Walk in the Light

Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." 

Jesus is described as the Light of the World in John 8, and in chapter 12 He implores his disciples to walk in the Light while the Light was with them. While we don't have Jesus living bodily among us today, we do have the Holy Spirit living within us to help guide and direct us to walk in light rather than darkness. 

Gelatos are not my favorite medium, but I decided to give them a try in this "Walk in the Light" themed page. I followed a YouTube tutorial from the wonderful Deeds in which she walks through how she uses gelatos and it was actually fun! I used gelatos for the gray background and glow of the lights, and then my Tombow dual brush markers for the Chinese lanterns as I really wanted those to pop. I embossed the title in black embossing powder to make that pop as well. I love how it turned out!

Launch day is always exciting at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, but this launch day is even more exciting because November is SNSS 13th birthday month! Stay tuned for special surprises all month long! I used the Shine Your Light stamp set to create this page, and you can scoop up this stamp set in the November Early Bird Bundle through November 9th. 

  

Have a blessed week, 

Janelle

@journalingjoy

Lord, Subdue My Stubborn Heart

Full list of stamps featured is below! <3

Good Morning, Tuesday Worshipers!!

It's been a while (a crazy, chaotic while) since I was able to sit down, meditate on, love the Lord and bless His name with you.  

Thank you for your kindness and grace in all things toward me.  God (true to Self) has been working and pruning the hedges, so to speak.  All good, but certainly difficult.  
I'm praying that as He continues His good work - because all that He does IS good (Psalm 145:17-19) - I am able to see His bounty of grace, feel His heart of compassion, move with His guidance, and share Him accordingly!  This is the hope!  

There's a book that I've been reading on and off for the last year called, "Valley of Vision."  It's a puritan's prayer book, something that has been written to guide our prayer life.  As I read it, there is something that continually stands out to me about it: grief over sin is absolutely necessary for genuine repentance and continual growth.  
Let me explain a couple of things first.
There is nothing in the Bible that states we are to relish in our sin, dwell in our sin, continually think on our sin, or obey the temptation to sin.  NOTHING.  
The Lord tells us to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:2), to engage our minds in the true, lovely, praiseworthy things (Phil. 4:8), flee temptation (2 Tim. 2:22-24), enter God's courts with thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 100:4), and so on.  
In fact, we are reminded as believers in Christ that we are no longer slaves to our sin, but set free in Jesus (John 8:36), a temple of His Spirit (Romans 8:9) and called "saints" (Rom. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:2).  

So, what of this grief over sin? 
Why continually?
Is it truly necessary?

Well for all of you who have put your sole trust in God alone, and read His Word with a studious faith, you know it is impossible for God to lie, sin, or contradict Himself (Num. 23:19).  For those of you still skeptical over the truthfulness and variable nature of the Bible, let this not be a hindrance or stumbling block.  Rather, look at it as an argument for why it's possible to live in the tension a joyful love and service to God, even in the middle of sorrowing over our broken nature and human state that exists until glory.  After all, "a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."  (Psalm 51:17)
Praise Him.
David held to that.
I will hold to that.

The puritan's prayer is a page long of old English prose, but let me recite the part that stood out to me, which is the purpose I write this blog.

"I thank thee (God) for they riches to me in Jesus,
    for the unclouded revelation of Him in they Word,
    where I behold his Person, character, grace, glory,
    humiliation, sufferings, death, and resurrection;
Give me to feel a need of His continual Saviourhood,
  and cry with Job, 'I am vile',
               with Peter, 'I perish,'
               with the publican, 'Be merciful to me, a sinner'.
Subdue in me the love of sin,
Let me know the need of renovation as well as of forgiveness,
   in order to serve and enjoy thee forever.
I come to thee in the all-prevailing name of Jesus,
   with nothing of my own to plead,
   no works, no worthiness, no promises.
I am often straying...."

It goes on, and there is some before it.  But do you get the general feel?  The title of this prayer is (ironically) "GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD."  

Now, some may still argue that this prayer is for those who long to administer the penal code against themselves in prayer, laying punishment on them and beating their own hearts for what they have done.  Nope.
Nope.
Nope, nope NOPE! 
Because God is good and is the source of all good.  Because of His goodness He has laid the punishment of all sin on His beloved Son Jesus Christ, that through Him all would be saved, healed and sealed to Him. 

