Give to Get

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Hi friends!

Last week my pastor preached on this passage. Verse 6 tells us that if we give generously, we will receive generously. The prosperity gospel pastors often use this verse to further their cause. But Paul isn’t saying give more to get more to store and keep it. In verses 8-11, Paul tells us why we should give generously to receive generously- so that we can turn around and give more! God wants us to use what He gives us for the kingdom. Giving generously isn’t a certain amount, it’s in proportion to what you have to give. And giving generously doesn’t always have to be money, it can be time and skills or talents as well. Verse 7 tells us that when we give, we should give cheerfully. We shouldn’t give just because we’re “supposed” to. God doesn’t NEED our help. He wants us to want to help. When my pastor came to our church, he stopped having the plate passed around during the services. This caused giving to go down. The church lost a significant amount of money. But he didn’t want people giving out of compulsion. He wanted them to give out of their love for God. And since he’s been pastoring the church, God has worked in amazing ways. So remember: Give cheerfully generously and receive bountifully so that you can give even more. I have to be honest, I’m not always a cheerful giver. And I could definitely be a more generous giver. So this message hit home for me.

Page details: I used the following Sweet ’n Sassy Stamps products: Get to the Point Alpha, Living Water, To Do List, Script Stencil, Grunge Gears Stencil, and Chicken Wire Stencil. I created the background with distress oxides and stencils. I colored the letters with a colored pencil. 

Have a blessed week! Andrea

Water from the Rock...

Hi friends,

I am sharing four pages with you today because they all tie together within the same theme/events in the Bible. The two miraculous events are found in Exodus 17 and Numbers 20 and both are a demonstration of God's provision for a thirsty, grumbling people.

In Exodus 17 the people of Israel are traveling in the desert and have no water. They grumble to and against Moses, demanding that he give them water. His response is to firstly point out that they are in fact grumbling against God (a sobering truth to reflect upon in our own grumbling!), then he cries out to God for help. God's reply is that he should strike the rock that is in their midst, and when he does, water flows out - enough water to quench the thirst of many, many people. God's provision is so lavish and so gracious, despite the quarreling, grumbling and lack of faith of the people.

Years later, towards the end of Moses' life, a similar scenario unfolds in a different place. The people have no water and again complain to Moses and Aaron, grumbling about being in the desert, not having grain or fruit, and even wishing that they were dead! Once again, Moses and Aaron go and seek the Lord about this dire situation and God responds graciously. He commands Moses to speak to the rock that was in their midst and that water would flow. Moses however, instead of obeying God's command to speak to the rock, speaks to the people and says “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” He then strikes the rock twice. This response shows anger and frustration, and taking matters into his own hands. God in his grace still provides water for his people, despite Moses' disobedience, but Moses pays a heavy price: he is no longer allowed to enter the promised land. 

In Deuteronomy 8 we see Moses reminding the people of all that God had done for them (they had a habit of forgetting!). In this speech, he reminds them of these instances of provision of water from the rock, and this time he gets the emphasis right: it was God who brought forth the water, not him. In fact, it was despite him, despite circumstances and despite the people's grumbling attitudes, that God provided. Oh what grace. There are so many lessons we can learn from these accounts in the Old Testament. Lessons about going to God with your problems, about the importance of obedience in leadership and the need to not let frustration and anger drive our reactions. There are lessons about gratitude and grumbling, and about giving God the glory rather than taking it for ourselves. Isn't Scripture amazing with its richness?

But there's another aspect of this theme that appears in the New Testament...

In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul writes about how we need to learn from Israel's history, particularly from their mistakes and God's character shown in his dealings with them. In reflecting on these 'water from the rock' instances, Paul writes that the rock that followed them was Christ. It was out of the riches of Christ that the people were satisfied. Now here's where the part about striking and speaking gets really interesting. Jesus was struck for us (see Isaiah 53 and the narratives of the crucifixion) and as a result, salvation flowed to us. But once was enough (see Hebrews 7:27 & 10:10) - Jesus doesn't need to keep being sacrificed and struck for us because his suffering and sacrifice was perfect and complete. Now, we only need to speak to him in prayer to receive his provision, nourishment and life-giving Spirit. How awesome is that? I just love how these truths are unfolded throughout Scripture and how everything is centered in Christ.

For all of these pages I used the same supplies: Inktense blocks and a paintbrush, as well as black Versamagic ink and of course, stamps from Sweet 'n Sassy! I used the new School Days Alpha and Faith Wordfetti as well as Living Water, Mighty Fortress, His Name and Sweet & Simple Alpha. Here are the sets I used:

I know this post has been a long one, but there was so much to share about this thread of water from the rock throughout Scripture. I hope that you have been encouraged and that God will speak to you through his Word so you would know his gracious provision right where you are.

x Amy x

Streams of Living Water

To the thirsty I will give from the spring of 

the water of life without payment.

