Saturday, August 8, 2015

Change My Identity

             How many of us struggle with self-worth? If we were sitting in a classroom and the teacher asked us that question, who would be brave enough to raise our hand first? It’s not easy to admit that we have flaws, but the first step to overcoming them is to admit that they are there. Look deep within yourself. What are the things you struggle with the most? Those hidden things that no one knows about. I recently began to write a letter to God about how I am struggling with feeling as though my best effort isn’t good enough. That’s a terrible feeling. Living day to day wondering if you’re getting it right, but knowing that you are not. That’s where Jesus steps in. He gave God His best so that we could have a chance to give God our best. Because of Jesus, we have nothing to prove other than that we love God. The thing is, we can’t show God that we love Him through lip service, we show Him by living like we say that we love Him. The Lord calls us to a life of purity, free from the restraints of sin. In order to do that, we must put away our fleshly lusts, and walk in the true way of the Spirit. It is so easy to say that we love God with our mouths, but our lives tell a different story. We give in to this world by following it, but then think that one day of praising God is enough to atone for all our sins committed throughout the week. When do we stop playing church, and starting being the church? When do we allow Jesus to metaphorically wreak havoc upon our hearts, and clean out our temples like He did at the temple in Jerusalem? That’s the only way we’ll truly be clean. Those things that are lurking in the back of our minds, the things that we hide from everyone else, those are the very things that the enemy will use to condemn us, or use to hurt the ones that we love. We must truly, truly confess everything to God, and allow Him to heal us completely.


            When was the last time you had a real talk with God? A talk where you were asking Him what He wanted you to do, and not just what you can get from Him. We all have developed a cycle of seeking God only when it’s convenient for us. How many friends have you lost in the past because you were tired of being used by them. You know, those friends that only called when they needed something. God is tired of us using Him as well. God’s Word has not changed. It clearly tells us to “seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of Heaven and all His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Nowhere does it say to seek these things and His righteousness will be added. We’re all out of order. I heard someone say before, that we are always seeking the hand of God and never His face. We have to break that chain. Tradition is sometimes wrong. Ask the Lord to change your heart, ask Him to change your name. Ask Him to change your identity. To give you a zeal to seek Him and not just His riches. Our self-worth is not found in money, houses, family or even our spouses. Our self-worth is found in God. He thought that we were worth the price of His Son’s blood. How many people do we know that would die for our sins? Jesus is proof enough to know that we are worth more than anything this world could offer us. Start believing that you are more valuable than rubies, Jesus did. Then start living like it. Honor His sacrifice, by honoring His commandments. Jesus paved the way so that you could be saved. Declare over your life that God loves you, then believe it in your heart. I promise you’ll see a change. Remember these words,

  2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold all things are become new.” 

Yours in Christ,
Erica J Hill
 © Grace Built This Creations 2015
gracebuiltthis@outlook.com
gracebuiltthiscreations.blogspot.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Crafting Firsts

I first developed a love for crafting when I decided to design and create my wedding invitatations. I know, I know, we've all heard this story, but it's true see,
I really enjoyed making and sending out these invivtations.

But I always knew that I had a passion for crafts, because when I was younger, I would make candy vases, gift baskets, and I would crochet. So it was only fitting that I would have a love for making beautiful cards and other gifts to make people smile.

After making the wedding invitations, I had been hit by the bug 😍. And I just wanted to make and make and make some more.

I wanted to share with you all some of my first creations today.







I created a few of these just for fun, but others were created for Coworkers. I hope you enjoyed looking. Thanks again for checking out this blog. If anyone would like to order, you can email me at gracebuiltthis@outlook.com and we'll discuss pricing and shipping of you aren't local.

Yours in Christ 😃
Erica J Hill

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

To One Fabulous First Lady

Hello everyone. Today I'm posting a project that I did for a Co worker who wanted something for her Pastor and his wife. I named the post "To One Fabulous First Lady" because of what the card says. I just love that expression. It's great to be and feel like a Fabulous Woman of God 😄

For the Pastor's card, I did a step card with a poem honoring him as a Shepherd for the Lord. I think it turned out wonderfully for my first step card. And I'm excited to share with you all. Again, if anyone wants to order this card, then email me at gracebuiltthis@outlook.com  and we'll talk pricing and shipping if you aren't near me. Thanks for looking!!

Yours in Christ 😃
Erica J Hill

Monday, August 3, 2015

Many Thanks

My Pastor's wife, Evangelist Geraldine Davis, and my sister, Prophetess Darlene Calhoun hosted separate Women's Conferences back in June and asked me to make some gift bags to give to their speakers. I was very pleased with the outcome of both sets of bags with matching cards and am very thankful for the opportunity to create for them. If anyone would like to place an order, then email me at gracebuiltthis@outlook.com and we'll work discuss pricing, shipping etc. Thanks for looking!!
Yours in Christ ,
Erica J Hill
 ^<This set went to my sister.
 ^<This set went to my Elect Lady.
 Close ups of the different sets.
 

The Mini Piano

Hello everyone. I do apologize for the length of time that I have been absent from my blog, and I must make more time to get some posts up and soon. I have a lot of projects that have been finished and are just waiting for me to share. On the first Sunday in July, we had an appreciation ceremony for our musician at the church. We had an awesome time celebrating the work that she does for the God we serve. I love this woman to pieces, and am grateful to have her in our lives. ♡

I was searching for a unique gift that I could give her that I knew would make her smile and so I hit the crafting world and came up with this beautiful mini piano. I love love love it. I made a trial version but I must say that I love this one much more. If anyone would like one made for someone special, I would be more that happy to make one, just email me and we will iron everything out. I hope you enjoy this project as much as I did.

Yours in Christ 😃
Erica J Hill