Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #166

Welcome back to Word Art Wednesday. We hope that you had a blessed week, and that you're all ready for another AWESOME challenge with some amazing sponsors and a very special devotional by our Design Team Member, Stephanie Wright. Our goal is to provide a FUN place where you can share your art, and a place of fellowship and encouragement as we share bits of knowledge and discernment from the precious Word of God. We hope this week's devotional will bless and challenge you. We're SO glad you've stopped by to join us!

Our son, daughter and I are among the estimated 13% of adults in the US that suffer from migraines. While the three of us have different triggers that don’t affect the other two, the one trigger we have in common is a sensitivity to light. Flickering, flashing, extra bright or a poorly diffused direct light beam can cause almost instantaneous pain. It’s such a consistent trigger that it’s not uncommon to hear one of our spouses say, “Look away, or you’ll get a headache."

I was reminded of this recently as I sat in a dim room waiting for my turn to see the doctor. There was one light in the room, and the angle of its under-diffused beam was so direct I felt it right away. As I lay there shielding my eyes, my mind began to think of how light is such a good thing, and yet it can cause such pain. Those who don’t suffer from migraines, or other health issues triggered by a light sensitivity, may not realize the effects of flashing lights, flickering fires, candles or computer screens; or why we look away when a child runs by with those cute light-up shoes that flash as they move.

As I continued to contemplate, I began thinking about Jesus’ command to us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). The best lights have steady, constant beams. They provide warmth; and because they make things easier to see, they provide security. If we are to be a light for the Lord, our witness before others should be constant as well. How much pain has been caused and how much damage has been done to the cause of Christ by Christians who live an on-again/off-again lifestyle? Such a Christian can not be trusted; nor do they inspire confidence that God’s way is the best way. If we are going to say we are a Christian, we need to be a steady light so that we don’t hurt others by our inconsistency.

Ephesians 4:15 tells us that we are to “speak the truth in love.” When we see something in someone’s life that doesn’t line up with God’s Word, we need to remember to not be arrogant, brash, or "holier-than-thou". Our words need to be diffused with love, or else we are going to cause unnecessary pain to others. Just as the under-diffused light in that waiting room at the doctor’s office made me want to avoid using that room in the future, so will speaking the truth without love cause others to avoid us. It also may turn them off to anyone else who tries to share the truth of God’s Word. No matter what the topic of conversation may be, speaking the truth with a filter of love will always help the conversation go better.

It takes a lot of work to be a consistent witness. Why are we to go to all this effort? Our focus verse this week answers this question for us. Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” As with everything we do, we are to be a consistent steady light to the world so that we will bring glory to the Lord as they see our example. Let’s do a self check-up and make sure that we are not causing pain to others by the way we live our lives so that we will bring glory, and not dishonor, to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

- Stephanie Wright, DT Member

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges. We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of altered or digital art (not just limited to cards). You may link up to five (5) projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning. It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules". Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art file.

We hope that it will be a blessing to you!

Here are this week's AWESOME sponsors:

V's Sweet Ideas is one of our favorite sponsors.
V's Sweet Shoppe offers all kinds of great embellishments,
sequins, trims, and several beautiful new stamp
sets. One lucky person will win themselves a
$10 Gift Certificate for V's Sweet Ideas.
AND

This week's fabulously FUN digital sponsor is
Robyn's Fetish. They carry a wide variety of
ADORABLE digital stamps for every occasion.
One person will win three (3) images of choice
to the lovely shop at Robyn's Fetish.
Click About Our Sponsors for more info!

AND NOW.....Here are this week's LUCKY WINNERS:

How exciting!

One of our brand new sponsors this year is the very

ADORABLE Newton's Nook Designs. They carry

the sweetest high-quality stamp sets you can imagine.

The very lucky winner of the generous

$15 Gift Certificate to Newton's Nook is

Entry #60 - Cherry's Jubilee

AND

Lilla Rose is another new sponsor this year. They make
gorgeous hand-crafted hair jewelry for all hair
types. The prize is being offered by Lizzie Williams,
an Independent Lilla Rose Consultant.
The lucky person who has won this lovely gift:

from Lilla Rose is the blessed
Entry #145 - Joanne of Creative Pursuits
AND

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is a LOVELY shop filled
with adorable stamps, digis and more. The very
lucky winner of our AMAZING digital prize this
week is Entry #186 - Marsha D.

WINNERS: Please email Karen THIS WEEK

to claim your prize! Thanks.

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's Some Inspiration to Get You Started

Our January Guest Designer, Teresa Kline