Joyfully, I look at this prayer and see a couple of things (things that I hope you will also see), which guides me into a praise and worship meditation of the Lord Christ.
1.  I am in CONSTANT need of my Savior.  In realizing my constant need for the Savior, 
2.  I have CONSTANT joy in serving Him, loving Him, and living in His promises!

This is a WIN/WIN.  I hope you can see that.  
Grief over the hardness of our hearts, that "fleshly" nature that we battle in thoughts, words and deeds daily, is a good and godly thing.  
Firstly, God KNOWS that our hearts are broken.  He KNOWS that we rage war on ourselves daily to suppress the sin-nature, and develop the mind of Christ.  He KNOWS the attempts we make at bringing our own strengths and weapons to the battle field.  He knew it way back when, when through the prophet Ezekiel He would add to the beauty of the Gospel through this promise:

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." (Ezek. 36:25-27)

The promise made to Israel is the Promise of the Holy Spirit.  
DID YOU HEAR THAT!?  
The promise of being made new, being made clean, being given a new heart, a new spirit, a new trajectory, a new way of life, would come through the work of His very own Spirit that would dwell in each believer.  
Friend, in Christ - in the belief that He is the anointed One of God sent to die for the sins of world, raise again the 3rd day and rise to His place of power - you receive the power of God unto salvation and unto the beautiful work of sanctification which is a big word for "becoming like Jesus."  
What does this mean?

We bring nothing - REALLY, NOTHING - to our salvation and change.
Even when we are broken and contrite before Him who is holy, it remains purely by the will of God to send His Spirit, to make us new, change our hearts to the obedience of our Faithful Father, convict us of our deep, ugly, morbid, twisted, perverse and unholy ways, and bring us to ongoing repentance.  

This is the M.O. of the One who promises His riches in Christ Jesus.  This is how we identify with Him who was crushed for our iniquities, bore our shame, and paid our unfathomable debt of sin.
Christ died for our sins. 
They're all paid for. 
Every.
Single.
One.
Until glory, however, we will daily need Him.  Until His triumphful entry into our world as The King, His Spirit will do His work as promised, carving away the hindrances to the Light He's put inside us; refine us by fire and purify us for Himself; work through our mess to better serve as Gospel proclaimers and ambassadors to our neighborhood, city, family, friends, church!  
Again...
Why continually?
Is it truly necessary?

As He subdues our stubborn heart (the heart that loves sin, rather than Jesus), we will see that grief over our daily sin, will lead us to Him.  Draw us into His presence.  See Him for who HE is, and better see who WE are.  
Do not be afraid to approach God in sorrow over your sin.  He will neither reject you nor punish you.  
In fact, those who entrust their lives to the Life-Giver, find life indeed.  Freedom indeed.  

Lord, keep subduing our stubbornness to your work, and help us understand better that the Holy Spirit is leading us into life, just as you promised that living in the Spirit leads to life!  Joy! Peace!  Love!  Compassion!  

In your sweet and precious name, Jesus...
Amen.

Much love, sweet sisters.
Deeds
IG: mercies_journaled 
Affiliate link to stamps used: www.sweetnsassystamps.com/?aff=7

Stamps featured:
Marker Alpha (August Release!)
His Name 
Grunge Elements 2
Dazzling Dahlia
Happy Alpha
Forever and Always (ON SALE %15 off!) 
Healer of My Heart

God's Timing for God's Glory

"It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (John 11:4)

Hey guys! It's Deeds!

So glad that you're here today.  My life has settled into yet another new normal for now; my kids have all finished up there schooling, grades are completed, and smiles are big!  Including my own!

Today, I'm in John 11.  This is a recent favorite passage of scripture.  The story of Jesus picks up where a dear friend Lazarus has fallen sick, then dies.  Why is this a recent favorite? I'm so glad you asked.  It's such a sweet yet gripping account of love, time, grace, confusion, death, life, and so much more.  Much more, I've been convicted by seeking God's glory in all things, especially His timing. This chapter reads...

"Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”  28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”  38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” 

(John 11:1-44, italics mine)

Are you moved?  Can you join these hearts as they go from a weeping hopelessness and confusion, to full on shock and wonder?
This indeed is a mighty passage of scripture, showing us plainly that Jesus as God the Son has full power, full control, full authority in heaven and on Earth. He commands the physical realm as well as the spiritual realm.  Raising someone from the dead is just one of MANY things He does in response to the pleas that surround Him.  I encourage us all to look a bit more deeply into the context of this story, for there is extensive reasoning behind the works of Jesus on our behalf...
When darkness looms, tragedy strikes, pain ensues, trouble comes, someone dies, we look and pray to God to heal and fix the problems; restore the good; bring about comfort; renew our condition.  Don't get me wrong; we are unmistakably encouraged to pray, to take our petitions to the Holy Throne of God, with thanksgiving.  There is help and hope, connection and communion with the Lord when we seek Him earnestly and consistently.  However, the approach to our prayer life may need to be considered: are we coming to God to fix up our lives and change the bad, the ugly and the difficult into right, bright and lovely? Or can we say that our prayers reflect the desires of our heart to get closer, go deeper and know more clearly, the person and glory of Jesus Christ our Savior?

In the passage above, we see that Jesus indeed performs the miracle.  After both Mary AND Martha fall to His feet in tears, He indeed is moved to make things good again by raising Lazarus from the dead.  He has compassion, love and tenderness toward a group of people devastated by death and loss.  It's a difficult thing to experience, and He feels it with them.
But in Jesus' own words, we also see a reason and purpose for His miracle of resurrection which is far beyond the perspective of the "here and now."  We see a call to a greater view of a grander picture that exceeds and is ultimate in all things: the glory of God.
In verse  41, JESUS prays to God.  JESUS petitions the Father.  JESUS lifts His voice to bring His requests to Him.  "Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me."
There are a couple of things to note here.  Firstly, Jesus is not asking God to raise Lazarus from the dead.  In fact, we've already seen in prior verses that He's planning on doing so, willing that Lazarus be made alive again to walk the earth.  But secondly, He's bringing a magnificent opportunity to the people around Him to see that He is indeed who He says He is.
The Resurrection.
The Life.
The Son of God.
The Light of the World.
And ultimately, the One who stands outside and above all creation, using the element we know as "time" as a tool to glorify Himself and bring honor and glory to God.

When we bring our petitions to God, sometimes we (at least I know I do) forget that God is outside of time and space.  He's beyond our world and our tangible experience.  He's both near and far.  He's both here and there.  He's both the beginning and the end.  He's both now and forever.  Time is of value to Him, but He is not constrained by it.  As we seek the Creator God in Jesus' name for the overabundance of situations that we know as "life," the tendency is to think and relate in terms of our present. The glory of God is made manifest in our present to be sure.  But as God who establishes everything, makes everything beautiful in its time, is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, God's purposes in our lives extend all the more wonderfully and unfathomably into eternity.  Past this life.  Past death.  Past our here and now.  Past our shake-able, broken world.  Past our loss, suffering, struggles and pain.  Past our hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
In John 11, Jesus is moved in His spirit for the humanity that surrounds Him.  He is touched with the difficulties of mortality. He is brought to tears over the brokenness that covers our hearts, our homes, our gravestones.  But He is not stopped by death.  He is not inhibited by darkness.  He is not forbidden by loss, depravity, failure, hopelessness, confusion and chaos.
As the Resurrection and the Life, Christ welcomes the opportunity to reveal God's glory in all things, here in the life of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and now in your life and mine. 
The Gospel Transformation Bible puts it this way,
"The Gospel is a story of our God doing all things well, not all things easily.  His name is Abba Father, but this does not mean that he leads his children in a life of complacent ease and comfort.  Indeed, upon hearing about Lazarus's sickness, Jesus waited to days longer before responding -- apparently so that his compassion could be revealed by a more glorious expression of divine power, expressed according to divine wisdom and timing.  God's ways are not our ways.  They are much better."
And then later, "The more deeply we know and walk with Jesus, the more readily we accept God's glory as our greatest good, even when it feels like such a momentary bad.  As 'the resurrection and the life,' Jesus is always writing better stories than we could ever pen.  Martha and Mary would soon find this to be true." (p. 1428)
As those who seek God, may we be those who trust God in all things - even His timing.
As those who trust God, may we be those who seek His glory.

