spiritualsnippets.com

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

Aug 1

He Touched Me!!

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 9:21– She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

I’m not a football fan. However, when I was in junior high and high school, my friends and I “watched” the Arizona State Sun Devils play from our seats in the End Zone. We were affectionately called “THE KNOT HOLE GANG.”

Although I wasn’t crazy about the game, I sure did like the players.

Back in those days, fans were allowed to form a line on each side of the entrance where the players came onto the field. We were close enough that we could reach out and touch an arm or the sleeve of a uniform. We got goosebumps every time.

I also loved movies. On a trip to Hollywood as a young adult, I remember swooning when Clint Eastwood shook my hand.

A young man puts his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders—a loving touch.

A mother hold’s her sobbing child—a caring touch.

A concert pianist poises his hands above the black and white keys. The audience waits for—the touch of the master.

Two young men shake hands after an argument—the touch of friendship.

As incredible as each of these is, I can’t help but ask myself, “What would it be like to be touched by Jesus?”

In the book of Matthew, a woman declared that she knew she’d be healed just by touching the hem Jesus’s garment!

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She wasn’t a groupie or a young child idolizing a sports star. This was a serious situation.

She needed healing.

She knew she needed Jesus.

What about you?

Will you open your heart to be touched by Jesus? Allow his healing touch to make you whole again?

But, you say, Jesus doesn’t always choose to heal…

True.

Physical healing may not be in His plan for your life…or your loved ones’ lives.

But, He does want to heal your brokenness. He wants to use the disappointments and tragedies of our earthly lives to bring us to a place of dependance on Him. He wants to carry us through the troubled times, supporting us  with His strength.

He wants us to grow in our faith in Him. The kind of faith that believes He knows what is best for us and we trust Him to see us through…and to work out the difficulties we face for “the good of those who love Him and are called according to His good purpose.”

I have faith in a chair to hold me.

I have faith in my car to start each morning.

I have faith in my phone to keep me in touch with my family and friends.

But, I exercise my faith when I sit in the chair, turn the key in the ignition, and dial the phone.

Come to Him…in faith…believing.

Release control to Him…and experience His promises at work in your life.

Touch the hem of His garment.

 

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Jul 25

Anyone for Ice Cream?

by Brenda Poulos

I Corinthians 15:42- “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.”

Within four days the flowers my husband gave me for our anniversary had wilted.

The peaches from my neighbor’s tree rotted the day after they brought them over.

Bananas turn black.  Milk sours.  Lettuce wilts.

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Preservatives extend the freshness of some foods, but even canned goods have a shelf life.

Cheese and some beef are said to taste better when they are “aged,” but the sad fact is that most foods aren’t so appealing after the expiration date.

Crows feet at the outside corners of our eyes is one telltale sign that people are growing older.

Diminished capacity to see and hear.

Muscle strength weakens.

Hair turns gray, thins, recedes.

One day fades into another. Eventually walkers and wheelchairs become our friends.

Our human bodies, like fruits and vegetables, are perishable.

If only we could have our youthful bodies returned to us!

The verse from I Corinthians assures us that Christians will have perfectly youthful, resurrected bodies when we go to meet our Lord.

We will be beautiful….physically perfect. We will be strong and have endless vitality. There will be no limits to what our heavenly bodies will be able to do.

By the way, the ice cream won’t melt either.  (Oh, yes, there’s sure to be ice cream).

 

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Jul 18

Have You Changed?

by Brenda Poulos

 

 

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2Corinthians 5:17- “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

 

A man tries to convince a woman to give him a second chance. He pleads, “I’m not the man I used to be.”

A political figure urges Americans to vote for him because he has changed his beliefs on certain key issues.

A son admits he can hardly believe how he behaved in high school. “But, you’ll be glad to know I’ve really grown up in the last couple of years. I don’t do that stuff anymore.”

Recently, an old friend from elementary school (who seemed to always be in trouble) showed himself to be a respected businessman in his community. He’s a changed man.

Lying, cheating, filthy language, addictions.

They keep us from experiencing the lives we really want to live.

