“So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said,”See, I have taken away your sins,and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” (Zechariah 1:4, NLT)
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are as red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18,NLT)
“Christmas this year will be sweeter. God didn’t avoid me when I was in the filthy rags of sin, but He walked along beside me and brought me to salvation. Jesus walks along beside me even when I momentarily avoid Him. May I stay ever close to Him!
Prayer: Father, thank You for saving me. Thank You for taking away my filthy garments and clothing me with righteousness because of Your Son, Jesus. May You draw the unlovely of the world to Yourself through Your servants. Help me to minister to the poor, the needy, and even the homeless this Christmas season. Amen.
(taken from Voices of the Faithful compiled by Kim P. Davis, page 398)
Today I am joining … Open Sunday Thoughts and Spiritual Sundays and Scripture & a Snapshot .
You have snow, too! It is amazing, and seeing the pure white snow makes the truth of this verse so vivid.
Yes we do – 6″ of beauty! When it is white and falling it always makes this truth so real to me.
All the Christmas joy in the world will not surpass the glorious truth that Christmas happened because the world needed a Savior. Thanks for taking hearts to the gospel, Joanne.
Yes, and not only the world – I need a Savior every day.
Isaiah 1:18 has long been a favorite verse, and I think of it even more often now that I live in an area that is bombarded with so much snow. This post made me think back to my first Christmas as a new believer in 1980. In 9 short months I went from a college girl studying interior design to a girl enrolled in a Bible college. God had totally rerouted my life. Christmas had indeed taken on an entirely new meaning for me, and each Christmas since has been even sweeter when I reflect on what God has done for me through His Son.
Julie, you hit it on the head. Reflecting on what God has done gets sweeter and more meaningful with the passage of time, with each Christmas, and each snowfall. Grateful for you!
So beautiful! We are so blessed to be able to celebrate this amazing season and to have a Father who loves us so very much!
Blessings,
Amy
Blessed indeed, Amy!
I walk most days for exercise, and it has also become my time to listen to worship and have some of my most honest and intimate conversations with God. Lately, I’ve had such a strong sense of His presence walking with me-a sense that He is eager for our walks together. I am overwhelmed at how He loves me.
Elizabeth, I love that He is eager to walk with us. “And He walks with me, and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy He brings, as we tarry there, None other has ever known.” Thank you for bringing this reminder to me!
Okay, I am about to share way too much information. My oldest son, Charlie, has been sick all weekend. Happy as can be, but add explosive diarrhea every three hours or so. I have done four loads of laundry, throw out two sets of pajamas and two fitted sheets, and given him four baths.
I can only imagine how much God loves me to essentially commit to cleaning me up and making me feel safe and whole for the rest of my infinite life!
Oh my gosh, Jamie. First, I will say … 1) I am so sorry for how sick Charlie has been. 2) I love the word picture you have shared! (this means not too much information) 3) Thank you for sharing so transparently. God conveys His truths in the happenings of life and that is the reason I called my space, “Days & Thoughts.” I am so grateful God meets us in the dirtiest and hardest days and conveys His love to us!
Simply beautiful, Joanne!
Much appreciated, Sarah.
Especially meaningful as I look outside my window to the fresh white snowfall. 🙂 Oh, the amazing love of God that comes to make us clean!
It continually amazes me how snow speaks so deeply in the hush and whiteness as it falls. #HeMakesUsClean
This is good news, indeed, today Joanne! I love that pine cone scripture graphic. So beautiful.
Much appreciated, Betsy.