spiritualsnippets.com

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

Mar 3

Do You Feel Powerless? Hopeless?

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 68:35b- “The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.”

Due to a powerful storm, our electricity was “off” most of the day. Not only did it make our vision difficult, without heat we were COLD. We could not cook, but luckily my husband is a snacker. That night we filled our stomachs with not-so-nutritious things to eat.

In church we had been talking about our all-powerful God, so the subject was already on my mind. What would my life be like if I no longer had His power to tap into?

Many times throughout the week, I experience His power in my life. Often, it is in response to prayer. Without knowing He would be there for me in difficult circumstances, without the assurance of Him being “in charge” of what is happening in the world, I would have no hope.

Is that how unbelievers must feel at times? Powerless. Hopeless?

Just knowing that, makes me want to share His Good News even more. How about you?

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Feb 25

A “Jesus Experience”

by Brenda Poulos

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

Last week I got a phone call from a friend who has spent the better part of seven decades in denial that Jesus exists. She told me, through many tears, that she had a “Jesus Experience” and now knows that Jesus is real.

You can guess at my rejoicing (I told her the angels in heaven rejoice when sinners come to salvation.) She said she had not yet been born again. She is simply acknowledging that Jesus is real. “Perhaps I will come to believe in him as my Savior. The jury is still out on that one.”

I am looking forward to meeting with her next week, hearing the story of her “Jesus experience,” and sharing the gospel with her. I praise God that she has taken the first step. 

Please pray that she will accept Jesus as the “way, the truth, and the life” and have an even greater experience when she becomes a child of God!

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Feb 18

Perfect Love

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 8:38, 39- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Since this is Valentine’s week, I can think of no truer love to talk about than the love that God sent to us in the form of his son. No truer love than that which sent Jesus to the cross to die for our sins.

The Bible tells us that God IS love. He is the very essence of love.

As human beings, our minds and actions are motivated—at times—by so many emotions: sadness, jealousy, hate, kindness, empathy, anger, and so on. It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to have love be our only motivation.

Many people spend much of their time serving others, volunteering, donating money, and so on. These unselfish acts of human kindness are hard for some of us to fathom. Even more so, would be the giving of one’s life for another. 

I remember the awe I experienced as a youngster when I heard of Jesus’s love for me. I still am filled with wonder and amazement when I contemplate the depth of His love—his perfect love for all of us.

Let’s send God a valentine today. A prayer of gratefulness for His perfect and undying love!

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Feb 11

Take the First Step

by Brenda Poulos

Zechariah 4:10a: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” 

“I’m a failure,” Barbara’s son yelled out as he came through the door.
She ran from the kitchen, a spatula in her hand. “Sammy, what’s this all about?”

“I’m going to get an “F” in science. My experiment didn’t work.”

“We’ll ask Dad to help when he gets home. But I want you to know that a person is only a failure if he doesn’t try. You’ve worked hard on your project. You’re not a failure.”

Barbara might not have known it, but she was teaching Sammy a Biblical truth. The verse above demonstrates how God feels about people who put forth effort.

What in your life are you wanting to accomplish? What behavior are you wanting to change? What would you like to learn? 

Today, remember that the Lord is pleased when you take that first step.

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Feb 4

“Come, Follow Me”

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 19-20: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.”

I thought of my grandson when I read this verse. He graduated mid-year from high school and was struggling to know what to pursue in his life. (As you know, some kids follow their dreams from grade school on up. Others don’t have a clear idea of what they’d like to do until they are in college!)

When talking to his coach, he was encouraged to pray about a direction for his life. In addition, he gave my grandson some pamphlets about Christian colleges, and so on.

One of them caught his eye. It was WYAM and The University of Nations. Within less than a month, he’d signed up and flown to a training base in Kona. Now, he is preparing his heart, mind, and soul for service to others.

Our grandson is becoming a modern day “fisher of men.” 

His communications with us tell of learning from scripture and drawing close to the Lord. His joy is overflowing and we couldn’t be happier that he is following God’s leading for his life.

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Jan 28

The Meanings of 666 and 777

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 13:16-18. “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”

Recently, someone asked me the significance of the numbers 666 and 777.

If you’ve ever wondered about these, keep reading.

