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Recently one of the Art Frames was requested on a drawing. The Art Frame was shipped in its proper time. The person that requested the Art Frame wanted to give to another whose heart was on fire of Christ and the gift would be from a sister in Christ to another sister in Christ. Such gifts are those which certainly cause rejoicing in all heaven as it is the proof from GOD’s word that Iron sharpens Iron. (Proverbs 27:17-18).

The Art Frame was sent via the Priority Mail system, which has a tracking number and an estimated delivery which from past experience has been spot on, especially when going to a major city or area within a major city in the USA.

This Art Frame did not arrive as expected and the whereabouts became a concern. The tracking information was accessed and the result stated the package had arrived at the destination on the day as committed by the system.

Much to the discouragement of both givers, it appeared that GOD had other plans for that Art Frame, possibly even the delay in delivery. So another choice from the selection of NEW ART was made and the package created to be sent with a different Art Frame.

Over a week had passed since the first delivery was reported being delivered. On the 8th day since the delivery was to happen, there was a message that the Art Frame arrived!! So hold off on the delivery of the replacement. There is no explanation, just a delivered ART Frame, to the address intended and expected a week later, reported delivered. Amazing and Happy results.

So many times, things happen in our Lives that seem to be out of line with our expectations. Have you ever been aggravated with a delay in your plans, maybe a dinner, or a movie time with someone, a lunch with the sisters in Christ, a Bible Study plan where the discussion was to be lead by yourself for which you planned all week long?

These things happen to us all, but do you ever stop to think about GOD and His perfect timing in how all things work together for His good and for our good. I have been delayed with a flat tire or a dead battery only to find out some hours later that had I been on time, I might very well have been in an accident, or discovered the vehicle had another issue which would not have been discovered until I broke down in the middle of nowhere.

In Ecclesiastes chapter 3: 1-8, it is clear that all things have a time or a season they are to occur. They all will occur and they will occur in GOD’s perfect time. Check out some of the verses in the Bible about GOD’s timing by clicking GOD’s TIME.

It is difficult to wait on GOD, we are impatient as a people for the most part and thanks to the technology that patience seems to be getting shorter and shorter in our lives and in the lives the generations that are coming up and passing away, as we have 6 generations groups of people living on the earth in the USA at this time. We have to remain focused on GOD’s timing. Otherwise, we will lose the ability to share, the ability to follow the commands of GOD, such as to Love one another, to be patient, to trust GOD and wait on GOD.

Of all the blessing given, Time is the one that we can’t command to our liking. We only have a finite amount of time we will live, love, experience and create memories. We want to pass on those memories to others and be prepared for the day of the Lord. But so often we come short of the time each day, week, month or year and we can’t get it back.

Let me be the one to remind you of this verse in GOD’s word that tells us to redeem the time for the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:16). Seems like a statement that should be discouraging, but not so, it is a reminder that we need to not let the evil one (Satan the father of lies, the accuser of the brethren) to waste the time each day we are given. When we are distracted from GOD, we are not redeeming the time given to do that all of us were created to accomplish which is to be blessed, to spread the Gospel message with our testimony of what GOD has done for us and Give GOD all the Glory for each blessing even the tough ones.

Maybe we want to chase riches or money or things which dazzle, sparkle or makes us believe that we are better than others. Look at those in your own history, think of how many with fortunes of money, fame, contribution to the lives of millions might have wanted to give it all back to have the one thing money, fame and riches could not buy them, more time. (Think about someone like Mr. Steve Jobs, despite his wealth and fame he could not procure a way to overcome an illness that took him before his time).

So how does the Cross come into the discussion of time? The Cross marked the entry of a new covenant for all GOD’s people. GOD Loves the generations, he does not have a separation of a senior senior or a micro baby boomer, a generations X, Y, Z or a Millennial, a Jew or Gentile. We are given each day as a gift, if we have not taken to accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, had our name entered into the book that all names of those that truly have accepted Jesus Christ are entered, the Lamb’s Book of Life. (If you are thinking, oh you mean the Book of Life, you need to click the Lamb’s book of Life link and read about the difference.) then we risk running out of time. There is a verse that states, never boast about tomorrow for you never know what a day will bring forth. It is possible, that your time may not include a tomorrow, there is no promise of a tomorrow on earth, only eternity and that will be in a lake of fire of eternity of torment or you are offered through Christ Jesus to be with GOD in heaven above, walking in the cool of the day, Jesus Christ was very clear, in John 14:6.

