spiritualsnippets.com

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

May 18

24/7

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 139:8- (David says of God) “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”

My husband and I enjoy doing things with friends and family. Since our weekday evenings are generally filled with meetings and other obligations, we try to use our weekends to schedule time for eating out, movies, and having friends over.

Whether we use a scheduling system on our cell phones or an “old-fashioned” calendar, it is just a sign of the times that we are all very busy and need to keep track of our activities.

You wouldn’t think it would be so difficult to come up with workable dates for everyone in a group, but even when we plan things a month or two in advance, somehow we still run into scheduling problems or something comes up at the last minute which necessitates changing the date or time.

Even though we think we are busy, God must be even busier. Think about all of the prayers He must listen to—and act on—in just one given day! How about all of the world events, weather, planets, etcetera that are in His control?

And, yet, the Bible tells us that He wants to spend time with us each day! But, there are millions of us. How can He possibly do this when I have difficulty even getting the schedules of four friends to mesh?

His Word tells us that He is omnipresent (present in all places at all times) and omniscient (knows everything and his knowledge is complete). This makes it possible for Him to listen to my prayer at the same time He offers peace to earthquake victims and comforts the parents of a lost child. He doesn’t have to consult His calendar if you and I decide to pray at the same time or if catastrophes happen, simultaneously, around the globe.

He wants us to spend time with us and He’s available 24/7. Whenever we call on Him, He’ll be with us—on any given day, at any hour of the day or night.

He is able to meet with us at a moment’s notice. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.

Brenda

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May 11

Happy Mother’s Day!

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 78:4- “…tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”

When a woman gives birth to a baby, she may become a mother by definition, but in my opinion it is those things she does after the birth that make her a real mother.

The jobs she does and the roles she plays are endless: she nurtures her children, provides for their physical needs, protects them, admonishes them, feeds them,  teaches them, and prays for them—just to name a few.

According to the Bible, one of the most important things a mother does is to help her husband with the spiritual training of their children. Both parents are to “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6); and “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.(Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

It takes time, patience, and perseverance to be a mother. It takes knowing that this role is one held in highest esteem by our heavenly Father. We may be employed outside of the home, but it is our role as mothers that is our highest calling here on earth. It is as we model what God expects of us as mothers, that our own daughters will grow up to do the same. And, likewise generations after them.

We set aside a special day of each year to honor mothers, as well we should.

However, long after the box of chocolates has been eaten, days after the flowers have wilted, mothers will be back at work taking care of their families.

Whoever said “A mother’s work is never done” was right. But those of us who truly enjoy motherhood can honestly say that it is the little things of everyday life that bring us the most joy: the smiles on their faces as they eat a homemade chocolate chip cookie, the warmth of their bodies as they snuggle close for a bedtime story, and the hugs they shower on us, unexpectedly, for no special reason at all.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Brenda

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May 4

Will He Call Your Name?

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 21:27- Nothing impure will ever enter it (heaven) , nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The National Football League held their yearly drafting of eligible football players last Thursday night. It is the NFL’s most common source of player recruitment. Each team is given a position in the drafting order and can use it to select a player, trade their position, or in several other options.

Currently consisting of seven rounds, the first player chosen is most likely given the highest paying contract, reflecting the fact that he is the most sought after player and deemed the one with the most potential.

Just imagine what it must have been like for these young men to learn that they were in the draft and for them to sit, waiting on Thursday night, to hear their names called—to be chosen for the coming season by a prestigious NFL team.

Some of you may be able to identify with their emotions because you, too, may have waited—or may be currently waiting—to hear if you have been selected as the chairperson of a committee, if your painting received the blue ribbon, if your book or song will get major recognition, if your recipe is voted as the most delicious, and so on.

I recall a song they used to sing quite often in church when I was a child. It was called “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder (I’ll Be There)” This, of course, refers to the fact that Jesus will open the Book of Life in heaven and present the names written there to God. As Christians, I’m sure that none of us can imagine a list we would rather be on!

