Poetry ~ Cabbage After Christmas

Some people love Valentine’s Day, others abhor it…or think it’s just one more holiday to enrich those in the business of selling stuff.  But I’m not so cynical, because my Valentine is the ONE TRUE GOD who loves me like the ROCK HE is–JESUS.  He treats me exceptionally well everyday, His Presence wafts around me with the perfume of Heaven.

Okay, I can hear the eye-rolling, and I understand how crazy I might sound, romanticizing the Lord an’ all–but here’s the thing: though I live a normal life with challenges—the relationship I’m talking about is REAL; and I can’t shy away from sharing about Him…because then the stones would cry out (Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!”)

Do you remember the movie “Sister Act”–with Whoopi Goldberg, who played a gal hiding out in a convent, after witnessing a mob hit?  The nuns were great and the music was fabulous:  “My Guy”, “I Will Follow Him”, “Rescue Me” were all adapted to reflect their spiritual love affair with Jesus.

Those songs weren’t merely pop tunes–the Bible is full of scripture about how much the Lord God loves people, and runs to the rescue over and over throughout history.  Read the stories for yourself–here’s a ‘short’ list of verses:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned…” John 3:16-18 King James Bible

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New International Version
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34

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Amplified Bible
The LORD appeared to me (Israel) from ages past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3

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Amplified Bible
For His lovingkindness prevails over us [and we triumph and overcome through Him], And the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!) Psalm 117:2

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Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you, LORD JEHOVAH God, are compassionate and hovering, patient and abounding in grace and truth! Psalm 86:15

New International Version
I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. Psalm 89:2

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Mace New Testament
O the depth of the divine goodness, wisdom, and contrivance! how impenetrable are his decrees, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33

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Amplified Bible
And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 2 Corinthians 9:8

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Bless the LORD, O my soul;

all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and do not forget all His kind deeds—

He who forgives all your iniquities

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the Pit

and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,

who satisfies you with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1-5 Berean Standard Bible

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We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedomd and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:11-13 New Living Translation

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Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same [a]love [toward one another] Philippians 2:1-2 Amplified Bible

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Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

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Amplified Bible
For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence]. Psalm 103:11

Amplified Bible
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love]. 1 John 4:18

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Amplified Bible
See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! 1 John 3:1

Amplified Bible
In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will… Ephesians 1:11

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New Living Translation
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:5

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Amplified Bible
Who is a God like You, who forgives wickedness And passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He [constantly] delights in mercy and lovingkindness. Micah 7:18

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Amplified Bible
…walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. Ephesians 5:2

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If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.  And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:13-15 Berean Standard Bible

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Holman Christian Standard Bible
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… 1 Peter 1:3

Amplified Bible
This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells] Hebrews 6:19

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New Living Translation
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20

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Amplified Bible
‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’ Isaiah 41:10

Amplified Bible
The LORD will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.” Exodus 14:14

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Amplified Bible
The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Amplified Bible
Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory]. 1 John 3:2

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Amplified Bible
Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). Romans 5:1

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Amplified Bible
So there remains a [full and complete] Sabbath rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4:9

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Amplified Bible