SNOW ON THE EVERGREEN

Jesus, Jehovah, Immanuel—

Abundant joy rich to tell.

There is a love that fills my heart,

like snow in the deepest part.

El, Creator, Merciful, Love—

Blessed assurance from above.

There is a peace from Heaven’s crown,

like snow gently falling down.

Savior, Messiah, Adonai—

Blood outpoured to sanctify.

There is a grace from only Him,

like snow coating every limb.

Unspeakable Gift, Redeemer, King—

Sing the song the ransomed sing!

There is a life made wholly right,

like snow turning woodlands white.

Spirit, Counselor, Author, Friend—

Kingdom wonders never end.

There is a seal forever clean,

like snow on the evergreen.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power

to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13

SNOW ON THE EVERGREEN

In the woods, here in Veery Glade, snow comes straight down and coats an evergreen. This scene reminds me that in Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit who guarantees our inheritance of eternal life.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14 

As I continue to write about this year's word, which is Heaven, I am drawn to the passage in Isaiah about how the wolf will feed with the lamb. Will there be prey and predators in Heaven? No! Let's take a look at God's Word which always comes to pass. Isn't that amazing? We know the Word of the holy, sovereign God is infallible. If that weren't so, He wouldn't be God.

"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain," says the LORD.

Isaiah 65:25

As we know, lambs are easy prey for one wolf, let alone a pack of wolves, even if mom and dad sheep were around. And they'd get eaten, too! And, we know lions eat the meat of the prey they stalk and kill, but to eat straw like the ox? Is this possible?

God says so, and He did through the prophet Isaiah, years and years ago! Has it happened yet? No, but we can count on this happening, even across generations because God said so. He will create new Heavens and a new Earth. Dust will be the serpent's food. In the LORD'S holy mountain, wolves, lions, and serpents will not hurt or destroy anywhere.

Mountains on Earth are not holy because the ground, through Adam's sin, was cursed as we know from the verse in Genesis 3:17. Even if the view were magnificent and the resources beneath abundant, the mountain is still less than holy. Only God can make something holy.

What is holy? Holiness is having no sin whatsoever, and no one qualifies for that. Holy is not us. Not even the best person is holy. No one is sin-free as I'm sure you already know. We have all fallen miserably short of the immense glory of God. The devil masquerades as an angel of light, trying to deceive anyone he can by convincing said person she or he does not need atonement, forgiveness, cleansing, redemption, and mercy— all of the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, on the cross, and in His victory over death, the resurrection.

Who is holy? Only God is holy as I'm sure you know, too. By His matchless love, He demonstrated His love and mercy by sending His Son to us, which is Him, incarnate. Jesus is God in human form! He holds the power of making what was corruptible incorruptible and what was mortal immortal. He gives the promise of eternal life in Heaven when we believe in Him.

"No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God."

1 Samuel 2:2

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hebrews 1:1-3

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR DYING ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS!

The place our loving and merciful Savior, Jesus, is preparing for us in Heaven will include wolves and lambs feeding together and lions eating straw like the ox. That, I got to see!

For The Joy: An Easter Poetry Book update...

As snow piles up around Veery Glade, I continue to work on writing poems for my next book release For The Joy. At this point in the manuscript, I have a sonnet, a diamante, a villanelle, a free verse (which is something new for me), and other verses. Also, I've painted some scenes that will accompany each poem and I've selected Bible verses. For The Joy is not quite half way finished with the first draft. Please pray for me.

Focus on Prayer

Please pray for our unsaved loved ones. Oh, that they would believe and draw close to the Lord! That is the best way to live each day— in fellowship with our Heavenly Father who is also our loving Creator. What a joy it would be if our loved ones could experience this good relationship, this wonderful relationship! Jesus said to not give up in praying. As long as we have breath, pray for the salvation of those individuals near and dear to us.

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Acts 16:31

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.

Luke 18:1

In Closing

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

Genesis 2:19

Wow! God created then and He can create in the future. And, what a desire God had to know what Adam would name each animal! If you created something, wouldn't you want to be the one who named what you created? Yet God, who is love and desires a relationship with us, His creation, with Adam, let him name the animals. Maybe God even had a chuckle to hear the different names Adam announced.

Set your sights on the promised new order in Heaven!

