Thursday, April 30, 2015

Help!

Aren't you grateful for those around you that help you when you need help? It is impossible for us to know everything there is to know, to be able do all that is needed to be done in this life. I am very good at messing things up when I try to do things on my own, particularly in certain areas. Even when I have some knowledge, there is always more to know!

Imagine being a fully trained physician/surgeon - even they specialize in certain areas. They don't know it all in every field. They may be familiar with other medical areas, but they consult with others who specialize in other fields. Lawyers, business professionals, investors, bankers . . . all the same. We know in part, but none of us know everything about all there is to know.

So, I am grateful for those with more knowledge and experience than I do, who are willing to help, train, direct and even RESCUE me!!! Thank you to all of you who function in those categories when needed!

But, think about this . . . what a wonderful deal it would be to have someone with us at all times who had all knowledge and the ability to help us with anything we need help with at whatever time we need it!

God is our very present help in time of need. He will never fail us. He will never leave us without help. He is all wise, all-knowing, The Holy Spirit is our guide, giving us counsel. The Word of God teaches us what we need to know to live this life successfully and so much more.

If we want to have better success in our lives and have help whenever we need. Look to God and ask Him to help you! How wonderful it is to have helpful people, but we are limited. God has no limits. There Nothing He cannot do. Ask and you shall receive!


My God Cannot Lie!

A few posts ago I shared with you what happened when I leaned against the car and said "If I don't believe the truth I just heard, I am calling God a LIAR! I. . . Just . . . Couldn't . . . call God a liar. Truthfully, I didn't know that much about God for myself, but I knew what my husband said to me was in God's Word. I respected God enough, that I couldn't call Him a liar.

After that happened, after the reports all came back perfect, I had a desire to know about this "God who cannot lie". I studied the Bible to find out more for myself. I will share with you now some of what I learned that convinced me even more about the fact that God cannot lie.

I am going to start adding scriptural references to my posts so that you can easily look up the scriptures to see for yourself that this is God's Word, not my own.

"God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" Numbers 23:19

Does that impact you? God is NOT a man! We can say we will do something and even with the best of intentions, walk away and forget what we were going to do. God is NOT that way. If He says something He will not forget that He said it, He Will do it. He WILL always make His Word good to us.

Here in Hebrews 6:15-18, we see, in reference to the promise God gave to Abraham that He would give him a son, Isaac, God reminding us that there are 2 unchangeable things (His promise and His oath) in which it is Impossible for God to lie or to deceive us ~~~ Wow! Not only can God Not lie, It is Impossible for Him to lie or even deceive us. In James 1:13,  we find out that God is incapable of being temped by evil. You can't even tempt him to lie!

Malachi 3:6  tells us that God doesn't change - He couldn't lie in Abraham's day - he can't be tempted to lie in our day either. James 1:17 says that with God there is no variableness no change or even a shadow. In every season of life God is the very same! We can count on Him! I have often said regarding my husband and my son, as well, that "They are the most stable people I know." Even in the most difficult and stressful times, they remain the same. God is far greater that that!!! Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!

But what about those who don't believe this? What if some don't believe that Jesus bore my sicknesses and carried my diseases and by His stripes I am healed? What if, worse yet, some don't believe that Jesus even is the Son of God who came to this earth and was crucified and buried and rose up on the third day to take away our sins and make us His Children? Well, there are answers to those questions too . . . Romans 3:3-4 says, "What if some did not believe and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the faithfulness of God and His fidelity (to His Word)? By no means! Let God be found true though every human being false and a liar, as it is written, that You may be justified and shown to be upright in what You say, and prevail when You are judged (by sinful  men).

On and on and on the Bible continues to tell us the same exact things . . . quickly I will refer to these scriptures for your own study:
     2 Samuel 7:28 - "O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth"
     I John 1:9 - "He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises)."
     Revelations 19:11 - He is called "Faithful and True"
     Ephesians 1:13 - the Word of God is called the "Word of Truth."
     Titus 1:2 tells us: "Resting in the hope of eternal life, (life) which the ever truthful God Who cannot lie, promised before the world or the ages of time began.

     This scripture in I Thessalonians 5:24 sums this all up wonderfully . . . "Faithful is He Who is calling you (to Himself) and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it.

So, what if we don't believe? God still remains the same. He is still faithful. Those who don't believe don't receive the promises of God. It is not God's fault if we won't believe. He still remains faithful. All that He has said is still true. It is all still available to us. It is our fault if we don't obtain what God has promised. The people in Jesus' own town would not believe and because of that Jesus could do no mighty work there. It wasn't that He refused to or wouldn't do great things for them. He did it everywhere else and often commented "it is your faith that made you well" or "Great is your faith". It is not God who is not faithful! God is not to be blamed when we do not receive from Him. It is only our very own fault if we do not receive and the # 1 reason we don't receive is because we are not believing His word. 