Please don’t put off your Salvation. Don’t put off sharing your testimony or sharing the Gospel message with others. It is not your responsibility to make sure that another accepts Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit knows the heart of the person and is given to bring what is required to bring a person across the separation from GOD, however you are responsible that the Gospel message gets to all so that they have a chance to make the decision.

There is no excuse that can be used when there are only a few peoples in the world which have not heard the Gospel only because they don’t even have a language among themselves and therefore don’t have a way to be given that message, but there are many that have been given to work the skills and blessing given to overcome this issue so that a day will come when all of the peoples will have been presented the Gospel message.

Even when Jesus Christ returns he will reign a 1000 years and will send out 144,000 to share to anyone that may have missed the message in all the corners of the earth. Until then, we who believe must be those that share so that we will not be found with debt in us of not doing that which we were commanded to do as a believer.

When your time is up, there won’t be the last call negotiation. Saint Peter and Paul are not waiting for you at the gate, You can’t take from Peter to pay Paul for your salvation and your path to eternity. Your life can change in the blink of an eye and it not be something by your hand that creates the condition of your last breath, but by the hand of another allowed by the hand of GOD,  for it is your time in GOD’s timing. DON’T WAIT!

I pray each person that comes and reviews this blog and my artwork understands the gift of Salvation. No matter who, what, where, when or how you or your life has been, you can be saved.

The Gospel message is simple and very transforming to your life. Just start and let the Love of Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit carry you to the gift of Salvation.

If you send an email requesting Salvation Prayer, you will be prayed for and we will make sure you get some information about taking the walk of Salvation.

If you want to know more about Salvation right now, please click that link below this sentence. Remember to consider others as you change your life and share with someone else so they have a chance to change their lives today.

The Gospel Message to Salvation

Remember, view the images that are posted in the NEW ART section of this website. If there is a link for “Enter Drawing” and you would like to have a chance to get one of the available Art Frames, don’t wait. The drawings are on the 28th day of each month when available. We will contact the winner and get the art frame shipped to you. There is no charges for this. To the winner of the drawing, it is freely given. We do not ask for any money for the Cross Illuminated Art that is given, not even shipping and handling.

Thank you for taking the time to view my Art and also to read and to share with others this website.

If there are any questions please send an email to info@mycrossilluminatedart.net

If you set the world away from your life for a moment and focus on the Cross and what it means, your life will be transformed. It all starts at the Cross, where Christ Jesus, paid it all for us all. 

 

Click on the Cross at the right, see where His blood paid for our sins.

 

If you need prayer then send a request by clicking the word prayer.

Also if you would be interested in some of my art, then go to the New Art section and see what is available. Enter the drawing of any available NEW ART.

Focus on GOD through Jesus Christ, daily. If you will give GOD the focus, he will show you the reason he created you and if you commit your works to him, he will place the thoughts in your heart so you know what you should be accomplishing in your life.

God Bless and may his face shine upon you in 2019 !!! 

Artist Sharon Smith

 

 

 

 

In the word of GOD it is written to give thanks for everything. So I want to give thanks.

I am grateful for all who have come and looked at my art, entered the drawings.  I am grateful I was able to send the ART Frames to them without having to charge so that it would be completely a gift all the way. I am grateful for the supplies to make the art frames, the website to post and to show the art and give others the chance to enter, win and receive. I am grateful for the shipping help to pack and ship each one and have them all arrive in excellent order to each person who received them.

I am grateful for everything that went into being able to give the blessings of My Cross Illuminated Art to those that asked for it in entering the monthly drawings. There was some that saw it but could not believe it was a gift, it did not cost them. One person even tried to buy all I had for their organization’s auction to support missionaries, however, they understood this was as it was to us from GOD, a gift, no charge.

I am grateful for the comments, the testimonies, the interactions that these blessings have given to me and it has strengthened in me the ability to share the Gospel message and to give so that others can see just how an empty cross, held the salvation of us all for all eternity. How an empty tomb shows us victory is ours and a Humble Savior, shows us what Love truly means.