God says when we come to Him, our “old ways” can be things of the past. We become a new creation in Him. The old habits, thoughts, cravings, and actions can be conquered.

We CAN be a “changed man.” We can become responsible citizens, good parents, caring friends.

When others see the changes in us, they will want to know what made the difference in our lives…

And, then we can tell them, unashamedly, that it was the Power of God unto salvation.

And that it is available to ALL who BELIEVE.

 

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Jul 10

Do You See It?

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 46:10a- “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come…”

A spectacular-looking boat with a colorful spinnaker glided into view outside our vacation rental. “Honey, look! There’s the most beautiful sailboat in the bay!”

My husband left his comfortable seat to peer out the window. “Where? I don’t see anything.”

“It’s straight out there. Right where I’m pointing.” I thrust my finger forward for emphasis.

He shrugged his shoulders. “I still don’t see it.”

I crooked my finger and beckoned him to my side. “The trees must be blocking it from your view. Come stand by me. You’ll be able to see it from over here.”

He reached over to grab a handful of snacks from the table and sauntered over for one final try.  “Ah, there it is!”

 

 

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You have probably had a similar incident happen, haven’t you? One person sees something that the other cannot because of his vantage point?

That’s how it is with God. He can see everyone—and everything—past, present, and future—because of his unique vantage point.

If we were God, we could be 100% certain that we had done the right thing: taken the perfect job, married the ideal person, guided our children correctly.

If only we could see things from a perspective such as His.

From beginning to end, Genesis through Revelation, God’s Word helps us do just that.

By drawing close to God through his Word, we can change our vantage point.

No, we will never know all of the answers. We will not be able to foretell the future.

But, when we draw close to The One who does and can, then we only need to follow.

His perspective will keep us safe, secure, and on the right path.

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Jul 3

I Know You’re Out There

by Brenda Poulos

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Psalm 91:4– “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

 

As I awoke this morning, God told me to put aside what I had already started writing for today, and to write this message TO YOU, instead:

Yesterday, you were on top of the world.

Today, everything has come crashing down all around you.

Yesterday, you had no worries…only endless possibilities.

Today, you are considering only a few options.

Yesterday, the sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in sight.

Today, the skies are are overcast and there is a storm brewing.

Yesterday, you wore a smile that lit up the room.

Today, that smile has turned to tears.

I know you are out there.

You are asking God, “Why my family?”  or  “Why me?”

You are wondering what good can come of your situation…your loss of a loved one…your diagnosis…your sudden disappointing news.

You’re holding back the tears, denying the feelings of abandonment, loneliness, betrayal.

You don’t have to go it alone.

God wants to rescue you.

Pray fervently for Him to heal your relationship, your broken heart, your body.

He wants you to draw close to Him. He wants to offer you His strength, His peace, His power.

He loves you. Lean on Him.

Instead of focusing on whatever your problem is, He wants you to give it over to Him and let Him handle it.

He wants you to trust Him and the power of His mighty hand.

You are precious to Him.

He wants to pour out His love on you.

He wants to cover you with His wings.

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Jun 26

Joy In Unrelenting Pain

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Job 6:10a- “Then I would still have this consolation— my joy in unrelenting pain—”

 

I recently heard a story about Austrian concert pianist, Paul Wittgenstein. In 1914, while serving in active duty in WWI, he was shot in the elbow and his right arm was amputated.

One would think this would be devastating, ending a brilliant career. But that was not the case.

During his recovery, he wrote to his teacher asking for a concerto for the left hand alone. Following the war’s end, he studied intensely and reclaimed his career. He gave hundreds of concerts throughout Europe, playing pieces arranged for the left hand alone.

I vowed that if times of self-pity should come, I would remember this brave man whose attitude made it possible for him to still experience joy in his life after such tragic circumstances.

The Bible tells the story of Job, whose wealth, children, and physical health were taken from him.

Not only did Job not curse God, but we learn that he was able to experience true joy in the midst of those trials.

This can be of great comfort to those who are experiencing physical illnesses, family problems, financial struggles.

But, how is it possible that during times of dire circumstances one could find joy?

Like Job, our faith sustains us. We look to God to be our strength. We lean on Him and the promises in His Word.

