spiritualsnippets.com

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

Dec 4

Where Does Joy Come From?

by Brenda Poulos

James 1:2- “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

I was probably an emotional child. I remember a number of times crying to my mother about my problems and disappointments. She always gave the same advice. I knew this. I guess I just kept going to her because I wanted a sympathetic ear and a comforting hug.

She always told me not to dwell on my present circumstances, but instead to count my blessings and look for the silver lining in the clouds.

As I grew older, I came to understand that my joy was in the Lord. Period. 

I might not always like my circumstances, but I could always rejoice in the fact that I was His child and He was watching over me.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Nov 27

Thanks for Everything

by Brenda Poulos

I Thessalonians 5:18- “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Both Cheryl and her husband Marty had health challenges all year long. Added to that, their daughter unexpectedly announced that she and her husband of five years had decided to divorce.

On the way to the supermarket to get the last minute fixings for New Year’s Day Dinner, their car was hit by a red light runner. Cheryl and Marty were not injured, but their car was totaled.

And it was New Year’s Eve!

Joey, the tow truck driver, gave them a lift home and a reminder from I Thessalonians. He told them to rejoice in Christ. No, not rejoice that they’d been in a car wreck. He pointed out that the verse says in; not for. 

“In means in the midst of or amid. So, the verse means that even while we may have problems or difficulties, we still can rejoice that we have Jesus. We have His love. We have His care. We have salvation because of His sacrifice. We have His promise.” 

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Nov 20

Anxiety or Peace?

by Brenda Poulos

Philippians 4:5-7- “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

A girls’ lunch get-together is usually filled with laughter and lots of chatter. However, a few months ago, it was anything but.

Claire, the hostess for that month, told the group of four that she was again facing cancer, having been in remission for almost three years.

Sally confided that her husband was having an affair with someone at work.

Beth’s daughter had experienced a miscarriage and Ellen had to put down Charlie, her faithful Cocker Spaniel.

So many sad stories. So many reasons to be downhearted and fearful of the future.

But instead, Sally pulled out a recent Bible Study and read the scripture from Philippians to the women at the table. Then, she led her friends in prayer. That was followed by an opportunity for each woman to share a reason to praise God.

By the time Claire served lunch, there was a smile on each face and hope in each heart.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Nov 13

Point the Way

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 7:14- “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Just last week, I heard another horrific story about young people who were trapped inside a venue that somehow caught on fire. In the past, I remember people being trampled when trying to escape from a gunman at a sporting event.

In each of these cases, patrons became disoriented or were pushed along by the throng and couldn’t find their way to the exit. In some cases, the exits weren’t clearly marked. In others, they proved to be much too narrow for the large crowd to get through safely and quickly.

I immediately thought of the scripture in Matthew 7. Each time I read it, I think how said it is that people failed to take the narrow road to safety and eternal life. My prayer is that today we would gently point others toward the way Home.

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Nov 6

Just the Three of Us

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 18:20- “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

My friend, Coco, and I were disappointed that the other two ladies in our home Bible study were unable to attend our weekly meeting. However, we decided to go to our neighborhood park just to visit and pray.

Coco asked my counsel about raising her son as a single mother and we prayed together for several minutes. Coco’s prayer was heartfelt and I as I looked up after the final “amen” I  expected to see tears in her eyes. However, I found my friend’s face to be radiant.

“God has been here with us,” she said. “I felt his presence as we talked and prayed.”

As I walked home, I thought about the wonderful time of fellowship that we’d had that day—just the three of us.

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Oct 30

Your Dream Home

by Brenda Poulos

John 14: 2, 3: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Being a fan of home renovation, I like to watch HGTV. A show I’ve gotten interested in lately is My Lottery Dream Home. Although most of the people on the show have won the lottery, there are also those who have inherited large amounts of money.

Such was the case of one couple featured in an episode I saw last week. At long last, these people could afford to live in the large, comfortable home they had always dreamed of.

As I saw the happiness radiating from their faces, I thought of the home in heaven that believers long to see when our earthly stay is over. It’s not just the streets of gold that we long to see—although that will be spectacular—but also the fact that we will be reunited with our Lord and loved ones.

