spiritualsnippets.com

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

Promises Made Good

Numbers 23:19- “God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?”

“But you promised!” My daughter cried—and even stamped her tiny foot—as she yelled the words. Tears ran down her cheeks. Four years old and she already knew the meaning –and the heartbreak—of promises not kept!

Earlier in the week, she had asked me if she could have a friend over to swim on Saturday. I said that she could, not knowing that she’d come down with a terrible cold by Friday.

We cancelled her plans. And, even though done with good reason, to a small child it became a “broken” promise.

She lay in bed all day, Saturday, coughing and sneezing, with a sore throat and a fever. She slept with the new bright orange and yellow beach towel I had bought her as a reminder of my new promise to ask her friend over, again, for a swim when she felt better.

Sometimes we may not be able to keep our promises. However, scripture reminds us that God’s promises are true. We can count on them with 100% certainty.

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Googling It, Spiritual Style

Shorter and more concise seems to be best for most of our reading these days, so I am going to run back thru my past blog posts in the next weeks ahead, shortening them up a bit. Here’s the first one. I hope you like this shortened version.

Psalm 119:105- “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” 

I was visiting with my parents when a question about plant fertilizers came up. Dad, of course, touted the benefits of steer manure.

Mother brought up the effectiveness her own “compost.”

I suggested that we “GOOGLE IT”. After all, just about everything we need to know, is right there at our fingertips. Isn’t it?

But, what about questions of a spiritual nature? 

How should we respond to those who hurt us? What should we do with feelings of inadequacy, sadness, betrayal?

Proverbs 14:12 says, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” 

It is God’s Word that provides the answers for all of our concerns and problems.

So, whether you seek an answer to a Biblical truth or just need encouragement, try “Googling It Spiritual Style” and turn to our ultimate source, The Bible.

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Turn Pain Into Joy

Psalm 94:19- “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

My family was able to see my parents (residing in Memory Care) for the second time this month. It has been a great experience to spend time with them after being locked down for so long.

At the end of our visit Dad, with tears in his eyes, said, “We’ve been so lonely. You don’t know what these two visits have meant to us. You’ve turned our pain into joy.”

On the drive home, I thought about the millions of people worldwide who are in pain—physical, emotional, and/or spiritual.

Being isolated from family and friends is overwhelming. Even a visit from a stranger who is willing to listen, can turn their heartache into a day filled with joy. And, if you are a Christian, reading from the Bible and praying with them can help them reconnect with God.

Volunteers are needed in our communities now more than ever. Even if you do not personally know someone in a nursing home, please think about asking one near you if you can make a visit to someone who may not have family nearby.

A smile—YOUR smile—might be just what someone needs today to turn their pain into joy.

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Are YOU That Someone?

Psalm 139: 8-10- “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

News broadcasts report that loneliness and depression in the pandemic have resulted in a staggering number of suicides.

Isolated. Cut off from friends, relatives, and colleagues.

Most of these people didn’t know the love of Jesus. Weren’t able to rely on His unfailing love.

If they had only known Him as their guide, comforter, and protector.

But God reminds us that they will only know if someone is willing to tell them. 

Are YOU that someone?

Will you step out in faith and share God’s Word with a hurting world?  

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Come Back Home

Luke 15:13b- “…the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living…(and) 17a- When he came to his senses, he said… 18b-Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” 

We recently “rescued” a two-year-old dog that is incredibly sweet, loving, and (all-important) housebroken. However, he is very stubborn and this unfortunate trait is getting him in a bit of trouble.

He pulls on the leash instead of trotting obediently at my side. He refuses to come when we call his name. In short, he wants his own way.

When will he realize a bag of treats are ready and waiting for obedient doggies?

Which brings me to the story of the prodigal son who stubbornly wanted his share of his father’s inheritance. When he got it, he squandered it.

But, the story has a happy ending because he finally comes to his senses and returns home to apologize and beg forgiveness.