The number 666, commonly known as the Mark of the Beast, serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God and following a path of sin and rebellion.

It is a reference to the end times (and many Bible scholars believe we are now living in that period of time) and the coming of the Antichrist who will lead a rebellion against God before the final judgment. He will require all people to take his mark. Those who don’t will not be able to buy or sell goods, among other things. 

Remember, 666 is man-centered… God-denying. It means  “never God, never God, never God,” whereas 777 is the divine number of God.

Triple sevens in scripture show something that has been divinely ordained is being perfectly fulfilled.

The number 7 has been significant throughout the Bible: God rested on the 7th day; the apostle John describes seven churches and seven spirits before God’s throne in Revelation 1:4; 777 is the number of the perfect Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the number emphasizes the importance of God’s work being completed perfectly in our world.

The message? Refuse the mark and stand up for God. Heaven is your reward.

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Jan 21

Worth the Wait

by Brenda Poulos

Hebrews 6:15- “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”

Have you ever prayed fervently for something and—as yet—not have it come to pass?

Jen prayed that the “right” man would come along. For years, she prayed. But nothing happened.

Fast forward twenty-five years.

Jen connected with a nice man at her high school class reunion. They dated for awhile, but he ended up marrying someone else.

Ten more years went by.

Now retired, Jen became a volunteer at the county library where she met Hank. A nice guy. Funny and caring. Everything she’d hoped for—and more.

They married January 4, 2024.

When asked if he was worth waiting for, she answered an enthusiastic, yes!

God had answered both of their prayers—as he had been praying, too!!!

Like Abraham, Joseph, David, and Simeon, we find that waiting on God’s answers to prayer requires patience and faith. These men of the Bible persevered and trusted in God’s perfect timing even though they didn’t understand the wait.

The Lord’s plans for our lives are good. Patient waiting refines our character and glorifies God.

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Jan 14

The Most Excellent Way

by Brenda Poulos

John 8:12- “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

When I get up in the middle of the night, I often trail my hands along the wall so I won’t wake up anyone by turning on the light. However, I have been known to stub my toe or bang my elbow because I cannot see clearly.

Light can refer to seeing with one’s eyes. However, light can also refer to understanding something or someone. 

Jesus promises us that He will be our light, leading us perfectly in every situation—if we will only follow Him. He will show us the “most excellent way.”

I remember a song I dearly loved to sing as a teenager, “The Light of the World is Jesus… come to the light, ’tis shining for thee… “

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Jan 7

Don’t Worry; Be Happy!

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 12:25- “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

There are lots of reasons to worry. I’m sure you could make a list of at least a dozen things in your life—or of your family’s or friends’ lives—that would be legitimate causes for worry. However, as Christians, we understand that worrying about something doesn’t solve the problem.

We also know that prayer changes things.

And, I also know that what we usually worry about is not real. It’s how we choose to see things.

We need to change how we see them (our attitudes) and turn those mountains into molehills (as my grandmother used to say).

Remember these sayings?

Let go; and let God.

Look on the bright side.

Walk on the sunny side of the street.

Let a smile be your umbrella.

Don’t worry; be happy!

Let’s put our worries at God’s feet in prayer. And, with praise and Thanksgiving for all He has given us, let’s allow His peace and power to work in our lives.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Dec 31

The Year of Preparation

by Brenda Poulos

1 Peter 3:15- “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”

NBC put together a tribute to fifty-three celebrities and public figures who died in 2023. Complete with music by famous singers and songwriters, the video lasted about five minutes.

There were hundreds who lost their lives in combat, car wrecks, shootings, accidents, and disease this year, also.

In 2023, suicides were the highest they’ve ever been.

A new television commercial came out just last week, asking viewers if they were sure they’d go to Heaven when they died. It offered a phone number to call if they’d like to talk to someone.

As Christians, we need to ask ourselves how we would answer that question if someone asked us why we have the assurance of going to Heaven when we die. Can we confidently lead someone to the Lord? Can we explain why we place our belief in God’s Holy Word? Can we help someone pray the Sinner’s Prayer? 

As the “End Times” loom closer on the horizon, I feel the urgency of leading others to Christ. The Bible tells us to be ready when the Lord returns. I believe part of that is helping ready our friends and neighbors.

Will you join me and make 2024 the year of preparation?

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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