Scripture Series: Scriptural Thoughts Set---Join us for Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello everyone! We ended a two week challenge yesterday which featured the Card Set I'm highlighting in this post. So sorry for those that visited and didn't see this project the past couple of weeks.  I realized I have so many things to do so I will be out for a month to actually catch up with other commitments.  But my friends from Word Art Wednesday (WAW) published a New Challenge today so don't forget to join the fun with a chance to win a prize.  On the other hand, I'm going to feature the Scripture Word Art  from the last challenge. It comes from Romans 10:15B which says, "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!." 

 

Whether we like it or not, there are moments in our lives that we'll have to confront the truth about who we truly are, where did we come from, why are we in this world, what is my purpose and what comes next after this earthly life?  Some people reflect on these questions when they are inspired by the beauty of creation around them (beautiful sky, beach, mountains, flowers etc.).  While others reflect on them when they face trials/difficulties not knowing what to do and feeling alone/helpless. There are also those who gained earthly success but are unhappy, trying to figure out what's missing in life that in their frustration, they engage in some soul searching.  I can say that all of us should go through a time of self reflection.  Dictionary defines it as "meditation or serious thought about one's character, actions, and motives."  But as a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3), we go beyond self reflection to "theological reflection." Gotquestions.org helped me define this new term and it says, "Theological reflection is the practice of reflecting on life events in relation to one’s Christian faith. This can be done individually or corporately. Theological reflection attempts to bring faith and everyday life together. Theological reflection attempts to see God’s presence in our experiences, to understand the difference His presence makes in our lives, and to know what God expects as a result of this knowledge. The goal is a deeper understanding of the mystery of God and a wisdom born out of life experience seen through the lenses of God, His Word, the church, and dialogue with other believers. According to one source, “theological reflection claims the reflectively acquired wisdom of God formed in a particular life situation. The reflection necessarily assumes an interpretive process that seeks meaning and illumination through the joined sources of Word, faith, narrative, and the situation itself.  Theological reflection acknowledges God’s movement in all of life. There is certainly nothing wrong with reflecting on life’s experiences in light of the Word of God. We are to meditate on the Word (Psalm 1) and allow the Scripture to interpret and influence all of life.  David repeatedly recounted his troubles and life experiences in the Psalms. For example, in Psalm 31:9–13, David describes a time of grief and distress. Yet he does not stop there. David looked for and saw God in his circumstances: “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place” (Psalm 31:7–8). And “Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city” (Psalm 31:21). His conclusion is that “the Lord preserves those who are true to him” (Psalm 31:23). We are bombarded daily with news, influencers, data, options, and consumerism, and we need to pull away from the distractions of this world to make sense of life and grow in our faith. It is good to see God’s hand in every situation. Through Bible reading and prayer, meditation on God’s Word, journaling, discipleship, fellowship with other Christians, and other methods, we can reflect on what is happening to us and around us. It’s important to apply biblical truth to everyday life and grow more Christlike (Ephesians 4:15). It’s also important to prioritize God’s Word, which must take precedence over experience, church tradition, and the opinions of other people." 

 

Every question we have in this life finds an answer in the Word of God.  Every beauty and wonder we see in nature was created by God to demonstrate just how awesome and powerful He is and that in our curiosity, we would be motivated to seek and find him. Matthew 7:7-8 tells us, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." The same thing happens when we need help, guidance and protection in every situation---that we would rely solely on the Creator---not on the created. He should be first, not our last option.  Psalm 71:14-15 says, "As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all." Realizing that even when we think we already have everything, nothing can satisfy and complete our existence till we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior!  His finished work at the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection) is the Only means by which we are reconciled to the Father not only in this life but for all eternity.  Everyone who places their faith in what Jesus accomplished at the Cross becomes a part of the Body of Christ (His Church) with Jesus as the Head.  Jeremiah 31:3 says, "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."  As one saved by the blood of Jesus, I am grateful everyday for He has chosen me for Himself, His purpose His plan.

In conclusion, as a child of the Most High God, it is important for me to engage in spiritual/theological reflection daily.  I no longer live for myself (Galatians 2:20) so I have to make sure that God has control over me and is approving everything I do.  I'm not perfect but surely a work in progress (as other believers).  Each day, the Holy Spirit is transforming me towards the likeness of my Savior!  But there are many out there who haven't known God on a relational basis and they are in danger of God's wrath if they continue to reject Him.  We who are saved in Christ must take His Word to them, introduce and share His love as we testify of all His marvelous works in our lives.  Help them find answers to their questions in the light of God's Word.  Understand the source of their pain and unbelief.  With love and patience, plant the "seed of God's Word" in their hearts (whatever it takes) knowing that God's Word will not return void.  My Life Application Bible shares an article about our highlighted scripture at the beginning of this post from Romans 10:15.  It says, "In telling about Christ, an effective witness  must include more than being a good example. Eventually, we will have to explain the content, the what and how of the Gospel.  Modeling the Christian life is important, but we will need to connect the mind of the unbeliever to the message of the Gospel.  There should never be a debate between those who favor lifestyle evangelism (one's living proclaims the Gospel) and confrontational evangelism (declaring the message).  Bot should be used together in promoting the Gospel. We must take God's message of salvation to others so that they can respond to the Good News. How will your loved ones and neighbors hear it unless someone tells them? Is God calling you to make His message known in your community? Think of one person who needs to hear the Good News, and think of something you can do to help him or her hear it.  Then take that step as soon as possible."

 

For this Card Set, I used a beautiful designer paper from American Crafts.  Everything I needed that would complement the verses  I used from Stamp Simply is in one 12 inches designer paper.  The stamps I used from Stamp Simply are Farmhouse Scriptural Thoughts, Farmhouse Scriptural Quotes and Pretty Poppies. I wanted to keep it simple but elegant.  So, I added some fancy and regular stitching which made them look special.  It's strange not to color images for this project but very happy with the result. Do you agree?

 

 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS CARDS

 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS CARD 1

 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS CARD 2

 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS CARD 3

 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS CARDS WITH ENVELOPES

 

This Card Set is entered into the following Challenges: 

Ellibelle's Corner---ATG

Digi Choosday---ATG

Everybody-Art---Autumn

TTCRD---ATG

A Place to Start---ATG

Jan's Digi Stamps---ATG

Pammie's Inky Pinky---ATG

Path of Positivity---ATG Positive/Celebrate Something Special About your Fave Season

Use Your Stuff---Autumn/Fall

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG

Corrosive---ATG

We Love Stamping---Autumn Colors

Gem of a Challenge---ATG

Taylormade Cards4U---ATG/Fall

Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

Daisy Chain---Autumn

DL Art---ATG

Incy Wincy---Autumn Houses and/or Houses

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---Colours of Fall

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Pearly Sparkles---Autumn

Rabisco---ATG

Crafting Challenge---Autumn Colours

Four Seasons---ATF Fall

YSBP---ATG

Make sure you join our new 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---Pink and Main ($20 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Remember that our life here on earth is temporary but whatever we do here will matter for eternity.  Let us proclaim the Gospel for those who are lost before time runs out.

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