COLOR CHALLENGES & THIS WEEKS SADNESS

Does this look half way familiar? When trying that technique a few weeks ago, I had so much ink everywhere that I made a few different sheets of this and had them set aside to put together cards at different times.

This card, I made for the Splitcoast Color Challenge on Tuesday.

Here are a few details:
Stamp Set: Autumn Blessings
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Frosty Day
Ink: Versamark, Craft in same colors - except substituted Craft Old Olive
Accessories: Alpine Ribbon, Dew Drops, 3 for you punch. Iridescent Ice EP, Mini Glue Dots, Scallop punch, 1 1/4- 1 3/8 circle punch, Dimensionals, Mini Office Clips

The past few days, I have been going through a great sadness. Have you ever had something with a close friend that disappoints you or hurts you? This week, our closest friends have said some things to us that have really hurt our hearts. By our, I mean both my husband, my children and myself. While I have not spoken with my friends for a few days, we have spent a lot of time in prayer. I am sure they have too. Nothing brings you closer to GOD than a crises, right?

This morning the LORD laid it upon my heart a few Scriptures and I felt compelled to share it with you. I am confident many of you have gone through some sort of circumstance similar and wanted to encourage you to do what is right.

1 Peter 5:6-9 (New King James Version) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

While I have not spoken on the phone with my friends the past several days, because I needed time to reflect on the situation and the hurtful words that have been said - I know the way things were said and the hurtful intent was not them, but the devil. Satan seeks to destroy the relationship, my faith in GOD and my testimony so GOD can not use me for HIS glory.

Yesterday, a good friend shared this Scripture with me as we prayed over the situation and I will make comments that pertain to my situation through out in RED.

As you read this Scripture, know that my heart hasn't been completely right either. I allowed myself to be decieved by Satan and hear only what I wanted to hear and understand.

Psalm 55 To the Chief Musician.

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,

3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked;

For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.

I do not believe my friends are the enemy - but I believe in this situation the devil is seeking to oppress my faith and my relationship with these people.

4 My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.

6 So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

Yesterday, I said to my children, I wish I could run away! I have spent the past 2 days in tears over this situation. And I am not one who easily cries. I like to be in control.

7 Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah

8 I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.”

9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues,

For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they go around it on its walls;

Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.

11 Destruction is in its midst;

Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.

12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it.

Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me;

Then I could hide from him.

13 But it was you, a man my equal,

My companion and my acquaintance.

14 We took sweet counsel together,

And walked to the house of God in the throng.

I know our friends do not hate us. This has just been a tool of the devil to

destroy our relationship. I find it ironic though, that in the times of David,

Satan used a friend of David's to try to discourage him. He hasn't changed

his ways over how many centuries?

15 Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell,

For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.

I do not wish any ill will towards our friends. As I read that verse,

I am believing that the "them" in this verse are the devil and his angels.

16 As for me, I will call upon God,

And the LORD shall save me.

17 Evening and morning and at noon

I will pray, and cry aloud,

And He shall hear my voice.

18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,

For there were many against me.

19 God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah

Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.

20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him;

He has broken his covenant.

21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart;

His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you;

He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

I love the fact that whenever I call upon the LORD, He is there. I can fully rely on Him. I know when my friends and family call upon me, as hard as I try, I can never be there at all times. The Lord is good and full of mercy and He is always here for me!

23 But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction;

Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;

But I will trust in You. (end of Scripture)

In these Scriptures, forgive me if I have said this, but I want to reiterate

that the enemy is NOT my friends, but Satan and his angels.

As I go through today, I will forgive my friends. They have not apologized, but I know I do not need their apology to forgive them. I care about them deeply and want to fully glorify GOD in this situation. In order for my relationship to progress for GOD's glory, we need restoration. God does not want us to end our friendship. What good would that do for His kingdom and for His glory? I will not allow the enemy to destroy and devour my relationship nor the testimony nor my faith.

Psalm 86:5 (New King James Version), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

If GOD can forgive me for all of the wrong doings I do - who am I to not forgive others who trespass against me?

Thank you for reading and praying. Be blessed and have good day.