One of the great humblings of this ART Frame giving has been how sharing with others helps the peace of GOD in everyone it touches. In myself and in others that see, ask, and receive the ART Frames. I am humbled when I know that one of the places we give to also gets a donation as well as a result and everything goes from one act of giving to another act of giving. I am very humbled by this with tremendous gratitude.

There are so many places in GOD’s word that tell us to give thanks, to pray, to not give up, to bless others, to give as it purposes in our heart, to Love one another as Christ does. My Cross Illuminated Art has been a place for me to live those scriptures out and for that, I bow my knees and I give thanks with all my heart gratitude to HIM who showed HIS Love, that while we were yet sinners, gave His only begotten son to be the propitiation for our sins. I am very grateful to GOD, for the gift everlasting if only each one of us will take the gift and give thanks.

Give thanks to GOD for all things, the positive and the negative for he works all things for good! Make every day of your life filled with gratitude toward GOD and humble yourself so that he can pour into your life and into you, His blessings so that you can give Him all the Glory. That is what he created each of us to do, Bless us so that we could Glorify HIM.

I pray each person that comes and reviews this blog and my artwork understands the gift of Salvation. No matter who, what, where, when or how you or your life has been, you can be saved.

The Gospel message is simple and very transforming to your life. Just start and let the Love of Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit carry you to the gift of Salvation.

If you send an email requesting Salvation Prayer, you will be prayed for and we will make sure you get some information about taking the walk of Salvation.

If you want to know more about Salvation right now, please click that link below this sentence. Remember to consider others as you change your life and share with someone else so they have a chance to change their lives today.

The Gospel Message to Salvation

Remember, view the images that are posted in the NEW ART section of this website. If there is a link for “Enter Drawing” and you would like to have a chance to get one of the available Art Frames, don’t wait. The drawings are on the 28th day of each month when available. We will contact the winner and get the art frame shipped to you. There is no charges for this. To the winner of the drawing, it is freely given. We do not ask for any money for the Cross Illuminated Art that is given, not even shipping and handling.

Thank you for taking the time to view my Art and also to read and to share with others this website.

If there are any questions please send an email to info@mycrossilluminatedart.net

If you set the world away from your life for a moment and focus on the Cross and what it means, your life will be transformed. It all starts at the Cross, where Christ Jesus, paid it all for us all. 

 

Click on the Cross at the right, see where His blood paid for our sins.

 

If you need prayer then send a request by clicking the word prayer.

Also if you would be interested in some of my art, then go to the New Art section and see what is available. Enter the drawing of any available NEW ART.

Focus on GOD through Jesus Christ, daily. If you will give GOD the focus, he will show you the reason he created you and if you commit your works to him, he will place the thoughts in your heart so you know what you should be accomplishing in your life.

God Bless and may his face shine upon you in 2019 !!! 

Artist Sharon Smith

 

 

Do these words seem familiar to you? “At the Cross, at the Cross, where I first saw the Light” These are part of the lyrics of a hymn that has been sung for centuries now. Issac Watts was the writer in the mid-1700s who penned this solemn lyric and if you will follow the link at the end of this sentence, there is a history of this hymn for you from a fellow blogger>>>. AT THE CROSS…

Now here we are in April 2019 and the Cross should be, significantly, on the mind of the believer as we reflect on the greatest gift we have ever been given. Jesus Christ as the “once for all” full payment of our sins, past, present and yet to come.

Other Hymn favorites like “The Old Rugged Cross”, “How Great There Art”,  “Jesus is the Sweetest Name”, “In the Garden” and of course “Amazing Grace” in all it various renditions will be lifted up as the sweet aroma before the Throne of Grace  on any Sunday between now and Easter Sunday.

Most people know the basics of the Story of the Cross, even unbelievers could tell you if you asked them with the caveat that it is all just a way to get money to fund the churches and wash the minds of those that don’t have any other Hope in life today. To some extent that may certainly be true, but we are not to judge as we could be judged as we have judged others and most certainly will be on the day of the Great White Throne Judgment.

