Choose Life!

Hi friends,

Sometimes there are things in the Bible that are complicated or difficult to understand, and other times there are things that are so simple, yet it can take our whole lives to actually live them out! Deuteronomy 30 shows how Moses presents Israel with a very simple choice as they move forward into the Promised Land:

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

When I was reading this chapter the two words that stood out to me when it comes to choosing life were love and obey. The thing is, choosing life isn't just a casual choice we make, like ticking a box on a form that says 'life' rather than the one that says 'death'. This choice is played out in the other choices we make in life. That is why love and obedience are linked to choosing life. We have to start with love for God - without that, any choices we make will be surface-level and motivated by the wrong things, so will not produce lasting fruit. Love for God needs to be our motivation for the choices we make.

But love, by its very nature, results in obedience. Jesus said "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching." (John 14:23). We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that we can profess love for God but continue to ignore His loving instruction. Yes, God is abundantly gracious and continues to pursue us when we mess up and disobey, either in ignorance or blatant disobedience. However we need to be aware that life in all its fullness (the life Jesus has come to give us) is found on the pathway of obedience. So let us continue to choose this life out of love for God that is expressed in simple, childlike obedience to His voice.

This page already had some journaling notes on it from a previous reading of this passage, so I decided to stamp and colour around them so they formed part of my illustrated page. I used the stunning Rose Banner set to stamp the roses and butterflies, then coloured with Inktense pencils and an aquabrush (my favourite way of colouring!). The words were stamped with the new Teeny Alpha set, along with the 'life' from Message of Hope.

      

Can I encourage you to reflect upon what choosing life looks like for you? What areas of heart motivation might God be gently highlighting? Are there choices to be made that require obedience? God will continue to lead and encourage us as we follow the example of Jesus in choosing life!

x Amy x

Jesus Is The Way

"We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way;

and the LORD has punished Him for the iniquity of us all."

Isaiah 53:6

When I was younger, I was more of a country gal than I am now.  I lived in Podunkville, USA and in the very center of agriculture and farming.  Each day, you could bank on seeing a tractor mosey down a main highway, stopping up traffic for half a mile or so; smelling the dingy dust of a turkey farm that - if you had never had an allergy in your life - could cause the need for an inhaler; sprinkler and irrigation systems running for miles into farmland, which, if hit just right by the sun, could render miles of mists and color; and of course, don't forget the flocks of sheep bumbling, bumping into one another as farmers and 2 or 3 Collie mutts drive their sooty-white, wooly bodies across yet, another main stretch of highway. This too, can stop up traffic for a good half mile.

I never once wished to be a farmer on one of those drives.  NEVER.  Never once did I have ambition or desire to care for a group of 100+ seemingly lost and stupid sheep from one area of pasture to another. To me, that was a waste of life!  Sheep are not obviously intuitive and have an astounding lack of direction and will.  They go where they feel the rest are going, continuing on a path no matter how dangerous its potential.  They'll follow one another into pits, creeks, barbed fences...basically, if the poor sheep-farmer doesn't keep them all in check, he'll have not one sheep remaining after the 15 feet of crossed pavement! 
As the country-wanna-be-city girl, I pitied those dumb animals.  "Why would God make a creature and leave it without some form of defense mechanism," I'd wonder.

I read this passage in Isaiah not long ago, and it hit me - God does provide a line of defense for those sorry life forms: it's man.  Man protects his flock, guides his flock, waters his flock, defends his flock, leads his flock; sheep ultimately live from man's provision and care.  Without man, well, does the phrase, "sheep to the slaughter" mean anything? 

Isaiah is so poetic throughout his book.  Once I heard someone refer to it as the "gospel according to Isaiah," before and can totally get on board with that rendering. The gospel according to Isaiah; the "good news" put forth in Isaiah's form of writing.  Look how beautiful...

"Surely he has borne our griefs
    and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
    smitten by God, and afflicted.
 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.
 All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
    so he opened not his mouth.
 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
    and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
    stricken for the transgression of my people?
 And they made his grave with the wicked
    and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
    and there was no deceit in his mouth.

