spiritualsnippets.com

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

Nov 1

The Valley of Dry Bones

by Brenda Poulos

Ezekiel 37: 5,6- “Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

Yesterday being Halloween, I saw many people (children and adults) with skeleton costumes. In fact, all year long, I see skulls on t-shirts.

Thinking ahead to writing my blog today, I looked for Bible verses which might not be creepy, but instead give us an encouraging message.

It might surprise you, but the Bible contains about forty verses referencing bones.

These verses serve to remind us that God is our creator, he has fashioned our bodies, and reminds us of the significance of our physical bodies in His grand design.

Actually, bones hold deep meaning in the Bible and represent strength and structure.

In the verse from Ezekiel, God is speaking to the people of Israel in the valley of dry bones, giving them a direct message about their future.

I will leave that interpretation to Bible scholars, pastors, and teachers.

But what I will say is that there is a small nugget of truth I take away from reading these two verses—that from creation forward, God is mindful of us and provides what we need to accomplish His great plan.

People who wear t-shirts with skulls and skeletons on them may have a far different message, but I am going to praise the God who created me and gave me the breath of life.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Oct 25

Do You Believe in Miracles?

by Brenda Poulos
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Ephesians 2:4,5- “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Of the 120+ miracles recorded in the Bible, I think Christ’s crucification—Him being the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind—is the greatest of all. By His grace, we are saved and will experience eternal life.

Would you please share which miracle has impacted your life the most?

Biblical lessons

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Oct 18

Don’t Shrink Back!

by Brenda Poulos
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Hebrews 10:38- “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”

“Stop!” I yelled to my husband, bracing my hands against the dashboard.

Fortunately, he braked—and avoided impact with a car which had careened around the corner to our subdivision.

If he hadn’t listened to my warning, I am positive we would have been “toast.”

If you had been in our car that morning, would you have sat calmly in the back seat through the chaos?

“Of course not. Not anymore than I could.”

So why is it that Christians, knowing what is ahead, don’t warn others?

Are we afraid of their condemnation? . . . don’t want to lose their friendship? . . .  think it’s none of our business what they believe????

I have known for decades that God expects us to “get His word out,” and I have written in the past of what a joy it would be to hear these words someday:  “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

However, when I read Hebrews 10, yesterday, I came to a screeching halt.

Just like you, I don’t want to disappoint my savior.

The words were powerful enough for me to want to share them with you.

“Don’t shrink back!”

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Oct 11

God is in Control

by Brenda Poulos
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Luke 21:11- “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”

This week, stories of earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornadoes have dominated the news.

In the Scriptures, we learn that earthquakes (and other forces of nature) are often mentioned as signs of the times. 

Prophecies should not cause us to be anxious or fearful. We must remain faithful, knowing that these events are part of God’s plan. He has given us His Word to help us understand what is to take place in the future.

We are reminded hat God is in control. 

Rely on Him and believe in His promises … as we prepare physically and spiritually for these end time events. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Oct 4

The Greatest Reunion of All

by Brenda Poulos
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1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Last week, an aunt I hadn’t heard from in some twenty-plus years got in touch with me. You can imagine the surprise—and elation—of that reunion.

I’ve read stories of young lovers who went their separate ways, but were reunited years later.

Many of us have attended planned high school or college get-togethers. 

Getting back in touch can be a beautiful thing.

I’m looking forward to the greatest reunion of all—in heaven.

For believers, seeing Jesus, friends and loved ones who have passed will be a joy beyond description.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Sep 27

Make A Difference

by Brenda Poulos
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2 Corinthians 11:27- “I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep. I have known hunger and thirst . . .  I have been cold and naked.”

I was going to blog about breaking my toe yesterday, and hoping for a little sympathy. But this morning I read several verses from 2 Corinthians.

Of the many hardships the Apostle Paul went through, my broken toe pales in comparison.

Hunger, thirst, nakedness, sleep-deprived, beaten with rods, imprisoned, put in shackles, stoned, and crucified himself. All for the cause of Christ and the gospel.

In spite of all these, Paul “found” time to write most of the New Testament! 

What are we willing to do to make a difference in our world? 

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Sep 20

Two Become One

by Brenda Poulos
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Matthew 19: 4-6 “. . . at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’,   so they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

If my parents were alive, they would be celebrating their seventy-ninth anniversary today.

That’s not completely true because I never knew of them actually “celebrating” on September 20th.

They were just about as perfect together as any couple I’ve ever known. They took the scripture seriously. Every day, Dad would tell Mom, “Always remember, we are as one.”

When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and needed to live in an assisted living facility, it was only natural that Dad would sell the house, give up the life they had known, and move into the apartment along with her.

Mom passed first, then less than a year later, Dad reunited with her in heaven.

Their marriage lived out God’s intention for all of us “married folk” to live together “as one.”

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Sep 13

Even the Smallest of Creatures Has Purpose

by Brenda Poulos
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Genesis 1:21. “So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems, and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

My husband and I love hummingbirds. We never tire of their visits to our patio. They usually stay next to our feeder or drink from our flowering plants. However, sometimes—like yesterday—they hover close by, as if to watchi us as intently as we watch them.

The Bible does not mention hummingbirds specifically, even though they remind us of God’s great love for all of His creatures. Even the very smallest of birds.

People everywhere are in awe of their beauty and grace. Along with butterflies, they are one of the most delicate of God’s winged creations. 

They remind us that even the smallest of creatures have purpose and reflect God’s love and handiwork.

Sunrises and sunsets, rainbows, gentle rain and cooling breezes, flowers with their myriad scents and colors are just some of God’s creations bringing human beings delight and much happiness.

Which reminds me of this verse in Matthew, telling us we are infinitely loved by our heavenly Father:

Matthew 6:26- “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Sep 6

What the Sabbath and Labor Day Have in Common

by Brenda Poulos
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Exodus 20:8-10 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God…”

The first Labor Day in 1887 was established to “celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. . . to recognize those contributions made to America’s strength and prosperity.“

After Rosemary explained to her grandson what “Labor” meant, he asked her why we celebrate Labor Day with parades, picnics and trips to the lake. “Why don’t we do work on Labor Day?”

“I guess it’s a time to rest from our hard work and enjoy the day with family and friends,” she told him. 

After he’d gone home, she pulled out her Bible to see what God had to say about resting from our labors. She came across the passage above from Exodus in which God talked about the Sabbath as a Day of Rest. 

Rejuvenating our lives physically, mentally, and spiritually.

We should model ourselves after God, who rested on the seventh day of creation. We use the Sabbath as a day of rest from work and an opportunity to reconnect with God.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Aug 30

A Good Father

by Brenda Poulos
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Psalm 139: 7-10        “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”

Things not going so well in your life? Feel like running away from God?

Scripture says you cannot hide from Him. His spirit is everywhere.

But, instead of running away, what about running to Him? 

As the Psalmist said, He is there to lead you and hold (comfort) you.

Some children get the impression that God is some kind of ogre—a disciplinarian  who carries the proverbial “big stick” and is out to get them.

But the Bible presents Him as the loving Father who looks out for the good of His children. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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