THE ICY GNARLY ELM

The icy, gnarly elm alone
in the dell, just beyond the spruces,
has taken on to moan and groan
and wonder of her uses;
to worry in the winter scene
where none but harshness grows—
and the cold wind blows.
 
Yet even so, the elm stands firm,
though the weighted ice is building.
And there lies at core a diseasing worm,
as the branches soon are breaking.
Forbidding is the winter scene
in which all things are made weak—
where the plight looks bleak.
 
But there is remembrance of who one is,
as the sun shines on and sparkles.
Even through the strain and brittleness,
there is reason yet for marvels.
Hostile may the winter scene become
and the stressful toll long—
but her trust is strong.

 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

 

THE ICY GNARLY ELM

Here in Veery Glade, ice and snow covers the branches of maple, beech, and old gnarly elm trees. The only dash of green color against the white backdrop of land and sky is from the evergreens. We are locked in the grips of winter.

Winter doesn't bother me...yet. Snow on the ground in April is a bit discouraging, and so are snowflakes frilling in the air as late as June here, but they don't stick. Even so, onward I write, posting about my new word for the year—Heaven! A wonderful place!

'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

Jeremiah 33:3

How great is that? Call on God! See if it's true that He will answer you. And, that He would show you great and mighty things you didn't know before. Smart people are the ones who do this. Wise people meet this opportunity. I urge you to take the LORD up on His offer, if you haven't already.

"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

John 14:2-3

An earthly 'mansion' is a large, impressive home with over 5000 square feet of living space. In addition to the distinctive architecture and the home's five to ten or more bedrooms and ample bathrooms and the usual kitchen and living room or great room, rooms like a library, a music hall, an art studio, a theater, and a gym might all be included under one roof. Elaborate grounds with gardens, pools, and saunas make up the surroundings. Premium and luxurious materials are used everywhere. In the kingdom of Heaven, where rust and decay aren't present, where roofs don't leak, where resources are limitless, where God lives, I think the heavenly mansion Jesus is preparing for each person who called upon Him will be fantastic, to say the least.

For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." 

Romans 10:13

Jesus knows who calls on Him. Are you known? He's gone to prepare a place. Does He know you? Does Jesus know you would love a music hall with a grand piano and pipe organ? Does He know you would love trails to ride your snowmobile great distances? Does Jesus know you? So that He can prepare for you? Take Him up on His offer and call on Him today. It isn't about gaining possessions as it is about receiving a gift from the Great Gift Giver. Ever since time began, which God began, all has been to prove His love for us.

What a great promise Jesus gives when He says that He will come again and receive us. He, who once walked on this Earth, the planet He made, and who then ascended into Heaven after His resurrection from the dead, will return. He will receive us like a gracious host greeting at the door of a beautiful mansion home. But even better than that. We will not be guests. A guest has to eventually go home. When He receives us, we will be entering home. Our new home. Our place He has prepared.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Not so for the dead not in Christ. Not so for anyone not saved. Not so for anyone going to Hell. There are no mansions in Hell, not even burnt ones.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

God knew forcing us to love Him is not love. God gives us freewill. We are made in His image with the power to choose. God gives us a way to obtain salvation and avoid His wrath, which He did not appoint to us but will be faced by those who chose not to be reconciled. I urge you to accept His Son and all the benefits that go with that decision.

FOR THE JOY: AN EASTER POETRY BOOK

The above scene is a possibility for the image to be used on the title page of my next release. For The Joy will feature poems and illustrations leading up to the day of the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and, the book will feature poems and illustrations of His resurrection from the dead, the victory that changed everything. If you would like to pray for me that I can present the Easter message vividly and clearly to readers, I would be very grateful.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Please pray for our American nation and government as they strive to make good decisions. Please pray for the safety of our president and cabinet members, and for wisdom to govern.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.

Titus 3:1

CONCLUDING WORDS

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Revelation 21:21

The icy, gnarly elm keeps trusting, even through winter, even through hardship, the words of Jesus and the promise of Heaven.

The Long Skip Home

I just finished this excellent story!

Even though it is for middle grade readers,

I felt like I still related to Lily and her different struggles.

Elstar and all the friends from the world of Whule made

me excited for Heaven. I loved all the reminders of Jesus

portrayed through Elstar's character. An excellent, moving story!

-Amazon Review

TRACKS IN THE SNOW

A glistening dell,
white-clad and temple-like,
a line of fresh-made tracks
beneath a spruce’s spike,
where winds have not come in
to shake the boughs of snow,
and in a winter’s blue,
the sunlight shimmers low.