 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
    he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt"  (vv. 4-10)

We, like sheep have gone astray?  Did you know you're a sheep?  Did you know I'm a sheep??
So it turns out that my need for a Protector, a Leader, a Provider is as strong as a sheep's dire need for the protection of its owner.  Without it, that poor sheep is lost - I am lost, and apparently wandering without my Shepherd.  But God provides for this "sheep," much like He does for my wooly friends - only Way better. :)
In my flesh, I reject this.  In my heart, I acknowledge this.  In my soul, I rejoice in this.  Say what?  Rejoicing in weakness?  Rejoicing in ineptness?  Rejoicing in neediness?  Absolutely.

Jesus told Paul, "for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  (2Cor. 12:9)
So where's the connection between our being sheep and rejoicing in that?  Jesus.  Jesus is our connection.  How?
Read v. 7 of Isaiah 53:  "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth."
Jesus, too, is likened to a sheep.  NO!  Jesus isn't wandering.  He's not inept, inadequate and needy!  He doesn't need a constant protector and supervisor.  Nope, He doesn't.  

Jesus was the perfect lamb - a spotless sacrifice - for the rest of us sheep.  God, took on the life form of a human in Jesus Christ, became like us BUT WITHOUT SIN, and offered Himself as the greatest and most perfect of sacrifices, satisfactory to the wrath of God Almighty.  Conquering the grave and hell by giving Himself on the cross, He is now victorious, sitting at the right hand of God in glorified form!  Our Lamb.  The Lamb who was slain for our weaknesses.

The gospel message is this: Christ died, was buried and was raised for our sins.  We are all sheep that have gone astray, and because of Jesus, we have a Way.  In Jesus, we know THE Way.  Jesus is THE Way to everlasting life with the Father.  He's the ONLY Way to eternal life in glory.  He's ALWAYS been the Way God has provided for the "sheep" that have gone astray, so that we may have direction, protection and life!

Jesus is the Way!  Our triumphant, amazing Lamb who makes us strong and gives us direction.  Our Shepherd who provides our every need; who reigns powerful in our poverty!

Praise Jesus, and Amen!

Much love,

_Deeds_

IG: @mrcfuldeeds2010
Youtube: mrcfuldeeds

Bold Prayers

I don't know about you but sometimes I just have weak prayers... You know, the kind that you barely squeak out because you feel some sort of duty to utter them each morning when you wake up. The grace over dinner, or the quickly sent up prayers over your kids when you tuck them into bed at night. The someone is praying... they may or may not believe what they are saying, but you can tell they lack the confidence in an almighty God over the situation which they are praying for. I'm not suggesting that we don't do these I just think there is more to praying than just that don't you? I want to make the devil shutter when I pray.

Now that we understand weak weeny-fied (that's southern for 'wimpy') prayers lets talk about BOLD POWERFUL prayers for a minute and how we can access God with more power, boldness, & confidence. 

Bold Prayers all have 3 things in common...

1. They are prayers that pray the Word of God. We talked about this in a past post. You are now in agreement with God when you pray the Word back to Him. That's POWER.

2. Need to be bigger than yourself. Believe God for something big, something that seems far out there, a dream, a goal, or ability that you could never accomplish on your own. A miracle healing, a supernatural promotion, an impossible obstacle to be removed...you get the idea. When you pray this kind of prayer then it shows God your level of faith and when He answers it, the only explanation is to give Him the glory. That's BOLDNESS.

3. Boldly approach the throne  - Hebrews 4:16 NLT - So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God... That's CONFIDENCE

Now THESE kind of prayers get answers. They are full of power and confidence in the sovereignty of God Almighty. It's time that we stand up and be bold in our faith and by bold I don't mean going all crazy pants. I mean the prayers that scare the enemy and put Heaven on high alert. :)

God is not scared of your audacious prayers. Be bold. Have Confidence. March right up to God and ask Him for what you need. 