Worse than not receiving the health, provision, favor, guidance or any other benefit God has for us is not believing Jesus was God's sacrifice to pay the price for our sins so we can become His children. It is important that we understand that believing is not simply giving mere mental acknowledgement to that truth. If you believe something it will impact the way you think and behave. So say you believe but not behave like you believe would be as stupid as "believing" there is going to be a major blizzard  - (know that I live in the North country!) 40 below zero temperatures, 10 inches of snow, 40 mile an hour wind. Now really . . . would I go in my car wearing flip flops, shorts and a tank top? Would I even GO in my car anywhere? NO! No, No, No - that would be foolish! If I really believe there's going to be a blizzard like that or of any kind, I will stay home, keep warm and be prepared. I am urging you to BE PREPARED!!!!  If you are not prepared you will suffer the consequences  . . . here is what you can expect if you are not prepared,  believing God's Word with accompanying actions:

Mark 16:16 explains that "he who does not believe (who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth) will be condemned." What is condemnation? Look at Revelations 21:8 "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderer's, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - - - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Condemnation is eternal separation from God. Hell.

In case you need more convincing . . . . look here: Matthew 13:49-50 "So it will be at the close and consummation of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked (the unbelieving) from the righteous (those who are are upright and in right standing with God) and cast them (the wicked) into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth." Do you need more yet?

There's plenty more but there is an encouragement I want to give you in Proverbs 15:24 "The path of  the wise leads upward to life, that he may avoid (the gloom) of the depths of Sheol." Be wise, be prepared, believe, live like you believe and pray this prayer with me.

Father, Thank you that your Word is truth, every bit of it is absolutely true. It has been true from the very beginning. It has been tested and proven true. Thank you for giving to me such a pure Word. Thank you also for being so faithful (accurate, constant, loyal, reliable). I know you are faithful to keep your covenant and to do as You have promised. You are the faithful Creator, You are faithful and just. You are called Faithful and True and your Faithfulness is unto all  generations.

I know that You are not a man that you should lie - You are true. Even if every man lies - You still remain true. It is impossible for You to lie - You can't even be tempted with evil. In You is only light, no darkness at all. Thank You for never changing. Help me to walk in the path of the wise. I believe you are telling the truth about those who will not believe (the wicked) their end is Hell, I certainly do not want to go there. Help me to live, believing and behaving, in the manner that pleases you, Help me to know your Word. Knowing that You Cannot Lie, help me to be fully prepared for what is ahead.

As I study and learn more about You and Your Word, help me never forget that Your Word is True - Always. You are Faithful to do Your Word, Always! You cannot lie - Not Ever! Help my words also to be true, help me to be faithful and help me not be tempted with evil. You are my awesome God and worthy to be praised. AMEN



Powerful!

Do you ever feel weak and whimpy? Do you ever say or think "I don't know if I can do this anymore?" Do you ever feel like giving up? I can't say for sure, but I'll bet there's a strong possibility that I am not the only one who's ever been there.

When I feel that way, I have learned that my situation and what I am experiencing is, first of all, only temporary. I don't care how serious it is. It doesn't matter what professional reports have to say. I am very serious when I say "It IS only temporary". Listen up!!!! I must remember that God is far bigger and stronger and mightier (Zephaniah 3:17) than my feelings of weakness or actual physical weakness. He wants to show Himself strong on my behalf no matter what the situation is. (2 Chronicles 16:9).

I look at examples of how people in the Bible handled these issues. What did David do when he was feeling this way? Psalm 59:16 tells us that David's attitude was "As for me, I will sing about your strength; I will praise your loyal love in the morning. For you are my refuge and my place of shelter when I face trouble." David had many opportunities to feel weak and whimpy or think naturally to say something like "There is NO way I am going to make it". Well here's the scoop . . . We are at times "whimpy" and on our own there may well be NO Way We can make it! But the good news is, if we are children of the Most High God, that we are not alone! God is our help in time of need! Hebrews 4:16 says: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The kicker is: We must come boldly to God. Ask for his mercy and grace and He is ready to hear and to help. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." Psalm 28:7.

What did the woman with the issue of blood do? Let's look and see her situation and how she handled it. Mark 5:25-29 "Now a woman was there who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had endured a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet, instead of getting better, she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she kept saying, 'If only I touch his clothes, I will be healed.' At once the bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease." "God is not a respecter of persons." Acts 10:34 If that happened to her, it will happen to us today as well. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! Hebrews 13:8. I would say that the woman with the issue of blood came Boldly to Jesus! Will you come boldly too?