Much love,
Deeds
IG: @mercies_journaled

Stamps used:
Bold & Outline Caps
Time Well Spent
Grunge Elements 2
Texture Tile 2
Classy Script
Sweet n Simple
Mini Grunge Type 

The Gospel According to David

Link to my Youtube Channel with the full process video, HERE.

Hello, sweet and loving friends!

Deeds here, with another post featuring the November release from Sweet n Sassy Stamps!
I think we as the creative team more or less geeked out about the gorgeously-made stamps set, "Folk Art Snowflakes!"  Now in our crafting space, these stamps have taken on many forms and uses, helping to inspire others to creatively think outside the box.  It's a joy to see how YOU have been creating with these, and what a pleasure to know that you've found them to be useful in your creative worship as well as card-making!  Additionally, I'm working with the "Art Deco Alpha" stamp set which has been a joy and thrill in its own ways! Click on icons below to visit the store! I have a full process video on Youtube for this page, so be sure to check it out!

Psalm 51... Wow.
Y'all... I have to be super honest and frank about it.  I struggled with this Psalm a lot.  Well, I struggled with this blog  I've written about it a lot.
Have you read Psalm 51?  Have you read it recently?  Have you read it with fresh eyes?  Did you collect insight this time, that you never had before?
Is not the Word of God living and active?
ABSOLUTELY I've been so blessed by this Psalm even new and afresh today!  I read it about a couple weeks ago and couldn't take my eyes off of it; I didn't want to miss a single thing.  For that reason, this blog may be a bit longer than my usual blogs, but please hang tight with me.  What I'm blogging about today is serious and beautiful; enrapturing and captivating: the Gospel according to David.
I hope I do it justice, and may the Lord speak to you as He spoke to me through his word... Amen.

The general background of this Psalm is laid out in the header: "A Psalm of David, when Nathan came to him after he'd gone to Bathsheba."
More specifically, this is post-adultery, post-covetousness, post-fornication, post-deception, post-murder.  The list of transgressions is fairly serious and all done by one man.
I've often wondered how David, "the man after God's heart," could do all of the above.  Then I remember, David: a human.  A purebred sinner.  Ensnared by the inherent sin nature at birth, just like you and me. 
What had he done that I have not? 
What tendencies toward sin and rebelliousness did he have that I too, have not experienced?
What sin had entangled him that has not - at some point - bound my feet?
Wait, what?  Deeds, you're a murderer?  An adulterer?  A liar?

Let's look at something as an example very quickly, so you see what I mean.  After all, Jesus, who walked and talked the fullness of the law of God, taught, "You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, 'do not murder,' and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.  But I tell you, whoever is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment."  (Matthew 5:21)
The implications of Jesus' statement are huge! 
I'VE been sinfully angry before!  What in the world do we do with anger wrongly channeled?  How can I possibly stand up in His judgments against the murderer??

Enter Psalm 51.
From the beginning, it's easy to see the different pieces of this broken mess of a man.  I'm picturing snot and tears, wailing and groaning.  I see his pinched facial expressions as the result of a remembrance of inward rebellion turned outward.  I see a man, once confident, strong, and bold, in a gooey heap on the floor, face in hands, heart in shambles.
Penitence.  Sorrow. 
I've often wondered how David, harp player, worship leader, army slayer, could even "show" his face to the Almighty after being the cause of such harm, devastation and havoc! 
Then I remember: God. 

The short of it is grace, but oh, how we can relate to David well!  In fact, just as an extra bit of inspiration from the heart of God, the header to Psalm 51 also includes this: "for the choir director."
This doesn't mean that the conductor of the choir secretly suffered from an adulterous past, a murderous heart, or covetous eyes.  Simply, this means David sang his own infamy and humiliation for the betterment of others.  He wrote it for others to relate to.  He composed all lyrics - probably on the famous lyre - so others (e.g. you and me) may see what sin in the face of God looks like, and the over-powering, towering grace of the Lord over sin for those who are contrite.  Broken.  Snot and tears, broken.

Whereas, once I looked at this Psalm as a plead for mercy and "cleaning up" after the sin onslaught, today and ever more, I see the Gospel.  I see the salvation of God to all "who confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead..." (Romans 10:9)
Try to sink yourself into each section of verses, identifying each step of the walk toward the salvation of God; each broken piece, coming together under the purifying work of the Holy Spirit; each proclamation of truth of the Gospel, the power with which it will break and heal, and the glory with which it can wash and transform.

