I AM with you always...

"Remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20)

What a beautiful statement!
What a wonderful truth!
What a glorious reality!

It's not the greatest of tactics  - when sharing a profound truth - to go immediately to the ending; the punchline of a joke is not the predecessor of the set up. 
But I mean, with all anticipation, to expound on these passionate reactions to "I AM with you always."

WHAT is beautiful about "I AM with you always?"
WHAT is the wonder about this truth, "I AM with you always?"
WHAT glorious reality hangs on the beautiful, wonderful truth of "I AM with you always?"

Being that God has put on my heart to share about such a thing, I pray His hand to be on my mouthpiece - this blog post - and use whatever means necessary to convey the vitality, necessity and comfort of Jesus' final words in Matthew.  It is most assuredly for us; for our time; for this decade; for beyond.  

The heart of scripture lies inarguably in a statement of unfathomable porportions: God With Us. 
Often touched by this phrase during the Christmas season, we tend to "attach" it to the Advent calendars, poinsettia décor, stockings, twinkle lights and festivities of holiday pomp.  The singing, speaking and reading of "Emmanuel, God with us," as mentioned in Isaiah, seems to provide us with the warmth of the Christ Child in a manger, but is somehow, somewhat dismissed with the rise of the new year. 
This isn't a new thing.  In fact for decades, we've stripped the magnificence of the birth of the King, paying our due homage, one December after another.
I do it. 
Around me, I see it.

I know that some of us truly enjoy the Christmas hymns of old, but if you start singing "Oh Holy Night," at any point before my Thanksgiving meal, we can't be friends.  (Lol)  That's not true, it's not true.  I'm actually all for Christmas hymns starting any time after Labor Day.
So what is it? What spurs us on to our new years resolutions without "God with us?"
What takes us (maybe breaks us) into tax season without "God with us?"
What moves us toward a loved one, a special friend, an undying relationship without, "God with us?"
What carries us into and through times of remembering lives lost, freedoms gained, hopes restored without, "God with us?"
We could go on and on, but sooner than we know (and somewhat to our chagrin), we're back at December, attempting to do "God with us," without God.

Arteza watercolor paints were the main media used on this page, and I love them!

To be very clear, I LOVE Christmas!  It is the pinnacle point and notable pivot of history, wherein God entered yet again into humanity, pleased to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel…

Again. 

God entered AGAIN.  

Not for the first time; and definitely, not for the last time. 

Again. 
"[Mary] will conceive and bear a Son, and you call His name, 'Jesus,' for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
As the fulfillment of a prophecy in Isaiah, speaking of "God with us," Almighty God would condescend that He may bring many to hope and glory through His life, death, resurrection and glorification. 

It's significant - nay, CRUCIAL - to know that from the beginning of time - the beginning that we know of in Genesis - God is with us. 

God.  With.  Us.  

Matt Chandler preached a sermon, rather recently, of the events that guide us from Genesis to Revelation, telling one story about One God with us.
Genesis starts with God.  God, in the beginning. 

God, as the beginning and end, launches the beginning of mankind.  Man enters the scene as the culmination to the glorious creation before him: water, land, skies, animals in water, on land, in the skies.  This is the perfect set up to then usher in the one that would be made in the image of God.  The very first "Adam."
From there, the residing presence of Almighty God comes again and again in various forms; forms of clouds and fire, moving and leading the Israelite nation to a freedom marked by covenants; the form of one terrifying, quaking mountain smoke; repeated tabernacle visits to commune with the priests on the people's behalf.
From there, a caring, loving, jealous God speaks through designated men and women to utter prophecies and revelations of a time to come; a time when His terrifying glory of fire and cloud would be replaced by One who would come in humility, gentleness, compassion, suffering, and love. 
Additional prophecies would also foretell the coming of a King in ultimate reign and authority, ushering in peace, joy and love for eternity, without end, and without blemish!  These kingly prophecies are still waiting to be fulfilled, but we indeed have beheld in Scripture the God Man, Jesus Christ, who has walked and taught on this earth, obeying the will of His Father unto death. 
Following the resurrection, we see the commission of the disciples of Jesus to "go" and "teach" Christ crucified, which leads into His blessed assurance of "Remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  If you only read the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you would miss out on the "how" of God with us.  If Jesus leaves, how will God be with us? 
Then, Acts.
"Acts" informs us that God the Holy Spirit is given to all who claim Jesus as Lord, and to those who preach the risen Savior, the Holy Spirit would give direction, help and power to prophecy, minister, heal and teach.  Even to the end of the age. 
We're not to the end of the age.
God is with us. 
The Word of God is given to help us understand that God has been and always will be with His people; His chosen ones; His elect; His children. 
The Holy Spirit of God remains in these last times, aiding those of us indwelt by Him as we "go and make disciples" in Jesus' name til He comes!