Remember the triumphant ride into Jerusalem?  It was a reflection of what was to come in a show of Love as Jesus had tears at the moment and His heart seeing what GOD’s people Israel would suffer. He knew that even in 2019, most Israelites would not see that their Messiah had visited and understand, HE will return. The Cross, while empty after this death before the resurrection, held the most Love it had ever held or would ever hold. In this Blog, I ask that you think with a lot of focus about this Love between the Ultimate Father and the Ultimate Son. GOD the Father and Jesus Christ the son. Think deeply about Jesus crying out on the Cross, “My GOD, my GOD, why have you forsaken me?”

It is a wrenching moment with an agonizing announcement from the only one that never sinned to take all the sin of all flesh for all time and with his Life pay for it all, once for all. At that moment our GOD the Father and Our Savior to be, Jesus Christ the only begotten sin engorged son, were separated by the sins of us all. Think on it, if there were 1/3 as many people as they are today and all the sins we commit were to be placed on one person all at once, how such a man or woman in the flesh could they bear it only so GOD might test the Love of that person. Ephesians 3:14-21 tries to tell us GOD’s Love and to the extent, it can reach.

Oh, so many speakers and believers and unbelievers jump on this “forsaken me”  statement in scripture,  “GOD will never Leave you or forsake you” It is written as truth in his word long before Jesus was on the Cross. But the statement was not made because GOD has forsaken his only begotten son. Jesus Chris utter it so that we would know Jesus KNEW how we in the flesh suffer when we are separated from GOD and our sin separates us all from GOD even further. Until then Jesus himself could not imagine it. Now HE does. Now HE never ceases to Pray as our High Priest for us knowing what the separation from GOD is too much of torment on us. He, Jesus Christ  was fully connected to His Father, but at that moment, even the son of GOD could not feel the LOVE of HIS Father and GOD, because of HIS Holiness, was not able to be in the presence of HIS only begotten son for the first and only time, there was separation.

I think even Jesus Christ himself knowing all things, was not knowing the experience of this until that moment. Until the 40 days of temptation experience, Jesus could not have stated he knew temptations as we do and yet did not sin.

HE was not able until that moment with that experience, and when HE took our sin after being whipped, beaten down, thorns upon his head, spit on, had His own disciple deny Him 3 times and one other betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver.

He even became to the lowest among men and washed the feet of His disciples and so low the position was view in that day, that again Peter commented that we would not allow Jesus to wash his feet, but Jesus explained what Peter would not have if Peter was not willing. So HE knows what we face and He knows that we must have an unshakable relationship with the Holy Father through Him in order to fill the GAP forever of the Separation from GOD for each of us.

It is the pain that GOD must have known and why He has made a way for us all to not be separated from HIM. GOD IS LOVE. (1John 1:9)  Be Still and know that I AM, GOD. (Psalm 46:10) GOD is LOVE so be still and know I AM LOVE which I have stated in other blog posts.

There is a very wonderful but deeply humbling video that was made from a movie titled “John 3:16 -Story of Love” which was edited and a speakers voice added as dialog concerning something that I don’t think many believer’s look into as deeply as they should, in my opinion. The best way to describe it is to click that link of the title and watch it yourself. It is about 19 minutes long, but it will have a familiar cadence to it. I implore you to be absorbed in each character and in the words, and tone of the speaker. This about a Father that Loves the Son and Son that Loves a Father, but both become separated and the WHY is revealed.

When April 21, 2019 comes and if you find yourself and your family, remember Jesus did die on the Cross of Calvary once for all our sins. However on that day when you are celebrating it, remember the entire reason for Jesus to die for us was to do also the rest of the Love of GOD, to overcome death and to take away forever the power of sin to hold us, so on Easter Sunday, it is often called Happy Resurrection day. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that makes everything come to the pinnacle of His death and the risen live so we know “HE LIVES, HE LIVES, CHRIST JESUS LIVES TODAY!”

I pray each person that comes and reviews this blog and my artwork understands the gift of Salvation. No matter who, what, where, when or how you or your life has been, you can be saved.

The Gospel message is simple and very transforming to your life. Just start and let the Love of Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit carry you to the gift of Salvation.