It’s here we see a pattern,
while breathing crispy air,
the prints of whitetail deer
preserved in snowy care.
The pointed toes had followed
the ones before them made,
and dainty ones, too,
had crossed the frozen glade.
 
The wisest and the learned
trust in established ways
through cold and drifted trials
to kinder, warmer days;
So, let us raise a prayer
and speak our human need—
to step within the tracks
of Sovereign-made lead.

 

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

 

TRACKS IN THE SNOW 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Time marches on, even here in Veery Glade. Our eternal Creator started the clock when He made time and it's been ticking away ever since. That makes me think and remember my days are limited.

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

Psalm 90:12

Would you agree it's good to make the best use of the time given us? Many souls are perishing every day. One cannot sugarcoat the eternal place of torment, which is Hell, and once you check in, you can't check out.

But, the place of Heaven is real, too. And oh... Wow! That's the place to go! When you die, that's where you want to live forever and enjoy abundant life. And that's my highlighted word for 2026— Heaven.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

The Word of God begins with this opening declarative sentence that God created the heavens and earth. If one cannot accept this as truth, then one, most likely, cannot accept much else that follows after the Bible's first sentence. But for we who do accept this sentence as glorious truth, the promise of Heaven shines like the rarest gem of them all. The reality of Heaven sustains our hope and feeds our joy. The biblical descriptions of Heaven ignite our imaginations. (I will capitalize 'Heaven' but I will write it as it appears when quoting scripture.)

We read in the Bible that Heaven is beyond our imaginations without the Holy Spirit. It's so good we cannot wrap our minds around it without God enabling us to see, much like God taking on flesh, which He did as His Word tells us.

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

So much rides on belief which I've noted before here on my blog. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit happens with the decision to believe. God reveals to believers. And not only that but the deep things of God Himself. Amazing! Is this why some people, even kids, understand scripture while others, even long-time church goers, are blind?

Genesis 1:1 says there are heavens. What can we learn about this? We learn through Paul that there is a third Heaven, which implies there is a first and second Heaven.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2 

Basically, the first Heaven is what we see in the sky where birds fly. The second Heaven is outer space including the sun, moon and stars. The third Heaven is where God resides on His throne with Jesus, His Son, seated beside Him.

We are given glimpses of the place Jesus has prepared for us (that is, if you are a believer. If not, why not become one today? Believe on the name of Jesus Christ. Ask Him into your heart. Accept His death payment on the cross for your sins. He took the wrath of Almighty God for everyone so that we don't have to be targets of wrath stemming from original sin. Without the blood of the perfect Lamb, a person is left wide-open to God's wrath and that is something no one will survive. Jesus came to save us from being the objects of wrath we are without Him. But He won't force anyone to believe. Everyone has freewill. I urge you to call upon Him today for your salvation). As I was saying, we are given glimpses of Heaven.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Matthew 6:19-20

The dimension of Heaven is different than the dimension of Earth. Further, Heaven doesn't have the elements of rust and decay like Earth does. And it doesn't contain thieves. Oh, maybe it's residents once were on Earth before they got saved, but being saved brought a change of heart, and thievery doesn't exist in Heaven. Citizens of Heaven have the nature of being redeemed. Things operate differently in Heaven than we know here on Earth. And, even if you had all the treasures of Earth, it wouldn't amount to anything when you die because you can't take any of it with you.

What you can take is a spirit filled with the Holy Spirit, destined to receive a new, perfect body that lasts forever and won't break down or get bored. What you can take is a soul that hungered after God's Word so much, sharing often on Earth, like shepherds first hearing the Good News, that it is destined to receive a reward for the love of God's Word and the spreading of it. What you can take is excitement to experience the above promise of treasures in Heaven made good cause you know God keeps all His promises. 

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 3:17

Can you imagine hearing God's voice from Heaven? The people at Jesus' baptism heard it. There are other verses in the Bible of people hearing God's voice from Heaven, like in the days of Moses at Mount Sinai. Through the coming year, I hope to write more about wonderful Heaven, the place of God, the place for the redeemed, and the place Jesus is preparing for the born-again.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

As I read about persecution of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in troubling parts of the world, I am compelled to draw attention to their dilemma. Please pray for Christians in central Asia where governments oppose them and their Bible teaching, especially to children. Please pray for Christian parents as they teach their children about love and forgiveness and the message of the Gospel under threatening conditions. Please pray for encouragement to these targeted Christians and that their persecution would end. In Heaven, I wonder how many stories will be shared of earthly persecution.

