Wednesday, March 19, 2014

WOYWW: Hanging on Faith!

This is what I was working on last night.
On the right, you can see some
blank canvas.
I will be painting on it and then
having it sewn into pouches.
Hopefully, we can have this as 
a livelihood project in our stores.
I find joy in helping people find that they 
can use their gifts to make a living!

Starting my daily painting.
I read this from Romans, chapter 4:

"...it depends on faith, 
in order that the promise may rest on grace 
and be guaranteed to all his offspring—
not only to the adherent of the law 
but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham..."

Faith is an indispensable part of the equation.
Our relationship with God, the way we see our life,
how we get to the fullness God wants for us,
here and after we leave the earth,
hangs upon our faith.
We cannot access the wealth of 
God's promises and our inheritance
without faith.
God's ways are incomprehensible
to one who thinks rationally,
with the understanding of the world.

 God's economies, His measuring stick,
His glasses,
are way different from ours!
 So without faith,
God is impossible to understand!
He doesn't make sense to most of us!

 Take this verse from Matthew 23:11.
Jesus said,
"The greatest among you must be
your servant."
Does this make sense?

How do we grow into having the heart of a servant 
instead of feeling 'entitled' that we have to be served?
One way is remembering that we have a purpose 
and to concentrate on that. 
We need to do the next right thing.
I was impressed with the story of an usher. 
He is nameless but God knows His name! 
Two young boys came into a tent 
where a revival meeting was going on. 
The place was full, so they turned to leave. 
But an usher saw them, 
put his big arms around them and said, 
"I'll find you seats, boys! Follow me!"
He led them to two seats with the choir.

That was the night that Billy Graham 
gave his life to Christ, 
after listening to the preaching of Mordecai Ham.
What if the usher was more interested 
in ogling some giggling girls? 
What if he was daydreaming? 
What if he was seething with some imagined insult?
How many times have I concentrated on myself 
and what I think I am entitled to, 
rather than being present in the moment 
doing the job I am supposed to do?





Blessings!
Patsy



22 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:26 AM

    Patsy, thanks so much for linking up at Testimony Tuesday. So good to be encouraged to develop a strong faith!

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  2. Lovely, inspiring words this week, dear. Nice story about the two little boys and, as always, beautiful art. Happy WOYWW from #2.

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  3. So lovely, Patsy. I really like the purple/magenta flowers. Very pretty. And look at all of those paintbrushes!! :) xo

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  4. ah love the images Patsy and pray things are well with you.. been away for while..
    Yes we need to serve others so often is put out there what we think we are owed not what we can give to others, happy WOYWW Shaz in Oz.x #32

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  5. what beautiful pictures
    Happy WOYWW! luv Mrs C.x #42

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  6. Beautiful art and such inspiring words. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #45

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  7. Hi Patsy; visiting you from Simply Beth! ♥ We often overlook acts of service in the business of our lives, and/or we become too worried about our own lives to offer words of kind-heartedness and encouragement. However, just one small act of kindness, or words of comfort and thoughtfulness, can change someone's life! Nice post and great pictures!

    Blessings! ♥
    Denise @ http://refinemelord.com/

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  8. How true, Patsy. Our acts of service come out of our relationship with Father God. Isn't it just truly wonderful that He DESIRES a relationship with us. God is good.
    Take care, my friend, and enjoy your time with Jesus this week.
    Margaret #35

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  9. Your background artwork is stunning, as is the finished work. Just beautiful xx
    Nelle 53 xx

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  10. It's unusual to see your art without a figure or a face, I like it very much. And on the subject...service is it's own reward, non?

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  11. Beautiful artwork and words. Anne x #44

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  12. Lovely pictures and lovely colours all very serene x
    Andrea #70

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  13. What a pretty girl this week. We must all be thankful for His Grace.
    Bishopsmate #60

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  14. You are soooooo inspirational with your art! I love it!!!!
    Have a wonderful Wednesday!! :)
    x Crystelle
    Crystelle Boutique

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  15. I love these paintings!! Thank you for bringing light to that faith scripture, I was so struck by this phrase "it depends on faith" Thanks for giving me something to ponder.

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  16. I enjoyed your journal pages. What a great interpretation of the scripture. April #18

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  17. Lovely artwork Patsy, cheers and have a great week RobynO#38

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  18. Thank you for linking and sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop ♥

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  19. Beautiful artwork as always, Patsy, especially the Matthew 23 one. Thanks for sharing the Billy Graham testimony too.

    I haven't taken part in WOYWW this week - I haven't had a good week health wise, and when I did feel better enough to go in my ARTHaven yesterday the whole time was spent trying to get my sewing machine working - it's now gone in for repairs.

    Have a great week.
    Shoshi

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  20. Wonderful encouragement. Thank you for sharing with TWW. Blessings.

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  21. Faith and servanthood. The first is essential to live eternally in God's presence. The second, servanthood, is the sign that we indeed have true faith. Good works (servanthood) by themselves won't get us to heaven; only faith can do that, but faith without good works is empty faith. They go hand in hand.

    Thanks for this beautiful reminder of these simple but profound truths. I really love the floral picture you did! Blessings.

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  22. oh yes, Patsy... the greatest amongst us must become the least, and the last shall be first... what an upside-down kingdom, friend. Thank you for the hope and the beauty you bring into the world. Love to you, e.

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I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy