TEXT: “She will bear a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (v.21)”

Here is a good news story of freedom to celebrate Australia Day.

On Christmas day I was privileged and delighted to hear some wonderful news of a family who were literally set free.

On Facebook, an Egyptian Christian friend told me that he and his family were in Australia. They were in Melbourne. Thinking that it would be so nice to meet up with them, I asked how long they were visiting and what were their travel plans.

Then he said that they are now living here, and that they are refugees. He then explained how they were given protection visas and quickly flown out of Egypt, as their lives were in danger. I had not imagined that things had been so bad for them.

In phone conversations since, he told be of how they had been in hiding for two years. It was not safe for them to go out, and whenever they did it was with extreme care. Other Christian brothers and sister would bring them food.

It seemed so uncanny that at this very time I was reading in the Bible how Mary and Joseph had to escape the persecution of Herod. God told them to go to Egypt. And the Bible tells us that “they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: ‘I called my Son out of Egypt.’”

And my friends were called out of Egypt, and brought to safety in Australia, free to fly like the birds. They are so happy to be here, and so proud to call Australia their home.

Isn’t that exactly what Jesus does for believers?

He saves us and sets us free, just like His name, JESUS (or in Hebrew, YESHUAH). It means salvation or deliverance. Hence “He will saves His people from their sins.”

And look what I found in my Zodhiate’s Lexicon:

• The Hebrew word for save, ”Yasha”, originally meant “to be open, wide or free.”
• This is the opposite to tsarar (6887) which means “to cramp”, having the connotation of distress, being in trouble or affliction.
• Put simply, when one has plenty of room in which to move, he feels safe and secure.

Oh, HALLELUJAH!!

Just like our Egyptian friends, Jesus came to rescue us from the tyrant Satan, and break the chains of sin that bound down, and set us free. Our Deliverer has opened wide the gates of captivity, released and rescued us. He continually defends and preserves us.

Let us sing with the Psalmist:
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,
Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us;
Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
The stream would have gone over our soul;
Then the swollen waters
Would have gone over our soul.
Blessed be the Lord,
Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
(124:2-8, NKJ)

However, let remember our Christian brothers and sisters who still face persecution in countries like Egypt. May our Lord deliver them too.

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GREETING CARDS  (ORDER BELOW) – $4.50ea
This picture is available as single Greeting Cards,or order the SET OF 7.

You can choose from the following:

* HANDMADE GREETING CARDS
~ from quality 4×6″ card and paper and print
~ blank insert for your personal greeting
~ matching coloured envelopes to match (also handmade)
~ protected in clear cello bags.

* CARD DESIGNS to download
* PRINTABLE CARDS to download.

5 or more CARDS (any designs) – $3.50 ea 
(ADD discount code at checkout: cards5plus)

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GREETING CARDS  (ORDER BELOW) – $4.50 ea  or $21 set of 7 

Gentleness is like a soothing and smoothing oil.  It is how God wants us to deal with people.

It can be so easy to be abrasive in our dealings with people, especially when they irritate us.  It reminds me of a squeaky machine or engine.  They grate on us, and we in turn grate on them, causing much friction and damage to the relationship.  Hence, we don’t run well.  We rattle and squeak. We grumble and complain.  We bicker with one another.  We criticize and run one another down.  We lay down the law, becoming legalistic and religious.

We all know of those caustic environments.  Maybe it is our work place, our homes, or even the church (especially church committees).

But just like oiling that machine, a gentle person will calm trouble souls, and will ease the tension in a hostile environment.  Hence Paul advice:

“Let your gentleness be known to all.”

And remember where Paul was coming from when he wrote those words.  He was writing from prison.  He had faced much persecution and abuse from people, yet he had a calm and gentle spirit.

How could he do that?  Well gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit.  Our human nature goes against that, but as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, He transforms us from the inside out.  His gentle Spirit calms our hostility.  He greases our rattles and squeaks.  And His work in us will be displayed as gentleness.

Jesus shared some practical ways in which our gentleness can be known:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

So I pray that the Lord’s tenderness be manifest in and through you!  Be blessed and be a blessing!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GREETING CARDS  (ORDER BELOW) – $4.50ea
This picture is available as single Greeting Cards,or order the SET OF 7.

You can choose from the following:

* HANDMADE GREETING CARDS
~ from quality 4×6″ card and paper and print
~ blank insert for your personal greeting
~ matching coloured envelopes to match (also handmade)
~ protected in clear cello bags.

* CARD DESIGNS to download
* PRINTABLE CARDS to download.

5 or more CARDS (any designs) – $3.50 ea 
(ADD discount code at checkout: cards5plus)

SEE MORE…

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Well, it is not that season here.  We are in the middle of Spring.

But funny thing… seasons are different for each one of us. What might be the right season for you may not be for me, and visa versa.

While the top part of the world are bringing out their winter woollies, we down under are just putting ours away… (bring on summer!!) … Then for those in the middle it is either wet or dry season.

It is the same when it comes to our lives. We need to live and work in God’s seasons for our lives.  Let us not complain about our weather.  Let us not wish we were somewhere else.  And let us not conform to others in a different season.

Instead, let us thank God for the season we are in, appreciating the good, and learning from the bad.

Remember too, that it will pass.  Our God is in control.

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GREETING CARDS  (ORDER BELOW) – $4.50ea
These picture are available as single Greeting Cards, or buy the pair.

