spiritualsnippets.com

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

May 23

Do You Know What Will Happen Tomorrow?

by Brenda Poulos

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James 4:14- “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

A friend of ours passed out while driving last week. His car hit a transformer and went up in flames. He was pulled out of the vehicle just in time. Praise God, he didn’t have a scratch on him!

As I thought about this miracle, the verse above came to mind. Even though we may say, “See you tomorrow” to our friends and family, none of us knows if that will be true or if a tragedy might claim our life.

That’s why it is so important that each of us is prepared to meet God. One day, we will either stand before Him, forgiven by the blood of Jesus, or guilty and without excuse.

Now is the time to get right with God.

Choose Jesus. We “…do not even know what will happen tomorrow.”

Choose Eternal Life in Heaven. We “…are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

Choose the miracle of forgiveness.

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May 16

No Sour Grapes

by Brenda Poulos

Habakkuk 3:17,18-    Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,             4734900182_b15ffd1ce0

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

 

 

We recently moved into a new home. Due to time constraints on all sides, we moved in before our renovations had been completed.

Nearly three weeks later, we still have no master bath or kitchen.

I fell off a ladder; our dining room light crashed in the middle of the night; a hammer fell off the top of a ladder when my husband was moving it, hitting him in the head. And so the saga, began…

Some days I am stressed out and ask God, “Why?” and other days I remember that He has blessed us with a beautiful desert home that is tranquil and serene—or will be!!

This verse from Habakkuk has encouraged me, in the past, when financial times were hard. Now, it speaks to the difficulties of our move. (Who says the Bible isn’t applicable to modern day circumstances?)

So, though I have no master bathtub or shower, though the kitchen granite doesn’t match at the seam lines and needs to be redone, though our king size bed didn’t fit in the new bedroom and we’ve slept on a mattress on the floor for several weeks, though the plumber suspended his work in the bathroom to go on vacation, and the tile guy is in the hospital with kidney stones, though I am washing dishes in the bathroom sink and have no stove or water in the kitchen, I will rejoice in God my Savior who protects us and blesses us with many good restaurants nearby, kind friends to help, and the promise of a vacation for ourselves some time this summer…

 

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May 10

Can You Keep A Secret?

by Brenda Poulos

Ecclesiastes 12:14– For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

 

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He hedged when she asked him where he’d been.

He passed by the cubicle next to his own, hesitating when he saw a twenty dollar bill laying on the desk. He looked to see if anyone was around before he slipped it into his pocket.

She pulled up to the drive-in window at the fast food restaurant, ordering two meals. One for herself, and one for the man at the corner with a sign stating, “HUNGRY. PLEASE HELP.”

Things done in secret.

No one might ever know…

But, the Bible tells us that God sees everything. He punishes the wicked and rewards the good.

It may seem to you that the small gestures you make in the behalf of others goes unnoticed, but God’s Word says he will reward those kindnesses when you stand before His throne.

Likewise, those who think they have gotten away with certain behaviors on earth, will find that is not the case.

God sees everything.

For those serving others, sometimes to the point of exhaustion, be of good cheer. Your God sees and He is pleased with you. There will come a day when He will openly reward what you have done for others.

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Apr 24

The Gate

by Brenda Poulos

John 14:6- “I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

I rummage around in the console of my car for the remote control. One push of the button and the gate slowly opens, admitting me to the neighborhood.  Whether operating by a gate code, a special sticker on the car’s front window, or a “clicker”, I’m sure those of you living in gated communities understand if I confess that I still sigh with relief when the gate “recognizes” me and swings wide, granting access to my home.

I am speaking about my earthly home, of course.

But, what about my heavenly home? 25529773694_403d73b5bd

Is it true that some will be admitted to heaven, while others will be turned away?

According to this verse from the book of John, the only access to God and heaven comes through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christians find peace for their souls and reassurance of eternal life in heaven as they trust Jesus as Savior.

My heart aches for those who have not put their trust in Christ—those who will be turned away at the gate.

Don’t read this and think, “I’m a good person. Surely, God isn’t speaking about me.”