1 John 5:14-15 - And we are CONFIDENT that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for. 

Well there ya go... that settles it right? No more wondering IF God still answers prayers. The thing that you must not miss though is the part where it says "whatever you ask that PLEASES HIM". We need to pay attention to that and ask things according to God's will and not our own. If you're like me you often fall into this trap and pray for God to do what you want to see done or move in a way that you see fit. No no. Pray about that which concerns God and pleases Him. Those prayers get answered.

Think about what it is today that you need to have more faith for. What is it that you haven't prayed about because you thought it was TOO BIG or TOO IMPOSSIBLE? Go ahead... I dare you today to be bold and pray desperate powerful prayers and watch God get to work! Report back to me if you do. I wanna celebrate with you answered prayers. 

** Bonus Scripture Ephesians 3:12**

Pray Bold!

Elizabeth

IG @icolorinmybible

Art Tips:

My handpainted bluebonnets were inspired by my friend @messybible and you only need 3 simple things to create them.

1. Acrylic paint

2. Q-tips

3. old empty gift card or credit card

Start by stomping the gift card through a puddle of green paint and use to 'stamp' the stems. Next you use the side of your q-tip and dip it into the dark blue paint. You need it to be on it's side to create and elongated oval-ish shape. Continue filling the bluebonnet up to the top of the stem. I added a hint of purple for depth then light blue and white to finish off looking a bit more realistic. This was very easy, fun, & relaxing. No rhyme or reason just have fun and create some cool abstract bluebonnets. And in case you aren't from the great state of Texas, celebrate with us anyway.  Just kidding, you can use this technique for any color flower you'd like. :)

Since I used my new Interleaved Bible I had plenty of space to add some personal prayer journaling after photographing this page.

I'm loving this new set from Sweet N Sassy Stamps called Just Say Jesus. It's versatile, cute, and has so may possibilities. Grab one for yourself. 

I also used these outline stamps. I love them and that they are easy to cut out so I can stamp them onto any patterned paper or in this case a photo. I now have a custom matching alphabet that coordinates with whatever I create. Viola!

SHINE ON

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 

Philippians 3:12‭-‬16 ESV

You have a unique purpose.

But what does that look like for you? Where has God placed you? What is he asking you to do for Him?

What's your calling? Your passions? What makes you bold and determined? Who are you drawn to minister to? Children? Women? Familes?

Where do you find your calling? What is your purpose as a woman?

How has your ministry changed over the years? How has your passions and gifts changed?

Are you miserable where you are? Too scared to walk away? Are you wishing for bigger or better opportunities?  Just a little more recognition? Are circumstances just unchangeable right now? You just feel stuck?

I don't know why all I can do is ask these questions. But it challenges me. We all get a little lost! We get feeling a little unappreciated. We get tired. We forget who we are...

But. Friend. You and I are daughters of the king. We are unique. We have a purpose. In the NOW. In the today, God has us here for a reason. We must live running towards the prize! Run for the Gospel. Run for Him.

ART TALK

Used the Be Unique Stamp set from Sweet N Sassy Stamps.

I started with watercoloring the background to look like sky and grass using the Jane Davenport Brights Pallet.  Then I stamped the unicorn on white sticker paper and used the Mermaid Markers to color it in. I added some blue paint to give the sky some texture. Then stamped the words on. Love this set and all the options you can do with it!!! 💜

Blessings,
Colleen

Sermon Notes

Joshua is one of my favorite books of the Bible! It’s the first book I ever read as if it were a novel. I read it just for the enjoyment -- it’s quite an adventure story. 

Joshua 1.5-9 "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

I especially love the first part. To me, it’s as if Joshua is sitting in church and God is preaching a personal sermon. You know...one of those that you know the preacher preached just for you! Yes, that kind of sermon. 

Can you imagine the note taking going on in that church service? 

Sermon Title: Don’t Worry

1. I will be with you
2. I won’t fail you 
3. Or leave you
4. Be Strong (and courageous)
5. Don’t be afraid

If it was me, I wouldn't be able to write fast enough because I’d be hanging onto every word God spoke! This would be one of those sermons I’d go back to the notes over and over again. I’d ponder them, pray over them, and probably even doodle on them as I talked to God about the truths He spoke. 