FOR THE JOY: AN EASTER POETRY BOOK update...

The above scene is a possibility for the image to be used on the title page of my next release. For The Joy will feature poems and illustrations leading up to the day of the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and, the book will feature poems and illustrations of His resurrection from the dead, the victory that changed everything. If you would like to pray for me that I can present the Easter message vividly and clearly to readers, I would be very grateful.

CONCLUSION

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

Follow tracks in the snow. Follow Jesus to everlasting life. Contemplate the word that will appear here at the end of every Poems and Prayer blog post this coming year with the place that Jesus is preparing—Heaven.

BOUGHS OF HEMLOCK

Boughs of hemlock, full, adorning,

blessed to greet the chilly morning;

as when Magi came afar,

from the east, beneath the Star,

and gave gifts to the King of kings,

Creator of created things,

who became a babe to carry,

and trusted the goodness of Joseph and Mary.

Boughs of hemlock, rich and stately,

by the roadside, waving greatly;

likened to the branches’ way

in Jerusalem that day,

when our Savior, Jesus, wept,

and on the road to the cross, kept,

to atone for us our peace,

from sin’s hold, a sure release.

Boughs of hemlock, sprinkled snow,

delicate grace on branches show

change, like wintertime to spring;

a new life planted, faith will bring

fruit and life from a spirit clean,

and fine harvest of an evergreen.

Truth and honor of scripture well

will be honored, as time will tell.

And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Leviticus 23:40

BOUGHS OF HEMLOCK

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Christ is the root of the word 'Christmas' and the reason for the season. Let us trust God's Word to be accurate and sincere in testifying and giving praise to Jesus Christ.

Today is the last post of this year. Throughout the year, I featured the word 'repent', a word definitely in God's vocabulary. As a recap, here are a few highlighted Bible verses.

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Matthew 4:17

"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

Matthew 9:13

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Mark 1:14-15

And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Luke 3:3

"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15:10

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 5:31

As you can see, repentance is extremely important to the Lord. Humans in their sinful condition are in dire need of being saved. A dangerous thought and saying is when someone thinks and says that no one is in need of saving. They promote warm thoughts about someone's passing regardless of the deceased being saved or not, thinking everyone goes to Heaven no matter what. I've heard it and seen it. It's the worldly way of thinking. But oh, they are in for a rude awakening. Because if the remission of sins doesn't happen, then the sins are still there, and God can't look at sin.

Well, thank you for reading this past year's posts on the word 'repent'. Next year's key word will be revealed in the January 1st, 2026 post. So...stay tuned.

Here in Veery Glade, we are off to a snowy winter. For me, winter is a great, quiet time to write and I am busy working on my next project, whenever I can, which is For The Joy: An Easter Poetry Book. I don't know if I'll have it ready by this Easter but it will be done when it's done! I am illustrating the book as well. The first half of the book will be about the sacrifice and death of Christ and the second half will be about His resurrection. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. So... keep a look out for this next release.

Please pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ everywhere, especially in Northern Nigeria. Many people do not have the freedom to openly worship the Lord or have access to a Bible. Pray for them to be encouraged and for the front-line workers who are trying to assist them.

I hope you know, dear forest dweller, that 'I'm saved!' is the best phrase to own and promote. Jesus, the Messiah, was born to save, to forgive sin, to provide remission of sins through the shedding of His blood. Being saved is the BEST! Make sure your vocabulary mirrors God's vocabulary with this word: repent.

THE SAPLING’S STAR

The night is cold, it is bitter cold,
and the trees are moving, creaking,
screeching in the cold, dark, winter night,
as the stars begin their peeking.

They can see the patch where the maples grow,
nestled in for winter, napping,
and beneath the trunk of a mighty red,
they can see the smallest sapling.
 
They are shown a strength in its tiny limbs,
of a promise building, keeping,
of a hope to give unsparingly,
of love for the woodland sleeping.

And they wonder who is showing this,

in whose light a-basking, savoring?

High above the sapling is its Star,

shining brightly, ever favoring!

 

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,
though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me
that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings forth have been from of old,
from everlasting.
Micah 5:2

 

THE SAPLING’S STAR

For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

I am confident that... The Designer of the Bethlehem Star loves us! And I hope you are confident, too.

God wonderfully shone a light on the giving of His most precious gift to us—His Son, Jesus Christ! From the beginning of time, this birth was carefully orchestrated, then knitted together, fearfully and wonderfully made in Mary's womb. God loves us!

I'm continuing attention to the word 'repent'. Jesus and His disciples talked as they traveled and the word 'yeast' came up. Jesus told His disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and that of Herod, and the disciples thought He was talking about bread.

"How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Matthew 16:11-12

and...

Then He charged them, saying, "take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."

Mark 8:15

Yeast, as we know, works its way through dough to cause bread to rise. The definition in the dictionary is that it is a substance found on the surface of fermenting sugary liquids containing ascomycetes of fam. Saccharomycetaceae, that multiply by budding and cause fermentation of sugars, with the production of alcohol and carbon dioxide. 

Leaven is defined as a substance added to dough which, by fermentation, produces carbon dioxide gas and thus makes the dough rise and become porous. Essentially, yeast and leaven are the same thing.

Jesus said 'Beware'. We had better pay attention to this. 

Who were the Pharisees and why did Jesus say to beware of their teaching? The Pharisees were a religious order during the days of Jesus who tried to be pious and righteous on their own but were, in fact, hypocrites. They tithed, studied the Bible, said long prayers, and even evangelized but they did not know Jesus Christ. Jesus warns about their false teaching. They looked the part but their hearts were dark and their minds were clouded about true salvation through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Jesus says to beware of their doctrine which included salvation by works. They did not have a loving relationship with God the Father through Jesus. They did not know of the unlimited resources available to a true child of God from a merciful, Heavenly Father. They did not accept grace or teach forgiveness of sins through Jesus. Their tithing, studying the Bible, prayers, and evangelical efforts were in vain.

"Beware! Be on your guard! Take heed! Watch out! Be careful!" These are the words of Jesus for faulty doctrine.

And then, the Sadducees, another order, had weird doctrine in that they didn't believe in the resurrection. They were ignorant of God's power to raise the mortal immortal. They collaborated with Roman authorities to maintain their power and control over the Temple, kind of like maintaining a power trip, you might say. Their bad thinking spread, like yeast spreading throughout dough, like shallow nonsense infiltrating between the pews in a church.

Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; 

Mark 12:18

And Herod? Did he enjoy listening to John the Baptist, an obvious righteous man, but then equally enjoy watching his stepdaughter dance for him at a banquet later that day? Did he tolerate God as long as God didn't get in the way of his worldly ways? Did he say 'turn a blind eye while I engage in this'? Jesus warns about him, too. "Watch out! Beware! Be careful!"

Jesus used the example of yeast in a positive way, however, and I think that is good to note.

Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

Matthew 13:33

In this case, it's a blessing how good teaching can spread like yeast throughout the dough. It's encouraging to the heart to be part of Christian fellowship (and not just regular fellowship which can be got anywhere). It's a blessing to see a church align themselves with correct doctrine and proclaim the good news about the kingdom of Heaven. It's satisfying for the soul to be nourished while worshipping together with Christian brothers and sisters who know a patient and forgiving Savior. What encouragement there is when believers join together to thank the Lord for His goodness and pray together, relying on Him for their needs. Prayer is a privilege for them stemming from a real relationship with God through Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead." So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in the clothes on their shoulders.

Exodus 12:33-34

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

Exodus 12:39

"You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty."

Exodus 23:15

After the ten plagues, the Israelites were set free and begged by the frightened Egyptians to leave immediately. God's people went forthwith with their unleavened bread and plundered goods, and a heart to worship the one true God wherever He led. They fled the Egyptian pagan gods who were defeated and worldly ways prevalent in the land. The influences of other worship practices was not to impede upon the worship of Almighty God. God had delivered them and made a distinction.

Are there modern Pharisees in the church today? Do they teach not to do something but then they do it later? Or, do they strive to earn their salvation through their good works? Do they lack compassion for others? Do they rely on their own merit and not the Lord? Is it God's work or their traditions that are more important? Do they invest in real prayer from changed hearts, asking God to grow their church?