If you send an email requesting Salvation Prayer, you will be prayed for and we will make sure you get some information about taking the walk of Salvation.

If you want to know more about Salvation right now, please click that link below this sentence. Remember to consider others as you change your life and share with someone else so they have a chance to change their lives today.

The Gospel Message to Salvation

Remember, view the images that are posted in the NEW ART section of this website. If there is a link for “Enter Drawing” and you would like to have a chance to get one of the available Art Frames, don’t wait. The drawings are on the 28th day of each month when available. We will contact the winner and get the art frame shipped to you. There is no charges for this. To the winner of the drawing, it is freely given. We do not ask for any money for the Cross Illuminated Art that is given, not even shipping and handling.

Thank you for taking the time to view my Art and also to read and to share with others this website.

If there are any questions please send an email to info@mycrossilluminatedart.net

If you set the world away from your life for a moment and focus on the Cross and what it means, your life will be transformed. It all starts at the Cross, where Christ Jesus, paid it all for us all. 

 

Click on the Cross at the right, see where His blood paid for our sins.

 

If you need prayer then send a request by clicking the word prayer.

Also if you would be interested in some of my art, then go to the New Art section and see what is available. Enter the drawing of any available NEW ART.

Focus on GOD through Jesus Christ, daily. If you will give GOD the focus, he will show you the reason he created you and if you commit your works to him, he will place the thoughts in your heart so you know what you should be accomplishing in your life.

God Bless and may his face shine upon you in 2019 !!! 

Artist Sharon Smith

 

 

The title of the blog, “Accepting GOD” is really a prefix to the rest of a statement. Like Psalm 46:10 where it is stated, “Be Still and know that I AM GOD”, Accepting GOD is accepting what GOD is in any circumstance in any moment of anyone’s life.

In 1 John 4:8 it states, that GOD is Love. Therefore when we accept who GOD is, we could also be accepting GOD by stating “Be Still and know that I AM LOVE”. Accepting GOD as the solution, the overall victory in anything that we may think we are facing. He is not the author of our FEAR.

Accepting GOD is knowing in all certainty that He is always carrying a Solid Gold platter of the things we don’t deserve and purposes to give them anyway, having Godly zeal to serve each of us with great delight, but because we do not just naturally go to Accepting GOD, we stop GOD right in the moment HIS blessing tray is moving toward us and cause HIM to stop and place it on the shelf along with the myriad of other blessings that HE has setup for us. We constantly interrupt the path of delivery.

We go to the place in us where we are convinced we can do it ourselves and thus we place Accepting GOD into refusing GOD, not bluntly or on purpose, but because we are predisposed that we don’t need GOD or to accept Him completely as who HE really is for us.

This is the burden of the flesh, the sin that oozes to separate us from GOD. The same thing that put Lucifer one of GOD’s top angels into the role of Satan the father of lies, the accuser of the brethren. Read the Bible accounts of Adam and Eve, the slick tongue serpent convinces them that they could be GOD and could do it themselves. It was the same topic that Lucifer told himself, that he could be GOD.

In the animations created by the Bible Project series concerning all the books of the Bible and the focus animations on particular subjects, there is a series called the Wisdom series. They are Proverbs, Ecclesiastics and the Book of JOB. If you have a chance watch these 3 in series as they present them. Use this Link to bring you to YouTube and watch this series. Watch them in order as they all three make more sense when viewed as the group they are, books of Wisdom.

As you listen to the Book of JOB the storytellers explain as they come to the end and in a simple way the reason or the conclusion to be reached as to the wisdom of the book of JOB. It is key to realize when you are Accepting GOD, that is what makes life so much easier to take, good or evil, high points or the low points.

Accepting GOD means taking him in total, not that you can understand the totality of GOD and you are not expected to as a believer. But having Faith and realizing undoubtedly that GOD has a resume that no one could interview HIM or know or understand what HE truly knows, has done, is doing and will be doing.

Sure GOD has shared and revealed to us what we must know, if we would only abide in his word and live it is faith and in works of that faith in the manner that GOD has provided for each of us, so completely. Accepting GOD, it is easy to say, but not so easy to do, it takes great focus and truly not being of the world, but being of GOD and living in the principles of the word of GOD, the teachings of Jesus Christ and taking every step you take being as Jesus Christ told us to be, Loving one another, even the enemies.

