Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Thankful

Today's study is from 2015. I am re-posting the entire study along with the art for you today. I hope that as you enter this week of Thanksgiving that you will focus in Him and be thankful for all He does in your life!

The Study

Have you ever heard the phrase "30 days of Thankful"? It's something paper crafters, Christians, and others participate in each year around Thanksgiving. But my question is what about "365 days of Thankful"? Do you tend to complain more than being thankful? I began thinking about being thankful earlier this week when I posted on Facebook about an incident that happened at our house when the waste management people pulled into our cul-de-sac to collect the trash. While pulling around, they ran over one of the buckets blocking our newly painted and stained concrete.

My sweet friend and blog reader Jennifer posted "Not pleasant for sure. Thankful it wasn't a hospital stay, though." Her comment was spot on and really hit me. I should have been thankful and looked at the blessings in this incident. God really put it on my heart about being thankful. I told Jennifer she was right and listed the things I was thankful for in this mess—"The guys working on my house were available to help at 7:45 a.m., the city offices were open early and had management here immediately, AND they got it all up (no stain on the concrete). God is good, and thanks for pointing me to the One that gets the glory in all things!" Jennifer made me think that God wants us to look for the things we are thankful for in even a bad or literally a messy situation.

We are a nation and gender of complaining. The Israelites also grumbled and complained. They were complaining to each other instead of going to the Lord. Sounds a bit like us too, doesn't it? The Israelites did everything but pray and offer thanksgiving to Him. And as much as we try to hide our complaining, God sees and hears it. 

Numbers 11:1 "Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when He heard them His anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp."

Numbers 14:27 "How long will this wicked community grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites."

Proverbs 15:29 "The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous."

I remember acting just like the Israelites at one point in my life too. I can look back now and say "Wow, I was an Israelite in the desert. All I did was complain." Am I proud of that time in my life? No. Do I still complain? Yes, at times. We need to look at everything everyday—even the hard and difficult times—and pray and be thankful. God provided for the Israelites every single day but they rejected Him. He provides for us every single day, and I know I personally want to thank Him for His blessings and provisions. How about you?

Psalm 138:1 "I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the 'gods' I will sing Your praise."

Colossians 2:6-7 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

Hebrews 12:28 "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."

As Christians, we should be thankful not just on one holiday or during a season but everyday. I am challenging myself to use my 2016 planner to write out a weekly scripture to remind me to be thankful. The scriptures in today's lesson are a start. I need 52, and I don't think they will be too hard to find in His Word. And finally, I leave you with Biblegateway's verse of the day today (a confirmation to me that this is what we were to study today):

Ephesians 5:19-20 ". . . speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Journaling

What are you thankful for today?

What are you thankful for most from 2018?

How has someone shared their Thanksgiving table with you, and what did it mean to you?

The Art

Today I chose to do a Journaling Bible page using Colossians 2:6-7 because I absolutely love the phrase "overflowing with thankfulness." I want to remember to overflow daily with thankfulness to Him!

I used a piece of tissue paper that was in a box of shoes to add all of the flowers and words (except the stickers). I love doing that because there isn't any bleed through, and if you make a mistake, it's on the tissue paper not your Bible page.

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please click here. May you each have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, New

First, let me apologize for not posting in quite a while. First we had Hurricane Florence. My daughter and her husband were with us for 8 days as they couldn't get back home. Then we had Hurricane Michael. Nothing crazy, and between the two storms we only lost two trees. So thankful. Then we have had some travel out of town. My creating time has been pretty minimal. So, let's get to our post for this month.

The Study
Today I want to start off by asking you to read the words to today's song. Don't listen to the song yet, just read the words:

Hello, My Name Is by Matthew West

Hello, my name is regret
I'm pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I'm the whisper inside
That won't let you forget

Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I'll drag you right back down again
‘Til you've lost all belief

These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I've been saved, I've been changed,
And I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King

I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new 
Has proven it's true 
Just take a look at my life 

What love the Father has lavished upon us 
That we should be called His children 
I am a child of the one true King

And click here to listen to this song.