You can choose from the following:

* HANDMADE GREETING CARDS
~ from quality 4×6″ card and paper and print
~ blank insert for your personal greeting
~ matching coloured envelopes to match (also handmade)
~ protected in clear cello bags.

* CARD DESIGNS to download
* PRINTABLE CARDS to download.

5 or more CARDS (any designs) – $3.50 ea 
(ADD discount code at checkout: cards5plus)

SEE MORE…

The post Which Season are You In? appeared first on Seeds-2-Sow.

~  Handmade cards are from quality 4×6″ card and paper and print
~ blank insert for your personal greeting
~ C6 size envelopes included
~ protected in zip-lock bag.
~ Downloads are available as Printable Cards (PDF) or Card Designs

THE PICTURES: a friend’s Dove on the Christmas tree was a great opportunity for Christmas Card shots.

THE TEXT on the cards is John 4″:27 – “Peace I leave with you, My peace I leave with you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (Jesus)

(Click here to ORDER SINGLE CARDS)

Peace on earth, goodwill toward men!	Peace I leave with you! ( John 14:27)
My Peace I leave with you! (John 14:27)	Not as the world gives do I give to you! (John 14:27)
Let not your heart be troubled. (John 14:27)	Neither let your heart be afraid! (John 14:27)

(Click here to ORDER SINGLE CARDS)

The post Christmas Peace Dove Greeting Card Set appeared first on Seeds-2-Sow.

~  Handmade cards are from quality 4×6″ card and paper and print
~ blank insert for your personal greeting
~ C6 size envelopes included
~ protected in zip-lock bag.
~ Downloads are available as Printable Cards (PDF) or Card Designs

THE PICTURES: AS BELOW – ENJOY!

(Click here to ORDER SINGLE CARDS)

SUN004 – Whatever is Genuine, whatever is Awe-Inspiring, whatever is Right and Just, fix your mind on such things. (Phil. 4:8a)	WAT001 – Whatever is Pure, whatever is Lovely, whatever is admirable, fix your mind on such things. (Phil 4:8b)
RBW001 – If there is anything excellent, or anything worthy of praise, fix your mind on such things. (Phil 4:8c)	CAT008 – I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. (Phil. 4:11, NKJ)
BUG002 – I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me! I am ready for anything and equal for anything through him who infuses inner strength into me! I am self-suffliient in Christ's sufficiency. (Phil 4:13, Amp.)	PEL001 – My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19, NKJ)

(Click here to ORDER SINGLE CARDS)

The post Philippians 4 Greeting Card Pack (#2) appeared first on Seeds-2-Sow.

~  Handmade cards are from quality 4×6″ card and paper and print
~ blank insert for your personal greeting
~ C6 size envelopes included
~ protected in zip-lock bag.
~ Downloads are available as Printable Cards (PDF) or Card Designs

THE PICTURES: (see below) - Most sets have 6 cards, but this one has a bonus seventh.  Two cards have the text “Rejoice in the Lord Always”.

(Click here to ORDER SINGLE CARDS)

DOM001 – Rejoice in the Lord – Handmade Card	BUG003 – Let your gentleness be known to all. (Phil. 4:5)
SUN001 – The Lord is at hand! (Phil 4:5b)	FLW006 – Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. (Phil 4:6, NLT)
BUG001 – Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. (Phil. 4:6-7 NLT)	FLW005 – God's peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Phil.4:7, NLT)
LOR005 – Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say REJOICE! (Phil 4:4)

(Click here to ORDER SINGLE CARDS)

The post Philippians 4 Greeting Card Pack (#1) appeared first on Seeds-2-Sow.

“No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Cor 1:20, NLT)

(Just have to put this one on a card… keep watching…)

The post YES and AMEN!! appeared first on Seeds-2-Sow.

SMILING PIG – Rejoice in the Lord always.

GREETING CARDS  (ORDER BELOW) – $4.50 ea  or $21 set of 7 

No matter our circumstances, if we belong to Jesus, we know that our God is in control. So for this we can be GLAD.

We also know that we will live with Him forever. The troubles we face on this earth are only fleeting compared to the joy we will have in heaven.

So even if your life at the moment seems much like a pig sty, and people keep putting you down, take courage!!  Paul, who wrote those words, faced the same things and more…

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.  (2 Cor 4:8-11, NLT)

Again he says the same thing to Roman believers…

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  (Romans 5:3-5, NLT)

And James wrote a letter to believers, and starts of with…

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  (James 1:2-4, NLT)

And the Apostle Peter agrees…

So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.  (1 Peter 1:6-7, NLT)

So take courage, be blessed, and be a blessing!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GREETING CARDS  (ORDER BELOW)
This picture is available as a Greeting Card on its own, or order the SET OF 7.

You can choose from the following:

* HANDMADE GREETING CARDS
~ from quality 4×6″ card and paper and print
~ blank insert for your personal greeting
~ matching coloured envelopes to match (also handmade)
~ protected in clear cello bags.

* CARD DESIGNS to download
* PRINTABLE CARDS to download.

5 or more CARDS (any designs) – $3.50 ea
(ADD discount code at checkout: cards5plus)

SEE MORE…

The post Don’t Let Troubles Get You Down! appeared first on Seeds-2-Sow.

The post Beauty of Love appeared first on Seeds-2-Sow.

The post Simplicity appeared first on Seeds-2-Sow.