I used to be very stubborn, like a 2 year old, "I can do it by myself", is the attitude I had a lot of the time. Then I'd get to the bottom of my barrel and I was too weary - at the end of myself. When I finally asked God to help me - things started to get better. I have learned after much of my own stubborn failures, that I don't need to try and try and fail on my own. I don't need to wear myself out trying to succeed. I don't need to let myself get to the point of "whimpy" before I ask for help.

However, sometimes my "whimpyness" doesn't come from my stubbornness to ask for help right away. Like the woman with the issue of blood, sometimes, difficulties, well . . . they just come. Sometimes, life just happens and it is hard and on our own we don't have answers or solutions. But, I have learned that I don't need to "Go it alone!" God is ready to help me NOW and I don't need to wait and try hard on my own before I ask for help for whatever I am going through.

I encourage you today - "Ask God for Help NOW!" He is willing, He is able! Luke 1:37 says, "For nothing will be impossible with God." God tells us to come boldly to Him with our troubles and our imperfections and our own inability and find strength (ready help) in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 again from the Amplified Bible says "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it).

Remember, there is Nothing too Difficult for God! Jeremiah 32:17 "Oh Lord God, you made the skies and the earth with your very great power. There is nothing too hard for you to do."   Additionally, Psalm 103:17 tells us, "But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children." He loves us so much! He can and He will help you. You just need to ask and believe that he hears you and He will help you.  John 14:14 "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it." I'd say that is an awesome promise. Ask Boldly Today!
 

 Powerful!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Thanks So Much


Oh, Happy Day!
Perhaps you haven't noticed or read my Encouragement Today
 page on this blog.
I welcome you to read my almost daily posts.

Well, when it comes to cards, you all know that alcohol inks and dies
 are my Favorites.
But, now what . . . I've added Washi Tape to my favorites!
That's certainly something to be Happy About!
This 2 part dragonfly die from Clearly Besotted is the
nicest dragonfly die I've seen.
Have a Great Day and Play Away!!!

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Handmade Zinnia Alcohol Ink Cards


I am SO excited!
Isn't it great when you create something you admire?
Well, call me arrogant, I don't care.
I very pleased with this pair...
Back to, or rather, still at alcohol inks and dies.
Wa Hoo to the creators of those two things and 
all the varieties to choose from.
I need a library to hold all the toys!!!
The first card is: Memory Box Lucienne Tile and Zinnia Dies
The second card is: Memory Box Piestra Tile and Zinnia Dies 
The second flower used the background die on the flower.
Love the color combinations.
Let's play some more!!!

Alcohol Ink Partial Die Cut Card



I followed Jennifer McGuire's tutorial on Partial die cut borders. 
You can find it here:
I think Jennifer does an excellent job showing and explaining.
She is my "Go To" lady for learning new things!
Thank You, Jennifer!
The background is alcohol inks, again.
This time I pulled the felt across the glossy cardstock
to gain the striped look.
I like it - this card looks springy to me.
Add a few score lines, Spellbinder "Flower Box" die and
Paper Smooches "Dots & Dashes" die.
Some bling, stamp, black ink and coordinating green cardstock.
It was fun to try a little twist on my favorites:
Dies and Alcohol Ink!!!
Yeay for today!

Saturday, April 25, 2015

As the deer pants . . .


Oh, that our souls would pant for God . . . 

This was an easy card, too.
Very pleased with the final result!
Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Pursue Happiness


Pursue Happiness!
The Greatest Happiness is found in living to please the Almighty God!
You'd have to experience it to understand - I encourage you pursue God!

Another fun and easy card . . . of course, alcohol inks to the rescue!
Enjoy your day!


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

True Friend


This one was fun, too . . . but what isn't?

I masked off the area on the top third of the card and
clear embossed the leaves.
Then I sponged several different colors until I got the intensity that I liked.
Finally, I stamped a few leaves in the same color as the sentiment,
removed the mask, did some scoring, a simple stamp, 
added just a few layers, and there you have it.
I like it!
I should make some more!
I think I will!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Bridge with alcohol inks




Oh! The things you can do with stamps, ink, cardstock and Alcohol Ink!!!!!
If you haven't tried it - you certainly should!
Have a wonderful week!

Saturday, April 11, 2015

hello, baby


hello, baby
Adorable Card sweet card.
I still think alcohol inks and dies are the Best!!!
I have so much fun with these two products and
add embossing folder, ribbon and a little bling - Wall-La!!! Ta Da!!!
Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Wedding Thank You Cards


Good Morning!
It's been a long time since I've gotten to do any "Playing"!
Things are starting to slow down. I am grateful!
I had a wonderful visit in between work to spend a 
few days with my daughter-in-law and our 4 month old
grandson. He is sooooooooo Cute!
Last night I was playing a little bit and although alcohol inks and dies are my favorites...
washi tape is fun, too!
Well, isn't it ALL just fun!

This was easy and fast, washi tape, scoring and a sentiment!
How easy can it get!
Happy Easter to you all!