So, do you ever feel defeated? Do you ever regret something that you have done? Do you let that drag you down? If we are honest with ourselves, we all feel that way at some time. As Christians, we cannot let those lies drag us down or cause our faith to falter. In the Old Testament, the Israelites had to give a guilt offering to atone for their guilt and shame.

Leviticus 5:15-16 "When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering. They must make restitution for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value and give it all to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven."

Death is a consequence of sin. So, prior to Christ's death on the cross for our sin, the Old Testament sacrifices were still in place. However, as Christians, we must remember, that Jesus went to the cross to take away the shame, the defeat, and the guilt. We are alive in Him and not defined by our past. But we must confess our sins daily so that we can receive forgiveness. In Him as we confess, we are forgiven!

Leviticus 5:5 "When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned."

Romans 6:10-11 "The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

Leave sin and guilt at the cross where Christ left it. We are forgiven, and we are not to doubt or hang onto guilt! Jesus broke sins' power over you and over me. Because I have a relationship with Christ, I need to look at sin differently. I need to confess it. I need to change my way and become more like Him, and I need to leave it behind once I am forgiven. I can't live in guilt and shame as I did before knowing Him. I am a new person. For instance, once I got married, I got a new name. I began a different life with my husband. I also have a new name and life in Christ, and I need to live differently than I did before. Do I leave the shame, defeat, and guilt behind? Not always but I should! Does this mean I no longer sin? Absolutely not! I sin daily! If I continue to live a life dominated by sin, that is devastating to a believer and dishonoring to God. I am His ambassador so I need to change and live in obedience to Him. I am a constant work-in-progress! He is molding me. How about you?

Isaiah 64:8 "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand."

The fact that we are saved by grace does not give us the right to sin. It give us the freedom to obey! Jesus not only paid the penalty for sin but He broke it's power. So, leave the guilt, the shame, and defeat behind. You have heavenly characteristics! Which ones have you taken on? Which ones do you need to add?

Psalm 34:5 "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."

Romans 9:33 "As it is written: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'"

Romans 10:11 "As Scripture says, 'Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'"

Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Let your life show that you are child of the one true King!!!!

Journaling

• Which heavenly characteristics has God given you since becoming His child? Which characteristics do you need to work on?
• How does your life show that you are a child of God?
• What do you need to confess today and ask for His forgiveness?

The Art
For my 6x6 page, I used Blue Fern Studios papers Blue Fern Garden papers and chipboard. See the supply list below the pictures for specific product names. And the scripture I chose was Hebrews 10:22. I just love that verse, and it goes so well with today's song. Note: this art was from the original study back in 2014 as I did not have time to create anything new. Hope you still enjoy it. :)

Original Study Link
To see the original study from 2014, click here.

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please click here. Remember, you are a child of the one true King!

Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Plans

As school starts back, I thought we should look at our plans and crazy schedules. Maybe this will be a great reminder for all of us as we enter the school year.

The Study

So how many times a week do you have a crazy, rushed morning where you are late or things are just not going according to your schedule? Thankfully I don't have it happen too often but when I do, it really stresses me. I am a very scheduled person, and I like it that way. LOL! One morning, I was an hour behind getting the dogs on their walk and other things I needed to get done. The phone kept ringing, and I just got very behind. I felt like my whole morning was just a wreck, and I was getting more stressed as time went on. I finally took one of the puppies on a walk. As I got to the end of our street, I was stopped again. But this time it was a blessing. I got to meet our new neighbor that is two doors down from me and was just moving in. God kept saying to me "You were late because I wanted you to have this chance to meet your new neighbor." Wow, did that convict me. Have I ever thought things aren't going my way because I am trying to do things MY way? What have I missed in the past because I have done things my way and not let Him lead me or lead my day? How about you? What have you missed out on because you are doing things YOUR way?