We look at these times, not as obstacles to our joy, but as times of refreshing.

We view them as vehicles to deepen our dependance on God and draw us in close relationship with him.

We do not allow our trials to defeat us, but instead look at them as opportunities to change us, inwardly, to refine our character, to transform our hearts— to fulfill His new purpose in us.

Can we experience the “joy that comes in the morning?”

Our Lord says we can. He will restore us anew, whether in this life or in the one to come.

The Bible says He is faithful and He will do it.

He gives us His Word.

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Jun 20

Never Alone

by Brenda Poulos

Deuteronomy 31:8– “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Dateline’s new motto is: “Don’t Watch Alone.”

A sign outside Central Park says, “Don’t Walk Alone.”

Signs on beaches urge, “Don’t Swim Alone.”

I guess the idea is that it is dangerous, scary, and unsafe to be alone.

But, God’s Word tells us that we never have to be alone.

God is always with us.

That fact is comforting, isn’t it?

In times of joy, sadness, uncertainty.

When we would hide.

When we would flee.              14046488787_5f5eb9a815

We can stand firm.

Because he will never leave us alone.

In the dark of the night.

In the midst of the storm.

His perfect love casts out all fear.

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Jun 12

Do You Know the Good You Ought to Do?

by Brenda Poulos

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James 4:17– “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”

 

 

SIN.

Boiled down into simplest terms it is doing something wrong.

But what about those times when the Holy Spirit speaks to us, prompting us to do something good for someone—but we don’t do it.

That is SIN, too.

We might shrug it off and say, “I’ll do it, later.”

Or, “How do I know that’s really The Holy Spirit speaking?”

Or, we rationalize why doing the “good thing” may not really be a good thing at all. (If I give money to that beggar, he might squander it! )

So, let’s get this straight. We know the right thing to do. We just don’t respond.

The Bible says it is SIN.

Am I sure about that?

I read it a second time.

That verse from James convicts me right where it hurts.

The good I should do

—could involve the spending of my time…my energy…my money…

—could mean a change of plans…a change of perspective…a change of heart…

Doing the good I know I should do requires responding to His prodding all day long…and it just may involve opportunities to minister to others in ways we might never imagine.

It just might lead to an opportunity to share the gospel.

It means seeing others needs through HIS eyes…the very eyes that one day saw me 

and sent Someone to meet my need.

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Jun 5

BELIEVE

by Brenda Poulos

Mark 11:23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain,’Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but Believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.

 

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Believe.

I see this word on bumper stickers, jewelry, greeting cards, wall decor, and T-shirts.

It seems society has embraced it.

But, what does it really mean?

Believe in who?

Believe in what?

Believe in oneself?

Believe in the power within?

Believe in God?

I have a picture hanging in my home office, with simply “Believe” written in script.

It tells me that I can do it…achieve it…

But, I realize it is not me alone that makes anything happen in my personal life or my career.

It is God who leads me.

It is God who empowers me.

It is God who gives me the skills necessary to achieve.

But, it means still more.

To me, it is a reminder that I believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that I have eternal life through Him.

John 20:31 but these are written, that you may Believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing

you may have life in his name.

It IS important to have confidence in oneself…if that confidence comes from God.

It IS important to have a “can do” attitude…if one realizes that their giftedness comes from our Creator.

It IS important to have faith…if it is in God.

We can have every confidence in Him.

For it  is in Him WHO IS TRUTH that we have the power to BELIEVE.

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May 30

Free, Indeed!

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 8:2- “…because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

It is Memorial Weekend. A time to remember those who have fought for America’s freedom. Thank you, brave soldiers!

Freedom of worship.               19497274363_d56953ddd0

Freedom of choice.

Freedom of speech.

I won’t list them all. If you live in America, you realize the many freedoms we enjoy.

But what about freedom from sin?

We are all human. We all sin.

Can there be freedom from sin?

The Bible says, that believers will experience freedom from the law of sin and death. That is, because of Christ’s death for us, we will no longer face the penalty for sin—death.

Christ bore the penalty for us, setting us free.

And, “… if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

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