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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