The Bible says that God is not a “respecter of persons.”  His laws apply to everyone, no matter their age, nationality, or earthly notoriety.

You may be beautiful in the eyes of the world. You may be smart, generous, and kind to others. You may be a hard worker, a good son or daughter, but if God cannot look at you and see his Son, then you will be left standing alone outside the gate.

YOU are the very reason I write this blog each week.

I pray that you will consider John 14:6 and that, in Christ, you will find the way to your eternal home.

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Apr 18

Tie A String Around Your Finger

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 2:4– Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

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Last week, my grandson told me about an upcoming baseball game he’d like me to attend. He said to make sure I didn’t forget.  In response, I found myself answering, “I guess I’ll just have to tie a string around my finger.”

He had a good laugh at that one, but there really was a time—back in the “olden days” when we actually did use that as a method of reminding ourselves about important commitments.

Nowadays, we have alarm clocks, daily planners, smart watches, and computers that are capable of reminding us of everything from dental appointments to the expiration dates on coupons.

To be sure, there are a lot of things we need to remember. And, with so many of them competing with each other, we often put off doing the things that should be the most important to us.

Nothing is more important to me than my relationship with Jesus Christ. Yet, spending time in reading God’s Word and in prayer are sometimes pushed aside to make room for things that have no eternal value—things that seem so important at the time, but really are nothing more than meaningless clutter in an already-busy life.

Jesus asks us to remember (along with the church at Ephesus to which the letter, above, was written) that He is to be our “first love.” And, because of that, it is only fitting that we “…remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8); “…remember His marvelous works…His wonders…” (Psalm 105:5); “…Remember(ing) without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…” (I Thessalonians 1:30); and “Remember that Jesus Christ the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to (the) gospel (2 Timothy 2:8).

In order to nurture a relationship with Christ, we need to spend time with Him. Some Christians receive emails containing daily devotions. A long-time friend of mine blocks off an hour in her planner each day for prayer and Bible Study. Still another, sets the alarm on his watch for the last ten minutes of every hour to be spent in prayer for others.

Do you desire to spend more time with The Lord?

Try tying a string around your finger…

 

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Apr 11

Frustration or Blessing?

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 22:17-21

17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius.20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

 

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Taxes.

Hard to believe it is almost time to file.

After an appointment with our accountant, we learned that we owe—again.

How can that be?

Every year?

Seriously?

My husband relates that his coworkers get refunds…repeatedly… tax season after tax season.

Do they know something we don’t?

“Make quarterly payments,” our accountant replies.

It’s not like we don’t have mortgage and charitable deductions.

It’s not like we rely on our own expertise in filing.

Even in Jesus’s time, questions regarding taxes were front and foremost.

This year, instead of shaking our heads in disbelief or giving into the frustrations associated with taxes, we have chosen to count our blessings and be thankful for the abundance with which God has blessed us…

April 15…

A day to count our blessings.

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Apr 3

There’s Got to be a Word…

by Brenda Poulos

I John 4:9- “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

 

When I was a young girl growing up, Saturday mornings at our house were designated for cleaning. My favorite chore was dusting. I was able to close my bedroom door and put my favorite 45’s on the record player while tidying up.

One of my favorite songs was “There’s Got To Be A Word” (that means more than “love”). This was a romantic tune that tugged at the heart of every teenage girl in the 60’s. But, as I reminisce of days gone by, I wonder if there might really be a word that does mean more than love, or deepens its meaning, shows love in action…

Babe in a Manger  (oops, more than one)

Cross

Immanuel

Nails

Messiah

Resurrection

Savior

Forgiveness

Adoption as Sons (sometimes just one word won’t do)

Mercy

Grace

Jesus

 

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Mar 28

The Cross of Christ

by Brenda Poulos

I Corinthians 1:18- “The message of the cross is the Power of God.”   6298781578_b3e7278622

I wear a cross necklace. I rarely take it off. It is a daily reminder to me that Jesus died for my sins.

It is not an amulet. It does not protect me against evil, danger, or disease. It is a symbol of God’s great love for me.

