Click to Enlarge

THERE IS NO VALENTINE LIKE GOD

Copyright 2016

There Is No Valentine Like God

God Is Love.

Whoever does not love

does not know God,

because God is love.

1 John 4:8

A very short definition of God is that He is love. But what is love? Love is patient, love is kind...and a whole lot more. 1 Corinthians 13, commonly called the love chapter, gives us a definition of love. This passage also gives us a description of God.

It's no surprise we are given a definition of love in the Bible. We humans are really messed up when we say bad is good and good is bad. It's no wonder we need clarity! And reminding. 
(By the way, bad can't be good and good can't be bad.)


The Word of God is authority. It is the standard. It is accurate. It is what everything will be measured against.

Here is 1 Corinthians 13 (with a sentence from 1 Corinthians 12:31 at the beginning):

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,

but have not love,

I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries

and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains,

but have not love,

I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender

my body to the flames,

but have not love,

I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. 

But where there are prophecies, they will cease;

where there are tongues, they will be stilled;

where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child,

I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Now we see but a poor reflection;

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,

even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love. 

Choose the most excellent way...Love!

Click to Enlarge

SNOW ON THE EVERGREEN

Copyright 2014

Snow on the Evergreen 


Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!  It is winter, you know.

We have about a foot of snow here in my neck of the woods. It's been a mild winter so far, which is probably good for the deer since their population was lessened by last year's long stretch of cold weather in February. Last spring, we had heard reports from farmers of how they found many dead deer in their fields. And this year, my hunting husband hasn't seen the usual amounts.

But I'm glad we have some of the white stuff. Winter is winter, you know. 
What does the Bible say about snow?

White as Snow:

"Come now, let us reason together,"

says the LORD.

"Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool."

Isaiah 1:18 

Have you noticed how bright and white snow is? I wonder who can change things? Do you know who can transform people? Do you know who can do really cool things? It's God! God can make that which is sin white as snow. We know that Abraham believed and God credited it to him as righteousness. No one, not even Abraham, has righteousness of themselves because the Bible says all have sinned. That means no one has righteousness enough to sit with God. He's that almighty. He's that holy. But God Himself says our sins can be as white as snow. And that's powerful. He's that loving.

  

White as Snow: What else does the Bible say about snow?

"As I looked, "thrones were set in place,

and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

His clothing was as white as snow;

the hair of his head was white like wool."

Daniel 7:9a

The Ancient of Days is a reference to Jesus, although it could be God the Father here. But remember, God is three persons in one, including God, the Son. Daniel wasn't just in the hungry lion's den unscathed, which is the amazing true story most of us remember. God revealed to him truths, including those about the future, in dreams and visions. Cool potatoes!

White as Snow: And here, in Matthew 28:3, it says:

His appearance was like lightning,

and his clothes were white as snow. 

and Revelation 1:14:

His head and hair were white like wool,

as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.     

These images paint a powerful person. Jesus is powerful, way more powerful than the god of this world. You don't want to be messing with Him! All judgment has been given to Jesus and the earth is His footstool. God is just and justice will be done, one of these days...just as His powerful Word says.

I would not be surprised if there is snow in Heaven, somewhere in its vastness and wonderness, since all scripture is God-breathed and snow is mentioned. Why not? I find it interesting that wool is mentioned with the phrase 'white as snow'. Wool is obviously on lambs and Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Super cool potatoes!
 

Fresh snow is clean and it covers up. When we receive Christ into our heart, calling on His name, God gives the power to become His child, as it says in the verse today's poem is based upon. Our sins are covered, much like the white coating of winter snow on the evergreen tree. He credits it to us. We can't be born children of God because there would be no need for Jesus, the Redeemer...there would be no need for John 3:16, no need for faith. (Long ago in my younger days, I wondered about infants who did not make it to their first birthday. A friend explained to me that she trusted God's judgment. It is true that God's judgment is always correct and trust-worthy and I can accept this.)

Today's Prayer Word:

As the season of snow falls upon us, remember to pray for our nation and its leadership. Pray for your family and business, your church and Pastor. Pray for Israel. Pray for Jerusalem. Pray for the Persecuted Church. Pray for your friends.

Pray...Everyday, persistently and earnestly!

The ears of God are sharp and His vision is spot on. Take it up with a higher authority...the highest authority. Be thankful for snowy forgiveness...and His Love.