Scripture Series: The Temple of God Card---There's Still a Bit More Time to Join our Current Word Art Wednesday Challenge!

A wonderful day, everyone!  I was away from the Blogging world for more than a month.  Are any of you seeing how the days are fleeting?  I tell y'all, God's Word is true pertaining to the last days!  Anyway, almost two weeks ago, we started another bi-weekly Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  You still have another day to join the fun and possibly win a great prize.  As always,  I featured a card below with our Scripture Word Art that comes from 1 Corinthians 3:16 that says, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

 

As I was thinking of what to share with regards to our highlighted verse here, I kept on hearing the word "constant" in my spirit.  Later on, it became clear what the Spirit of God is conveying to me and that is---"God is my constant!"  As a child of God, this means so much as it challenges me to reflect on the depth of my reliance (trust, faith) in my Heavenly Father.  Living in a world that keeps on changing and where everything that is good (based on God's Word) is now labeled evil can put our life, family and livelihood in danger. Because of this, many have resorted to compromising or even giving up the truth.  Having a deep (intimate) relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through His finished work at the Cross and the power of His Word (that saved us from eternal damnation) is how we are able to withstand various trials that will try to overcome our faith.  

Let's go back to God's first and greatest commandment from Matthew 22:37 that says, "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."  Though thousands of years had passed, this commandment stands---then, now and forever!  Matthew 24:35 says, " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."  However, what we hear/see today are these:  "love yourself" (selfish love), "prioritize your happiness," "do what you wilt," "follow your dreams," "I'll do it my way!" and many more. The social media capitalizes on  emotions and make all of these statements sound good.  But the truth is, it has nothing to do with loving God and following His purpose. It's a lie under the banner of  "PRIDE!" It is the very Sin that originated  from Lucifer/Satan.  It's man's attempt to exalt himself for riches, power and fame.  That is why when we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, we come to surrender our lives to His Lordship.  We no longer claim control of our being and we welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit to lead us where to go. Knowing that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit helps us take care of the earthly vessel God entrusted us---making sure it is used solely for the glory of God. It does not glorify God if we as members of the Body of Christ (Church) and individual temples of the Holy Spirit create divisions among us by twisting God's Word to conform to this world. We no longer pursue our selfish motives but allow the Spirit of God complete control.  He helps us with our struggles in the flesh and makes us more and more  like Jesus each day.    When we live by the Word of God and shun the noise of this world, we truly live as "beacons of hope."  A hope that thrives through the "constant" (faithful, dependable, enduring, unchanging) promises of God that is greatly lacking in our world today.  Yes, I can say "God is my constant" because my life is planted firmly in His unchanging Word! 

 

For this Card, I used an image that came free from a magazine I purchased many months ago and colored it with my Ohuhu markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I also used some Imaginisce nail head gems and some fancy stitching through my sewing machine.  I added a simple sentiment on the inside of the card and on the envelope from Stampin' Up. Lay-out is simple but I think it's nice.  

 

THE TEMPLE OF GOD CARD

THE TEMPLE OF GOD CARD LAYERS

THE TEMPLE OF GOD CARD INSIDE

THE TEMPLE OF GOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE

 

 This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

 

Crafting Happiness---ATG 

Cutie Pie---CAS

Jan's Digi---ATG

PIP---ATG

Use Your Stuff---Mood Board (Inspired by the Fruits)

Lil Patch of Crafty---ATG

My Bestie Spanish---ATG

Stamping Sensations---ATG/Summer Flowers

Corrosive---ATG

We Love Stamping---ATG/Fabulous Florals

Crafty Catz---ATG/Make it Sparkle/Shine

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

Simply Clean and Simple---CAS

Gem of a Challenge---ATG

Crafty Calendar---ATG

DL Art---ATG

Time Out---Inspired by Words

Ellibelle's Corner---ATG

Crafty Addicts---ATG

Paper Funday---ATG/Red, White and Blue

Digi Choosday---ATG

Hand Stamped Sentiments---Color Challenge

Unicorn---No Designer Paper

Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Ching-Chou Kuik---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Creatalicious---ATG/Bokeh Technique

Daisy Chain---Summertime

Incy Wincy---Food and/or Drinks

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Flowers

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mirtillamente---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/Aperture

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Crafting---Summer Time

Creative Crafters---ATG

Four Seasons---Summer

Worldwide Crafters---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.  Our Challenge winner will be awarded a wonderful prize from our awesome sponsor---Seth Apter Designs ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, as believers freed from the bondage of Sin through faith in Jesus, let us continue to share the gift of salvation to them who are lost while allowing God to sanctify us fully in the image and likeness of our Savior.

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...

Scripture Series: Encouragement Note Cards in a Box---Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge Starts Tomorrow at Word Art Wednesday!

