate solutions.  But I must admit that most of challenges I have dealt with in the past involved things that are beyond my control and ability which brought me worry, frustration and even doubt and fear as to what the future could bring. All of a sudden, my focus was no longer on what God could do but on my failure to deal with the problem. The truth is none of us can develop the virtue of patience overnight.  For as long as I live and breathe in this world,  I know the Lord will continue to mold me toward trusting His perfect timing while giving me His peace (that surpasses all understanding) to counter the uncertainties of waiting.  Each day, I am learning more and more to trust the promises of God in His Word.  When my focus is in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished at the Cross, the  problems of each day no longer dampens my joy (inspired happiness, deep rooted in God).  I remind myself of all the wonderful things God has done for me---in good and bad times and realize how His presence made a huge difference on how I view and live life in general! Though slowly but surely, it's all for His glory!

Let us be reminded that we are in this world not for our own selfish desires but by the sovereign will and purpose of God.  It is also in this world that we are given a chance to make a decision whether to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior for the redemption of our sins or reject Him and share the faith of Satan in the lake of fire forever.  Without the blood of Jesus Christ (shed on the Cross for the redemption of Sin) cleansing you from all unrighteousness, the Sin each human being inherited from Adam will be yours to bear and the punishment is ETERNAL DEATH (separated from the glorious, perfect and loving presence of God forever).  More than thirty years ago, I made my decision to give my life to Jesus Christ.  Yes, it is a decision!  It's not based on feelings, emotions, needs and wants for such things are subject to change constantly.  It is however rooted in LOVE (Agape---Selfless) and TRUST in what was accomplished by/through/in JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD!  I can boldly declare that in life or in death, all of us believers in the Body of Christ (Church) can depend upon God's Word in Romans 8:35-39 which tells us, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. ”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Lastly,  I would like to share the devotional I found from christiansunite.com regarding our  Scripture Word Art above for it truly blessed me.  It says, "If we indulge in any confidence which is not grounded in the Rock of Ages, our confidence is worse than a dream, it will fall upon us, and cover us with its ruins, to our sorrow and confusion.  All that nature spins time will unravel, to the eternal confusion of all who are clothed therein.  The Psalmist (David) was wise, he rested upon nothing short of the Lord's work.  it is the Lord who has begun the good work within us; it is He who has carried it on; and if He does not finish it, it never will be complete.  If there be one stitch in the celestial garment of our righteousness which we are to insert ourselves, then we are lost; but this is our confidence, the Lord who began will perfect.  He has done it all, must do it all and will do it all.  Our confidence must not be in what we have done, nor in what we have resolved to do, but entirely on what the Lord will do.  Unbelief  insinuates, "You will never be able to stand,  Look at the evil of your heart, you can never conquer sin; remember the sinful pleasures and temptations of the world that beset you, you will be certainly allured by them and led astray." Ah yes, we should indeed perish if left to our own strength.  If we had alone to navigate our frail vessels so rough a sea, we might well give up the voyage in despair.  But thanks be to God, He will perfect that which concerns us, and bring us to the desired haven.  We can never be too confident when we confide in Him alone, and never too much concerned to have such trust."  What a great exposition.  And here's what My Life Application Bible shared regarding the verse, "Every person dreams and makes plans for the future.  Then they work hard to see those dreams and plans come true.  But to make the most of life, we must include God's plan in our plans.  He alone knows what is best for us; He alone can fulfill His purpose for us.  as you make plans and dream dreams, talk with God about them."

For this Card, I used images from Art Impressions and watercolored it using Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The base is white CS, cut and score to make a 5.5 inches center step card design.  The DP's came from DCWV, the leaves are punched using Ek Success puncher and the fence border punch from MS Punch. I also added white nail head gems from Imaginisce, glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and  a bit of washi tape.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card. 

 

THE LORD WILL PERFECT CARD 

THE LORD WILL PERFECT CARD LAYERS

THE LORD WILL PERFECT CARD SIDE VIEW

THE LORD WILL PERFECT CARD INSIDE

THE LORD WILL PERFECT CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges: 

Crafty Sentiments---ATG

Digi Choosday---ATG

Lemon Shortbread---ATG

Paperminutes---With Glasses

TTCRD---ATG

A Place to Start---ATG

Crafting Happiness---ATG/Drink Up

Double Trouble---Something/Anything/Everything

Dream Valley---Die-Cuts and/or Punches

Jan's Digi Stamps---ATG

PIP---ATG

Use Your Stuff---Tic Tac Toe (Flower/Watercolor/Fun Fold

Di's Digi---Sparkle

My Time to Craft---Floral

Creative Creases---Fun Fold

Creative Fingers---ATG

2 Crafty Critter---ATG

A Bit More Time---ATG

A Perfect Time---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Clever Dexter---Fave Technique (Center Step card Layering)

Craft Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

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 per week.  Our wonderful sponsor this Challenge is Pink & Main ($20 GC) .  Can't wait to see your projects  and leave some encouragement on your Blogs.  Though the world is surrounded by darkness, let your faith in Jesus Christ shine like a beacon on a hill. Demonstrate the love of God to everyone you meet.  Pray without ceasing and believe that God can use you for His purpose and glory.  

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