Scripture Series: Preserve Me O God Card---There Still Time to Join our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, guys! I have so many things to do that this post is so delayed.  My sincerest apology. Nevertheless, we are about to begin another Challenge this Wednesday.  That means you still have all day today to join our current Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring the Scripture Word Art I used in the sample card below and you can download it for free at the WAW site.  It comes from Psalm 16:1 which says, "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust."

The theme of  Psalm 16 written by King David is about "the joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God.  We enjoy these benefits now and eternally." But how did David as a young boy and a shepherd by trade learned to trust God?  There's no doubt in my mind that he was brought up by his parents in the statutes and promises of God but how did he confidently volunteered himself to fight Goliath if he hadn't experienced in his life the overwhelming power, presence and protection of the God of Israel? While the Philistines were taunting King Saul and the Israelite army for forty days to bring out their mighty warrior to fight Goliath, David heard the insults and defiance of the Philistines against God's army when he brought rations for his brothers in the camp.  He saw the fear of his people with no one brave enough to face the giant Philistine.  The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 17:32-37, " And David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”  But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

 

David didn't have the physical qualifications most people looked for in an experienced and seasoned warrior because he's very young and seen as a lowly  shepherd.  In 1 Samuel 16, even Jesse (David's father) didn't present David initially when he met with the prophet Samuel who was asked by the Lord to anoint the new king who will replace Saul.  After all, he had seven other sons (older than David) that would easily qualify for the position.  Samuel saw the firstborn of Jesse named Eliab and thought he could be the anointed one but listen to what the Lord said in  Samuel 16:7, "But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Wow, had we fallen into the same trap before?  The one disqualifying or the one being disqualified?  But of course.

 

I submit to you that before Samuel came to anoint David as king, the Lord was already working in his life to prepare him for the plans and purpose of God.  Unknown to anyone, God's presence is with David when He equipped him not only to tend but to fight to protect the sheep in times of grave danger.  God gave him extraordinary strength and abilities to conquer mighty creatures using unconventional weapons to protect what he was entrusted with.  He was willing to give his life for the work at hand because he knew he's not fighting alone.  David experienced the presence of God and the benefits of his faith and relationship with Him in a miraculous, powerful and loving ways.  That's what gives him the boldness to walk in the face of danger and bring home the victory for God's glory!  

But remember that in this world, many would disqualify us (Born-Again, John 3:3) from the mission God called us to do.  And yes, it can be our natural families or even Church family.  Many times, we would listen to them and find ourselves bitter---blaming God for all the disappointments we are experiencing.  DON'T DO THAT! Get with the Lord and His Word and remember how God trained and equipped you to do the impossible.  Pour out your heart and listen to His instructions.  You may not solve every problem in this world but whatever task He gives you, be faithful to accomplish it.  As David prayed for preservation from the challenges he was going through in his life, He knows the God who is true to His promises---the One Who will never forsake him. For in Him is our safety!

 

For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Tiny Townie Patricia Loves Pumpkins" that I colored using my Ohuhu markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square design.  The DP's are from K & Company and the layered flowers are from Prima.  I used the "Stitched Hillside Borders" from Lawn Fawn to decorate the background and incorporated some white nail head gems from Imaginisce and the white brad from Recollections.  I also die-cut some leaves using Fiskars die. Lastly, I added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) and stitched all over this project. 

 

 

PRESERVE ME O GOD CARD

PRESERVE ME O GOD CARD LAYERS

 

PRESERVE ME O GOD CARD INSIDE

 

PRESERVE ME O GOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

 

 This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Place to Start---ATG/Fantasy

Dream Valley---Autumnal Colors 

Get Creative---Fall/Autumn

Jan's Digi---ATG

PIP---ATG

Crafty Gals Corner---Signs of

Ellibelle's Corner---ATG

Fab 'n' Funky---Autumn Colors

Simon Says---Matching Envelope

Paper Funday---ATG/Thinking of You

As You Like It---Glitter or Metallic Card 

---Glitter for me as I can choose to place it wherever I like.  Not much for using glittered paper but love the glitter glue. I don't think metallic DP's suits my style.

Krafty Chicks---All Occasion Cards

Colour Crazy---ATG Coloring

Crafty Catz---ATG/Make it Cute

Creative Fingers---ATG

My Time to Craft---Autumn/Pick Three or More

Pattie's Creations---ATG

Gem of a Craft---ATG

Allsorts---ATG/Spots and/or Stripes

Crafty Calendar---ATG

Di's Digi---Fall/Autumn

Taylormade---ATG/Food and Drinks

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG

Stamping Sensations---Feminine

Corrosive---ATG

We Love Stamping---ATG with Stamping

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.  Great prize to be won from our wonderful sponsor---Newton's Nook ($20 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, place your confidence in the Lord.  The same God that empowered David to face the giant is still the same God who is with/in us today.

