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The Love the Lord Your God Word Search Puzzle Book combines a "Pray-it-style" of Devotional with a Word Search Puzzle Book. The concept is structured around the Core verses of our ministry, 2 Pause and Praise Creations. This study will highlight each core verse and apply
it to display God's love for us.
Core Verse #1: His Invisible Attributes: Romans 1:20—How Creation is God’s silent sermon to us.
Here’s a look at Romans 1:20. “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made they can see his invisible qualities—eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (NLT)
This verse tells us that creation, like God’s Word, is His message to us. It conveys His truth. After all, it’s where His story begins. It’s where He began His narrative to mankind. It’s where He began to demonstrate His power, majesty, holiness, and creativity. And it’s a way that He means to connect with mankind daily.
Think of it—He formed the sun, the moon, all of the starry hosts, plant and animal life, the seas, and all that live in them. He set earth’s boundaries. He formed mankind in His image. [add starry host of heaven image here]
Psalm 103:11 tells us this: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear Him.” (NIV)
From the Embracing Light Devotional: “The Lord says that the number of stars are greater than the grains of sand on the seashore. How does the fact that He knows these numbers and calls the stars by name bring you comfort—that He knows your every need and your whereabouts at all times?”
“He counts the number of the stars, he gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is unlimited.” Psalm 147:3-5 (LEB)
God made all of creation—daily miracles—so that every person on the planet would fear, revere, know (and be known), love (and be loved) by Him. What an awesome God; what an amazing Creator. What a Father and Abba Daddy. How blessed we are to be called His beloveds!
Perhaps creation is an underused word—but it should be a highly valued definition—for God’s love for us!
Question(s): On a scale of 1-10, what is your awareness of God’s love for you through creation? Have you seen the things He’s formed as part of His faithfulness and care? Will you make more effort to do so?
If you need a little awe of the Lord, I highly recommend Embracing Light (Vol I of my Creation’s Kaleidoscope Series).
Core Verse #2: Psalm 46:10—Be Still and Know that I am God!
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV
Our world seems to run 90 miles an hour, right? Whether it’s the pace of traffic, our schedules (or that of our kids, grandkids, nieces/nephews, etc.). It seems that we’re always on the move. And if we find time to stop (physically)—we’re often still focused (mentally)—on some form of technology. From iPhones to computers to iPads—our minds go as fast (or faster) than our hands and feet.
So what do you think that God’s message to us might be from Psalm 46:10? To me, “be still” takes discipline. It takes effort and making an intentional decision to focus on God—before and above—everything/anyone else. It serves as a way for us to speak to the Lord and for Him to speak to us.
As we spend time in His Word and prayer, we learn to know the character and Person of Christ. “Being still” centers our mind to receive His presence and love for us. As we develop a personal relationship with Him, we learn to trust Him. This, in turn, helps us see Him in all of His glory, holiness, and majesty.
If we make time for God daily, we develop a sense of gratitude for Who He is. We appreciate the gifts of His Spirit. We realize that our Savior longs to be included in every part of our lives. Thus, we want to “exalt” Him—give Him praise and worship. Every person—all over the world who seeks God this way—is part of “the nations” who exalt (glorify) God. Ever think of that? In essence, this adoration is our way of loving the Lord with all of our hearts.
A few other translations tell us to “stop striving, stop fighting” instead of “be still.” How might these phrases bring you more peace in planning your day-to-day routine? How might you and your family benefit from setting aside time to meet with the Lord as a priority? What one thing might you eliminate from your life (or your kids’ lives) to ease/reduce the tension in your household?
Scenes like this can evoke that feeling of stillness, right? That’s one of the reasons that I love focusing on God and His wondrous creations. Stopping, listening, observing, and taking in His beauty—are all habits that enrich our time of study/meditation. As we paused in this spot, prayer formed in my mind, and praise formed on my lips. This type of stillness … creates room for us to hear from our Creator. It creates a bond of love between us that remains steady despite the rise and fall of life’s tides.
Being still with God—is the first step we must take—in knowing Him or exalting Him as He deserves. Will you “be still and know God” today?
Core Verse #3: John 3:16—For God so Loved the World
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
John 3:16 may be one of the most well-known of all Bible verses. But have you ever seen it as God’s personal love letter to your heart?
I believe that when Jesus was on the Cross, He saw every face—from the earliest generation—until eternity begins. I think as His life’s blood poured out, your name and mine came to His mind. I believe all of mankind rushed before His eyes and filled His heart with grace, forgiveness, and love. And I think as He took upon Himself our sin-debt, it may have been this weight that finally stole His breath, causing Him to say, “It is finished.” The work was completed. His mission was fully accomplished.
Today, if you’ve never done this … I’d like you to read this verse out loud.
“For God so loved … now, say your name here _________. He gave His One and only Son for me. So that when I believe on His name (the name of Jesus), I will not perish (be eternally separated from Him) but I will have eternal life.”