So, how does one get their name written in this Book of Life? Pay a fee? Perform an unusual feat? Help society in some way? Follow on the coat tails of ancestors?

What if I told you there is NOTHING you can do? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Why?

Someone already did it for you. All you need to do is acknowledge the gift and follow the giver. It is so simple; yet, millions will miss it.

You see, prior to Jesus dying on the cross, God had a system of laws in place. Those who broke the law were to use a sacrificial system, requiring the blood of animals to “cover” each individual’s sin. The problem was, they had to keep sacrificing because—you guess it—they kept sinning. Thus began a vicious sin-sacrifice cycle.

When God gave his son, Jesus, as the only perfect sacrifice for man’s sins, He did away with the prior sacrificial system once and for all because sins were not just covered—they were forgiven.

Jesus was able to end the sin-sacrifice cycle because His blood—and only his blood—wasn’t tainted by sin. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23-25 “ “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith by all who believe.

So, that is our part in the story of forgiveness. We must confess our sins and receive our new life in Christ by putting our faith in Him. We read in 1John 1:9 that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

So you see, our sin is a barrier to the relationship God wants to have with us—so much so that He was willing to sacrifice his own Son for us. On the third day, God raised him up in victory over sin and death. Our part is to put our faith in Jesus. When we do, we will not only have our sins forgiven and lead a life on earth that is in relationship with our Heavenly Father, but we will be assured of eternal life in heaven, as well!

When the Book of Life is opened, will He call your name?

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Apr 27

“A Life Yielded To A Greater Calling”

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 12:1- (From The Message) So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. 

This weekend, in Tempe Arizona, The 11th Annual Pat’s Run was attended and supported by thousands of people from the United States. The 4.2 Mile Run/Walk, sponsored by the Tillman Foundation, was established in 2004 after Pat Tillman was killed serving in the US Army in Afghanistan. The foundation now raises money for educational scholarships for military veterans and their families.

What has caught the attention of so many, is that Pat put his career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Dave McGinnis, former Arizona Cardinals head coach is quoted on the foundation’s website as saying about Pat’s sacrifice, “He proudly walked away from a career in football to a greater calling.”

As Christians, Jesus calls us to sacrifice our time, talents, skills, money—and yes, sometimes even our lives—for the sake of the gospel. In all reality, there may be another way you’d like to spend your money, rather than tithe it to your church or donate it to a charity. You may have a cruise planned, but God may prompt you to spend your two-week vacation building homes for the disadvantaged or volunteering at a local shelter. You may have been saving for a destination wedding or a family reunion, but the Holy Spirit may lead you to leave your personal dream behind and follow His call to a small village in Africa and adopt a homeless child.

Living sacrifices are those we make when we take our focus off of ourselves and what we want, placing our desires in the hands of Jesus who is able to use our gifts for His eternal purposes. We find that when we say yes to His call on our lives will will reap blessings beyond measure. As we act in obedience to His Word, we will grow in our relationship with Him. We will begin to see the world as He sees it. We will begin to live a life that is beyond ourselves—a life that truly can reach around the world and touch lives we would never have dreamed possible.

A life yielded to a greater calling.

Brenda

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Apr 19

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

by Brenda Poulos

Mark 16:15- He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Our dear Pastor Bob went to heaven Friday afternoon. This is a trip he was planning for quite some time. In fact, ever since he came to know Jesus as Savior and Lord, he had the assurance he would someday see Him face to face.

Pastor Bob took seriously the Great Commission. Everywhere he went—including the hospital where he had testing and Chemo—he never missed an opportunity to share the gospel with others. Pastor Bob was all about sharing the love of Christ with a hurting world. In everything he did, he pointed the way to Jesus.

He was all about relationships and building strong ties with everyone he could. He knew that if others could sense his real concern for them, they would listen to the message he shared with so many.

