spiritualsnippets.com

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

Mar 31

Have You Heard God’s Audible Voice?

by Brenda Poulos

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Ezekiel 43:2- “I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.” 

 

From time to time, I read stories in Guideposts or Chicken Soup for the Soul. One such story I found intriguing was about a man stranded on a mountain road. 

No gas, no food, no water.

As he prayed, an audible voice gave him directions and he was able to return home, safely.

Some Christians have heard God’s audible voice, although this is rare.

More commonly, He speaks to believers through impressions and/or through his Word, the Bible.

Direction… encouragement… solace… knowledge.

It’s all there at your fingertips. 

Whatever your need… whatever your circumstance… let God speak to you through His Word. 

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Mar 24

Lighten the Load

by Brenda Poulos

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James 5:16- “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

 

Ginger met Stacy at a monthly church gathering. They really hit it off. It seemed they had so much in common. But, Ginger was hesitant to pursue a friendship with her. After all, good friends would end up sharing things about their lives—and there was too much Ginger was unwilling to share. She was sure that Stacy wouldn’t want to be friends with her when she heard about the life Ginger led before becoming a Christian.

If you’ve ever felt like that, you’re not alone.

But, James tells us that when we have struggles or are facing difficulties, we need to ask our Christian friends to pray for us. It is then that we can benefit from their wise counsel, too.

Friends help remind us of specific scriptures and are committed to pray for us until the answer comes. 

When the burden seems almost too much to bear, we can lighten the load if we share our needs—including our weaknesses and wrong choices—with caring Christian friends.

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Mar 17

Listening–Not Scheduling

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Job 36: 3-5 “Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.”

 

“How is the diet going?” I asked my friend when we met for coffee.

“It’s easier than I expected. That T.V. doctor was right. If I just eat small portions when I am hungry, I can keep my weight under control.”

“So, no more breakfast at seven, lunch at twelve, and dinner at six?” I queried.

She smiled with a healthy glow. “No. My stomach let’s me know when to eat.”

Wow, I thought, as I drove home. I had been praying that God would give me a renewed hunger for His Word. Perhaps if I listened closely, He would guide me to the perfect scripture for each circumstance throughout the day…I wouldn’t give up my morning quiet time, but I would be more mindful of God’s leading at every opportunity all day long.

If you are yearning for a closer walk with Him, perhaps becoming a “grazer” is just what you need, too. Talking—and listening—to God all day can become a healthy habit…and draw us closer to Him.

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Mar 10

The Top Twenty

by Brenda Poulos

 

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1 John 3:16- “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”

 

Recently, I was asked to list my TOP TWENTY—verses, that is. 

I am sure you have had a similar request in a Bible Study Group, Sunday School class, or even from a curious friend.

Before printing my list, I scrolled through it briefly, looking for typos.

I found one—sort of.

Instead of typing John 3:16, I had written 1 John 3:16, instead.

I started to make the correction, but I was curious. (I’m always looking for special messages from God. Was this one?) What did the verse in 1 John say? Was there a similarity in meaning to the often-quoted verse, John 3:16?

I turned to the reference and read the beautiful words about love. (Also, in John 3:16, so there was a connection, but there was more). 

The verse was an answer to prayer because I had been searching for the perfect verse to put in my almost-finished Christian Suspense Novel, Truth or Dare—a story about a wayward father called upon to donate a kidney to his child.

God heard my prayer for guidance and led me to the exact verse to use in my book. 

And, yes, 1 John 3:16 will forevermore be included in my Top Twenty.

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Mar 3

A Benediction for You

by Brenda Poulos

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Numbers 6:24-26  “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His face upon you, and give you peace.”

 

The pastor in the church I attended as a child always ended the Sunday service by proclaiming a benediction.

It was my favorite part of the worship hour. I would close my eyes and let the scripture wash over my soul. I felt so close to God!

There are many benedictions in the Bible. I’ve included two, here, that are especially meaningful to me.

If you have had a hard week…if you are facing difficulties…if you need encouragement, meditate on these words and let the peace of God flood into every corner of your life, bringing you the full knowledge of His love and grace.

Ephesians 3:20,21– “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

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