Did reading John 3:16 in this way give this beloved verse new meaning? Can you picture Jesus on the Cross—seeing you—as one that He wanted to “save”? Have you surrendered your heart, will, decisions, and plans to His care? And will you trust Him to provide for you? To love you? To teach you via His Spirit? Will you allow the Lord to be Your Savior and Abba Daddy?
And if you’re already a child of God … is there someone that comes to mind … that could benefit from this exercise? Then share it today!
God loved the world, that’s true, but He loves you—right now, right where you are, no matter who you are! The ink was His blood. His Word is the inscribed parchment that has stood the test of time. He died upon the Cross to write this indelible message on your heart, eternally.
Are you counted as one of the “whoever’s” who believe in Jesus so that you’re also included in the ranks that shall be given eternal life?
My photo is of a Cross that stands along a highway in northern Virginia. I love that you can see through it and that it’s the silhouette of Jesus’ body. It’s a good reminder that He came to bring life, give life, and help us see/live life—through Him.
Core Verse #4: Mark 12:30-31—Love the Lord Your God
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 TBD
In Exodus 20, God gave Moses what we know as the 10 Commandments. These rules were put in place to guide the lives of the Israelites. They still provide structure and discipline and teach us how to walk in His ways today. But here in Mark 12:30-31, the apostle records two overarching instructions that not only cover everything in the original 10 Commandments but could also be said—to sum them up.
So how do we love the Lord our God—with all our heart?
I hope you’ll take a moment to look up these three verses.
Deuteronomy 10:12
Joshua 22:5
John 14:15
In these Scriptures, there is a running theme. God sees love from us in several ways—1) as revering Him, 2) when we obey Him, and 3) when we serve Him. In other words, when we keep His Word and follow in His ways, He sees this as—affection, adoration, devotion, and honor—all of which could be described as forms of love!
How do we love Him with all of our souls?
Loving God on a soul-deep level requires the help of God’s Spirit in our hearts. The way to have this is by believing in Jesus’ name, through faith (Ephesians 2:8). It is only through Christ’s guidance and intercession for us that we can love Him, as He loves us, or because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Our souls are the invisible part of us, connecting us to the invisible aspects of the Trinity.
How do we love Him with all of our minds?
2 Corinthians 10:5 may be our most direct answer to this question. It says, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” This means that through God’s Spirit, we have divine guidance and control of our thoughts/our minds. But do we engage His power? Do we guard our eyes/ears—so that our thoughts remain pure? Romans 12:2 tells us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Transforming our thoughts—letting God change/reshape/form/teach us—is how we learn to know what will be pleasing to Him. His Word is our greatest instruction manual for learning how to guard our minds. What works in any situation? Memorizing Scripture! Then you will be armed and ready for any situation!
And how do we love our neighbor as ourselves?
I love how 1 John gives us a couple of examples of this. Let’s take a look:
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 NIV
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 NIV
What are some of the everyday areas that we can love others? 1) Ask God to make you aware of the needs in front of you. How? Ask Him to make you observant of those who are ill, hurting, and lifting heavy burdens (literally or figuratively). 2) Give generously to God’s kingdom—through your church or local community. What cause can become your passionate area of service unto the Lord? 3) Ask God to open your heart to pray for everyone in your life, including neighbors and strangers. Why? We may not be able to meet every need that we come across, but we can undoubtedly take every need to the Lord’s throne.
In other words, the point of these verses is to love—with action—that backs up our speech. In this way, we honor (love God) and, thus, love others.
Core Verse #5: 2 Timothy 3:16—All Scripture is Given by the Inspiration of God.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV
Do you believe that all Scripture is true, holy, and has been inspired by God? Imagine it, the Spirit of the living God spoke to/through each author of the Bible. Can you picture how you might have felt to receive such revelation directly from the sovereign Lord?
Here, Paul is giving/offering us four reasons for reading God’s Word daily. Let’s look at and explore each one.
Doctrine—means a rule or principle of law. In this case, God’s Word presents (His law), His commandments, and principles for how we are to live and invites us to believe in Jesus.
Reproof—means to tell or show someone that they have done something wrong for the purpose of reconciliation.
Correction—means to conform to an approved behavior. In other words, when God corrects us, He re-aligns us (our thoughts, actions, steps, etc.) with His guidelines and, ultimately, His Will. Correction implies a change or transformation.
Instruction unto righteousness—means that He will teach us with an eye toward a standard of right living (or spiritual oneness with the Lord).
God’s Word is our doctrine. It is God’s truth. It’s meant to become our truth and to guide our path in the ways of truth.
The Lord will reprove us in His love to show us our sins so that we come to know Him and surrender our lives to Him. Then, He continues to do so in our lives to encourage our growth and develop maturity in our walk with Him.