Revelation 21:6

The Bible is replete with passages that reference the living water God gives to the believer.  One of my favorite passages is, not surprisingly, the woman at the well in John 4.  She typifies those who are without Christ...parched souls, who don't even know they are spiritually withering.  It's a beautiful story on one who decides to grab the cup of living water and gain eternal life.  

Even believers experience times in their lives that take them through dry patches.  Yet, when they traverse the desert places in their journey, they will make it to the other side safely because Christ has already promised to provide living water.  He will meet every need that we have and will never forsake, and will never make us wander through those desert places alone and thirsty. 

I love the passage included on my page from John 7:38--"Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flowe rivers of living water.'"  This is a beautiful picture of those of us who remember how thirsty we were, remember the withered soul we possessed before Christ, and who are now passionate about splashing that same living water onto others.  We are in the refreshing business!  We can lead others to the living water.  We can give others the life-giving drink that is the only drink that quenches the thirsty heart. 

I could write a book in praise describing all the ways God has cleansed and refreshed me.  While not a book, I created a little booklet from tags (Bitty Minnie Alpha set), with praises from my heart.  I love creating little nooks and "secret" places in my praise book for private prayers and praises to my God.  

The tags are connected by the brad and the last tag is adhered to the page.  This allows the booklet to swing open.  What's written inside brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.  I love having it there to ponder and praise again and again!

Sets Used:

Desert Delights Printable Bundle

3 pages of colored images, scripture prompts and 

an interactive devotional for deeper study.  

The bundle also include both color and outline digital files

so you can create your own printable of just the images you want!

Bitty Minnie Alpha

 

Blessed Be His Name

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said,

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked I shall return there.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:20-22

Hello Friends!

Suffering happens. We live in a fallen world. We all endure some sort of suffering. Job gives us a good example of how to handle the suffering. He doesn't endure it perfectly, but he certainly does it well. And by the verses above, the Bible tells us the first thing he did after losing so much was to fall on the ground and worship. WOW!

He acknowledged the fact that everything he had came from God. Because what we have comes from God, He has the right to take it away. He doesn't do it to just be mean of course. There is purpose in the suffering. We may not be able to see the purpose in the midst of it, but we can trust God for who He is. That's what Job did. Blessed be the name of the Lord NO. MATTER. WHAT. Easy to say, not so easy to do. But if we continue to go to Him and be in His Word through the suffering, that will help us to trust and praise Him.

I love the praise song "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman. Some of the lyrics were perfect for this page.

I used the following Sweet n Sassy Stamps sets: Sing Loud, Mini Grunge Type Alpha, As the Deer, and Living Water. 

I also used watercolor crayons and a Micron pen.

Blessed be His name! Andrea

It Is Well With My Soul

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3

 Hi Friends! Happy 4th!

What Psalm 46:1-3 is telling us is that through the storms of life, we can rest in Christ. I have always loved the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul". I want to be at peace whether things are calm or stormy. But honestly? I'm not there yet. I want to be like Paul:

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

He learned to be content no matter what. And he tells us how he does it: "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." (Phil 4:13) He learned how to be content in every circumstance and he gets the strength to be content from Christ. I love that! I'm still learning. But I hope one day, that I can say what Paul did. And when I sing "It Is Well With My Soul", it's not just a hymn I love, but a testimony.

Now let's talk about the page. SNEAK PEEK ALERT!!! The hymn is from a set that Sweet n Sassy Stamps will release later this week called Hymn Blocks. It has 6 different hymn stamps and 3 accent stamps. It's a beautiful set that works well for Bible journaling and cards. The other set I used is Living Water.

I used watercolor crayons for the color. The way I use watercolor crayons is to color the page just as if I were using normal crayons. Then I go back with a paint brush and add water. As I paint the water on, the colors melt into watercolors. I love the crayons because they give me control of where each color goes. 

Lord, please teach me and all believers to be content in every and all circumstances through Christ who gives us strength. Yes, and amen!

I wish you all a happy and safe 4th of July! Andrea

Thirst No More

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1-2a

Dear Friends,
Physically, without water, we cannot survive. Just as our physical bodies call out for water when we thirst, our souls call out for the Living Water of Jesus to survive- to have eternal life! Remember what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, "Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” And John 6:35 tells us, "Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty."

