spiritualsnippets.com

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

Apr 13

I Shook My Head

by Brenda Poulos
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Romans 6:23-“For the wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Last week, we received a flyer—an invitation to attend Easter services at a local church.

Curious, I read the accompanying literature. It said they would be commemorating the DEATH of Jesus.

That was it. Not one Bible verse in the tri-folded pamphlet.

Nothing about Jesus rising again on the third day. Nothing about salvation, the forgiveness of sins, nothing about the promise of eternal life through faith in Him.

I shook my head. Who would want to put their faith in someone who died? Death without resurrection????

But, the Jesus I know conquered sin and death on the cross. He alone offers forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.

And, HE IS ALIVE!!!!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Apr 6

What Happens When You Lose It?

by Brenda Poulos
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Deuteronomy 32:2- “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”

You may lose your temper. Or, your patience.

Perhaps even your self-control.

You don’t mean to. You’re sorry. 

Sometimes it happens—too often.

How do you get back in control?

Hoping you’ll do better next time won’t cut it because you’ve already hurt someone you love—either physically or emotionally.

If it’s happened once too often, you may have lost their trust… their friendship… or even a marriage.

Counseling seemed to help for awhile, but you eventually quit because of the expense or because you thought you didn’t need it any longer.

But, soon, you’re back into your old pattern of yelling or withdrawing or abusing.

Maybe you should try God.

The Bible says He wants you to cry out to Him for help in all situations. There is nothing you tell Him that will surprise Him. There’s nothing He’s not equipped to handle.

He’s impartial. He’s all-knowing. He’s all powerful. 

He is your creator and savior.

And, as incredible as it sometimes seems, HE LOVES YOU.

Will you let Him teach you from His Word?

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 30

Anything Is Possible

by Brenda Poulos
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Matthew 17:20– “… Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

As I looked for a gift for a “new” Christian last week, I recalled a gift I received years ago that meant a lot to me. It was a clear glass locket with a mustard seed inside—the perfect reminder of the importance and power of faith in the Christian life. 

From the smallest of seeds,1-2 mm in diameter, a typical plant consists of large, leafy greens and golden yellow flowers growing on a stalk in clusters. Mustard trees grow to be 20 to 30 feet tall, with a 20-foot wide canopy.

Grinding and mixing mustard seeds with water, vinegar, or other liquids creates prepared mustard. The seeds can also be eaten as mustard greens.

There are several reasons Jesus used the mustard seed in his parable, but my focus is on the topic of faith. Though the seed of faith begins small, it potentially grows to bear much fruit when we are patient and trust in God’s timing. 

Our faith may be small, but coupled with God’s unlimited power, anything is possible.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 23

Who Is God to You???

by Brenda Poulos
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Psalm 84:12- “Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

Continuing on with my topic of God, this survey is subjective. I am interested in hearing from you. What role does God play in your life? 

Here are some examples: Friend, Creator, Savior, Healer, Judge, Provider, Protector, Sustainer, Comforter, Guide, King, and so on. 

Feel free to say “all of the above, none of the above”, or add to the list.

As you know, I write Christian Fiction based on Biblical truth. I intend to use this information to guide my writing over the next year. 

I appreciate your interaction!

Brenda

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Mar 16

Let Your Faith Sustain You

by Brenda Poulos
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Psalm 73:28a– “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;”

When my father suffered terribly in his last hours of life, I was angry with God.

“Why, God, are you letting him hurt so?” I cried out. 

It distressed me to see him in pain. My dad loved God and lived a good Christian life. I had been so sure that he would just “slip away” into eternity, but this was nothing like I had envisioned.

Now, without my earthly father to comfort me, I followed what I’d been taught in church. I sought comfort in God’s Heavenly arms. I drank in scriptural truths from the Bible, I expressed my feelings in prayer, and I sought solace in the presence of my “church” family and my siblings.

Fast forward two years. We recently lost our twin great-granddaughters. I could chose anger, but I have learned that God’s ultimate plan for these two little angels will be better than anything I can imagine. 

If you’re going through a hard time right now, let me urge you to run to God, not away from Him. Let Him bring you comfort and peace to overcome your sadness.

Let your faith sustain you!!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 9

How Old Is God?

by Brenda Poulos
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Psalm 90:2- “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

When I was a young woman, there was a well-known book and television show based on humorous things kids asked adults. One of them was, “How old is God?”

The question delighted Art Linkletter’s viewing audience—and it intrigued me, too.

There are multiple Bible verses referring to God as everlasting… from eternity past and to eternity future.

He has always existed (the only entity to never be “born”) and will never cease to exist (die).

In this world of “beginnings” and “endings”, let’s take time this week to contemplate Him… praise Him… for He is the everlasting God.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 2

Are You in Awe of Him?

by Brenda Poulos

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Jeremiah 2:19b- “Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.”

My husband and I are taking part in a new Bible Study at our church. The study began last week with focusing on the question, 

“Who is God?”

“New” Christians are learning just how BIG, powerful, and awesome He is. They acknowledge Him as CREATOR of the universe, mankind, animals, and so on.

However, those of us who have been Christians for a long time, may become complacent and need a refresher on God’s awesomeness. We need to see Him—and worship him—as the omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God that He is.

The verse from Jeremiah is a reminder that God is saddened when we no longer appreciate or are in awe of Him. The Bible is full of verses that reveal his character and the depth and breadth of his love for us!

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Feb 23

An Unchanging God

by Brenda Poulos
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Jeremiah 33:20- “This is what the Lord says: ‘If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that the day and night no longer come at the appointed time’,”

The verse I’ve chosen for this week refers to one of God’s conversations with the prophet Jeremiah. God wanted The Children of Israel to understand that He would never break any of His promises to them.

Breaking them, He said, would be about as likely as Him  changing the hours He had established when He created the day and night!

In other words, “Not going to happen.”

Fellow Christians, the Bible is full of promises God has made—and kept. He hasn’t broken a single one, and won’t, for all of eternity.

That very fact should be of supreme comfort to us in a world which seems to be in never-ending turmoil.

An unchanging God in a constantly changing world. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Feb 16

True Love

by Brenda Poulos
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A few years ago, I compiled the blogs I had written up to that point, into two volumes. These encouragements from God’s Word are as true today as back then–and they will remain so throughout all eternity. For God’s Love never changes. (Available at Amazonbooks.com and also archived on my website, brendapoulosauthor.com and archived on spiritual snippets.com

John 3:16- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will have everlasting life.”

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Feb 9

A Cord of Three Strands

by Brenda Poulos
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Ecclesiastes 4:12- “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

In elementary school, I had two best friends. We did everything together. We defended and protected one another. We were a living example of a cord of three strands.

I have two sisters. We have always been close. When my parents passed away, we were able to support and comfort one another. Another example of a cord of three strands.

I am married to a good Christian man. We take care of, encourage, comfort, and uphold one another. Together, we are a cord of two strands. However, because we share a common faith, God forms the third cord in our relationship. 

When hard times come, when sorrow invades our lives, when physical ailments might otherwise tear us apart, the strong bond of three strands preserves us because…

A CORD OF THREE STRANDS IS NOT EASILY BROKEN.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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