How do we do that without, "God with us?"
We don't.  We can't.  But if you are in Christ, you can, and for lack of a better motivation, you must! 
Those who are partakers of such glory are the very same who have been told to "go."  We who claim Christ are to follow the command of our Lord and make disciples of Jesus.  The beauty of the claim, "I AM with you always," means that we are not left up to our own devices, techniques, dazzlements and entertaining to be truth-tellers.  In fact, we become massively stunted by thinking that it is on US to win souls for Jesus.  This permeates our Christian circles and the Bible never says that it is up to ME or to YOU to save the lost.  That is the convicting and drawing work of the Holy Spirit to make the teaching of the Word of God effective and fruitful. 
"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."  (1 Cor. 3:7)
We do not have the power to raise a soul from oldness to newness; from death to life.
We DO have the power, duty and pleasure of speaking the truth of God into the world around us, leaving it then to the promise of God that His Word "will never return empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

It IS beautiful, this "I AM with you always."  It IS beautiful sharing His Word, telling of His salvation to all people, of all nations, and all tongues. 
"And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”  How astoundingly, unimaginably beautiful to be a carrier of the image of God, and the carrier of His gospel - the good news!
What a wonderful truth, "I AM with you always!"  Always. 

If you are in Christ, right here and now, in all circumstances, situations, joys and sorrows, this is truth for you.   The foundations of this truth can be expounded upon this way:
When you feel powerless and weak, good news! 
God is with you (2 Cor. 12:9-10)!
When you feel alone, isolated, forgotten, abandoned, good news! 
God is with you (Deut. 31:6)!
When you overwhelmed with life's demands, and daily battles, good news! 
God is with you (Heb. 13:5-8)!
When you are tempted to sin, or are struggling to overcome an addiction, good news! 
God is with you (1 Cor. 10:13)!
When convicted of pride or unforgiveness, good news! 
God is with you (Titus 1:10-16)!
When you are afraid, good news! 
God is with you (Jer. 1:8)!
When you feel that you've "gone too far" and cannot possibly return to the Lord, good news!
God is with you (1 John 1:9)!
The list goes on; the scriptures are plentiful!  The power persists!  The Good News of Christ - I AM with you - is available, without shortage!

Finally, the glorious reality of the this wonderful truth of, "I AM with you always," is this: it's eternal.  The living and active Word of God is given to us to understand the omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence of The great I AM.  The I AM of the Old Testament and the I AM of the New.  He is One.  One and the Same.  Always.  To the end of the age.  Forever.  Never shifting.  NEVER changing. 
Nestle yourselves in a few more truths of this eternal, immutable I AM:

"God is not human, that he should lie,

    not a human being, that he should change his mind.

Does he speak and then not act?

    Does he promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)

I'm sure you get the idea.  I hope you get the idea. 
God loves you more than you'll ever know because He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13).

Much more love than you could imagine,

Deeds
Instagram: @mercies_journaled
Facebook: Deirdre Cason

Website: https://merciesjournaled.wixsite.com/deeds

Texture Tile 1

Loop Da Loop Alpha

Cheerful Hexies

Mini Grunge Type Alpha

Showing Grace

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
(Phil. 1:2)

Hello, sweet friends.

Have you seen the news?  Have you been hearing?  Can you see and believe all the damage that happens when a life has ended abruptly, suddenly, without warning, without understanding?

We hear of tragedy and displacement of people who may or may not have known the Lord.  We encounter people one day, sometimes to find out such an encounter was the last.  And...

Suddenly, we feel it.  

Small.

Fragile. 

Temporary.

Vulnerable.

Mortal.

"Famous" and "non-famous" alike, lives around us fall; we lose the presence of someone who impacted us, or possibly had no bearing on our lives at all until the moment we found out they passed…
Not a big fan of basketball myself, I was still struck with sorrow upon hearing about Kobi Bryant.  That's how much a death can impact someone.  