Psalm 31:15 "My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me."

Psalm 94:11 "The Lord knows all human plans; He knows that they are futile."

Psalm 121:7-8 "The Lord will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans."

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

Ecclesiastes 3:17 (ASV) "I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

2 Corinthians 1:17 "Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no'?"

What does God have in store for you today?  Will you allow Him to lead you so you can find out? Will you trust God with each day or will you continue to take on each day by yourself your way? How about trying it God's way? Commit to Him in prayer each day and let Him establish your plans! (Proverbs 16:3)

Journaling

• Share your thoughts on letting Him lead you each day.
• How have you seen God's plans prevail in your life?
• What plans of yours do you need to let go and let God?

The Art

I have not created any ICADs in quite a while. I still have many to create as I want one for every day of the year. Anyway, I decided to create a few this week, and this one was done for this month's study. I used the Proverbs 19:21 verse from above. I have also included a few "in process" photos. I was also working on another ICAD with my extra paint, etc., so that's what you see in the back. I will post it later in the week.

Original Study Link

To see the study from 2016, please click here.

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please click here. I pray you see the blessings that come from following His plans for you each day!

Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Anchor

Today at our church, we kick off registration for our women's retreat this Fall. Our theme is "Anchor." I thought today would be a great day to look at this study from 2011. Let's begin.

The Study

Early in December 2010 as I was working on my Bible Study Fellowship lesson, there was a question at the end of the lesson that asked “Will you ask God to anchor your mind to Him? How will you choose to fill your mind with Him this week?” That was such a powerful and eye-opening question to me. Wow, anchoring myself to God. I have never thought of it in that context before. This is something I have really been thinking about since then, and thus I thought it would be a great word for us to start with this year.

Challenge Word #1: Anchor

How many of you have been in a storm at sea? Probably not many of you but you can certainly imagine how scary it would be. Even the storms on land can be very scary at times. Think of the disciples as they were out on the Sea of Galilee. The twelve disciples along with Jesus went out on a boat that was big enough to carry all of them. They had not gone out in a storm yet once they were out on the water, one caught them without warning. Matthew 8:23-26 says “Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”

Look at Jesus’ response to the disciples, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” It seems so easy to love God and share our joys with Him but when the going gets rough, we panic just as the disciples did. Or maybe you are the other way, when things are easy you leave God out of the picture but the minute something gets tough, you cling to Him. No matter which one of these describes you, our faith should be strong in all things—during the good and the bad. If we are not anchored to God, we drift. We waiver in our relationship with Him, and then we feel like we will drown in the “storms of life.” God not only knows what is going on in your life, He has the power to help you deal with it. We need to be anchored to God just as a ship is anchored to the ocean floor. And this isn’t just once we need to do this but daily. We need to wake up purposely anchoring ourselves to Him so that we can stay firm and secure with Him through our day instead of drifting with the waves. Will you anchor yourself to God today, tomorrow, and the days ahead?

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Hebrews 6:19 “The hope we have is an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast.”

In closing for today, remember that whatever comes your way, God knows what you are going through. He has a purpose behind it. Anchor yourself to Him daily, and know that in time “this storm will pass” and you will have grown with Him through it. He can provide strength in any circumstance. He is our anchor, our security, our hope.

Journaling

• How have you anchored yourself to Christ in a situation?
• How can you anchor yourself to Him daily?
• Is there someone that needs to hear about Christ as their anchor? How can you share that with them?

The Art

I wanted to share the digital art I created for our retreat. I thought it would be something fun and different for you today. Feel free to print it out as a reminder to anchor yourself to Him daily!

Original Study Link

To see the study from 2011, please click here.

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please click here. Remember to anchor yourself to Him today, tomorrow, and each day ahead no matter what the day brings! Blessings,

Glory {Art} Rewind Update & a Wedding!

