Worship. Then Pray.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  (Genesis 1:1 NIV)

Somehow, I think my prayers would be different if I took the time to "look" at God first.  I don't need to stop praying.  I need to learn how to Worship, then pray.

This morning, I was blessed with a sunrise that illuminated blue skies, white puffy clouds, and a blanket of snow across the yard.  Will I allow that picture to bring me into the presence of our Creator God?

"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.  (Isaiah 40:25-26 NIV)

When I come home from ministry groups every evening, my children often have to remind me to stop and look up.  I've grown so accustomed to seeing the starry host spread out across the blanket of darkness that I would walk right past them, were I not reminded to stop.

It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.  (Isaiah 45:12 NIV)

Worship begins when I start to catch a glimpse of an Almighty, All-Powerful, Ever-living God.  His Creation cries out in worship, even when I do not.  When I allow Him to stop me from my "important" things of the day, I find myself entering the presence of our God.

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."  (Revelation 4:11 NIV)

Then...and only then...can I begin to pray.

White as Snow

I was awakened yesterday to a beautiful blanket of snow covering the ground.  I love the beauty of snow.  It's pure, clean, white and brings contrast even to the trees.  It's just pretty.

Whenever I look at it, I think about references to snow throughout Scripture.

God, when seen by Daniel in a vision, is described as big, powerful, and pure.  His closing was "white as snow."

I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow...  (Daniel 7:9-10 NLT)

When Jesus' mom and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to treat the body with spices, they found Jesus missing and an angel sitting there waiting for them.  His clothing was described as being "white as snow."

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.  (Matthew 28:1-3 NLT)

Jesus himself is described in the book of Revelation, where John describes his vision.  His head and hair are so bright they are described as "white as snow."

And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across His chest. His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow...  Revelation 1:13-14 NLT)

"White as snow" is a phrase throughout Scripture that is used to describe one who is pure...and powerful.  The purity of the one being described is almost radiating out from them - showing something supernatural - the power of God.

This purity describes someone else in Scripture as well: you and me.  This seems impossible when we think about the things we've done in life.  Our lives are not pure, perfect, and holy.  Yet, this is the kind of God we approach.  God will not allow anyone in His presence that isn't "white as snow," so that's what we need to become: pure, perfect, and holy.

There's no way for us to become "white as snow" on our own.  Our own past transgressions have already messed up the perfection.  But God has a solution for us all.

"Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow...  (Isaiah 1:18 NLT)

Jesus lays down his life...and a blanket of snow on our sins.  Through Him we are made pure, perfect, and holy.  Through His Spirit we are given unlimited power to live in this way.  Through Him, we are made "white as snow."

What do you think about when you see a fresh blanket of snow?