spiritualsnippets.com

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

Feb 19

Who Is Watching?

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 14:27- “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

It seems that at every turn lately, I hear of a friend or family member who is facing health, financial, or relationship difficulties. The death of a spouse, disrespectful children, disappointments at work.

Each one of us has a cross to bear. And Christians and non-Christians alike are watching to see how we are going to handle our problems.

When we find our strength in the Lord, we are an encouragement to others.

And, we discover our joy in following Christ.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

2 Comments »
Feb 12

Everyone. Everywhere.

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 5:13- “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”

You have seen huge crowds on television—or even been a part of one at an inauguration, a sporting event, or funeral of a well-known person. I recently watched part of a Billy Graham crusade, marveling as the camera panned over a throng of thousands. 

Yesterday, as I drove in rush hour traffic and sat through more than a few traffic light changes, I praised the Lord to worship songs on Christian radio. In my mind’s eye, I saw people bowing before Him. Then, the scene widened to include the whole earth. And, I could see people all around the globe each with bended knees.

We know the Bible says in the future that all will bow before the Lord, but what if the humbling before our God isn’t just one at a time as we come before Him? What if it will take place just as I imagined—all worshiping Him in unison?

And what if the crowd is made up of everyone who has ever lived? Past and present. All at the same time. All generations. All cultures and countries represented.

Can you even envision that? Mind boggling, isn’t it?

I’m not a pastor or even a seminary graduate. I’m just a layman who loves the Lord. I’m not saying that this is exactly “Biblical.” But I believe it is very close to how it will happen.

All those on earth, in heaven—and even all those “under the earth” will bow to Jesus.

To the Glory of the Father. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Feb 5

Look Inside

by Brenda Poulos

1 Samuel 16:7b- “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

People stared at me in the grocery store, but I couldn’t figure out why. It couldn’t be because my face was so attractive or recognizable.

What gives?, I asked myself.

When I returned home, I took a good look in the mirror. Disheveled hair, dusty and stained clothing, holes in my grubby tennis shoes. 

My husband and I had been working all day on a home renovation project when I rushed out to get what we needed for dinner. I hadn’t given a thought to my appearance when I grabbed the keys and drove to the nearby supermarket.

In our new neighborhood, no one knew me or my background, intentions, or anything about me. They only had my appearance to base their opinions on.

However, it’s not that way with God. Outside appearances don’t concern Him. He knows us on the inside. 

And He still loves us.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Jan 22

A Neon Sign

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 7:10, 11- “Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

A few days ago, my husband asked me to pick him up at the airport. Although he gave me good directions, I still managed to get in the wrong lane which took me out of the airport and back onto an unfamiliar freeway.

I kept driving for awhile, but when I didn’t recognize any of the exits as being near to our home (or the airport) I finally took an exit and ended up at a traffic light. Once I stopped, I prayed (yes, with tears in my eyes) for the Lord to give me a sign like He gave to Ahaz in Isaiah 7. 

It was then that I looked up and off to the right a short distance. The sign He gave me was neon in the late night sky. It said, OASIS HOSPITAL—a name I knew because my husband had a knee replacement there two years ago. 

I pulled into the parking lot and phoned my husband to let him know of my mistake and he took a taxi to where I was parked.

Hallelujah! God had answered my prayer in a BIG way. I could still see the hospital’s gigantic sign in my rear-view mirror for miles.

I often talk to people who have told me they feel like their life has taken a wrong turn. Even though they had once felt close to God, lately they felt lost and alone. I remind them that God is still there—always has been and always will be. However, we often let the things of this life interfere with our relationships with Him. It could be a bad decision or perhaps a wandering away and forsaking our quiet time with Him. It might be the influences of the world.

But, whatever it is, I promise you God is waiting to take you back into a deep and meaningful relationship with Him. If you’ve been a wandering child, tell your Heavenly Father TODAY that you desire to resume fellowship with Him.

When problems come, He will be right there with you. Ready to guide in the right direction.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Jan 15

Don’t Go It Alone

by Brenda Poulos

John 14:19- “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

When going through some papers in my home office last week, I came across the words to a song that saddened me as I read them.