When life seems to take us on an unexpected and unwanted journey of loss and sorrow, an element of time comes to play.  Questions of how we're using our time - what our time goes to; how we allocate and divvy it up between tasks and checklists, vacations and sabbaths, investments and relationships - launch themselves forward from what used to be a less conscientious platform.  

We may even realize that though we make plans and stake plans, something bigger and more powerful than our strongest efforts is truly in control; a Higher Up is moving; Someone else's plans are unfolding.  To this, the Bible helps us:

"A person's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

 Things that happen around us shape us, change us, cause our trajectory to shift - and so it should!  The reality of our finite-ness should turn our trivial pursuits into deep searches for something more; something bigger; something permanent and less fleeting!

 Jesus.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 5:14-16)

To be clear, being light in a dark place is not to the exclusion of the event of death or disaster.  Being the unhidden lampstand is something that is commanded of us because we have received the Light, who is Jesus.  Our mission is to become like the Light, that others may see the Light and turn from their darkened paths. 

Certainly, however, the power of these forces typically lend themselves as potential catalysts for the proclamation of God, His love, and His truths, namely:

God is holy.

God is kind.

God is good.

God is not partial - He does not respect one person over another (Acts 10:34-38), and as such desires that all would turn and receive His grace (2 Pet. 3:9).   All.  Which is why there are still outreaches and ministries aimed at the "lost."  Groups of people all over the world sacrifice much to bring the Holiness of God to unreached and unsaved.  By God's grace, He tarries that more would find Him.

This is also why I continue to make and share cards of this nature, that by some chance - in some way far beyond my scope of understanding - they may be used to bring others to know and/or love the Lord our God more and better.

It's why this project is called, "Showing grace."

God's grace.

God's favor to mankind. 

So, what is God's grace about? 

Well, I've heard it explained many different ways.  One way being "grace" defined as the ideal of co-existing with all people, the condoning of all lifestyles and beliefs, the extinguishing of moral absolutes, and the relenting of personal standards that all may live in "harmony."  As though all of us may have our own "way" and none of us must submit to any certain grouping of precepts and statutes.
Sadly, this is the direction our culture has traveled.  The true grace of God has been diminished by our desire to "keep the peace."  Our disinterest in confrontation, in defense of God's holiness and love, has faded under a non-eternal view of relationships, for the here and now.

Oh, my friends.  Let's not tarnish the power of the cross in the name of tolerance.  Let's not continue in thinking that your way and my way is "ok," lest Jesus conquering death and hell mean nothing to you or to me! Here's a number of verses talking about that very thing: https://www.openbible.info/topics/jesus_conquering_death_and_hell
 

We are SAVED by the grace of God, to live victoriously by the grace of God, out from under the power of sin and death, not to live enslaved to the flesh. 

The Bible (in the letter of Paul to the Romans) says, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  By no means!" (Rom. 6:1-2b)  

Grace - God's UNDESERVED, UNEARNED favor - is given us in abundance that we may better live the life He's given to us in Jesus.  The time we have is to live in prophecy and testimony of the One who has come and made all things new; the One who became the first among many to raise from the dead; the One who conquered death and sin on our behalf that our lives may reflect His life and glory!

"The word 'grace' in biblical parlance can, like forgiveness, repentance, regeneration, and salvation, mean something as broad as describing the whole of God's activity toward man, or as narrow as describing one segment of that activity. An accurate, common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God toward man…
"While all of this is in the context of the grace of God as a gift versus the Law of God as a work, nevertheless grace is viewed as reigning even as we live the life we are supposed to live in Christ." (biblestudytools.com/dictionary/grace)

Grace is not God's favor moving among man at the expense of His holiness; grace is God's favor toward man that man may become holy.  Set apart.  Like Jesus.  

The grace (both broad and narrow) that the Lord shows us, and subsequently the grace that we ought to show each other, is founded and administered in truth - His Word.  

My sweet friends, I love you.  I love you so much, and this is one of the hardest things for me to talk about.  Mainly, I have close friends and relatives who refuse the grace of God to live in sin; to live in lies; to live in unrepentance and hardness of heart.  It hurts me, and I know it hurts the Lord...

God is love, and God is truth. 

