Come, Lord Jesus

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

Revelation 22:20

Hello friends!

I hope 2023 is getting off to a good start for you. Today our verse is from one of my very favorite books of the Bible, Revelation. Yep, you heard that right. I LOVE Revelation. Yes, it has some pretty scary, crazy stuff that happens in it. But it also has letters to us from Jesus and it shows us Jesus in all His glory. And Jesus, my friends, is outright amazing.

After John gives us Jesus’ letters to the churches, describes God’s throne room, what will happen in end times, and Jesus’ return after the great tribulation, he ends the book with a plea. Come, Lord Jesus. It’s not an unwarranted plea as Jesus has just said He would come soon. So it’s a hopeful plea. Come, Lord Jesus.

God’s timing is perfect. But for me, Jesus won’t come too soon. I’m tired of this world. I’m tired of struggling with my own sin and flesh. I’m tired of watching the world celebrate its sin and flesh. Do you feel tired too? Sometimes it feels hopeless. That’s why truth isn’t tied to our feelings. That’s why joy isn’t tied to our feelings. Because it’s NOT hopeless. And when we’re tired, Who can give us rest? Who invites us to that rest? Jesus is our Savior, our rest, our All in All. He will help us in this world until He comes again. Oh how I look forward to His coming! Come, Lord Jesus! Please come soon.

Page details: I used the following Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps supplies: My Savior’s Love, Funky Textures, Print Blocks Alpha, Armor of God, and Jumbled Hexies Stencil. I applied distress oxide ink to the page with blending brushes for the background and then used the stencil and stamped.

Have a blessed New Year!

Andrea

Plant, Water, Grow...

Hi friends,

My gardening skills are pretty rubbish, I have to be honest! I have a habit of forgetting to water plants and I don't have any interest in digging, weeding, planting or pruning. I like the idea of a garden, but not the work required to produce a decent one! But here's the thing - even if I planted carefully and watered diligently, the actual growth that happens when a seed becomes a flower or fruit cannot be attributed to me - it is the creative power of God in operation.

The same is true of spiritual fruit and growth. We have a responsibility to plant and water. That means preaching the gospel and teaching truth from the Word of God and praying for people and demonstrating God's love through acts of generosity and kindness. We have been given a variety of gifts that God uses to plant seeds and water those already planted. But even when we do those things and use our gifts for God's purposes, we cannot claim credit for any growth that happens. That is a miracle of God's creative power at work by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul realised this and urged the Corinthians not to attach special significance to him or Apollos or anyone else. He realised that they were simply servants who planted and watered at God's direction, but it was God who caused the seed to grow. Our allegiance is only to God, not to humans, no matter what role they may have played in our birth and growth in Christ. We can be grateful to those who plant and water, but only Jesus is worthy of our devotion as our Lord.

I used the paper piercing technique on this page, stamping the images from Pretty Potted Florals onto a variety of patterned paper then cutting out the flowers and pots and gluing them over the same images that I had stamped on the page. I coloured the leaves and stems with coloured pencils. The verse was stamped with a combination of Print Blocks Alpha, Bitty Minnie Alpha and Trust in the Lord. Here are the sets I used:

Let's plant and water in the ways we have been gifted to do, but let's not take the credit for any growth that may happen - that's all down to the grace and power of God, and for that he deserves our praise!

Be blessed...
x Amy x

More Valuable than Birds

Hey Friends!

How's everyone doing?  I pray you are all safe and well.  I know so many people who have been consumed with anxiety and fear over the past several weeks.  I admit, I have had times when fear has crept in to my mind as well.  Many of our lives have been completely transformed by impacts from the coronavirus.  We are concerned about our health and the health of our loved ones, about our jobs and finances, and we are all adjusting to the new normal of social distancing.  Many people are stockpiling supplies and food and we are encouraged to wear masks and gloves when we go out of the house.

The times we are living in is surreal and uncertain, but the Bible tells us over and over again, to "fear not".  Jesus addresses anxiety and worry in this way to his disciples:

 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For there is more to life than food, and more to the body than clothing. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add an hour to his life? So if you cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about the rest?"

Luke 12:22-26 

When you feel anxious, turn to the Word of God for comfort.  God holds us all in the palm of His hand and knows the outcome of this pandemic before it began.  He will use this for His glory.  I am praying you all find peace and rest in the Father's presence and in the knowledge that if he looks after the birds, he will certainly look after you.

Page Details:
I did a simple watercolor background for my page.  I stamped out this lovely bird from the new Beautiful Birds set on watercolor paper, colored it in and adhered it to the page.  I stamped my title using Print Blocks Alpha, Bitty Mini Alpha, and Skinny Mini Alpha. 

Until next time, catch up with me on Instagram @simplyjillsjourney.

XOXO,

Jill