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Scripture Series: No Greater Joy/Who Make Our Souls Blossom Cards---There's Still Time to Join our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi everybody!  So sorry for another delayed posting of these cards I made for our current Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). You still have a few hours to join the current challenge but a new one goes live this Wednesday. Hurry! As always, one of my cards here feature the Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) from God's Word in 3 John 1:4 which says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

Though there may be few exceptions to the saying that "parents wants what is best for their children," it cannot be denied that we would do everything (humanly possible) to support our children to reach their full potential.  That's because we love them.  But for parents who truly honor and follow God (Born-again, John 3:3), supporting our kids does not only include taking care of their physical, emotional and social needs.  More than anything,  it is crucial that we provide them with a solid spiritual foundation.  Proverbs 22:6 clearly tells us, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The most important truth we can share and teach our children has everything to do with JESUS.  His death on the Cross, His burial and resurrection that freed everyone who humbled themselves before Him and by faith accepted His gift of salvation. That everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved." Philippians 4:8-9 wants us to focus on this as well, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Nowadays, every waking moment is a war to keep the minds of our children pure/wholesome. Every pillar of our society (social media, entertainment and even education among others) are systematically and viciously attacking the core of our young ones and the gullible.  It is so important to share "Truth" to our children.  As Christian parents, our Truth comes solely from the Word of God.  John 1:1-5 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."  This tells us that God's Word existed beyond time and only He can reveal Himself to His chosen vessels in His perfect time. We are to hold fast to the Truth that He planted in us which means that every life altering principles/doctrine (big or small) presented to us in this world will have to be first filtered  by God's Word.  We focus on the life and ministry of Jesus.  What did Jesus do?  That's right, we ask and meditate on the examples of our Lord for Jesus is the personified Word of God. If we want to live in Truth, we imitate Christ!  We don't accept nor act upon anything without consulting the Word of God.  John 1:14 tells us, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  Jesus lived among us and boldly told us, "He is the Truth."  This is very important since many claim to be authors of truth who have not read the Bible but are basing their facts on their own experience, emotional state or what others have told them.  Realize this, God's Word in the Bible didn't come from any man---certainly not the thoughts of the physical writers, but from the Spirit of God that gave them the inspiration.  I love what Gotquestions.org wrote in the conclusion of their article "What is Truth?" as it provided a great point.  It says, "The question Pontius Pilate asked centuries ago needs to be rephrased in order to be completely accurate. The Roman governor’s remark “What is truth?” overlooks the fact that many things can have truth, but only one thing can actually be the Truth. Truth must originate from somewhere.  The stark reality is that Pilate was looking directly at the Origin of all Truth on that early morning almost two thousand years ago. Not long before being arrested and brought to the governor, Jesus had made the simple statement “I am the truth” (John 14:6), which was a rather incredible statement. How could a mere man be the truth? He couldn’t be, unless He was more than a man, which is actually what He claimed to be. The fact is, Jesus’ claim was validated when He rose from the dead (Romans 1:4)."  Jesus is the Son of God. He is the second person of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.  Romans 8:11 says, "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you."

 

So to my fellow Christians parents, we have the living "Truth" inside of us and He always points us to His written Word (Bible) to guide us in our walk towards righteousness and to empower us to lead our children, family and friends to His perfect plan and purpose. Understand that the term "our children" here  is not limited to our biological kids.  It can also be anyone we disciple, help in some capacity or operating in our sphere of influence. Just as the Father poured out His love and patiently waited for us to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, let us not grow weary in feeding and nourishing our children with God's Word focusing on the living Word Himself---Jesus Christ! 

For these Cards, I used two sets of flower die cuts from Sizzix and inked them with Distress Inks.  The first card below included a sentiment from a Gina K. Designs (Challenge sponsor) and Hero Arts collaboration stamp set called "Friendship Blooms" while the second card featured our Scripture Word Art.  The base is white card stock, cut and scored to an A2 size.  I also added some Washi tape from Paper Studio, nail head gems from Imaginisce and ran it through my sewing machine for added dimension.  I saw this type of lay-out/design from a Paper crafting magazine and decided to try it.  I also made envelopes for these cards using coordinating card stocks.  I love it!

NO GREATER JOY CARD

  

WHO MAKE OUR SOULS BLOSSOM

 

 

 

NO GREATER JOY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

 

WHO MAKE OUR SOULS BLOSSOM WITH ENVELOPE

 

 

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Perfect Time---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Classic DT---ATG

Country View---Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Daisy Chain---CAS

Die-Cut Divas---ATG/Autumn

Digi Doodle---Add Metal/Sparkle

Happy Little Stampers---ATG with Dies

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Frame It

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mirtillamente---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/Smooshing

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Crafting Challenge---ATG

Four Seasons---ATG Fall

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 several times in two weeks.  A great prize awaits our winner from our wonderful sponsor---Gina K. Designs ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, lead many to the Truth of God's Word.  True Christians are what's lightning up this darkened world.  Stand firm for Jesus!

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