Do Not be Discouraged!

Hello everyone! It's Sunday and time for another Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge! Our challenge hostess this week is Lisa, and she has chosen the following Scripture for this week's focus:
Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

The challenge is: Make a card of apology or one reaching out to someone and encouraging them to put the past behind them and move forward

This verse is a wonderful one, because I believe that if anyone could have been "hung up" on his past, it could be Paul, yet he KNEW he'd been forgiven, he'd been changed, and was now appointed to be an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ! He didn't let his past sins drag him down and render him ineffective. Instead he pressed on to what he could do... today and from this day forward.... We all have that same opportunity! Regardless of our past, regardless of how deep into sin we have fallen, Christ stands ready to forgive us and to change us into vessels fit for His use, when we repent and turn our lives over to Him! I know many people who have real trouble accepting God's forgiveness. They ask for forgiveness, and then guilt feelings move back in as well as doubts and discouragement. Once we've truly repented of our sins, the Bible tells us that God has removed them as far as the east is from the west. Praise God! Accept His forgiveness, but then move forward to do what He wants you to do from this day forward! If you struggle with feelings of guilt even after having really repented ... those guilt feelings are lies from the evil one, and you stand on the authority of God's Word to rebuke him!

Why does Satan want so much to accuse us and keep us riddled with any negative emotion he can? Because if he can rob us of the joy of our salvation.... he can render us useless in doing God's work and allowing Him to work through us! Paul is saying that we should press on to "win the prize". If we are in Christ... we are saved, and heaven is ours, but we will answer to God for our works here on earth... and some of us will be rewarded with many crowns, to cast at our Saviour's feet, others with very few. There are many reasons some of us may not be doing all we should be right now... for some it's false guilt, but for others it's fear of rejection, ridicule, anxiety, discouragement, or many other reasons . I chose this verse from the Our Daily Bread designs DT Scripture Collection 3 because it speaks to me.... I tend to be anxious and fearful. Those emotions are just as damaging as guilt, and this verse reminds me not to be discouraged, or afraid. With the full assurance that God will be with us wherever we go, let's press on, for our reward is not on this earth.... it's in heaven!

Card Details:
Stamps: Our Daily Bread designs Don't Worry (image) and DT Scripture Collection 3
Ink: Chocolate Chip, River Rock
Paper: Bazzill base, Memory Box Gossamer DP, Gina K Cream
Accessories: Copics, lace, Hero Arts Pearls, MS Punch, EK Success 1 1/2" circle punch, SB Petite Circles die, Silk flowers from stash

Please join us in welcoming back Simon Says Stamp as our faithful monthly sponsor this week!!! Simon Says Stamp offers a huge variety of the most popular stamps and supplies, including a line of exclusive stamps!!!  One of you lucky ladies will win this adorable stamp set for playing in this week's challenge! 

We'd love to have you play along... if you do, please place a link to the Stampin Sisters in Christ Blog in your post, and place a direct link to your project on the SSIC thread.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team for more inspiration for this week's challenge!

We're so excited that Miesje, Cindy and Rebekkah will be staying on as Design Team Members!

Chris
Cindy
Linda
Randi
Peggysue
Lisa
Miesje
Rebekkah

Challenges:
Midnight Madness 65
Stampin Sisters in Christ
Cupcake Challenge - Distressing (Distress Inks)
Cute Card Thursday -Whatevah
Stamp Something - Inspiration challenge - I used the colors
Dutch Dare Card Challenges~ anything goes
One Stitch at a Time~little pink

Sparkle creations~fave embellishment (silk ribbon!!)
Alota Rubber Stamps~Distressing
Delightful sketches~distressing
Stars and Stamps~patterned paper