Hello dear blog readers! I am sorry it has been quiet. My life has been swamped since the end of March, and I knew it was just going to get more crazy. It's all been great stuff but truly more than I am used to--getting daughter moved to be near the medical school she will attend in July. She also just got married in mid-June so wedding fun overtook everything. Then one of my other daughter's purchased her first home. I went down to meet the movers to help her move in and get out of her apartment. So, two moves and a wedding with other fun things thrown in between. I hope you will understand why I did not post this month. Please use this time to catch up on previous studies! Have a blessed weekend, and enjoy a couple of photos.

Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Strength

As I thought about what we would study this month, several words came to me--weary, strength, and renew. It is a very busy season in our household (graduations, weddings, moves, etc.) so I guess that's why these words were on my heart. I started to select weary but that seemed negative. I am weary but I want to be positive. You also may be weary but together in our weariness, we can turn to the One that can strengthen us! So, today I will combine a few studies to look at being strengthened in Him. Let's get started!

The Study

To begin our study today, let's look at a song. This particular song is a new song to me; maybe it will be new for some of you too. It is called "His Strength is Perfect" by Steven Curtis Chapman and Jerry Salley. It was written in 1988 and has been published in some Baptist Hymnals since 2008. This song talks about assurance, security, confidence, rest, and shares some attributes of God. You can listen to the song by clicking here. The video is a live performance of Steven Curtis Chapman singing this song. The person filming this has trouble holding onto their camera; however, I really love this live performance. It is more incredible and touching to me to watch him sing it live. I hope it doesn't bother you too much; close your eyes and just listen. Here are the lyrics:

"I can do all things 
Through Christ who gives me strength 
But sometimes I wonder what He can do through me 
No great success to show 
No glory on my own
Yet in my weakness 
He is there to let me know 

Chorus 
His strength is perfect when our strength is gone 
 He'll carry us when we can't carry on 
Raised in His power, the weak become strong 
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect 

We can only know 
The power that He holds 
When we truly see how deep our weakness goes 
His strength in us begins 
Where ours comes to an end 
He hears our humble cry and proves again 

Chorus repeat" 

I found this song by doing a search on the word 'peace'. I was looking for peace and strength particularly for my daughter as she had a spinal nerve root block. She is normally extremely anxious in these situations but instead as the day arrived, she was completely covered in His peace. So many people were praying for her. For me as an 'observer', I was in awe watching Him work in her. I know how she normally handles these things, and the only explanation for what I saw was that God was holding her hand, He was filling her with His peace, and giving her His strength. His strength is perfect!

1 Chronicles 16:11 "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."

Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him."

Psalm 37:24 "Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." 

Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." 

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

Isaiah 40:29-31 says "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I love that passage! When we are weary, He gives us His strength, and He gives us His power. God is greater than our most impossible task. What are you facing this week, this month, this year? Turn to the Lord. He will strengthen you for anything you face now, tomorrow, and forever. So when you are faced with a trial, a difficult situation, a weak moment, etc., will you remember that His strength alone is perfect? Mark the above verses in your Bible, share them with someone that may need them this week, post them on the mirrors around your house because remember—His strength is perfect!

Have you seen how God has given you strength and helped you when you in the past? Maybe you are weary now. Maybe you need a little encouragement. Cry out to Him, and remember the times He was faithful in the past because He will be faithful again! Endure patiently in confident hope but be sure to slow down and listen for Him. He does not grow weary; He strengthens us. His Spirit carries us along. Praise God for His strength and unending patience!

Journaling

• Share a time when you were weary and how God strengthened you.
• Share a scripture that helps you when you are weary.

The Art

Today's art is done in my new journal that I created in Roben-Marie Smith's class. If you missed the information about this journal or class, click here. Anyway, I already had some paint on this page, and I had the painted circle laying on my art table so I chose to use that and used it for color inspiration too. I used Isaiah 40:29-31 from above but I could not fit then entire verse so I ended up just squeezing on what I could. 

