spiritualsnippets.com

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

Aug 23

The Ten Virgins

by Brenda Poulos
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Matthew 25:13- “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”

Christians have likely read the parable in Matthew about the Ten Virgins, symbolizing the return of Jesus Christ for His Church.

Five of the virgins in the parable were ready with oil for their lamps; five were not. 

The bridegroom represents Jesus; the virgins, the church; the oil symbolizes spiritual readiness.

The meaning? Believers are encouraged to live in a state of readiness characterized by faith, obedience, and actual service.

This parable is just one of several found in the Bible on this topic.

When something is found multiple times in the Bible, we should heed its importance.

In this case, we are encouraged to live as He has taught us in His Word, awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Believers have nothing to dread.

We have everything to look forward to—the most glorious of which is the return of our savior, Jesus Christ!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Aug 10

Sorry I’m Late

by Brenda Poulos
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This is Monday afternoon and my Sunday blog is a tad late.

Our home renovation is officially in its last week and things are buzzing around here. Movers will arrive in a few days.

As I check things off of our “Punch List”, I am reminded of God’s Grand Plan for the world and mankind. My head spins when I think of all that must go into a plan like that.

But, then again, He IS God!

As for us, we have run into quite a few snags from ordering, to workmanship and everything in between.

And God? Since he has given human beings free choice, there have been twists and turns to His perfect plans. 

We agreed to a completion date with our general contractor, so we have a pretty good idea when our work here will be finished. We have a target date.

I don’t profess to know how God works, but I do know one thing because I have read it in the Bible—the date and time He has selected are known only to HIM.

In the case of my contractor and myself, not having a date “nailed down,” would have made both of us a little uneasy. 

In God’s case, being ready should make you and I a little concerned. We need to ask ourselves what it is that we need to do to get ready for God’s end time plan to unfold. 

There’s only one place to look. 

God’s Word. The Bible.

In the next few weeks (minus a couple I will take off for the “big move”, I will share scripture about the end times. 

I will NOT be able to ascertain a date, other than to say that it IS in the FUTURE. 

However, we should be able to find out just what God wants us to do to prepare ourselves.

And that’s why I’m writing this blog post.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Aug 3

Clean Small-town Romance

by Brenda Poulos

My background as a school guidance counselor, and degrees in Special Education and Psychology help me tell compelling dramas about how we respond when our dreams are shattered.

Will we call on God for strength to forgive and find our way back?

If you love reading Christian fiction, women’s fiction, and stories about faith, forgiveness, and redemption, you will absolutely love Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 27

Not Just Another Romance Novel

by Brenda Poulos


Readers who love Christian fiction, women’s fiction, and stories about faith, forgiveness, and redemption will love Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us. Not just another romance novel, it’s a compelling drama about how we respond when our dreams are shattered. Will we call on God for the strength to forgive and find our way back?

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 19

God WANTS to Forgive You

by Brenda Poulos
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“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” – Ephesians 1:7

I’ve met several people over my lifetime who have told me that they’ve done horrible, detestable, awful, unforgivable things.

Because they believed these to be sins God wouldn’t—even couldn’t— forgive, they stayed away from Christians, church services, even refused to read the Bible. 

If you are one of them, if you’re living a life without hope, there is good news for you.

God wants to forgive you. He’s willing to wipe the slate clean.

For those who are truly repentant and willing to turn away from a life of sin–even such as most of us cannot even fathom–your Creator will listen to your heartfelt prayer of confession.

If you desire a relationship with Him, He is willing.

There is hope.

There is a Savior.

His name is Jesus.

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Jul 12

Sunset Pointe: First Book in a New Series

by Brenda Poulos

It has been an exciting week. It always is for authors where their new book is launched. It is especially so for me since this is the launch of a new series. Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us is now available on Amazon books in both e-book and paperback. I think you’ll find the story nostalgic and encouraging even though I am tackling hard subjects families have been faced with through decades.

Here’s a snippet of my first review. To read it in depth, go to my author page on Amazon’s Author Central.

Jonathan and Karla are soulmates, having fallen in love in the third grade. However, the day before their Senior Prom, Karla learns that Jonathan has been unfaithful to her. As a result, he is now the father of her best friend, Missy’s, baby.

When both Jonathan’s and Missy’s parents try to force them to marry, Jonathan can’t see any way out. He takes off—leaving behind his responsibilities and his “one and only true love.”