In a sermon a couple of weeks ago, Pastor Ben (another of our pastors at Grace Church in Mesa, Arizona) told us that only 5% of Arizonian’s attend church. That leaves 95% who potentially have never heard the gospel.That’s a staggering statistic!

Now just to be clear, I am not saying that going to church will assure a person of a home in heaven once they pass from this life into the next. In fact, the Bible declares that only those who put their faith in Jesus as Savior will enjoy eternal life with Him. That’s the message Jesus asks every believer to share. That’s the message that Pastor Bob passed along and that is the reason that he will hear these words when he stands before the heavenly throne, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

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Apr 13

Is God Still God?

by Brenda Poulos

Mark 8:27-29 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?”he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

Last week, a national television morning show posed this question to viewers: Who Do You Say Jesus is Today? All week long, correspondents polled various groups of people, sharing their thoughts with the viewing public.

Responses were varied and included: a great humanitarian, the only person to live a perfect life, a famous charismatic figure, a historical guru, the Son of God, and so on. People who lived when Jesus was on earth showed similar responses. But, Peter got it right. Jesus was the Messiah the world had been waiting for.

First of all, we need to remember that Jesus IS God. He came to earth in human form, lived a sinless life, and died for the sins of mankind. Secondly, God declares in the Bible that He is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) So, no matter what man might think, what opinions man might have centuries later, the fact remains that He hasn’t changed. He is still God—and He always will be God.

What does this mean for us? It means that we can always count on his Word being true because it, also, is unchangeable. What it declares as good and pleasing to God will remain so. What it declares as sin will not change with the whims of society. The sins committed today remain sins in God’s eyes, even though our culture may declare them to be otherwise.

It is disheartening for Christians around the world to see how our world is changing. Many of the norms and values that we used to hold as a society, are nothing but vague memories.

We must let our voices be heard in social media, in the voting booth, in town hall meetings. And, while the results of elections and the enactment of laws may not be what we would want, we can take great comfort in knowing that our future is in the hands of our changeless God—our God who has the power to use the unpleasant things in this life to bring about His ultimate purpose and glory.

Brenda

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Apr 5

Believe!

by Brenda Poulos

John 20:31- “These words are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

One minute I was baking cookies for my grandsons’ school, and the next I was transfixed in front of the television watching the local breaking news. A horrific roll-over accident had taken place only a few miles from my house. Twisted metal and shattered glass littered the highway. Two ambulances, a firetruck, and five police cars were on the scene. Traffic was stopped in all directions. Fatalities were a certainty as onlookers stared with tear-stained faces.

A sudden acrid smell brought me back to the reality of my kitchen. I turned away from the television and rushed to pull charbroiled cookies from the oven.

An hour later, I decided to look for an update on the crash on the midday news. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw an injured man on a stretcher give a thumbs-up to the camera. No. It couldn’t be! Had someone actually lived through that dreadful accident? I just couldn’t believe it!

I could identify with how the disciples must have felt when the women rushed in with the news that Jesus was alive. He had told them what would happen, but they stared in disbelief. Even after they saw Him face to face, they had a hard time, at first, comprehending the miracle that had taken place. Jesus was alive!

If you are already a believer, today is a day for celebration because through His resurrection He bought for us eternal life. If you have not yet found faith in Christ, please take time today to read the accounts of His death and resurrection found in the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Ask God to reveal the truth of the scriptures to you and join us in celebrating our risen Lord!

Brenda

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Mar 30

The Cup

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 22:42 (NIV) “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

From the standpoint of a human being, the prayer Jesus prayed in the garden prior to His crucifixion was very understandable. He knew the pain and anguish He was about to suffer. He prayed that God would spare Him.

What about you? Have you ever prayed that God would spare you from some physical illness, uncomfortable confrontation, or punishment of some kind?