Only through Jesus can we truly be satisfied. We strive and strive for satisfaction through food, drink, money, jobs, material goods, etc. But really our souls long for Jesus. He fills us in a way that nothing else can.
For the page, I used the following SNSS stamps: Chunky Alpha, Living Water, As the Deer, and Worthy King. For the background, I used watercolor crayons. And I highlighted "Jesus" and the water drops with a Sharpie White Paint Pen. I also used some alphabet stickers to finish off the page.

My prayer for you, for me, is taken from the song Be Thou My Vision by Ascend The Hill:

Oh, God, be my everything,

Be my delight.

Be, Jesus, my glory,

My soul's satisfied.

Have a sweet day, friends. Andrea

Praise God with Every Breath!

"Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for his acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals,  praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." Psalm 150:1-6

Dear Friends,

Doesn't this Psalm just make you want to jump up and sing praises to our Lord? That's how I feel everytime I read it. It brings pure joy and delight to me. But, do I actually jump up and sing out? We are made to praise God. And, oh, how He deserves that praise!

Remember when David in 2 Samuel 6 was leaping and dancing before the Lord? He and all of Israel were celebrating "with all their might before the Lord". I have to say, I have a hard time outwardly abandoning myself to worship. I can sing worship songs in church, no problem. But, can I dare raise my hands in church? It may sound silly, but it's hard for me to do something even that small. I'm a pretty reserved person. But, I don't have any doubt that my Savior, my God deserved the abandoned praise that King David gave Him. And He deserves that same kind of praise from me. The good news for me is that it's not about what I do on the outside- it's not about whether I raise my hands or leap and dance. It's about my heart. Am I fully and completely praising my Lord with all my heart? With all my mind? With all my soul? This is the kind of praise that Psalm 150 speaks to. Let's praise Him every single day with our whole heart, whole mind, whole soul, with every breath- whatever that may look like on the outside. 😉

For my page, I painted the background with watercolors. I used 3 Sweet 'n Sassy stamp sets: Sing Loud, The Good News, and Living Water. Both Sing Loud and The Good News are newly released sets!
  
Praise Him, friends. Blessings! Andrea

**Smile**……..CLICK!

Hello, Creative Worshipers!  Hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall weather we have been having…and the beautiful colors of autumn.  What a masterful creator our God is!

I hope you have also had a chance to check out two of Rebecca's adorable new stamp sets, Capture This Moment and Living Water.  I just love her whimsical style and the fact that these sets can be used for card making as well as for Bible Journaling.

This card was made with some happy fall colors of distress ink, some washi tape by Illustrated Faith, and Capture This Moment, Mini Critters, and the Hearts & Stars Scallop Border Die Set.   Doesn't it just make you want to SMILE! 

The Living Water stamp set is perfect for illustrating so many verses of scripture and know that I will be reaching for this set over and over again, but the verse I chose to illustrate for today is in Exodus 14 where God parted the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to pass over on dry land in order to protect them from Pharaoh.

Sometimes, out of fear, we stay camped out in the same familiar place…afraid to move ahead.  It is very easy for me to want to remain comfortable.  As we take a step of faith and move forward, God goes with us!  

My pastor preached from this verse of scripture not long ago so a tip in was created and added to this page to remember some of his main points.

We must not allow the enemy of our soul keep us in 

~the camp of bitterness

~the camp of unforgiveness

~the camp of depression

~the camp of lethargy

~the camp of easy street!

What has God been asking you to do?

Move forward in order to reach the Promised Land, and remember…you will not be alone!

The stamp sets used to create this page include Living Water, Classy Script Alpha, All of Me Alpha, and What's Up?

Be sure to check out these stamp sets and others at the 

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store.

Until next time…get into the word, and let the word get into you!

Have a wonderful, leaf crunching fall day!

Hugs,

Cathy

Brand New - Living Water!

Perhaps you've been wondering when you might see some new Creative Worship stamps. Well, wonder no more! This week we are featuring our newest Creative Worship stamp set illustrated by Rebecca Rios called Living Water. It's got Rebecca's signature whimsical feel and the versatility you love.

This set includes 3 cloud images and many various water images, as well as specific words and phrases that will be perfect when journaling about water, which is a common theme throughout the Bible so I'm certain you will grab this set again and again. It's also wonderful for cardmaking and scrapbooking. Living Water also coordinates very nicely with the following Sweet 'n Sassy stamp sets: Happy Ocean Friends, Beauty by the Sea, Wish You Were Here, Flourish Seashells and many of our other Creative Worship sets.

For this amazing page, Rebecca used Living Water and Awesome Thoughts (the thought bubble in that set makes a great cloud!) Her watercoloring is exquisite, don't you think?

For my page I also used Living Water with my own lettering, as well as our What's Up Arrow dies and All of Me Alpha.

Our Creative Worship Team will be sharing more pages with you using Living Water in the near future!