From the Preacher’s Pen…
We’ve finished our survey of every book in the Bible. No, that doesn’t imply that we know it all but it certainly helps us see the big picture of God’s word!
In a couple of weeks we will begin our Commentary on Acts study. Obviously this is a very different kind of study as we look much more in depth at a single book and its message. Such studies require a lot more time and effort dealing with the inspired words revealed to us by God. We will actually begin our study with getting to know our Bibles. More about that soon!
Today (and every day!) it’s time to look around us and appreciate the hand of God! So let’s think about…
Spring!
Finally, just when you thought winter would never end, spring has at long last arrived. Spring, when the bitter cold winds give way to the milder reminders of the summer to come. Spring, when the earth bursts forth in beauty and everywhere you turn the flowers blossom and the birds sing.
Now living here in central Arizona (and especially this year) we may not really get that long, cold winter thing but we can really enjoy the beauty of Springtime! Just a single look at the flowers blossoming is enough to remind us of the beauty that God surrounds us with.
Ah, Spring, when a young man’s thoughts turn to love…
Now, I don’t know if you are already in that category or not, but let’s turn our thoughts to love. Solomon wrote about the beauty of springtime and God’s gift of love, “My beloved responded and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along. For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. The fig tree has ripened its figs, And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along!’” (Song of Solomon 2:10–13)
The words of the Song, whether used in reference to the relationship between man and woman or between God and His people (are not these the two most beautiful relationships of God’s creation?), expresses the most beautiful of relationships in the most beautiful of terms. “For your love is better than wine.—And his banner over me is love.” (Song of Solomon 1:2; 2:4b)
Recently a sister in Christ made an insightful comment to me as we discussed the work of the church. “We already have enough people emphasizing the negative. I’ll show the positive!” What a beautiful attitude and one well worth us imitating.
Can there be any better time than now to re–dedicate ourselves to each other in service to our Lord? Is there any greater gift that we can bestow upon each other and the community around us than the love we share in Christ?
Let us, like the earth around us, burst forth anew in love and devotion to God and to each other as we rekindle our lights for this world. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck–measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16)
It’s springtime, let’s get going and growing!
— Lester P. Bagley