There was an illustration once by a visiting Pastor to our church that was interesting in the accepting of GOD and how we try to do it. It was portrayed by the use of a backpack. Imagine the backpack is a current trouble or concern in your heart, so great you are so overwhelmed that you have no clue on how to handle or overcome it.

You take the backpack and go to the Throne of Grace. You humbly lay the backpack down before the Throne of Grace and you look with your puppy eyes at our LORD and tell Him, this backpack and all that is contained in it are yours now. I can’t do anything with the contents and they are destroying my life. The Lord smiles and nods. You, with the weight of the backpack off your back, start to leave and go about your way skipping in joy.

But it is only a short while and you find yourself outside the door of the Throne room. You see the backpack sitting there and you want to go get it now. It is calling you back, asking you why did you leave me? You make excuses your wallet was in there and you need to access it so you crawl in quietly and kinda borrow it back. The Lord sees you and looks, and you give your reason for the need of the backpack, but you are not fooling the Lord.

You want to be proper, so you tell Him you are going to take it outside the door so you don’t interrupt others in there with Him. In a moment of what you think is victory you walk, with all the weight of the backpack on you again, more so now because you have not accepted the LORD was capable. You took back your issues and concerns and why, you missed them? No, because it is very difficult to be Accepting GOD as the answer to every concern, every issue we face.

In 1 Peter 5:7 it states, “Cast your Cares on Him for He cares for you”. Think about the one who makes that statement, PETER ! the man that some refer to as having a foot shaped mouth because he was always putting his foot in his mouth. The man that did deny Christ 3 times and was told before hand that he would do so. He had a hard time Accepting GOD, (Jesus the Messiah, GOD among us). He walked with Jesus for almost 3 years, and still it was hard for him to let his backpack remain in the Throne room and he did not even have access as we do. (The veil had not yet be torn for him before Christ Jesus death on the cross).

Accepting GOD is difficult, but it is not impossible. We are saved by Grace, and not by what we do. It is a gift of GOD out of a Love that exceeds our understanding.

Accepting GOD is a struggle, it is not easy and it is not something we can do at the start of a new year and then fall off later in year when we get tired of the battle. Lovingly GOD knows this and he provides for us all the ways to overcome the issues and be victorious. We have to just start Accepting GOD to see that provision take affect.

I pray each person that comes and reviews this blog and my artwork understands the gift of Salvation. No matter who, what, where, when or how you or your life has been, you can be saved.

The Gospel message is simple and very transforming to your life. Just start and let the Love of Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit carry you to the gift of Salvation.

If you send an email requesting Salvation Prayer, you will be prayed for and we will make sure you get some information about taking the walk of Salvation.

If you want to know more about Salvation right now, please click that link below this sentence. Remember to consider others as you change your life and share with someone else so they have a chance to change their lives today.

The Gospel Message to Salvation

Remember, view the images that are posted in the NEW ART section of this website. If there is a link for “Enter Drawing” and you would like to have a chance to get one of the available Art Frames, don’t wait. The drawings are on the 28th day of each month when available. We will contact the winner and get the art frame shipped to you. There is no charges for this. To the winner of the drawing, it is freely given. We do not ask for any money for the Cross Illuminated Art that is given, not even shipping and handling.

Thank you for taking the time to view my Art and also to read and to share with others this website.

If there are any questions please send an email to info@mycrossilluminatedart.net

If you set the world away from your life for a moment and focus on the Cross and what it means, your life will be transformed. It all starts at the Cross, where Christ Jesus, paid it all for us all. 

 

Click on the Cross at the right, see where His blood paid for our sins.

 

If you need prayer then send a request by clicking the word prayer.

Also if you would be interested in some of my art, then go to the New Art section and see what is available. Enter the drawing of any available NEW ART.

Focus on GOD through Jesus Christ, daily. If you will give GOD the focus, he will show you the reason he created you and if you commit your works to him, he will place the thoughts in your heart so you know what you should be accomplishing in your life.

God Bless and may his face shine upon you in 2019 !!! 

Artist Sharon Smith