Who do you know that needs to hear of God,

who needs to know they have a Savior,

who needs to understand better the power of the Holy Spirit unto salvation and holiness, that, if you only had this time to tell them, would be able to understand and receive the grace that draws them to the Father?

Do you know how much time you have to tell them?

Is next week guaranteed?

What about tomorrow?

We are not saved, save it be for God's grace toward us.

For the sake of God's glory and holiness, share Christ, though it may be through confrontation.

For the sake of their eternity, show grace, though it may cause "disharmony."

For the sake of the Gospel, "speak the truth in love," that perhaps by God's grace, one may hear and turn from death to Life.

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Phil.1:2)

Deeds

IG: @mercies_journaled
Please DM me with any questions!

Stamp sets used: Grace So Amazing, Scribble Flowers, What a Savior
Find them all in the Sweet n Sassy Stamps store!

PS - the full process video for this project is here, on my Youtube Channel!  Thank you again for using my Sweet n Sassy Stamps affiliate link to do your shopping!

Inspire!

Supplies used will be listed below! Thanks for reading!

Happy Tuesday to you!

My goal for this blog is to purposefully and concisely aim you in a direction of intentional encouragement and inspiration. At the very end, I have a bit of a creative/encouragement challenge for you in hopes that you will be uplifted and run with it!
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One time (actually, multiple times) I heard my pastor say, "Everyone is under-encouraged." 
First of all, I wondered how this could possibly be true.  Everyone? 
The people who are the highlights of Hollywood?
Those with more numbers in their bank accounts than one could fathom?
Those who receive thousands likes on an instagram post, followed by hundreds of additional comments?

Yup.
Everyone.

EV-ER-Y-ONE.
And the sad thing is, those people I mentioned above sometimes need an extra boost of, "you are loved just the way you are," just like you and me.
We are made to be relational, work together, make peace together, and promote community.  We are made to encourage, lift up, build up and inspire each other to things of a higher calling!
Fame, money and popularity are bonuses and signs of success, but one time (actually, multiple times) I have heard it said such things can hinder meaningful relationships and promote loneliness.

⇨⇨Listen, friend: everyone needs to know that they have meaning, they have purpose, they have a direction and a destination.  They are loved, they are beautiful, they are unique and they are not meant to fit in to any mold or make of the world. 
The loving Lord is a wonderful God, reaching always into humanity to have communion and achieve the highest possible connection via His Holy Spirit.  Inspiration flows from His heart deeply into the core of the person He made us to be. 
+  If you see something worth noting in someone, write the someone a note.
+  If you see something worth admiration, share admiration.
+  If you notice a talent, a gift, a honed skill, a blessing, a success, a victory, a happiness, a pleasure given to another, he/she needs to know this is how you feel.
+  If you become moved, challenged, motivated, or blessed by another, bless, move, and motivate back!  I promise it is NOT a waste of breath or time!

The Bible says, "Encourage one another and build each other up."  (I Thess. 5:11)
"And let us consider how to stir one another up in love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24)
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." (Prov. 3:27)
"

I can assure you, sister, there is nothing the Devil wants more than to see the church of Jesus fall.  He wants nothing more than to see the children of God behaving like overgrown misfits of gossip, slander, anger, envy and strife.  In fact, the Bible tells us to FLEE from these things BECAUSE these are easy side-steps to an otherwise fruitful walk with our Maker. 

I encourage you, sweet friend.  Send a note.  Send a card.  Send a small post-it or leave a small token of appreciation for someone(s).  It's truly not a waste, and it's something that builds upon the kingdom of God - into an eternity that is being made ready for you and me!

Here's the challenge part now: 
1} Ask the Lord to show you someone, to lay someone on your heart so that you would know who needs to be encouraged.  Someone may pop directly into your mind!  With this lead, you can then create a little something for this person to let him/her know - at the VERY least - that you were thinking of him/her.  
2} Before you send/give it, take a photo & post it on social media!  Be sure to hashtag it #encouragementchallenge and tag my handle so I know you've posted. 
3} Watch as encouragement spreads and morale boosts in this sweet community that extends beyond the bounds of Instagram or Facebook!  It's phenomenal!

This card I made for a friend, who has overcome doubts and fears in Jesus' name.  Difficulties surrounded her, and Murphy followed her, so to speak.  It's not uncommon for one to sink into a shell of despair, but I saw her sink, find hope and re-emerge with vigor and confidence that Jesus IS her God! 
She inspires me; I want to inspire back.
She has moved me; I want to stir her up!

