Wednesday, April 29, 2015

WOYWW: A New Destiny!

 We are celebrating a friend's birthday tomorrow and we found out she likes 
doing coloring books with her niece.  
When I went to the book store to find one for her, 
I did not like the ones I found.  
So I decided to make her a coloring book and that is what is on my desk this morning.
All I did was to make a book from a drawing pad. Then I traced different pictures with tracing paper on to the pages.  I hope she likes it!

 "It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians." Acts 11:26
There are several schools of thought about how and why the first believers were called Christians. Some scholars think the term "Christian" was derogatory, as the Tacitus writes, "the vulgar called them Christians". Then there are teachers who believe the ones who followed the new way were called "Christians" by God Himself. "Were called" which is two words in English is only one word in Greek, which means "divinely called or appointed". I can well believe this, as God did promise to give those who are committed to Him a new name.
In Isaiah 56:1-5, God said through Isaiah that He will give a great name, an everlasting name. In Isaiah 62:2, it reads, "And the Lord will give you a new name." In Isaiah 65:15, "He will call His servants by another name."

 God changed the name of Peter, to probably confer the strength of a rock on him who was weak. God changed Jacob's name to Israel, "He who prevails with God." So with Abram who became "Abraham", which means father of many nations or a multitude. Is it not that when God gives a new name, it comes with a blessing? And not only blessing, but sometimes a new position, or a new mission. A new name is also like a prophecy of what that person will become. Is it not that God's Word will NOT return to Him void?
Indeed as Christians, we have a new identity in Christ! Our new name comes with a blessing, a mission and a new destiny! I think that is exciting, don't you?
 "...while they were engaged in liturgy of the Lord and were fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them..." Acts 13:2
There are many inspiring testimonies online about how God answers prayer when we voluntarily abstain from food for spiritual purposes. In the 13th chapter of the Book of Acts, we are in Antioch, in this vibrant young Christian church. Imagine many prophets and teachers in the church. Some of their names are mentioned: Barnabas the encourager, Symeon a black man,Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. These men of diverse backgrounds are worshiping the Lord, reading His Word and FASTING. I can imagine really lively and loud praising and singing, hands raised high, truly enthusiastic and pleasing to the Lord! When men of God get together, it can be rambunctious! And then what happens? The HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO THEM! The Holy Spirit instructs them to send Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey together.
"...while they were engaged in liturgy of the Lord and were fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them..." Acts 13:2
There are many inspiring testimonies online about how God answers prayer when we voluntarily abstain from food for spiritual purposes. In the 13th chapter of the Book of Acts, we are in Antioch, in this vibrant young Christian church. Imagine many prophets and teachers in the church. Some of their names are mentioned: Barnabas the encourager, Symeon a black man,Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. These men of diverse backgrounds are worshiping the Lord, reading His Word and FASTING. I can imagine really lively and loud praising and singing, hands raised high, truly enthusiastic and pleasing to the Lord! When men of God get together, it can be rambunctious! And then what happens? The HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO THEM! The Holy Spirit instructs them to send Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey together.

When we want to hear God, when we are desperate for His intervention and direction, we have the recourse of fasting. When we fast, the battle is not ours but God's. "So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty," Ezra 8:23. What is in our hearts right now that needs the gates of heaven to open wider? Fasting and praying are the keys!



Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 
peek at desks and projects!
I find a lot of inspiration
visiting my friends here:

Blessings!
Patsy

10 comments:

  1. what a lovely unique gift :)
    thanks for sharing happy woyww have a great week
    Mrs C x #10
    www.craftroomdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/woyww-april-29th-2015.html

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  2. That's a great idea Patsy - and can be made so relevant! I think the big hunt will be for carbon paper!

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  3. Brilliant idea!
    Love the text today, and your thoughts on it.
    Thank you
    Have a good week
    Christine

    Bishopsmate #22

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  4. Anonymous6:09 PM

    Lovely art, as usual. I am still in awe of your method. so clever and effective. And I used to make up colouring books for DD when she was little, cause just like you I could never find exactly what I wanted in a printed one. I'm sure she will appreciate the extra effort!

    Happy day!
    Mary Anne (1)

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  5. Fabulous artwork and great post, as usual! Your words are so encouraging. Love the coloring book, too! So unusual and clever! God bless!
    Carol N #43

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  6. I like the art, and the colouring book is a great idea. Happy WOYWW.

    Cazzy #53

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  7. What a lovely and thoughtful gift for your friend. I hope you signed it for her; it will be a keepsake for sure.
    Beautiful faith art pages and devotional thoughts, as always.
    Hugs,
    Teresa

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  8. Great artwork and lovely post as usual. Have a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 21

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  9. I love your story and my art work. It reminds me of some of the art work that I often admire in a magazine that I have downloaded entitled HeART Journal. Any chance you are editor or artist for them?

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  10. This is really beautiful. So thoughtful of you to give that gift to your friend to. Happy birthday to her. :)

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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