The warnings of Jesus against hypocrisy and worldliness still hold true today. Like the religious people of His day (the Pharisees and Sadducees) we, too, have religious people whose hearts are dark and minds are clouded. They don't have a relationship with the Lord but desperately need one. They value their legalistic ways over teaching freedom from sins through Jesus' atoning work on the cross. They are the spiritually blind leading the spiritually blind (and they might even use the word 'spirituality' in their vocabulary to sound like they are spiritual when, indeed, they are not filled with the Holy Spirit).

Also, there are Herod-like people in church who live for the world. They might say about a pastor not only living in sin but parading it from the pulpit that 'as long as she's doing her job, I'm okay with her'. Or, 'accept my decision to supplement my church experience by adding this other worldly practice in my life'. Or, they advocate (and thereby teach) that everyone goes to Heaven when they die regardless of whether they had accepted Christ or not. (They might think this because it is uncomfortable for them to think anyone would go to Hell. But people are perishing every day. Jesus came to save!) Take heed and step away from wrong thinking for it negates the work of Christ on the cross. Beware! It is a warning from Jesus, who had named the Pharisees and Sadducees— a 'brood of vipers' — and He didn't speak well of Herod either. It is the allowed bad teaching that spreads through the church, like yeast through the dough, and it's the type of bread Jesus, the Son of God, doesn't offer.

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."

John 6:35

"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

John 5:32

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this day to all by raising Him from the dead."

Acts 17:30-31

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Revelation 2:5

Spread the good doctrine. Jesus, the Son of God, is the only One with the power to forgive sins. Always shine a light on this wonderful truth! And He who began a good work in us is faithful to see it through. Be encouraged by that! Being forgiven of sins (which is being made righteous) is the only way to enter Heaven and never be separated from God's love. Tell others of the wonder of God's amazing grace when, of our sins, we repent.

WOODLAND PRAISE

It is high noon and the sunshine pours

on the pine trees standing stately,

raising gateways and old ancient doors

as the woodland sings whom it adores—

everlasting praises greatly.

 

In the grove, there is magnificence,

the most highest name exalting;

glory, admiration, one can sense,

even stones cry out the difference—

everlasting King extolling.

 

On the frost beneath my grateful feet,

in cathedrals, high and lofty,

I will thank my Savior there I meet,

who sits upon the right hand seat—

everlasting love graciously.

 

In old stalwart groves, by icy streams,

through creation that is honoring,

magnifying Christ who rightly deems

from the woodlands to the sea that teems--

everlasting kingdom revering.

 

 

By him therefore let us offer

the sacrifice of praise to God continually,

that is, the fruit of our lips

giving thanks to his name.

But to do good and to communicate forget not:

for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:15-16

WOODLAND PRAISE

Heaven. Scripture tells us that, in the twinkling of an eye, we, brethren, will be raised immortal and incorruptible.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:50-52

And scripture declares that Jesus Christ is the only one with the words of eternal life. It is by Him that reconciliation to God is made.

Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

John 6:67-69

My dear forest dweller, isn't hope sweet? Beyond this present life of both joys and sufferings awaits a glorious future to come for followers of the Son of God! The place for us is being prepared by Jesus Himself. There will be restoration, a return to the Garden of Eden, a paradise, the only paradise. There is coming a full revealing where we will see clearly and face to face and not as if looking through a dark glass, our risen Lord and fulfilled promises. Creation no longer will groan for what it has been groaning for for so long.

Thanksgiving. This annual event rooted in American history is also a special time for the Christian, and one celebrated every day. With sights set on the future in Heaven, the believer experiences a daily thanksgiving because of the sacrifice, atonement, and resurrection of Christ.

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Hebrews 13:15

Repentance of sin. Repentance is acknowledging our sin problem. It is owning up to the fact that we all fall short of the glory of God and need His remedy for our sin problem. We need to come to repentance.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:5

Jesus loves us so much that He bore our guilt and shame on the cross-- the shame of using His name perversely, the shame of indecency, the guilt of irreverence. Jesus loves us so much that He died for our sins. He that had no sin became sin for us. He who was not cursed became cursed for us. This is amazing love to redeem us back. Through the power of the resurrection on the third day, we of faith have a living hope to be raised immortal, incorruptible, and victorious at the trumpet blast!

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Mark 1:15

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

I pray you thoroughly enjoy thanksgiving each day because of what Jesus has done on the cross. And from your prayer to repent.