Original Study Links

In 2011, we looked at 'weary'. You can read that short study by clicking here. And in 2014, I talked about 'His Strength'. Click here for that study.  I also did a short blog post on 'renew'. Click here to see that.

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please click here. God is with you in a mighty way. Remember that, and rely on His strength to get you through whatever you must tackle today!

Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Religion

I wanted us to look at a previous study about religion. I see so much talk on various social media sites about being religious, what denomination you belong to, etc. It's so much more than that, and instead my prayer is that people truly understand that it's about a relationship not religion. I encourage you to read Hebrews 11:4-31 before beginning today's study. These passages don't say "By being a Methodist . . ." or "By following this religious law . . ." Our relationship begins by putting our faith in Christ not a religion. So all of these mentioned in this passage had faith in Christ and a relationship with Christ. Wouldn't you too love to experience a relationship with the living God instead of following a bunch of religious rules? Let's read on.

The Study

God has been putting the word "religion" in front of me for several weeks now. It first started with a quote from Bono that said:

"Religion is what you have left when the Holy Spirit has left the building."

Then a few days later, I was preparing my lesson for church to lead the K-5 service. This stood out to me:

"Religion is about our attempt to reach God. The Gospel is about the truth that God 

reached out to us. God is not about religion, He is about relationship." 

There's that word again—religion. In both of these quotes, we see that religion is about us doing something, following rules, and not relying on the indwelling Holy Spirit that fills each and every believer. The Holy Spirit is how believers experience God. It makes Him known to us, to know scripture is truth, and to be able to apply it. He expects believers to follow the Spirit's leading. That honors God. Here we see how the apostles followed the Holy Spirit's leading when Matthias became an apostle.

Acts 1:24-26 "Then they prayed, 'Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.' Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles."

I hear people say or I see on message boards "Well, I am not religious." I think the word religion can have a lot of negative connotations, and it does not necessarily draw people to Christ. As the quote said above, God is not about religion; He is about relationship. He is not about a list of rules. Yes, He wants us to obediently follow Him as His Word leads us but it's not about following a list of rules. We have a relationship with Him, and we serve Him and obey Him because we love Him not because we are following a list of rules. Our joy is in our relationship with Him not by following a religion. He created each and every person on this earth. The power of God's indwelling Holy Spirit and our relationship with Him completely transform us; religion does not do that.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them."

Psalm 139:13 "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb."

Colossians 1:16 "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him."

He puts a desire within each person to have a relationship with Him but not all people respond. We respond to Him by accepting Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sins and believing that God raised Him from the dead. His blood was poured out so that our sins are forgiven. We cannot experience a relationship with God unless we have received this free gift. Even Paul, who was a Pharisee, learned that it was belief in Jesus instead of obeying a list of rules. Our outward religious acts do not save us. He wants to have that relationship with you. He loves you. To read more about accepting His free gift, please click here. Have you experienced religion or a real and personal relationship with Jesus?  

John 1:18 (NLT) "No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is Himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us."

Romans 3:25a "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith."

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9 "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

1 Peter 3:18 (NLT) "Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit."

"Going through the motions of religion won’t ever satisfy. It’s only when we bend down low, open our hearts in complete surrender, and say, 'Jesus, it’s You. Only You. There is no other. There is no other possession or person or position that can ever fill the deep soul place shaped only for You.'" —Lysa TerKeurst

So, will you be so bold as to begin saying you have a relationship with Christ instead of calling yourself religious or a Methodist, a Baptist, etc.?

Journaling

• Describe your relationship with Christ.
• How might you deepen your relationship with the Lord?
• Do you feel feel you are religious or living for Christ? Explain.

The Art
I have not done a journal page in quite some time, and I really wanted to journal about my relationship with Christ. My dear friend and I were also working together in my studio last week, and she had been using some red paint. Of course, we don't waste paint so I used some of the paint to stencil these flowers onto book paper. I never use red, so she challenges me to use it. :) Red is certainly perfect for His blood shed for me!