If we can look at correction as our Savior lovingly re-aligning our steps/lives—instead of the usual perception of “punishment”—we may find His purpose and the reason behind the correction. This helps us see God as “just and fair, holy and righteous.” This change in perspective (and in our behavior) leads to communion and trust.
If every time that we open God’s Word, we come with a heart and attitude of expectation—of asking Him to give us instruction, to teach us—I believe the Lord will answer. Matthew 7:7-8 tells us to “ask, seek, and knock.” It goes on further to say that those who ask—are answered; those who seek—find; and for those who knock—doors are opened!. What an incredible invitation this should be. And notice that righteousness means spiritual oneness with our Abba Daddy. Such a level of closeness is priceless.
Doctrine is God’s way of setting a standard for our lives. Reproof is the Spirit’s way of convicting us of our sins. Correction is our confession and realignment with His Will and ways. And instruction moves us deeper and further along the path toward following Him and emulating His steps from here to eternity.
Core Verse Passage #6: Philippians 4:4-9—Rejoice in the Lord!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 NIV
This passage of Scripture has been precious to me for many years. It became one of the core verses of our ministry/company in a lovely way. I want to share this story with you. But first, why is Philippians 4:4-9 meaningful to me, personally?
If you read these words and meditate upon them, you’ll see that they begin with “rejoice.” Then, Paul, in an almost emphatic fashion, repeats the instruction. I’m with Paul and have learned the value of praise!
Praise can change—your mind, your heart, your circumstances. It can elevate your emotions. It can help you focus on God’s goodness instead of whatever is happening around you. And it can teach you to love God by practicing this simple discipline daily.
Now read the follow-on verses. Notice that we are told that Lord is near! When? After praise! Then what? We’re to bring (with thanksgiving—with gratitude) our petitions and pleas (our needs and the needs of others) before His throne. What promise are we given? He promises peace! He provides us with a list of things to think about—we’re to focus on—what is true, right, holy, noble, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Of note? These all reflect the very nature of God—not our earthly circumstances. Then, we’re told to put these things into practice—live them out! Paul finishes with a blessing of peace.
Why is this important, to me, to you? I have found this passage to cover every situation in life. I’ve used it in times of joy, sorrow, facing the unknown, when I have questions, doubt, fear, and whenever I want to run into God’s arms. It’s a powerful passage of praise, surrender, and peace. This Scripture has the power to transform and teach us to trust. And it’s a passage that helps us realize that God is near no matter what is happening in or around us!
As for how this passage became included in our core verses? We had published the first Volume of the Creation’s Kaleidoscope Series called Embracing Light. I had asked a friend/previous neighbor if she would review this project for me. She gave me the review that I requested. A few days later, she sent me another email. She asked me to add this: “When I think of your writings (Embracing Light, but all of your mailings, etc.) I am reminded of the words of Philippians 4:4-9. I feel such peace and closeness to the Lord.” What a lovely compliment to have received. To have helped focus her mind on Christ, on the things of His kingdom and turn her heart toward praise is a true work of the Spirit.
2 Pause and Praise (our ministry/company name) means to pause—take time with God daily. It means to pause and take—in something of His beautiful creations. And then to praise Him—for Who He is, and for the miracles that are on our path, always. It’s a method of meditation. It’s become my lifestyle. It’s literally a way to remember that you and God are developing a personal relationship so that you honor Him above all else.
I hope Philippians 4:4-9 also becomes one of your beloved (go-to) Scriptures passages. These life-giving, affirming Words are God’s invitation to know Him in a richer, more meaningful way.
Core Verse Passage #7: 1 Chronicles 16:23-29—Ascribe to the Lord!
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.”
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” 1 Chronicles 16:23-29 NIV
I love how the end of this passage is also echoed in Psalm 29:1-2 NIV, “Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
Ascribe means to assign or attribute—in this case—honor, glory, and praise unto the Lord. It’s a command. It’s an invitation to us. We’re to bring our praise and songs and tell of His wonderful deeds and miracles. We’re to esteem Him above everyone/everything else in our lives. We are to fear and revere Him. We are to worship God as Creator. And we are to recognize Him in splendor, majesty, purity, and holiness.
Have you done any ascribing lately? Have you attributed any love, praise, or glory—to God, your Savior, to the God above all other gods? Have you come before Him with a sense of worship for this day (Psalm 118:24), not only as part of a weekly sabbath service? And do you share what He’s done in your life with those around you?
Praising God is one of our sweetest ways of proclaiming Him as our Savior. It’s one of our purest ways to love the Lord with all of our hearts. And it is a way that we esteem Him as God Most High—daily—and show Him that He has first priority in our lives. These help us see Him as our dwelling place. What song do you bring to our great and most worthy Jehovah?
We hope you've enjoyed this companion Bible Study to our Love the Lord Your God Devotional Word Search Puzzle Book. May the Lord bless you and keep you! (Numbers 6:24-26). Until next time, we wish you joy and the Lord's peace! deb and doug
2 Pause and Praise Creations ©
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