I see crosses on walls in churches and homes. I see them on car windows and tattooed on arms. I see them on rings, bracelets, earrings.

Some are made out of stained glass, some are cast in silver, some made out of barn wood, some even tooled onto leather headbands and wristbands.

I would like to think that the cross is more than a fashion icon, room decor, or body art.

I would like to.

I would also like to think that everyone knows the real meaning of Easter.

I would like to think that everyone has heard the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I would like to.

But, just in case…

The story is a simple one, really.

A story about how God—because of His great love—left Heaven to be born of a virgin and live among men. How, according to His plan and purpose, He allowed men to take his life.

He became the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. He gave himself—shed His perfect blood—to make it possible for us to live with Him in heaven for all eternity.

It had to be this way. Because there was no other way.

Because perfect love didn’t say, “I won’t.”

Because perfect love said, “I will.”

The cross?

Its message is the Power of God unto salvation for all who will believe.

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Mar 20

A Free Gift for You

by Brenda Poulos

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Luke 3:22- “… and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

 

From her hospital bed, Lois opens a card with a familiar picture of a white dove on the front. The very sight of it warms her heart and reminds her of the peace of God.

Jenny pulls into the parking lot of a hospice thrift shop. She notices a familiar dove symbol on the sign as she enters the building.

Bill buys his wife a new Bible for her birthday. He has her name inscribed onto the leather cover, choosing the symbol of a dove to accent the beautiful printing.

What is it about the dove that makes it a popular symbol among Christians?

Two prominent stories in the Bible involve the dove. One is about the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descending upon him as a dove.

In Genesis 8, Noah released a dove after the flood. When the bird returned to him, it had an olive leaf in its mouth, letting Noah know there was dry land nearby. Many commentaries consider this as marking the end of God’s judgment and the beginning of a new covenant with man.

What is this “new covenant?” Jesus explained at his last Passover meal that his blood would be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28). By this, he was affirming that his death and resurrection was the means by which he would bring salvation to all who would believe.

No more would the offering of animal sacrifices be required to cover their sins, a ritual that required repetition on a daily basis. Instead, Jesus would shed his perfect blood once—for all.

A free gift for all who would believe in the Son of God for the forgiveness of sins.

Not because of righteous things that we might do, but because of His great mercy.

He loved us. He gave himself for us.

That we might have eternal life.

May the Holy Spirit descend on you, like a dove, declaring to you the good news of His salvation and the truth of the gospel…

For this reason, He endured the Cross.

 

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Mar 13

How Will They Know We Are Christians?

by Brenda Poulos

John 13:35- “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”      What-Is-The-Meaning-Of-The-Christian-Fish-Symbol

 

A horseshoe, a four-lear clover, and a wishbone. Each symbolizes good luck.

Manufacturers have unique symbols for their products, whether they be cars, shoes, clothing, or eyeglasses.

Sports teams and schools choose mascots to make themselves more recognizable to the public and to build team/school spirit.

Traffic signs utilize symbols to help drivers become instantly aware of the rules of the road, especially those involving emergencies/warnings.

One interesting symbol Christians sometimes use is that of the fish, often seen on fenders, jewelry, and stationary.

The use of the fish symbol by Christians began in the early days of Christianity. Since Christians were often put to death for practicing their faith, they often worshiped in secret places.

A fish painted on the outside door of a house let Christians know that they would be safe and welcome inside. It was also used as a Christian greeting. Upon meeting someone new, a believer would draw half of the fish symbol in the dirt and the other person (if a Christian) would complete the other half of the symbol, thus revealing himself or herself as a Christian.

However, if the other person did not recognize what was being drawn, he was most likely a non-believer. Thus, the believers’s religious beliefs remained hidden.

Today, the Christian fish symbol is often used to identify Christians and/or Christian businesses. Free from persecution, at least here in the United States, the fish symbol is proudly displayed for all to see.

Jesus tells us that it is not symbols, elaborate robes, or showy prayers that should identify Christians to the world.

He wants us to show love and understanding to each other… to grant others the same mercy and grace he extended to us.

They will know we are Christians by our love.

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