Scripture Series: The Lord is Gracious Card---There is Still Time to Join our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, everyone!  A few days ago, we started another Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) as we feature another great Scripture Word Art (free for you to download at the WAW site). It comes from Psalm 145:8 which says, "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy."

It is hard to fathom everything that is happening in our world today. For the whole world is constantly fed with incredible lies that have altered people's minds resulting to many  giving up critical thinking and common sense.  I am grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of true believers (Born-again, John 3:3) that enables us to see through the deception so that we can pray and act in accordance to the Word of God.  As God's Salt and Light, we slow down the decay and push back the darkness that will one day cover the earth.  Everyone living in truth stands by the Word of God at all cost.  In the face of persecutions, threats, insults and consequences to our way of life due to our refusal to embrace the twisted/perverted lifestyle forced upon us, we have to remember what Jesus had to endure to save us from eternal damnation and how He will reward us for our faith and boldness to live for Him while in this world.  Though we desire to live in peace, the rebellious spirit that dominates this world is hostile to the truth and like mad men, they are not content in silencing us but are bent on making us bow down to the evil they worship.   They attack us from every side and they don't rest.  They use people with influence and power to make sure they get their way through false promises of peace, safety, unity and worldwide concern when in fact, it's a facade to their diabolical agenda to erode our freedom and condition our minds to their one world agenda.  Anyone whose faith is in anything but in the Lord Jesus Christ is given over to a reprobate mind.  They are convinced they are doing good but in reality, they are worthless (literally or morally) living under Satan's spell.  If I am not standing in the promises of God, I would lose hope but God's Word gives me the assurance that no matter what happens in this world, I will live eternally in the presence of God because Jesus paid the ultimate price of our freedom with His precious blood at the Cross. Though He did it for all, only those that accept His ultimate gift of salvation will receive pardon.  He didn't have to do it but God can't deny Who He is---HE IS LOVE!  From Him comes forth grace (unmerited favor),  compassion (to suffer with), patience (long suffering) and great mercy (forgiveness, withholding punishment to the guilty).   When Adam fell into Sin, he took all humankind with him. Everyone physically born in this world came from his bloodline. Our only way out is when we die (repent and acknowledge our need for a Savior) from our association with Adam and be born-again (spiritual birth) through faith in Christ. When I acknowledged the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection) and allowed Him to be my personal Lord and Savior, I became one with the Lord Jesus!  What happened to Him, happened to me.  Everything He accomplished became my accomplishment.  His passion became my passion and His purpose, my purpose.  His victory became my victory and His eternal promises is my reality.  I live in this world to do the will of my Father in heaven and never to promote myself.  Philippians 1:20-26 explains it all so clearly which says, "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me."  That is why true believers cannot succumb to fear.  We are sure to live forever in the fullness of the promises of our Lord in His Word the moment He calls us to our true home.  I don't know with y'all but that is something I can truly look forward to.

I would like to share with you  what My Life Application Bible shared regarding Psalm 145 where our highlighted Scripture was mentioned as it encourages me to live each day in a positive way.  It says, "Sometimes our burdens  seem more than we can bear, and we wonder how we can go on.  David stands at this bleak intersection of life's road and points toward the Lord, the great burden-bearer.  God is able to lift us up because (1) His greatness is unfathomable (145:3); (2) He does mighty acts across many generations (145:4); (3) He is full of glorious splendor and majesty (145:5); (4) He does wonderful and awesome works (145:5,6); (5) He is righteous (145:7); (6) He is gracious, compassionate, patient and loving (145:8,9); (7) He rules over an everlasting kingdom (145:13); (8) He is our source of all our daily needs (145:15.16); (9) He is righteous and  loving in all His dealings (145:17); (10)He remains near to those who call on Him (145:18); (11) He hears our cries and saves us  (145:19,20).  If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help.  He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden."

For this Card, I used a stamped image from the Dress Up Stamp Kit from "Me and My Big Ideas." There's already pieces of clothing with it to choose from which I simply attached to the stamped girl. I used my Prismacolor markers to color the face and hair.  I've had this kit for years and it's the first time I decided to play with it.  The base is white CS, cut and score to make a 5.5 inches square card but rounded the corners using my Corner Chomper.  The DP's are from Recollections, the flower from Prima and I added a fuzzy cut leaves that I stamped using Fiskars "Petals from Scratch."  Lastly, I added glitters using Stickles (Crystal) and some regular and fancy stitching.  

                                       

THE LORD IS GRACIOUS CARD

THE LORD IS GRACIOUS CARD LAYERS

THE LORD IS GRACIOUS CARD INSIDE

THE LORD IS GRACIOUS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Colour Crazy---ATG

Creative Fingers---ATG

Aud Sentiments---Thinking of You/Get Well/Sympathy Sentiment ("Compassion" in my Sentiment)

A Bit More Time---ATG

Bastel-Traum---Plant

Createful Heart---ATG

Creative Crafters---ATG

Worldwide DT---ATG

Ellibelle's Corner---Flora and/or Fauna

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 adhesive package awaits our winner from our lovely sponsor for this Challenge---The Project Bin ($15 GC). So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, meditate on the goodness of the Lord and rely on His promises.  Expect only wonderful things from Him each day.  We are part of His plan in this world.