The lives in Sunset Pointe are plagued with twists and turns, leaving Jonathan and Karla feeling lost without each other.

They have always shared a strong faith in God. Will they call on Him for the strength they need to forgive each other and find their way back to what they once had?

Brenda C. Poulos delivers an exciting modern story about an ageless subject. Fans and first-time readers will love Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us. 

Poulos’ talent for writing with passion and truth shines in this story. Her plot offers layers, complications, and twists. Readers keep turning the pages, eager to see what happens next, until the end of this 60,000-word tale. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jun 28

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

by Brenda Poulos
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1 Samuel 16:7b– “…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 

Are you reaching a milestone birthday this summer? Perhaps this little story will encourage you!

Pam’s friend, Dorothy sent her a gift for her 80th birthday. She carefully removed the beautiful floral paper to reveal an exquisite antique mirror.

She picked up the phone immediately and called to thank her. “I have just the place to display it,” she told Dorothy. 

“I hope you’ll use it,” her friend replied.

“Oh, honey. At my age, I’d rather not look at all these wrinkles.”

“Pam, you’re still lovely, of course. But remember that while people may look at our outward appearance, God looks at what is truly important—our hearts.”

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jun 21

I Still Feel His Presence

by Brenda Poulos
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Proverbs 14:26- “Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”

For many of us, Father’s Day is a remembrance of fathers who are no longer with us—those who have passed from this life to the next.

For others, it is a celebration of dads who still live, work, play, guide, and provide for their families.

Just like moms, dads come in all nationalities, ages, sizes, and temperaments. 

Parenthood is an awesome responsibility. 

For one day each year, we pause to celebrate our fathers and thank God for their presence in our lives.

I was blessed to have an earthly father who had his priorities straight—family second, only to God.

He took Proverbs 14:26 seriously. Our home was filled with unconditional love and godly guidance.

Thank you, Dad. Because of your example, we still feel your presence in our lives today.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jun 14

Don’t Let Anger Rule

by Brenda Poulos
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Ephesians 4:26a – “In your anger do not sin . . .” 

For months, Tom suspected his wife of cheating.

Unable to keep his bottled-up emotions at bay any longer, he finally confronts Liz.

When she confirms his worst suspicions, he goes berserk, grabbing his gun, and storming out the door.

He drives to his best friend’s home. His heart beats wildly in his chest. He feels sick to his stomach. Brad is the last person he’d suspect of something like this.

Tom is consumed by the anger of betrayal. Conflicting thoughts fill his mind. 

As he stares at the gun on the seat beside him, Ephesians 4:26 runs in a continuous loop in his head.

He remembers his pastor’s sermon on the topic of anger. It is an emotion that every human being has experienced. “The key to beating the influence of anger in your life is to “not let the anger result in sin . . . don’t let anger take over and “rule in your heart.”

Tom doesn’t recall how long he sat in front of Brad’s house, struggling to the the right thing, but it was the following day when he returned home to talk with Liz.

It was a difficult period in their lives, but some three years later the couple reunited. They’ve shared their story at couple’s conferences over the past twenty years, hoping that their obedience to God will somehow influence others to resist the impulse to retaliate against those who sin against us.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jun 7

In Tandem

by Brenda Poulos
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Genesis 2:24- “. . . a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

Since Father’s Day is coming up, my mind has been on my own father who passed almost four years ago.

One thing I remember is his love of vocabulary—“new words” always fascinated him. Once he heard one, he used it often. By putting it into practice, he cemented it into his mind.

I recall when he put the word tandem into “practice.” Other similar words, like synchronize, also mean “to work smoothly together, as one; alongside each other.”

Dad took a real liking to this word because it was his lifelong mantra. He took the Bible literally when God commanded that married couples were to leave their parents and cleave to their new husband or wife. They were to be “as one.”

Whether camping or gardening or helping with homework, they were always seen together. 

Mom became fearful as her Alzheimer’s advanced. I heard Dad remind her on a daily basis,” Remember, Georgia, we are as one.”

He meant it 100%

When Mom needed assisted living, Dad moved to a small facility with her. Married since the ages of twenty and twenty-one, he made sure they were never separated. 

Mom passed first. Dad went to be with her in heaven some ten months later. Beautifully orchestrated by a loving God, they are still in tandem—forever. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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