Anyway, once the flowers were dry, I was able to cut them out and use one of them on today's page. I only used one of the flowers so I have a second one still to use on another project. I put them on the page with a glue stick and then doodled around them before adding the typed prompt.

Original Study Link
I first shared this study July 2015. Click here to see the original post.

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please click here. May you be blessed as you study and deepen your relationship with Him!

Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Forgiveness

As we approach Easter, I thought we should look at forgiveness again. I also need it for myself right now as I was blindsided and hurt again Friday by someone close to me. Again I have cried, and this time I wanted to call my sister, and my wise daughter said "No, Mom, because you two will just gossip." I thanked her and told her she was exactly right. So, I have not spoken to my sister but have spoken to the Lord and one of my dearest friends that would give my Godly advice. She even told me to go and splatter some black paint and tell God I am angry. Oh how she knows me well! And now, I can say I am in a better place this morning because of it. So, together let's look at forgiveness again.

The Study

Last week (Aug. 2016), I was hurt deeply by someone very close to me. I cried for a long time, and I called my mom to rant. Thankfully she wasn't home because that's not who God wanted me to call. I was blindsided by what happened, and I turned to vent. When Mom wasn't available, I turned to the Lord and asked "What am I to learn from this? Why did this happen?" My questions still go unanswered but I am watching for the lesson. Am I still hurt? Absolutely! But I felt the Lord wanted me to settle this so I called the person immediately but they did not answer the phone. I ended up e-mailing the person a very lengthy message. I don't remember starting the e-mail or finishing it. The words just came, and I felt such a relief knowing my feelings were stated and heard. This person did not have the facts correct. Why couldn't this person call and talk to me instead of attacking me and ones I love via e-mail? I will never know the answers. The person that received my message, said they would call to discuss it with me after receiving my e-mail but they never did. I am trying to let it go because I said what God wanted me to say, and I have peace. Now if I could just get Satan out of the way as he tries to bring it back up when I sleep. Has this happened to you? How have you handled it? Do you run to others? Do you run to the Lord? What should we do next?

First, I must forgive this person, and you must forgive the person that wronged you. Whether or not this person ever agrees with me is not for me to worry about but forgiving this person is what I am to do because God has forgiven me, and He has forgiven you.

How did Jesus react when He was rejected, lied to, beaten, and crucified? He responded by praying for them, asking for forgiveness for them, and loving them. As Jesus was being crucified, He still prayed for those that sent Him to the Cross. He didn’t get angry with them but pleaded with the Father to forgive them.

Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

You may ask, how did He love them? He loved them by going to the Cross for their sins. Blood cleanses sin. Without the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament, there would not have been forgiveness of sin.

Hebrews 9:22 "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

Jesus was the ultimate and final blood sacrifice. His blood covers all of our sin and thus giving us forgiveness and eternal life with Him if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. If Jesus can love us and give to us such a tremendous, immeasureable gift, how much more should we forgive and extend grace to others? Jesus is our perfect example. We are not only to forgive those that wrong us but we are to pray for them and love them as Jesus did. And instead of letting those wounds fester and eat at you, experience the joy, happiness, and relief as you truly forgive.

Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."

Colossians 1:13-14 "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

I found this on the American Bible Society blog about forgiveness "But forgiveness doesn’t excuse the crime. It doesn’t minimize it. It doesn’t say it was okay. In fact, it does exactly the opposite. It squarely faces the offense. It says, 'You did wrong, and it hurt me badly. But now I’m choosing not to hate you for it.' God does not shrug off our sin. He asks us to own up to it. We should do the same as we forgive others."

I love that. Do you feel that things have to be 'happy' again once you forgive someone? When someone hurts us or has wronged us, we need to work it out with that person first. Pray hard, and realize that you may have sinned yourself. We should have a desire to restore the relationship not a desire to be proven right. But maybe that someone doesn't want to forgive you. How do you handle that? My pastor once told me that sometimes relationships are not meant to be restored but we are to forgive the person so we can move on. That has helped me in a relationship that I knew would never be restored. Is there someone maybe that you yourself are withholding forgiveness from? And what can you do to bless and love someone that has hurt you? Are you praying for them?

