spiritualsnippets.com

Seeing life's events in the light of God's Word.

Nov 24

The Sunrise–God’s Reminder

by Brenda Poulos

Colossions 4:2– Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

Our youngest grandson turned nine years old this month. I looked at the envelope in my hand. It was his thank you note for the “big” gift from us—new rollerblades.

Saying thank you is important, whether it’s in person, a phone call, or a written note, like Owen sent. So, how and when do we thank our Heavenly Father for His many gifts?

Hopefully, we don’t wait until a designated holiday rolls around to remind us to thank God for His blessings and for answered prayer. We have so much to be thankful for, on a daily basis, that we need to remember to thank Him every day.

I have been as guilty as anyone for praying petitions—asking for things—but failing to acknowledge Him in words of thanks when my prayers are answered. The Bible reminds us that His mercies are new every morning, so I have started using the sunrise to remind me, daily, to praise and thank God for His abiding love, His provision, and for answered prayer.

Beginning each day with a thankful heart helps me keep the rest of my day in perspective. It doesn’t require stationary, a stamp, or the U.S. Postal Service. I simply need to bow my head each morning to acknowledge my Creator, my Savior, my Lord.

How and when do you thank God? Please leave a comment.

Brenda

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Nov 17

Lost and Found

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 15:8– “What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost’.”

Last week, I lost the cross necklace I had just written about in my blog. I reached up to straighten it’s chain and it was gone. I checked in our bed, the shower, the car, and on the floor of every room in the house. It just wasn’t there. I was devastated!

Yes, I did have another cross I could wear, but I had worn the “lost” cross for more than 15 years. It was precious to me.

“Please God, let me find it!” I asked, fervently. I prayed for Him to shine his light on it…to guide us to wherever it was. Two days later, I rejoiced with a friend when my husband found it atop a roll of carpet we had pulled up in our renovation, glistening as the late morning sun shined on it through a dusty window.

I thought of the lady in the Bible who went around her house looking everywhere for a lost coin. She had other coins, too, but she lit her lamp and rejoiced when she found her lost silver coin. She even called her friends to let them know.

The verse following Luke15:8, above, reminds us that “…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” You and I were the reason for their rejoicing at one time. When we tell others of His love and forgiveness of sins, and they come to Christ, the angels will rejoice with us in their salvation, too!

What better day, than today, to ask God to shine His light onto the heart of a relative or friend? We can all rejoice together that the one that was once lost is, now, “found”!

Brenda

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Nov 10

I Didn’t Know That You Were A Christian!

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 3:2- “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.”

Many years ago, a fellow teacher at my school noticed the cross that I wear as a daily reminder to myself of what Christ did for me when He died on the cross. She looked at me and said words I will never forget, “I didn’t know that you were a Christian!”

That was one of the saddest comments I had ever heard, but it changed my life, profoundly. I didn’t want people to only know that I was a Christian because of a piece of jewelry. I wanted them to see Christ in me!

Immediately, I asked God to show me ways in which I needed to change so that other’s might know that I was His child. I didn’t want to be a fake. I wanted my life to be representative of a daily walk with my Savior.

Like the King’s messengers in Bible times, that took his communications bearing his signet ring embossed in the seal of wax, I want my life to show my commitment to Christ and be an outward sign of what He has done in my heart. As His representative here on earth, I want to glorify Him through my life and actions.

Do I mess up? Of course I do! But, because He forgives his children, I am able to start over again. He knows my heart, and He sends the Holy Spirit to help me move forward so that, hopefully, I will never have to hear another person say that they weren’t aware that I am a Christian.

Brenda

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Nov 3

Where Are They Now?

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 5:5b- “…to be absent from the body (is to) be present with the Lord.”

A television show that I have recently discovered is on the OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). It is called “Where Are They Now? “ People write in, asking Oprah to update them on what some of her past guests, childhood actors, or otherwise newsworthy people are doing, now.

It is interesting to see what they look like, currently, and what they are doing with their lives. Some, sadly, have passed away. It is sometimes heartbreaking to hear of the tragic end of their lives.

Watching last night, and thinking about the current book I am writing, I felt God’s leading to remind us that we can be assured as to the eternal abode of our fellow Christians. Scripture tells us that we don’t have to ask, “Where Are They Now?” We can know for certain that those who are believers will immediately be present with our Lord in Heaven when they leave this earth.

As a small child, I was extremely frightened of dying. I remember having terrible nightmares. My mother would respond to my outcries with patience and understanding. It wasn’t until I came to faith in Jesus in the 6th grade, that she and I got a good night’s sleep! I never again had a nightmare about dying!

Scripture comforts those of us faced with the death of our loved ones who know Christ. But, for those who don’t, may this encourage us to go to them in love and share the gospel—today! Let’s not be left asking, one day “Where Are They Now?” 

Brenda

 

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