Challenge Word #5: Easy
Have you ever been so tired of your circumstances that you just want to tell God you have had enough? Do you feel like things are never easy for you and as you make it through one trial, another comes your way? Yesterday, I lost my precious grandmother. We found out Friday she had 1-3 days to live. Receiving such news is never easy. Living a Christian life is never easy but as a Christian, you have access to the Holy, Loving, Creator God who cares about you and wants to carry your burdens with you.
The Greek word for ‘easy’ is ‘chrestos’ which means “comfortable or manageable.” God never tells us that being a Christian is easy. But when we are partnered with Christ, even the most difficult news and/or situation becomes ‘manageable’. If the situation is still unbearable, maybe you are trying to do things in your own strength. Jesus wants to help you carry that burden, problem, or difficulty. He doesn’t want you to go through it alone. In fact, the circumstances will seem so much worse if you try to handle it on our own. God is still God, and God is still good even when things are not easy. If we go through the hard times with Him, He will not only be glorified but our faith grows also, and then we receive that indescribable peace. Others will also see God at work in your life and may be drawn to come to know Him too!
Sometimes our struggles are discipline from the Father; sometimes it’s just life. Hebrews 12:10b-11 says “. . . but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” It wasn’t easy for Jesus to leave the Heavenly realms to come down to earth to be a man. Have you thought of what He left? Wow, not only what He left but what He took upon Himself so we might live!!! Nothing we go through compares to what He left and what He did for us. It wasn’t easy for Jesus, and it’s not easy for us but He certainly blesses us with friends, pastors, family, the body of Christ, and most importantly Himself to help make the rough road smooth. Isaiah 26:7 says “The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.” Praise God we have Him to help us carry the load to help make it easier; to help make it comfortable; to help make it manageable!
For my page today, I used two verses from Matthew:
Matthew 11:28 and 30 “28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” “30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I also used the wonderful Fish Background from Our Daily Bread Designs. Now this background measures 4 1/4"x5 1/2"; however, I just stamped a portion of it and cut it into strips for layering behind the Tim Holtz film strip ribbon. I then stamped it onto white Hero Arts flowers then spritzed them with Glimmer Mist. Backgrounds can be used in SO many different ways, and ODBD has MANY great ones! Check them out here (scroll to the bottom for a link to all backgrounds). I then used one of the new frame stamps from the ODBD "Eternity" set to be released March 1st along with a special customized Eternity die made for ODBD by Spellbinders to journal my verses and make the tab for the top of my page. 
Papers: Memory Box Skylights, Mint Ripple, and French Toast; Paper Trey Ink cs
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamp Sets: Fish Background and Eternity
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink walnut stain
Embellishments: Spellbinders/ODBD Eternity die, A Million Memories lace trim, Kaiser Craft pearls, Glimmer Mist moonlight, Basic Grey Olivia chip alpha, Tim Holtz film strip ribbon and tiny attacher, Hero Arts flowers
As you share your pages, please be sure to use Keyword ABCSCRC11 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of our previous lessons, please visit this post here, and I pray this week that you will share your burdens with Jesus so that He can help you make the daily load easier to carry. Blessings,
Sunday, February 27, 2011
ABC Scripture Challenge {Word #5}, Easy
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
sorry to hear about your Grandmother. I hope there is some comfort in knowing you will see her again one day. lovely post
So sorry about the loss of your grandmother. Thank you for talking about it so candidly. And thank too for taking the time to do these scripture challenges. I always enjoy hearing your insight and gleaning from the things you've learned. You are an inspiration to many. God bless you during this difficult time.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss Patter. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate through this difficult time. God bless you.
May God give you peace and comfort during this time. It is never easy to lose a loved one, however as Christians we know they are in God's hand and presence.
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [28 Feb 12:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
So sorry for your loss but we know it was the Lord's gain. He has something for her to do in heaven.
Patter,
My condolences to you and your extended family. Praying the Lord give all of you strenght, comfort, and peace. Thank you so much for your lessons, I truly have learned alot and am applying them to my life. Your page is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing from your hear.
Peace
;0)
Norma
So sorry about your loss Patter .May you feel comforted by our precious Lord.A lovely teaching today will ponder on it before doing my page.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss - never "easy." Thank you so much Patter for sharing your real life stories and emotions. It helps to connect the body when we share our struggles, His Word and the victories. The Word you shared today was a much needed reminder during a time in my life that is not "easy!" What an encouragement you are!
Blessings to you Patter for your encouraging thoughts in your writings for this fortnight.
I do like the soft muted colours of your page.
Dear Patter,
My prayers are for you and your family as you adjust to your grandmother's homegoing. She must have loved you very much! May our precious Savior comfort you in this time.
The layout on "easy" was beautiful, and I appreciate how soothingly the design elements and words flow across the page. Thank you...
Jennifer in Ohio
Dear Patter,
I just now read this, and I am praying for you and your whole family. I pray that the Lord will continue to give you strength, for yourself and to help your children through this time. I know your Grandmother is very dear to you, and she will be welcomed in Heaven and will speak with the Lord face to face. There is so much hope, and happiness in that thought. I pray that if you or your family need any specific prayer needs you will not hesitate to let me know. We also have a Prayer Team over at the He IS Able blog. Thank you for sharing this with us in your writing. Her earthly departure has already helped to serve many...your readers.
He IS Able, <--remember that!
Traci S.
Dear Patter:
May God be with you and your family in this period of huge lost, to comfort you and remind you that He knows your heart and how beloved you are.
Thank you for sharing this inspirational layout of the ABC challenge.
Lya
Thank you Patter! Your page is so beautiful!
I trust all went well on Saturday and that you felt the Lord's presence & peace! God is so great! My prayers for you and your family will continue!...Nancy :o)
Post a Comment