Jesus told us that when he returned to heaven, he would be preparing a place for us, which I believe will be uniquely ours. It will be suited for us in every way, reflecting the way he cares for each of us here on earth by meeting our needs as individuals.

However, it will be beyond all we can think or imagine. It will be spectacular.

It will be our dream home.

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Oct 23

Put God in His Place

by Brenda Poulos

Deuteronomy 5:7- “You shall have no other gods before me.”

If you’re a shopaholic, it may be shoes, purses, or blouses that distract you.

If you’re a golfer, it may be playing a round several times per week.

It could be doing the daily crossword puzzle or meeting friends for morning coffee.

If not God, then there is something or someone you are putting first in your life. And that gets priority for your attention, finances, and/or affection.

In the Bible, God refers to them as gods (note the small ‘g’) and warns us against them.

God tells us in His Word that He deserves—and wants—that first-place spot. He says if we put Him first, all of these other things will fall into place in their proper order. 

As a child, my Sunday school teacher talked about putting God on the Throne of our hearts.

As King of Kings, this is His rightful place.

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Oct 16

It Only Costs a Dollar

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 10:14,15- “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

I just returned home from a Christian writing conference. In our time of morning devotions, our speaker focused on the opportunity that writers have to reach out to a hurting world.

She reminded us that often our books can offer encouragement and comfort to people who might be otherwise not go to church, talk to a pastor, or speak with a Christian counselor.

You may not be a professional writer, but you can send cards and emails or make a phone call to someone you know that needs to hear of the love of Jesus.

Our local dollar store is a great place to shop for affordable cards. They contain short messages to which you can add your own.

As someone who recently received dozens of Sympathy Cards, I can attest to the fact that just knowing someone thought of me, wished me well, or was praying for me, warmed my heart and lifted my spirit.

Connecting—one spirit with another—is what relationship is all about.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Oct 9

The Confession

by Brenda Poulos

Acts 13:38- “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

Alan breathed a sigh of relief as he heard the not guilty verdict. Thirty months waiting for a trial, but finally he’d been acquitted of murder. He would have thought he’d be happier as he rode home in his attorney’s car, but the guilt he felt was even heavier than before. Just because he could afford a high-powered defense team, did that mean he should be able to get on with his life while the family of the guy he’d murdered struggled to make ends meet?

Within days, Alan fell into a deep depression. He was unable to look anyone in the eye lest they guess that he’d been guilty and didn’t deserve his freedom.

When his brother-in-law, Bill, tried to talk to Alan, he guessed the source of his extreme sadness. When he invited him to church, Alan refused to go. So Bill asked his pastor to pay Alan a visit at home. It was during one of his visits that Alan confessed his sin and accepted Jesus as Savior.

He immediately felt the freedom that he’d expected to feel when he was acquitted of the murder charges. God had forgiven him—paid the price for his sins—but Alan knew he needed to confess his crime.

Months later, in prison, Alan led his cellmate to the Lord. A week after that, another prisoner came to know forgiveness of his sins because of Alan’s testimony. Today, he is still serving his sentence—and still winning souls for Christ.

No matter who we are. 

No matter where we are.

We can be instruments of salvation to a hurting world. That world begins outside our doors. Someone on our street… in our very neighborhood… needs to hear of the forgiveness of Christ.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Oct 2

Today’s a Good Day

by Brenda Poulos

I Samuel 2: 1,2- “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord … No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.”

In these past months filled with illnesses and worldwide natural disasters, Christians everywhere have been praying fervently. Day after day, we offer our entreaties to the Lord.

But when the answer comes, do we remember to thank the Lord for his answer, his provision, his loving kindness? 

I Samuel tells the story of Hannah, who poured out her soul to the Lord. And when the answer came, she didn’t forget to thank and praise Him.

Not a day goes by without a reason to praise our wonderful God. It may not be the answer to your specific prayer, but it may be lifting up thanks for His provision, our homes, our families, our health. 

Today’s a good day to thank the Lord!!!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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