A wonderful day, everyone!  A couple of weeks ago, we started another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). It ends later on today and it featured my project in this post that I wasn't able to publish on time due to my busy schedule.  But a brand new Challenge will begin tomorrow at Word Art Wednesday. Anyway, our (soon to be expiring) current Challenge features this Scripture Word Art that comes from Hebrews 10:23 which says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"

 

Before I started writing this post, I took the time to read the entire chapter (Hebrews 10) that included our highlighted verse in order to find context that would help me understand the depth of its meaning. I can tell you that going through life's crisis since last month is not a joke.  When negative situations/conditions  could paralyzed you with worry and depression, your spiritual foundation should be securely anchored on the finished work (death, burial and resurrection) of Jesus Christ at the Cross and His promises in His Word.  In those troubled and darkened times, God showed me that the only way out of  a miserable and worry driven existence is to totally trust in Him.  While we constantly engage in the battle over keeping our minds sane and our hearts hopeful towards the promises of God, we can get ourselves tired from this spiritual battle.  It is important that we rest in the arms of the Lord and find strength in His presence. We cast our cares unto Him (1 Peter 5:7), quiet the negativity and refocus our eyes to the One who truly love and care for us---our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  If He gave His life to free us from Sin and Death; withstand the cruelty of the Cross to bring me back to His presence forever; why should I fall for the lies of this world? Today, I have renewed appreciation  and deeper understanding of God's love for me.  An old worship song came to my mind that says, "And what can this world offer when all I desire is You (Jesus)!" I tell you guys, God wants an intimate relationship with us and is delighted to communicate with us always.  But even when He seemed silent, never doubt His presence!  He stands by His promises to His people.

Anyway, last night, I watched a YouTube VIDEO about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how the host was shocked at the response he got from ChatGPT (a famous AI site) when he asked for the AI to write a sermon on the role AI will play in the end times according to the Book of Revelation.  The answer might surprise you.  AI is definitely capable of profound evil although it acknowledges that with all it's power and capabilities, it cannot win against the sovereignty of God. I found myself saying Amen to that!  In spite of the grim reality that comes with its existence, I was never threatened by it.  Why?  Because I belong to God and I believe the Lord when He promised to remove us (Born-again, John 3:3) from this world (Rapture of the Church) before He pours out His wrath to the ungodly/mockers of Jesus Christ during the Tribulation Period.  I appreciate how the Lord reveals in His Word the fate of them that rebels against God to "hopefully" call the sinners of our time to repentance but it also serves as an encouragement to the believers to keep trusting God and share the Gospel of salvation to anyone who cares to listen while there's still time.  Humanity is obsessed in outdoing themselves in their quest for technology and greatness to the point of harming many and eventually themselves when their creation wreaks havoc in this world.  We cannot put our trust in the finite and selfish mind of man.   No matter what happens I can only place my trust in the One True God who is sovereign overall. Through the working of the Holy Spirit living inside of me, my faith will stand unwavering on the promises of God.  That is what brings me comfort, joy and peace in this crazy and dangerous place we're living in.

 

For this Card Set, I used images from Hampton Art/Tracey Hey Clear Stamps that I stamped over blended Distress Inks.  I fuzzy-cut the images and arranged them to compliment the sentiment stamps from Stamp Simply.  These sentiments/verses came from clear stamp sets called Farmhouse Scriptural Quotes, Words of Encouragement, Fear Not, Delightful Dahlias and Pretty Poppies.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 3 inches square cards.  I also made their envelopes using my We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board.  There's a total of a dozen cards here and two of each design.  I decided to make a box for them using heavy Designer Paper from DCWV embellished with layered flowers from Recollections with some glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  A lot of work came with this little box but surely enjoyed the process.

 

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ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE CARDS 

ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE CARDS COMPLETE SET

ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE CARDS WITH A BOX

ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE CARDS IN A BOX

 

 This Card Set is entered into the following Challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Ching-Chou Kuik---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Colorful Options---Peach

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Crafty Animals---ATG with Animal

Creatalicious---ATG

Critter Crazy---Featured Critter

Daisy Chain---No Design Paper

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Hip to be Square

Love to Scrap---ATG

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

My Bestie Spanish---ATG

Not 2 Shabby---June Mood Board

QKR Stampede---ATG

Four Seasons---ATG Summer

YSP---ATG

Make sure you join us tomorrow 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.  Our Challenge winner will be awarded a wonderful prize from our awesome sponsor---Stamp Simply ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, as believers of Jesus Christ, freed from the bondage of Sin through faith in Jesus, let us continue to share the gift of salvation to them who are lost while allowing God to sanctify us fully in the image and likeness of our Savior.

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...