The Gospel of Awakening & Grace.
Verses 1-5 contain evidence of what we know - of which David was also fully aware - of an active rebellious heart.  In the beginning stage of salvation, we appeal to the undeserved favor of God as our "sin is ever before" us.  One who is on the edge of sin's cliff, can fall headfirst into mercy's ravine.  David instructs the travesty that is "human nature," guiding us into a full and hearty confessional to seek His tender mercies and embrace His faithful love.  Words like "completely wash away my guilt," helps us to see that David did not just want a superficial cleansing: rather he wanted it ALL.  All his heart.  All his soul.  All his being.  Cleaned, washed, renewed.  God can and God WILL do a mighty work in us to rid us of underlying corruption.
To be sure, David is not telling God to look past his sin, to tolerate his sin, to erase his sinful past, or to ignore His sense of justice.  In fact, the psalmist acknowledges God as the right and just Judge when he says, "So You are right when you pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge." (v. 4)  But in the same way that God cannot forget who He is in His justice, He cannot forget who He is in His grace which is the very character trait for which David cries out.
"To an awakened conscience," Charles Spurgeon writes, "pain on account of sin is not transient and occasional, but intense and permanent, and this is no sign of divine wrath, but rather a sure preface of abounding favour." (His commentary on Psalm 51)  Praise the Lord for awakening us to our sin and His grace!

The Gospel of Repentance & Joy.
The next section of verses (6-13) details the admission of guilt and the joy that comes from healing and restoration following being "crushed" by the LORD.  Let's not be confused by words like "joy," "rejoice," or "be glad," in this section.  Being crushed by Yahweh, the Almighty, the Sovereign, the Creator, the Righteous, the Judge, is no mere thing.  It's chastening.  It's difficult discipline.  It takes time.  It takes re-shaping.  It's refining, and refining through fire.  It's purifying, and purifying through dying to self.  The Great I AM digs deeply into each of His children, pulls, wrenches, chisels, and prunes the fibers of our sin nature away; when the Lord Almighty chastens, the effectual work of the Holy Spirit will be a heart more lovely, more worshipful, more desire-full, more like Jesus.
There IS a joy in this scripture passage of the hope of complete healing and purifying.  David understands his utter transgression against God, but he also recognizes God as THE One and THE only God who can push underneath the grime of our hearts, uproot the junk and gunk of our humanity, and perfectly wash and restore!
Though he pleads with Yahweh, "do not take Your Spirit from me," he is not suggesting that God will un-promise what He has promised, or undo what He has done.  Rather, he's making a true turn to face the God in His rightful place as Head and Lead.  And, David understands his position - in stark contrast- is lowly in nature, un-sustained without the Lord, but ready for refreshed hope and joy!

The Gospel of Mercy & Restoration.
Then comes the final few verses in which the sinner, on his knees, offers himself to the Lordship of his God, that "by the mercies of God" he may present himself a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God," which would be his (and our) spiritual worship.  The Gospel is not just about a sin debt being paid and guilt being removed.  That is a huge "Hallelujah!" in my book for sure.  I love the lyric of the old hymn, "my sin not in part, but the whole" (It Is Well with My Soul).  Additionally, the Gospel refreshes, restores, and re-positions us to testify further of God's grace, compassion, steadfast love, and endless mercies.
"The Jesus Bible" says this, which I love and wanted to share with you:
"David knew he deserved punishment and judgment for his wrongdoings, recognizing that his sin was against God and God alone, yet he also knew that God is a God of forgiveness, mercy and compassion. 
"Even though David, a man after God's own heart, fell into sin, God didn't give up on him.  God took David's sin and and used it to display his goodness and his glory.  Solomon, son of David and Bathsheba, grew up to be the wisest man on earth (1 Kings 4:30-31).  And about a thousand years later, Jesus would come from that same lineage.  The Savior of the world was born into a lineage tainted by sin."  (pg. 847)
The life of a follower of God, pleases God in this: that he/she lives unto God, doing that which glorifies and makes much of His Holy name.  Jesus does not turn down the lowly and contrite.  His heart is for the poor women with only 2 coins and giving her all.  He leans ever-graciously toward the full outpouring of our heart, at His feet.  When we fall, He picks us back up to move forward in His name.  After our "cleansing" by His shed blood on the cross, we are set on a new path (Gal. 2:20), given a new name (Isaiah 56:5), and a new heart (Ezek. 36:26), all for our good and His glory!

