Dear Friends,
In the ESV version of the Bible, there are 24 times when the word snow appears.
Of course, this is what made me think to do that particular word search:
So here’s what I learned about snow from the Bible.
- The first reference to snow in the Bible draws a parallel between snow and leprosy. God famously had Moses put his hand inside his cloak and when he pulled it out, “behold, his hand was leprous, like snow.” Twice more in scripture leprosy is compared to snow.
- While the first time snow is mentioned in scripture is about disease, maybe the best known use of snow in the Bible is about being washed clean – whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7). And Isaiah contrasts our scarlet sins with the purity of God’s cleansing power – again, He makes our sins “whiter than snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
- The book of Job has the most references to snow – five verses. The book of Psalms references snow four times. Proverbs, three times.
- Maybe the most common use of snow in the Bible connects it to God’s power and sovereign control over nature.
- In Job 37, the Bible says “God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. (Job 37:5-6).
- In the next chapter, God asks Job if he has entered the storehouses of snow which He has reserved for the time of trouble.
- The Psalmist says God “sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes” (Psalm 147:15–16).
- The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 is not afraid of snow for her household. Her family has garments that are double thick so they are ready when the snow comes (Proverbs 31:21).
- There are only two times snow is mentioned in the New Testament. Do you know where?
- The first time is when Mary Magdalene arrives at the empty tomb on the first day of the week after Jesus has been crucified. There she sees an angel, whose “appearance was like lightening, and his clothing was white as snow” (Matthew 28:3)
- The other New Testament reference to snow is in Revelation 1, when John comes face to face with Jesus. “The hairs of his head were white,” John says, “like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14). That picture of Jesus in Revelation 1 calls to mind the vision Daniel had of the Ancient of Days, whose clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire” (Daniel 7:9).
This weekend, when you start to see the white stuff falling from the sky here in central Arkansas, your thoughts may turn to sledding and snowball fights if you have kids. Or you may be thinking about hazardous roadways and having to shovel your driveway or your side walk.
But you might also take a minute and think about the One who controls blizzards and thunderstorms, hailstones and hurricanes. Pause for just a minute and remember His mighty power and His sovereign control over all things.
Or as you look out on a driveway covered in white, think about your sins which were scarlet being made white as snow.
Or meditate for a few minutes on the purity and holiness of the One whose robes are white as snow and whose head is crowned with purity, symbolized by His radiant white hair.
The snow that is coming our way will melt away and be gone before long. But the snow pictures for us things that are eternal and glorious. As you watch the snowflakes falling this weekend (and let’s hope it’s snowflakes we’re seeing and not freezing rain!), think about what the Bible tells us about snow – and what it pictures for us.
THE WINTER STORM IS COMING!So with snow and/or ice headed our way, we’re going to go ahead and make the calls for this weekend. Here’s what we’re doing.
- The Leadership In The Local Church meeting set for Thursday night will take place as scheduled. The class is open to any man who would like to join us to discuss why a good working knowledge of theology is essential for those in leadership roles.
- The Men’s Breakfast scheduled for Saturday morning is postponed. Keep your eyes peeled for a new date.
- Sunday morning. We’ll have church online only. We’ll meet virtually and hear a great message from a special guest speaker! Again, ONLINE ONLY THIS SUNDAY – our church building will be closed Sunday.
- Roots Student Ministry will also not happen live on Sunday. Pastor Cole will communicate directly with students and parents about weekend plans.
- We’ll see how the roads look this weekend before we make a call about the men’s and women’s Bible studies next week
- By next Wednesday, we should be good to go with AWANA.
- And everything is still a go for our D-Now Student Weekend, happening January 30 – February 1. This link (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=76c7dc85fb&e=fbb0a4052b) is so you can register your student! So click it now!
DEBT REDUCTION SUNDAY OFFERING
Because of the winter weather, we’re pushing back our plans for the special Debt Reduction offering to the following Sunday, February 1. That gives you seven more days to decide what you might be able to contribute to help us reduce the amount we owe on our church property before we refinance our mortgage in February.
Some of you have already made generous cash contributions to the effort. Thank you! Others of you have donated vehicles, furniture, works of art, even hunting rifles?
Please continue to pray for God to supply our need.
And if you know what you’d like to give, and you don’t want to wait until February 1, feel free to contact me or Curtis Thomas and let us know your plans.
We are grateful for your generosity. Thanks in advance for whatever you’re able to give toward this effort.
SUPER BOWL WEEKEND AT RCC
You may have heard there’s a big football game scheduled for Sunday, February 8. But have you heard how we like to mark Super Bowl weekend?
First, we commandeer as many lanes as we need for an afternoon of Super Bowling fun for anyone and everyone! Register here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=42d7a62e22&e=fbb0a4052b) for some great bowling fun!
Next, we get ready for the game by having lunch together right after church on Sunday – a Soup – er Bowl Lunch. Plan to bring a crockpot of soup or chili to share with others that morning.
And along with the Soup-er Bowl lunch, our Roots Students will be bringing the dessert. It’s the annual fund raising Bake Sale to help fund the Street Reach outreach in Memphis this summer.
KRISTEN LAHTI IS HOMEScott and Marcia Lahti asked me to pass along to you the news that their daughter passed away peacefully this morning at 4:00 AM. She is home!
You are all invited to join us next Wednesday afternoon, January 28, at 2:00 pm at church as we celebrate Kristen’s life and rejoice that she is with her Savior!
SPRING MEN'S RETREAT
Our Spring Men’s Retreat is set for early March. And guys, space is limited this year. We’ve invited the men at Gracepoint Church in Searcy to join us for our retreat this year. Their pastor, Doug Grimes and I will provide the teaching for the retreat.
Lock in your spot . Register now (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=a8d74556d6&e=fbb0a4052b). Enjoy a great weekend of fun, games, fellowship, great food and time together in God’s word.
ONLINE ONLY THIS SUNDAY
If someone asked you to summarize what the big story of the Bible is, would you know what to tell them? You’ll learn a variety of ways we can explain what the message of the Bible is when you tune in this Sunday for virtual church – online, on our website, redeemerlr.org (http://redeemerlr.org/).
See you online.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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