God gave Joshua some great truths to hang on to. God promised to be with Joshua and to never leave him. He reminded Joshua not to be afraid. God challenged him to be strong and courageous. Great things for us too!! Don’t you think?

Art behind the story:

This page has a light watercolor wash on the background topped with stamping done in acrylic paint using Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps Grunge Elements 2. The “sticky notes” are from the April release called Just Say Jesus and done on printed patterned paper. Alphas are so versatile. Here, I used the new Teeny Alpha set to “write” my notes. The doodles in the background are from Scribble Flowers and Just Say Jesus. 

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Until next time, 

Hugs!

Gayle (Patio Ponderings)

 

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
SaveSave

Beauty in the Cross

Hello friends! I pray you all had a blessed Easter weekend. I am still on a spiritual high from Sunday, so I thought I would share the page I created to remind me of Easter Sunday this year.

I Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

I was scrolling through Instagram the other day when this quote hit me right between the eyes... 'by dying He destroyed our death, by rising again He restored our life.' Wow that somehow clicked and I knew it had to be in my Bible. The image of the cross is often associated with our Saviors suffering and can seem cruel, ugly and harsh...and it is but it is also beautiful. That unfinished cross finished and sealed our destiny, those ugly nails secured our hope, and that harsh crown blossomed into glory. Only Jesus could take a horrible, tragic death and after three days bust out with new life! I hope these feelings never stop overwhelming you!

I began this page by using some washi tape to create a masked off cross on my page. Then I went in with my watercolors and painted flowers and foliage. I am seriously in love with the new teeny alphabet stamps in the new April stamp release...I have a feeling they will find themselves on many of my pages. I used those stamps along with a little brush lettering to recreate the quote I mentioned earlier. I added a few white gel pen accents in the lettering and flowers and a smattering of washi, puffy hearts, and wordfetti.

Father, fill our hearts and overwhelm us with your love for us. Thank you for taking such a ugly, harsh event and creating the beauty of eternal life with you. Help us walk a little closer to you everyday and share the incredible joy we have in you!  Amen!

Hugs and Prayers
Jenn @creativegurl85

Singing Praises to God

Hey guys!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter season spent with family, friends and reflecting on the true meaning of Easter and just how lucky we all are! He is a good, good Father isn't he?! One of my favorite Easter traditions is singing old church hymns. They bring back so many memories as a young kid and now they will get stuck in my head and I find myself humming them all day.

There is so much truth in the worship songs we sing! The style of the songs we sign have changed some over the years, but the meaning and the love behind them all remains the same. One of my absolute favorite worship songs right now is "Holy Spirit". Guys! This song gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes.

🎶 Holy Spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Your presence, Lord 🎶

Every time I sing this song, I can't help but close my eyes and put my hands up! This song has so much power and truth in it. Calling God to come fill the atmosphere with His presence and just being overcome with everything He is! I just picture beautiful light filling the room, with hands raised towards heaven. Hebrews 13:15 says "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." So God considers praising him a sacrifice that is pleasing to Him. The fruit of our lips, what a "sweet" way to think about it!

Creative Details: To create this page I first applied a thin layer of gesso to my page since I knew I would be getting this page pretty wet. Then I used a clean paintbrush and went over my whole page with water. Once the page was wet, I started applying my watercolors in various places but starting in the middle with yellow and working my way out choosing gradually darker colors. After letting the colors blend together some, I dried it with my heat gun. 

To add the shimmer/light effect to the page, I took gold metallic and white gelatos and did straight lines coming off of the yellow circle, kind of like sun rays. Then took a baby wipe and smudged the gelato and blended them together. Once that part was finished, I simply outlined some hands in pen, colored them in with black acrylic paint, then applied my Holy Spirit stamp to the center with VersaFine black ink. 

Thanks for joining me this morning! 

xoxo,

Stephanie Gammon

Holy Spirit