Psalm 103:10 "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities."

Isaiah 1:18 "'Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'"

Micah 7:18-19 "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Mark 11:25 "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Hebrews 12:15 "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

We need to be in the habit of forgiving. If we can forgive 77 times, then we will be in the habit of forgiving!

Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"

Journaling

• What can you do to bless and love someone that has hurt you?
• How have you been able to forgive someone over and over again?
• To whom do you have to say "I'm sorry" the most?

The Art
For my art marks journal today, I used a quote I found. I don't know the author. Anyway, I really liked it, and I thought it went very well with the quote above by the American Bible Society. Forgiveness doesn't excuse the crime but I can turn my back on it and forgive the person that hurt me.

I used bright cheery colors today to note how I feel once I forgive someone. And then I added some black paint splatters like my dear friend suggested to tell God I was angry and to get rid of that anger so to speak by throwing a little paint. :)

Original Study Links
I combined two studies for today's lesson. One from 2016, and one from 2010. You can see those older studies here and here.

Join us on our Facebook page, and remember to see all of our 2018 lessons, visit this post here. I needed to write this for today. I needed these scriptures as it is all so fresh (again). I hope some of you are helped by this today too. Being attacked and forgiving someone is hard. But with the Lord, we can do just that because He has forgiven us! Blessings,

Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Compassion

Today we are looking back on a study about compassion from 2010. I hope you are as excited about this study as I am. Enjoy!

The Study
Are you so caught up in your own struggles or busyness that you fail to see the needs of those around you? Are you sensitive and compassionate towards others or are you selfish? Or on the other end of the spectrum are you feeling as though no one cares or is insensitive to your needs? Do you need some compassion right now? If you feel like that, I am sure there are many around you that feel that way too.

Compassion is meeting people where they are in life, spending time with them, not judging them, and most importantly loving them as God loves them. You can show compassion to anyone even to people you do not know—to the cashier at the grocery store, the bank teller, your postal carrier, a passerby in your neighborhood­, anyone! When God brings someone to you whether a stranger or a friend, show them the compassion that Christ showed to everyone around Him.

Matthew 9:36 "When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Matthew 15:32 "Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, 'I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.'"

Luke 7:13 "When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, 'Don’t cry.'"

Today He could be using you to accomplish His task. Are you sensitive to His leading and to those around you? Are you reaching out, meeting people where they are, and touching them? As we look to God in all things, our compassion grows for others. Showing that compassion and unconditional love draws people to Christ! How awesome and amazing is that?

As I shared this word back in 2010 with one of my daughter’s, she immediately said "Mom, that reminds me of the song 'Mighty to Save.'" If you have never heard that song before, listen below focusing on the very first verse:

“Mighty to Save”
Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Notice again that first verse: 'Everyone needs compassion.' Yes, everyone!!! Not just the people you like or the people you have time for but everyone. Over and over the Bible talks about the Lord's compassion. He has compassion on us; therefore, we need to have compassion for others.

Nehemiah 9:17b ". . . But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love."

Psalm 111:4 "He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate."

Psalm 116:5 "The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion."

Psalm 145:9 "The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made."

Isaiah 30:18 "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"

Lamentations 3:22-23 "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

If His compassions do not fail and are new every morning, how can you go out today and show that same compassion to someone else?

Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

Journaling

• What compassions has the Lord shown you this week?
• What compassions have you shown someone else this week?
• How has someone shown compassion to you this week?

The Art
Goodness I struggled with this page. I really wanted to use this scrap piece of fabric on my table but I struggled. Usually I have a blast with these, and they come together quickly. Not this one. I guess I should have worked on something else or forgotten the piece of fabric. Ha! Anyway, I used a line from the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" based on Lamentations 3:22-23 for my page since it was just perfect for today's study.

