Snow Shows ...

Snow is beautiful! It cleanses the atmosphere of impurities, kills germs, and blankets the earth with a pure white covering. Kids play in it, adults both marvel and dread to drive in it. My youngest daughter and I were outside earlier today as the snow continued to fall on top of several inches that were already on the ground, and we played together by making angels, throwing snowballs, cleaning off our vehicle, and racing each other. It was fun seeing her react to the beauty of God's snow.

God communicates powerful messages to His creation about the importance of snow on both literal and metaphorical levels. Consider these two prolific passages from the Prophet Isaiah:

"Come now let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." - Isaiah 1:18

How can anyone read this text of Holy Scripture and not rejoice at the reality of renewal through God's grace? God, through the Prophet Isaiah, told ancient Israel that He was aware of the ugliness of their sins, but that He would cleanse them from their spiritual impurities.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55:10-11

The magnificent truth about this statement is that God compares His word to rain and snow, and states that all three of them serve a dynamic purpose. Rain and snow have an amazing purpose in God's creation. They both water, cleanse, and nourish the earth. Hence, when God sends rain and snow, they do not give a negative return to the Creator. They have accomplished what they were sent to do.

It is the same with God's word. Whenever we read the Bible, we are listening to God's words. Whenever a preacher proclaims the word from the pulpit, he must indeed "... do it as one speaking the very words of God." - 1 Peter 4:11. When a minister of the Gospel preaches the very words of God from the Bible, the people hearing those words can know that they have heard a message from God.

God's word has the power to transform lives by freeing people from sinful strongholds (e.g., sexual immorality, homosexuality, adultery, lying, stealing, cheating, drunkenness, lust, covetousness, etc.), while making people better parents, spouses, friends, business partners, forgivers, lovers of God and lovers of people. God shows His creation how to live more fulfilled lives through His divine power.

Finally, God's word points us all to the path of eternal life in heaven. This is true because the written word teaches us about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who gave His life for each and every one of us on the cross by dying for our sins. He then was resurrected from the tomb on the third day after His crucifixion proving that He is the Lord, the Son of God - Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5.

All who place faith in Jesus by repenting (changing their mind, turning from sin to God), confessing Christ, and being baptized will have their sins forgiven. This is true because once a person is united with Christ, His precious, sinless blood cleanses and frees the penitent believer from sin - Matthew 26:28; I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5. Paul told Timothy that "... salvation is found in Christ Jesus..." - 2 Timothy 2:10. The question then becomes, "How does a person get "in" or "into" Christ to obtain salvation?" Please read Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 3:19; Acts 10:43; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:1-4; Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:11-12; 1 Peter 3:18-21.

As the Hebrew writer says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

Time to get on board! Remember .... GOD WANTS YOU!!!!