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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