Have you reached a place in your life where you found what you were looking for couldn’t be found in “the world”? You realize that temporary pleasures are not deep and satisfying? 

If so, please put your faith in God.

Come back home and experience His best for you. 

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Hands, Heart, and Soul

Psalm 134:2- “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

Were you were brought up in a conservative Christian home like I was?

Did you attend a conservative church like I did?

Then, for a moment, would you consider breaking out of your comfort zone?

What’s holding you back from worshipping God with your whole heart, soul and hands?

I took the challenge several years ago. I can only attest to my own experience. It was profound and continues to be to this day.

For me it wasn’t electrifying in a physical sense, but for the first time I felt a unique connection—a drawing of spirit to Spirit.

Some who have spent an extended period of time in prayer or meditation, or those who have fasted have told of similar experiences to mine—a “peaceful exhilaration” (my term).

And, more than that, I experience a bonding… a linking together with the one true God. He doesn’t just soak up my praise. He joins with me as we experience together his goodness, holiness, and majesty.

Your experience will perhaps be uniquely yours, but I encourage you to give your whole being over to the praise of our Creator, Savior, and Lord. 

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Exemplifying Faith During the Pandemic

Philippians 2:4- “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Christians, here are some principles to keep you grounded in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic:

Do Not Live In Fear.

God promises to be with us. He will strengthen us and uphold us with “His righteous right hand.”

Be Compassionate.

Show the love of Jesus to those who are hurting.

Donate.

Be generous and give to families in need, your neighbors, and your church family. 

The apostle John said, “if anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”

Be The Hands and Feet of Jesus.

The greatest testimony of Christ’s love is for Christians to love the world the way Christ does.

Take Comfort in the Company of Fellow Believers.

Even if we cannot be with fellow believers, we can pray for them, call them, email them, send them a card. 

Pray.

For the sick.

For provision.

For wisdom for those in authority and unity with other believers. 

Trust in the Lord.

We serve a God who is bigger and stronger than any sickness, darkness, or weapon of the enemy. Our God is our healer and provider.

Trust in the Lord and shine the light and love of Jesus Christ in a fearful and shaken world.

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He’s Got This

2 Corinthians 4:16-18- “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

We are living in times of unrest, frustration, and discontent.

It is all too easy for us to look around and see the consequences of evil as they play out before our eyes each day on television and in our streets.

However, God comforts us by reminding us not to lose heart… not to be disillusioned because “he’s got this.”  

On the eternal timeline, our present troubles are only a blip on the screen. One day we will see how all of human history fit together according to His plan.

Remember: “…our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

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The Enemy Within

Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous …”

My book, Simon Says, tells the story of a boy who is taunted by bullies—enemies on the outside.

A 1994 movie, The Enemy Within, is about a military officer who uncovers a sinister plot perpetrated by his own superior officer.

Enemies within and without.

Political unrest and the worldwide pandemic have left people skeptical, frustrated, and anxious.

But the Bible tells us not to worry. 

Worry is the enemy within. 

And, when taken to the extreme, worry becomes hate.

Christians, if ever there was a time for us to pray for our enemies, it has to be now. 

Only when we let the spirit of forgiveness rule in our hearts can we truly heal.

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Abandoned or Adopted?

Ephesians 1:5- “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—”

Alyce was adopted as a fifteen-year-old. Being terribly lonely for most of her “growing-up” years, she knew (for the first time) what it felt like to be valued and loved… “complete.”

It didn’t take long for new purpose and belonging to replace the old feelings of abandonment. 

As Christians, the Bible tells us we have been adopted as sons. We enjoy the full rights and even the inheritance of sons, just as Jesus (the “firstborn of many brothers”).

We can experience, daily, the love and completeness only He can offer. And, we can look forward to spending eternity in Heaven—that place where we belong.

    (Other passages:  2 Corinthians 6:18; Romans 8:14,15.)

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