spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jul 30

Exciting News

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 21:27- “Nothing impure will ever enter it (heaven), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

I met a lady recently that asked me a few questions about being an author. A few minutes later, she confessed that she’d been thinking about writing a book because it would be a thrill for her to see her name in print on the cover of her very own book.

What an opportunity God gave me to talk to her about having her name in The Book of Life!

It seems more and more God is providing situations for me to talk to others about grace, forgiveness, and salvation.

These are exciting days leading up to Christ’s return. So many reasons to share the gospel!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 23

A Familiar Face

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 8:11-”Many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

We relocated to Nevada in January. Although we love it here, now, it was quite an adjustment for us to start over and build new friendships. We only knew our son, daughter-in-law, and little grandson. 

It was a strange experience to go to the grocery store or out to the mall and not see anyone we knew.

We started to attend a Bible study on Wednesday evenings. As I opened the door one night, my eyes immediately connected with a familiar face. How could this be? I asked myself. What were the chances of me knowing anyone in this state? 

“I know you somehow, don’t I?” she asked.

“You look familiar, too,” I answered.

Within five minutes we realized we had taught at the same school in Arizona some thirty-five years ago! We hadn’t really been friends at the time; just acquaintances that said hello in the hallway or school office.

With this realization, we shouted and hugged. We were thrilled to see each other again. I vowed that since God had brought her back into my life, I would get to know her better this time around!

Later, as I drove home, I couldn’t help but fast-forward to a future day when I will reunite with relatives and friends who have already gone to heaven. 

Gathered from around the globe, there will be a lot of hugging and rejoicing going on!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 16

Sunshine and Rain

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 5:45b- “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

This week, I had an “ah-ha” moment—a  sudden understanding of something I thought I knew about, but actually didn’t have a complete understanding. 

The subject was Grace.

My experience has been that Grace means “God giving us something that we don’t deserve.” Hence, forgiveness of sins and life everlasting with Him. This grace is given to believers.

But there is another kind of grace at work in the world that God gives to believers and unbelievers alike.

It is called common grace. 

It doesn’t get a person to heaven. But God takes pleasure in His creation and exercises the grace that makes the sun come up and sends rain on the just and unjust alike.

God tells us to pray for and bless our enemies. For me, common grace is His supreme example of this principle at work.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 9

You Can Be Confident

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 5:8- “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

A good friend of ours went home to be with the Lord last night. We know her absence here, means she is now present in heaven with God.

Her family reported that the last words she spoke on this earth were: “I love Jesus.”

I can only guess that those were also her first words in heaven.

It should comfort every Christian facing loss of a loved one that if the person being mourned knew Jesus as Savior, then they are no longer suffering and are rejoicing in heaven.

The assurance of our eternal home, the forgiveness of sins, and a relationship between God and each believer throughout this life are all a direct result of God’s redeeming grace.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 2

This Really Humbled Me

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 1:1–Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.

Looking for a book to read last week, I thought about one of my favorite authors. She hadn’t published anything for a long time, so I Googled her to find out why.

What I saw astounded—and humbled—me.

She has quit writing because God called her to prayer. Full-time prayer. 

This was a big-time author who had earned lucrative royalties. 

But she gave it all up when God spoke to her heart.

How often have we said to one another that we admired people who have gone to the mission field, but hoped God didn’t call us?

Away from family and friends, cozy homes, fulfilling careers…

Paul knew what it was like to be called and beaten and jailed for the cause of Christ.

He longed to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” from the Savior one day.

My author friend was obedient to God’s calling, too. And I consider this morning whether I will be obedient to the command He has given each one of us.

For we have all been set aside to spread the Gospel.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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