And David knew it.
He didn't live to see his perfect, righteous Heir to the throne.  But you can be sure, this broken man was made alive in the Gospel of Jesus.
Again, Spurgeon had this to say on the topic:
"Nothing but the blood can take away my blood stains, nothing but the strongest purification can avail to cleanse me... Let Him who was appointed to atone, execute his sacred office on me; for none can need it more than I." (on his commentary for verse 7)
The Gospel is so full and unfettered, ready to wholly embrace the one who understands that "by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of  works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)  It brings the adulterer, the liar, the thief, the covetous, the murderer - yes, the angry person - a cleansing so rich and so free, so complete and so life-giving.  We need but turn to Jesus, the God-man who took all of the Father's wrath and judgment on Himself in death on the cross.  This Savior of the world was buried and raised in newness of life, being the first of many who would do the same.  Our hope is in this.  Our lives are dependent on this.  Our future hinges here - the Gospel - that our lives may be full and our eternity with the Father, set.

Do you know Jesus, friend?
Do you know you're cleansed by His blood as a believer?
Do you know the all-sufficient grace that covers the sin debt you owed pre-salvation?
Do you understand that the Gospel message is for you?
Jesus alone saves.
Jesus alone cleans.
Jesus alone purifies.
Jesus alone sanctifies.
Jesus alone.

Thank God for the the "Good news" which shall be unto all people, a Savior who is Christ the Lord!

Much love,
Deeds

Prayer cards

Hey Hey Hey!! It's finally February and the new stamp releases for this month are some of my favorites! Today I am sharing prayer cards I created for prayers I would like to consistently pray over my hubby.

To begin I cut down a few pieces of white cardstock into tags. I dusted off my gelatos (it has been way too long since I used mine they are beginning to dry out0 and pulled out the Always and Forever stamp set. For this beautiful, abstract watercolor background I scribbled my gelatos onto my glass work surface and spritzed them with water. I then started with the largest heart base I dipped it into the wet gelato and stamped. This creates an interesting imperfect watercolor look. To fill in more of the background I used the smallest heart. Once my tag had fully dried I added my prayers and stamped husband on the bottom so when flipping through my tags I can quickly find specific prayers.

I love to pray over my husband and children, but often I find it hard to get started. I love having scripture based prayers that I can use to lift up my family and use as a jumping off point to deeper and more specific prayers. February is the prefect time to shower your family with love, and I can't think of a better way then to pray for them. I am planning to add prayers for my children, friends, and even World events and leaders. How neat would it be to make a simple tag like this write a prayer of encouragement and tuck it with a coffee gift card under someones wipers on their car, or slip it into their coat pocket. Spread love and encouragement this February! Join our Facebook groups (creative worship, sweet n sassy stamps) and share your Bible pages and any projects you are creating to shower our world with love.


Love and Prayers,
Jenn @creativegurl85

JOY: Jesus Overflowing in You

These things I have spoken to you,

that my joy may be in you,

and that your joy may be full.

John 15:11 

As Jesus nears the time of his crucifixionhe pulls his disciples close to him for some final instructions and words of comfort and encouragement.  He speaks about their relationship to him and the need for them to abide in him.  He warns them of the difficulties that lie ahead in identifying with him, because the world has shown its hatred of him already.  He already knows what will conquer evil and hate. His love will bring victory.  And as we abide in him and allow his love to spill out we too will be more than conquerors.  

I used the stamp, Joy to the Word, to create the acrostic Jesus overflowing in you...to show the truth of this verse in John.  There is a direct link between Jesus's vine discourse and the antidote for evil and hate he discusses later.  

Design Detail:

I used gelatos more like watercolor paints to create this background.  I stamped the joy from the set, colored it with copic markers and cut it out to place it vertically on the margin.  Then I used the Teeny Alpha set for all the lettering.  The "t" from this set formed the small crosses on the page.  I also used the Texture Tiles set for the distressing on the page.  

Sets Used from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps:

Joy to the World

Teeny Alpha

Texture Tiles 1