Original Study Link
To see this original study from 2010 on compassion, click here.

This week, will you look for someone that needs a listening ear? Will you show that unconditional love and compassion towards them? Join us on our Facebook page, and remember to see all of our 2018 lessons, visit this post here. Compassionately in Christ,

Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Example

Welcome to our first study of 2018. I am so excited to have you here and look back at the older studies. Today we will be looking at a combination of two studies—one from 2010, and one from 2016. We will be looking at being an example and the impact we have on others. Let's get started!

The Study
Who has been that living faith example to you in your life? Have you been that to others, and are you that to your children or grandchildren? How about to those believers and unbelievers around you? Everyone one of us will leave some sort of impact. Have you ever thought about it? We leave an impact on people by what we do, what we say, how we live out our faith daily, and how we show love to others. What kind of example are you to your family? Your community? Your church? How about beyond that?

1 Timothy 4:12 "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Our Daily Bread says this about 1 Timothy 4:12 "Paul’s words aren’t just for the young generation. All of us should be an example in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity. That’s how we make an impact for Christ. 'O Christians, remember, you bear His dear name, Your lives are for others to view; You’re living examples—men praise you or blame, and measure your Savior by you. —Anon.'"

Jesus Christ is our perfect example. Jesus knew how and when His life would end yet He continued to be that perfect example to us. Jesus says in John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” We need to build others up through loving instruction and by example. People, especially our children and grandchildren, watch what we do. They see how we act under stress. We are watched seven days a week; not just on Sundays, and we are watched by people that we don’t even realize are watching us. What do they see? Does your life match what you say? Do you wear a cross around your neck yet you grumble and complain all of the time? Do you gossip? Do you have a fish on your car yet you speed or have a fit of road rage? Our lives should point others to Christ by being that example He has called us to be. God’s Word is truth, and in His word we can find how we are to live and how we are to be living examples to those around us.

James 1:22-25 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”

Yes, our lives are viewed by others, and people measure our precious Lord and Savior by what they see in us. What a privilege but also a huge responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Am I good living example? Oh I pray I am but I also know I falter. How about you? A quote from a historical fiction book by Darlene Franklin says: "Sometimes the only Bible people read is your life and a lot of people are watching and weighing your actions." Your actions will leave an impact good or bad. Think about that. Remember that. If you want to leave a godly impact on those around you including those you love, then you must follow Christ's example He sets for us in His Word.

1 Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

1 Peter 2:21 "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps."

Did you see that in the verse above? We are an example, and by that example we make an impact. Again, what kind of impact are you making on those around you?  I know I want people to taste godliness when they see me and hear me. I want to make an impact on peoples lives that leaves them wanting to know more about Christ and to follow His example. Don't you?

Journaling

• Who has been that living faith example to you in your life? How have they done that?
• What kind of example are you for Christ? Is there an area you need to work on? 
• How would you like your children or grandchildren to follow in your footsteps?
• How has Jesus' example helped you in a situation?

The Art
I have not worked in my little art marks journal for quite some time. So today I am sharing a page that I created for today's study. If you would like to make your own journal, you can see my instructions by clicking here.

For the title, I used my favorite alpha stamps. I believe they are made by Prima. I know Ken Oliver makes them now in sizes small, medium, and large. The stamps on this page are the medium size. They are called 'clickable stamp'. Here you can see the stamp 'clicked' together before I stamped it onto my paper.

I reference the 1 Peter 2:21 verse below as I felt it was perfect for this topic today.

Original Study Links
To see the original 2010 study, click here. And to see the original 2016 study, click here.

I pray in your quiet time over the next two weeks that you will think about the example you are to those around you. Ask God to help you be the example He wants you to be. Trust Him; He will show you! Join us on our Facebook page, and remember to see all of our 2018 lessons, visit this post here. Joyfully in Jesus,