Much love,
Deeds

Sentimental Wordfetti here. 

Bitty Minnie Alpha here.

Fantastic Flowers set here.

I colored in the flower and leaves with my new Arteza Everblend marker set.  I love them, and I am so looking forward to using them more!

"Be Fruitful" Bible Journaling

Hellooooo Friends!

Hope you're finding blessing and inspiration in the pages you've seen - and the CARDS being made!  Oh my goodness - the August release from Sweet 'n' Sassy Stamps is all too good!

Here's the link to get your hands on some of what you're seeing; you really don't want to miss out!

"Fruit of the Spirit" & "Chunky Lower Case Alpha" Stamps used.

My journaling is in John 15 today.  Like so many entries, I usually don't know what I’m doing when I start, but after I lay some acrylic paint down, I'm ready to go!  Acrylic and I are tight when it comes to documenting in my Bible :D
So really, it's simple: I put down a few layers of white, then some smoky grey.  The reason for the basic coloring is to contrast the very colorful fruit images I put down later.  I definitely want them to stand out! 

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Oh, friends, bearing fruit, according to Jesus, is much harder than we think; doable, but hard. 

There are a couple things that I learned while going through commentaries and studies of this passage.  My flesh would like to ignore certain areas of this passage, but I also know that ignoring this passage equates to mishandling the Word of Truth - this God-breathed book of Life!

1. Bearing Fruit is a product of abiding in Christ, and is only possible when we are "in the vine."
2. Bearing Fruit is a product of God's faithful and loving process called, "pruning."

Abiding in Christ (by using practical methods of staying close to Him, like bible study, prayer and Sunday services) is okey dokey with me!  I love gaining knowledge about my Savior and Friend.  I look forward to God's fashioning my heart in the mornings, or times when I can sit and rest in His Word with the added bonus of caffeine stimulant.
The part I want to ignore?  The pruning.  Honestly, who wants that??  I've seen pruning shears and they're wickedly sharp, even when dull!  Not to mention the sinister shape of their jaws.  Yikes! 
But, I think I have it backwards where I believe that in some way God is going to produce much fruit through me if I am comfortable, stationary, and basically sedentary.  Would my husband feel honored and respected by my complacency in our marriage.  What about my kids?  Are they going to understand the love of God through my over/under reactions to difficult situations?  Similarly, God requires action on my part to deepen and nurture our relationship.  I not only need to meet with Him for devotions during quiet times; I need to meet Him in the difficulties He uses to shape my character and walk.

My husband longs to be pursued regardless of ahem…hormones or "moods."  And for my kids, seeing mommy handle a situation with grace and dignity - abiding in the promises of God - will bring them a lot closer to knowing the beautiful heart of Jesus, than would if I never went through trials.  And trust me, we've had some doozies.

Used Arteza Watercolor Brush Markers to achieve this blended look.

In my core, I WANT to bear fruit for Jesus.  I long to be a bearer of His image and torch of His gospel.  But the one way to doing that is to remain in His word, regardless of the present circumstances.  It's E.S.S.E.N.T.I.A.L.  Though we want to resist hurts to my heart, or problems in my family, or issues in relationships, they certainly aid in becoming a light, even if a small one.  Even while I write this, I'm smiling because it's something that I ask for with eyes squeezed shut and fingers practically crossed.  Hard times are, well, HARD!  The God-breathed book accounts for this, and says, "Brothers, consider it all joy when you encounter various trials…" (James 1:2-3)  Trials produce some of the most heavenly-imfused fruit we could ever imagine!  Part of the "fruit" is just being known and identified as a true disciple of God. (John 15:8)  

Then later in James we are encouraged to suffer with patience.  "Be patient…until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.  You also, be patient." (5:7-8)

Is bearing fruit easy?  In no way.  In every sense, bearing fruit takes action.  It takes work.  It takes intentionality and it takes time.  BUT GOD is faithful in His working to produce in me - in you - the fruit of His Spirit.  

Love.  Joy.  Peace.  Patience.  Kindness, and you know the rest. 

Spend time in God's inspired Word to us.  Spend time praying, meditating, and reflecting.  Spend time coming to understand who He says He is, so that when the trials, tribulations, and temptations come, you are ready, and you will be fruitful!

Much love,

Deeds