spiritualsnippets.com

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

Sep 25

You’re One of the Family

by Brenda Poulos

1 John 3:1a-  “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

 

I opened the blinds to the patio door outside our bedroom and was surprised by two bobcats!

“Whoa, you don’t belong here!” I shouted.

A friend told me about a family reunion she attended. It wasn’t quite the experience she had envisioned. “I love them all,” she said, “but we seemed so different. They were laughing and talking, but I felt like I didn’t fit in…like I didn’t belong.”

To please a friend, I once “played” a round of golf. The only thing I was good at was driving the cart. I couldn’t even hit the ball. I didn’t understand the terminology in order to take part in their conversation. Golf just wasn’t for me. I felt like I didn’t belong.

Have you ever felt that way?

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Left out of the “loop?”
Like you don’t belong?

If you are a believer in Christ, God tells us you DO belong—to HIM!

He created you…knit you together in your mother’s womb!  (Psalm 139:13)

You are his child.
Like a father loves and cares for his children

God loves you.

He cherishes you.

You have a special identity as a child of God. You are connected to Him with an unbreakable bond.

You never have to feel alone.

You’re one of the family.

 

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Sep 18

Pink Grass. Really?

by Brenda Poulos

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Matthew 7:13– “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

I read about a band of burglars that used little children to facilitate their break-ins of vacation homes. They directed them to enter through small “doggie-doors” and then unlock the doors to the homes so the adults could gain entry.

“If only it were that easy to get into Heaven,” you exclaim.

The Bible says Heaven’s gate is indeed narrow…and that not everyone is willing to listen to God’s instructions and follow Jesus.

Too many take the easy way…hoping to enter through the broad gate…

the way of the world

the way they think is best

the way of non-commitment

the way of denial.

But, the broad gate leads to destruction—an eternity without God!

One of my teachers used to illustrate the freedom of choice like this: a universal truth is  that a certain color is green. Let’s say someone comes along and calls it “pink.” They are welcome say that, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is green.

One can say that good works lead to Heaven, or that just being a nice person will earn them a place there, but that is just like calling the grass “pink.”

God’s Word says that JESUS is THE WAY

to the Father

to salvation

to Heaven.

The Bible says JESUS is the TRUTH

and the LIFE.

Here and now.

Forever and for all eternity.

Choose LIFE.

Choose JESUS.

Enter through the narrow gate.

 

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Sep 11

Giving Our Best

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Proverbs 3:9-10  “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and  your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Thinking back over the years to when I taught elementary school, I recall the long hours spent in preparation for my classes before and after school, as well as at home. I’d come home dog-tired, grab a bite to eat, and rush off to night classes.

Life was a vicious cycle.

It wasn’t God, nor my family, but my job that got the best part of me.

At the time I reasoned that was just the way it had to be, but now I am embarrassed to say that my priorities just weren’t right.

The Bible speaks about the “first fruits” of what a person earns as being what they should give to the Lord. You may be more familiar with the term “tithing”—giving God the first ten percent of our income.

But, for a moment, let’s consider the concept of “first fruits” in a different way—giving God the first thoughts in our day, the most of our energy instead of the dregs at the bottom of our reservoir.

Instead of giving our Lord the leftovers, humbly offering Him the best of us.

The words to a song we used to sing as kids says is best. “My cup is full and running over,” reminds me that the joy He brings us as we seek Him first—as we spend time with Him first—leads not to a lack later on, but rather to an overabundance—in other areas in our lives.

A rich, full life is one that gives to Him that first breath, that first song in the morning, and then looks quickly for an umbrella because

there’s going to be a downpour of blessings in a life that gives Him our best.

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Sep 4

Father, I’m Home!

by Brenda Poulos

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Luke 15: 22-24 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

 

A soldier returns from battle.

A college student comes home for Christmas vacation.

A woman meets her birth mother for the first time.

Two friends reconnect after many years apart.

An estranged couple remarries.

Each scenario is a reason for rejoicing, isn’t it?

 

We don’t know the heartbreaking stories that lie behind each one, but we do feel the happiness in the reunions, don’t we?

We celebrate with each of those brought back together.

Relationships are mended and new memories can be made…

Hearts are joyous once again.

Although the word prodigal refers to someone who has spent money or resources recklessly or wastefully, that is not my “takeaway” from this Bible story.

Let’s focus on the fact that people were brought back together AND that relationships were restored.

Sometimes this happens simply because people return home after a time away, as in the case of the student and friends, above.

Other times, reconnections involve the element of forgiveness.

The prodigal son had wasted away his inheritance. He needed his father’s forgiveness. He humbled himself, seeking the restoration of their relationship.

God included this story in the Bible, I am convinced, to remind us that He forgives us…restores our relationship with Him…and that He wants us to follow His example in our own lives.

Is there someone in need of your forgiveness?

Or, is it you that needs the forgiveness of another?

In order for that to happen, two things must take place:  ~a humble, contrite heart of the one seeking forgiveness.  ~a willingness of the other to extend forgiveness.

In your case, it may not be an earthly relationship that needs mending. It may be your relationship with God that is in need of restoration.

If so, run to your heavenly father.

Let Him place the ring on your finger…

the robe on your shoulders…

and rejoice that you have returned home.

Experience anew what it is like to be wrapped in God’s grace!

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