spiritualsnippets.com

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

Apr 24

The Gate

by Brenda Poulos

John 14:6- “I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

I rummage around in the console of my car for the remote control. One push of the button and the gate slowly opens, admitting me to the neighborhood.  Whether operating by a gate code, a special sticker on the car’s front window, or a “clicker”, I’m sure those of you living in gated communities understand if I confess that I still sigh with relief when the gate “recognizes” me and swings wide, granting access to my home.

I am speaking about my earthly home, of course.

But, what about my heavenly home? 25529773694_403d73b5bd

Is it true that some will be admitted to heaven, while others will be turned away?

According to this verse from the book of John, the only access to God and heaven comes through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christians find peace for their souls and reassurance of eternal life in heaven as they trust Jesus as Savior.

My heart aches for those who have not put their trust in Christ—those who will be turned away at the gate.

Don’t read this and think, “I’m a good person. Surely, God isn’t speaking about me.”

The Bible says that God is not a “respecter of persons.”  His laws apply to everyone, no matter their age, nationality, or earthly notoriety.

You may be beautiful in the eyes of the world. You may be smart, generous, and kind to others. You may be a hard worker, a good son or daughter, but if God cannot look at you and see his Son, then you will be left standing alone outside the gate.

YOU are the very reason I write this blog each week.

I pray that you will consider John 14:6 and that, in Christ, you will find the way to your eternal home.

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Apr 18

Tie A String Around Your Finger

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 2:4– Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

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Last week, my grandson told me about an upcoming baseball game he’d like me to attend. He said to make sure I didn’t forget.  In response, I found myself answering, “I guess I’ll just have to tie a string around my finger.”

He had a good laugh at that one, but there really was a time—back in the “olden days” when we actually did use that as a method of reminding ourselves about important commitments.

Nowadays, we have alarm clocks, daily planners, smart watches, and computers that are capable of reminding us of everything from dental appointments to the expiration dates on coupons.

To be sure, there are a lot of things we need to remember. And, with so many of them competing with each other, we often put off doing the things that should be the most important to us.

Nothing is more important to me than my relationship with Jesus Christ. Yet, spending time in reading God’s Word and in prayer are sometimes pushed aside to make room for things that have no eternal value—things that seem so important at the time, but really are nothing more than meaningless clutter in an already-busy life.

Jesus asks us to remember (along with the church at Ephesus to which the letter, above, was written) that He is to be our “first love.” And, because of that, it is only fitting that we “…remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8); “…remember His marvelous works…His wonders…” (Psalm 105:5); “…Remember(ing) without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…” (I Thessalonians 1:30); and “Remember that Jesus Christ the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to (the) gospel (2 Timothy 2:8).

In order to nurture a relationship with Christ, we need to spend time with Him. Some Christians receive emails containing daily devotions. A long-time friend of mine blocks off an hour in her planner each day for prayer and Bible Study. Still another, sets the alarm on his watch for the last ten minutes of every hour to be spent in prayer for others.

Do you desire to spend more time with The Lord?

Try tying a string around your finger…

 

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Apr 11

Frustration or Blessing?

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 22:17-21

17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius.20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

 

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Taxes.

Hard to believe it is almost time to file.

After an appointment with our accountant, we learned that we owe—again.

How can that be?

Every year?

Seriously?

My husband relates that his coworkers get refunds…repeatedly… tax season after tax season.

Do they know something we don’t?

“Make quarterly payments,” our accountant replies.

It’s not like we don’t have mortgage and charitable deductions.

It’s not like we rely on our own expertise in filing.

Even in Jesus’s time, questions regarding taxes were front and foremost.

This year, instead of shaking our heads in disbelief or giving into the frustrations associated with taxes, we have chosen to count our blessings and be thankful for the abundance with which God has blessed us…

April 15…

A day to count our blessings.

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Apr 3

There’s Got to be a Word…

by Brenda Poulos

I John 4:9- “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

 

When I was a young girl growing up, Saturday mornings at our house were designated for cleaning. My favorite chore was dusting. I was able to close my bedroom door and put my favorite 45’s on the record player while tidying up.

One of my favorite songs was “There’s Got To Be A Word” (that means more than “love”). This was a romantic tune that tugged at the heart of every teenage girl in the 60’s. But, as I reminisce of days gone by, I wonder if there might really be a word that does mean more than love, or deepens its meaning, shows love in action…

Babe in a Manger  (oops, more than one)

Cross

Immanuel

Nails

Messiah

Resurrection

Savior

Forgiveness

Adoption as Sons (sometimes just one word won’t do)

Mercy

Grace

Jesus

 

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