It began, “I’m an orphan, now…”

I know very well the depth of pain and anguish that come to those who lose their parents.

What a blessing it is to be a Christian and be assured that our Heavenly Father loves us and will not forsake us. He is always with us—to guide us, comfort us, bring us peace and wisdom when we need it. 

We never have to go it alone because we are children of the King! Members of God’s family.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Jan 8

A Beautiful Year Ahead

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 13:11b- “…Encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Since my mother’s passing, I have spent quite a bit of time going through hundreds of newspaper clippings she saved over the years. If she kept them, they must have impacted her in one way or another—and reading them gives me more insight into the unique woman that she was.

One of the ones I was reading today was a poem about what would be a beautiful year ahead. As I read through it, here are a few phrases that stood out:

The breeze in my hair.

Nights filled with stars.

Running barefoot in the grass.

Clouds of yellow butterflies.

A talk with a friend.

The touch of a hand.

A robin’s sweet song.

A year of peace and love.

I can’t help but think that a year—and a world—of peace and love, is just what Jesus would like for each of us to have, too. So, I join with my sweet mother, in prayer for a world which, in 2023, will experience unprecedented love and peace.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Jan 1

Follow that Cloud!

by Brenda Poulos

Nehemiah 9:12- “By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take.”

My husband and I were traveling on Christmas Eve this year. 

It is amazing just how many signs one relies on to find the way around a busy airport. 

Ticketing. Food. Restrooms. Boarding. Baggage Claims. Rental Cars.

“Thank you Lord,” I said aloud when we finally boarded and made it to our seats. I leaned back and slept like a baby for the next six hours.

My husband shook me awake to let me know we were landing. Now in a strange airport and an unfamiliar city with an antiquated Garmin to guide us to our VRBO, the rest of our trip was even more challenging.

I’m sure glad God isn’t outdated. The Bible tells us He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It is speaking of His qualities, His attributes. 

For us, the logic is simple: He is all-knowing, so we can be all-trusting.

It’s a lesson we learned from the Israelites. God led them by His cloud in the wilderness. 

They didn’t know the way, but He did.

And He still does.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Dec 25

Join the Choir!

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 2: 13, 14- “Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Have you even wondered what it was like to be part of that heavenly choir on the night of our savior’s birth? Both the sight and the sound of it all were no doubt more amazing than we can comprehend.

Revelation tells us about a similar occurrence which will happen in the future when all our voices will join with that of the angels in praising King Jesus.

None of us were there at his birth here on earth, but it is likely that we may be witnesses of that great event when Jesus returns.

As Christians of old looked forward to the Messiah’s coming, so do we look with great anticipation to His appearing.

Until then, may you know His peace and love in abundance.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Dec 17

Do You Know Where You’re Going?

by Brenda Poulos

John 8:12- “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

As my husband and I shopped at the mall, I lingered at an eye-catching display in one store window while he kept walking.

Once I realized he wasn’t with me, I rushed to find him in the crowd. As we reconnected—at our car in the parking lot—I told him that I’d been looking for him for the last thirty minutes.

And his reply? “If you’d kept up with me, you would have known where I was going.”

So it is when we are seeking Jesus. Have you wandered away?

Being a Christ Follower means staying close to Him. Daily prayer and scripture reading are essential as we seek to follow His will.

We can’t hear His voice, if we don’t stay close. Fortunately, He is our light and helps us find our way back to Him. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Dec 11

Aim for This

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 5:9- “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”

I visited with a friend, yesterday. Our conversation, in part, focused on our grandchildren. 

My friend told me that her grandsons continued to be as different as night and day. One is mischievous; the other always trying to be obedient and helpful.

I thought of the verse in second Corinthians. And then I remembered something similar that I heard on an Intentional Living broadcast—that being intentional (having that mindset at the beginning of each day) assures the results we want.

So, let’s make it our aim—just like my friend’s second grandson–to consciously ask Him to lead us in our daily walk. Let’s be intentional in focusing all day on actions, speech, and Godly principles that will please our Lord.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
«Older Entries
Newer Entries »
Blog at WordPress.com.