Maybe the pain or embarrassment was just too much to bear, so you asked God to somehow change or correct the situation so that you wouldn’t have to endure it. But, had you considered that there might be some good that might come out of your suffering? That maybe God would use its outcome for your best interest or to teach someone else as they listen to your story?

Jesus knew that it would only be by His death and resurrection that God’s plan of redemption for mankind could take place. He prayed that He would not have to drink of the cup God had prepared for him, but He also knew that we needed to be forgiven—made right with God—so He deferred to God’s will.

We each may very well have a cup to drink. Although our life situations may be different, it is only as we bow to God’s will that we can realize the blessing He has for us. He is able to turn your suffering into rejoicing as you come to Him.

Someone’s cup may be the death of a treasured friend. For another, it might be the unfaithfulness of a spouse. Still others may face caring for a child with a terminal illness.

Whatever it is, we can know this: our Savior knows our pain. He loves us so much that He drank the cup of crucifixion for us. But the good news is that God turned His suffering into rejoicing as He raised Him from the grave, victorious over death.

As God turned Jesus’ cup into the salvation for all men who will come to Him, He is fully capable of turning your cup into something good for you and those you love.

Brenda

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Mar 23

Who Has Seen the Wind?

by Brenda Poulos

Hebrews 11:1– Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

I can still remember the words to a poem my class recited at Parent’s Day when I was in the first grade:

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you, nor I.

But when the trees bow down their heads

The wind is passing by.

The wind chimes on my patio are ringing loudly this afternoon, leaves are falling from the trees, and my hair looks like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket. I cannot see it, but I know the wind is to blame.

I can’t see God either, but I know he is here. He lets me know with each sunrise, each rainbow, each sunset. I see his message to me in the stars, the laughter of a child, the wrinkles on my mother’s face.

But there’s more. He speaks to me as I pray and as I read his Word. He is not only here, but he is active as he works the things of this earthly life together for my good.

His Word tells me that He is here and, by faith, I believe this to be true. What is faith? It is believing in someone or something even though we cannot see it with our eyes. But, wait, more good news: God’s Word tells us that one day our faith with turn into sight!

So, will we be able to see the wind? Maybe. Maybe not.

But what He is talking about is the fact that we believe in God now, by faith, because we do not see Him with our human eyes. He promises that there will come a day when we will see Him face to face. What was once faith, will then become sight.

He who was invisible will become visible. Our eyes will be opened and we will see Him in Heaven as he is: our glorious and Holy Lord.

Brenda

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Mar 16

Lost and Found

by Brenda Poulos

Jeremiah 29:13- You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Some years ago, a friend of mine told me a heartbreaking story. Her daughter and boyfriend had put an ad in the paper, hoping to sell a car. A person from a city about two hours away from them answered the ad, asking that they deliver the car to him, personally, the following weekend. The young couple drove to meet with the prospective buyer, never to be heard from again.

I could hear the anguish in my friend’s voice and I saw the pain on her face as she told of the many years of searching that followed, the sleepless nights, the tears shed. Where could they be? What could have happened?

Finally, a few weeks ago—after thirteen years—the police notified my friends that they believe they have found the person(s) responsible for this crime. As parents, their pain is still overwhelming but they are relieved to have some answers and a measure of closure.

What must it be like to search for a missing child or family member? What happens when hope wains? What is it like to expend energy day after day handing out flyers, searching the streets—the countryside—with no real guarantee of finding a loved one?

Fortunately, God’s Word promises that everyone who seeks Him will find Him. Prayer and reading the scriptures—the Bible—are the places to start. Begin with the book of John. Ask God to help you understand the meaning of His words. Ask a Christian friend to walk alongside you as you begin your search. Find a church that teaches the Word of God and begin attending regularly. Let God speak to you through the songs and the teaching. Talk to the Pastor.

Seek God. You won’t spend years and years of searching, ending in disappointment. You can know God today.

I’m praying for you!

Brenda

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