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Scripture Series: All Things is at Hand Card---Join Us at Word Art Wednesday for Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge!

 Hi there, everyone!  A week ago, we started another Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) as we feature another great Scripture Word Art (free for you to download at the WAW site). It comes from 1 Peter 4:7 which says, "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

Nowadays, I can't help but think of the many end time prophecies revealed to us in the Bible.  More than ever before, I am seeing the horrific reality of the delusion and deception that have surely blinded many.  What used to puzzle me thirty years ago as new believer in Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) have now become our sad reality---people calling good as evil,  and evil as good.  The once plain and simple principles of truth and common sense have now been contaminated with lies using some measure of truth mixed with a huge dose of fear and human emotions to capture the hearts and minds of the gullible.  And they claim to be loud using every pillars of our society to deliver their toxic/perverted message.  I have to turn off the noise (mainstream and social media) to maintain peace, calm and sanity.

The NIV Bible translates our highlighted verse this way, "The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray."  We got to get rid of all of the clutter, things that entangle us---that which hinder us in focusing on what is important with regards to God's higher calling in our lives.  We have to take hold of our emotions to avoid hasty and ineffective decisions which could come back anytime to haunt us.  And do not allow worldly fear to dampen your faith and cause you to compromise your well being (body, soul and spirit).  God's Word is very clear in 2 Timothy 1:7 in the Amplified version, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].  Remembering that in Christ, we are never victims---we are victors!  And that in life or in death, we are established in Him.  That my friend is what true freedom is all about.  It is the same freedom that we can share with others when we continue to share the Gospel to the lost while there is time.  Let us cover each other in prayer with our Father's protection, strength and wisdom as we navigate this deceptive, darkened and dangerous world.  

Lastly, I would like to share what My Life Application Bible wrote regarding our highlighted verse which says, "Suffering helps us be like Christ, yet people will do anything to avoid pain.  Followers of Christ, however, should be willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary.  We can overcome sin when we focus on Christ and what He wants us to do.  Pain and danger reveal our true values.  Anyone who suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering has made a clean break with sin. People whose lives change radically at conversion may experience contempt from his or her old friends.  They may be scorned not only because they refuse to participate in certain activities, but also because their priorities have changed and they are now heading in the opposite direction,  Their lives incriminate their friend's sinful activities.  Mature Christians should help new believers resist such pressures of opposition by helping them to be faithful to Christ, surrounding them as new friends, and encouraging them to develop new habits and activities that are not only enjoyable but positive for their spiritual growth.  The basis of salvation is our belief in Jesus (Acts 16:31), but the basis for judgment is how we lived.  All people will be judged: believers for the rewards they will receive; unbelievers for punishment.  Those who inflict persecution are marked for punishment when they stand before God.  All will give an account to God, so we must be ready.  This may give you a new perspective on your activities and actions today.  Are you prepared to explain them to God.  We should live expectantly because Christ is coming.  Getting ready to meet Christ involves continually growing in love for God and others.  It is important to pray regularly, and it is also important to reach out to needy people.  Your possessions, status, and power will mean nothing in God's kingdom, but you will spend eternity with other people. Invest your time and talents where they will make an eternal difference."

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning Stamps called "Lil Ballerina" that I colored using The Creative Expert and Prismacolor markers.  The base is a pre-cut A7 card and the DP's are also from the Paper Studio.  I layered flowers from Prima, add glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and placed a white brad from Paper Studio.  I incorporated a die-cut border using Momenta die template and added some leaves using an EK Success Leaf Punch.  Lastly, I adhered some white nail head gems from Imaginisce and ran some panels through my sewing machine for regular and fancy stitching.  I love it.

 

ALL THINGS IS AT HAND CARD 

ALL THINGS IS AT HAND CARD LAYERS

ALL THINGS IS AT HAND CARD INSIDE

ALL THINGS IS AT HAND CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

As You Like It---Fave Color and Why?  I love bright colors but if I will based it on which color I get 

                           complimented on, I have to say "blue" in any shade. I tend to include it more in my 

                           projects.

Aud Sentiments---ATG with Sentiment

Cards 4 Galz---Texture

MAWTT---Summer Fun/Colors

Time Out---Running Stitch Design

Crafty Creations---ATG

Crafty Gals Corner---Summer Fun

Creative Moments---ATG

Paper Shelter---ATG

Sisterhood of Crafters---ATG

Paper Funday---ATG/Cute Critters

Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Classic Designs---ATG

Crafts Galore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

CCC Digi Creations---Use Flowers

DL Art---ATG

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Polka Dots/Stripes

Love to Craft---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/Mixed Media

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Bestie International---ATG

My Bestie Spanish---ATG

Pearly Sparkles---ATG

Sognando---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.  A wonderful prize awaits our winner from our lovely sponsor for this Challenge---Cas-ual Fridays Stamps (Stencil Package).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, be very vigilant, pray always and practice your God given rights.  As long as God is seated on the throne, we are never without hope.  We are part of His plan in this world.

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