spiritualsnippets.com

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

Dec 26

Living the Spirit of Christmas All Year Long

by Brenda Poulos

 

Philippians 2:3b- “in humility value others above yourselves.”

In the season of Christmas, 

Have you noticed more people stopping for you to cross the street?

Have you experienced someone inviting you to go ahead of them in line?

Have you seen doors being held open for shoppers?

Have you been asked to donate money for the homeless?

Small gestures.

Human kindness.

Why can’t it be like this all year long?

The Bible tells us it can. When we put ourselves last. When we think of others first.

Researchers tell us that the happiest people on the planet are those who volunteer (serve others). These people have discovered the Biblical principle for themselves.

And they live the Spirit of Christmas all year long.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Dec 19

Xmas vs. Christmas

by Brenda Poulos

Do you celebrate Christmas or Xmas?

Oh, yes, they are two very different things.

Xmas, although beautiful and memorable, is a social experience. It’s a gift-giving, cookie-baking, photo-taking season repeated year after year because of its feel-good/traditional/income-generating value.

Don’t believe me?

Look at Christmas. The added elements are the worship of the baby in the manger (who grows up to become the Savior of world); reflections on visits to him by angels, wise men, and shepherds; the revelation (and significance of) the virgin birth; candlelight church services, including the singing of hymns and reading of Holy Scriptures.

I invite you to experience the blessings that celebrating Christmas in its fullness will bring this year!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Dec 12

No Tears

by Brenda Poulos

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73: 25b-26.

There were no tears at our mother’s deathbed this week. It’s true.

It wasn’t because she wasn’t a wonderful person, mother, and friend.

It was because she had suffered with Alzheimer’s for six years and we rejoiced to have her set free from a brain and body that no longer functioned as they should.

We cling to the promise that she is once again whole.

Of course, the next day it hit me that I would never see her smile again or hear her call my name. I broke down, as you would expect. I will miss my mother!

But God is our family’s strength and hope.

And our portion forever.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Dec 5

It’s Not the End of the Story

by Brenda Poulos

John 11:25, 26a:  “… I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die….”

Are you in the throes of watching a loved one experience the final days/hours of life on earth, as I am?

What comforts you?

Memories? Sure.

The presence of friends and family? Of course.

But I have found my biggest comfort in the words of scripture.

Yesterday, I read the words of Jesus in John 11. I cling to the promise that Christians need not mourn as the world mourns because we know through faith that this life is not the end. 

To be absent in body will mean eternal life in the presence of our Lord.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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