spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jul 26

The Torn Veil

by Brenda Poulos

 

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

 

With movie theaters closed, many of us are watching movies at home on our televisions. Some are new releases. Some are old classics.

One such well-known movie is The Godfather.

The screenwriter used a number of ways to build the character’s (Vito Corleone, the crime boss and head of the “family”) importance.

One of them was to show that Vito was inaccessible but to only a few select people. Those who wanted to talk with him,  had to go through an enforcer, first—each and every time.

I thought about this as I read my morning devotional and spent time in prayer with God.

Amazing as it is, The God of the universe is totally accessible to Christians.

There is no title we must have. No secret knock. No certain time of day that He is to be approached.

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the Temple was torn. Access to the Holy of Holies was given to believers.

We don’t need to go through an intercessor, or enforcer. We can talk with Him anytime we’d like. 

Because once we come to the Father through Jesus Christ, His forgiveness of our sins makes a relationship with Him possible.

 

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Jul 19

Are You a Sheep Without a Shepherd?

by Brenda Poulos

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Numbers 27:17b- “… the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

 

A few weeks ago, at a neighborhood Bible Study, we talked about our Lord, as the Good Shepherd.

Last week, my sister gave me a short book about the Twenty-Third Psalm.

Yesterday, I hung a print on my office wall, depicting Jesus carrying a lamb on His shoulders.

“God,” I said, “are you trying to tell me something?”

Isn’t that the course things often take?

The first time something happens:  Hmm.

The second time: Wow!

The third occurrence: “Okay, God. You’ve got my attention.”

So, I asked what God wanted me to learn about sheep.

Did I have something in common with them that He wanted me to see?

They have poor eyesight and are timid, fearful creatures. They need a shepherd to lead them.

I was beginning to get fearful of losing my parents while unable to spend time with them in the nursing home.

His message to me?

“I am the Good Shepherd. Let me lead you, as my sheep. Don’t be concerned with what is going on around you. My eyesight is perfect. I see what lies ahead. Keep following me and I will get you through.”

Have you become fearful of what life holds for you during these uncertain times?

Together, let’s follow the Good Shepherd.

 

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Jul 12

If We Only Ask

by Brenda Poulos

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I Timothy 2:8- “Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”

 

With a deep sigh, I turn off the television and head down the dark hall to the bedroom. I drop into my comfortable reading chair, place my elbows on my knees, and rest my head in my hands.

“Lord, so many people are hungry and out of work. So many are protesting…rioting…looting. Violence is all around. And, then there’s the virus. Thousands are ill… dying. What do you want to happen? What do you want Christians to do?”

PRAY

“Sure. Okay. But—”

PRAY

I pick up my Bible and turn to I Timothy.

There it is, confirmed by the scriptures. 

God doesn’t want us to be angry or get frustrated or depressed.

He simply wants us to do the obvious…

What he has taught us to do.

He will take care of us… the world…

He will show His might and power.

If we only but ask.

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Jul 5

Can the Coronavirus Be a Blessing?

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Colossians 4:3- “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

 

Can the coronavirus be a blessing?

Stop and think about it. Is this such an outrageous idea?

It came from two sources, just yesterday.

First, my grandson had hernia surgery. Then, a dear friend had surgery for a broken elbow.

Due to the coronavirus, only one family member (or none, in some cases) is allowed in the hospital waiting room when another family member is having surgery. This makes for a lonely, stressful experience for everyone involved.

My daughter sat in the waiting room nearby a woman whose infant daughter was also in surgery. The child, unfortunately, didn’t make it. But, what a wonderful opportunity for my daughter to offer genuine caring and support…to pray…to talk about the Lord.

My friend with the broken elbow was able to talk to several people, patients and hospital personnel alike, during her three-day hospital stay. She provided Christian tracts from the always well-stocked supply in her purse. These people were eager for the support and caring of a fellow patient. 

Even in these times of chaos and uncertainty, God opens many doors for the gospel to be shared with others. All we need to do is proclaim it to a world that is open to receiving The Word as never before.

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Jun 28

Follow the Red Arrows

by Brenda Poulos

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Psalm: 18:32- “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”

 

I was looking forward to shopping at one of my favorite stores this week. I entered the doors, greeted by a masked worker who pointed to the red arrows on the floor and sent me on my way. 

Later, at a new burger and shake shop, there were still more new regulations to follow.

My final stop was at a furniture store where my temperature was taken and I was told to wait in line outside because I hadn’t called ahead for a “personalized” appointment.

Such are life’s changes due to Covid-19.

Reflecting on my day, it seems to me that my new approach to public interaction must be to simply follow the directions of each and every business as they individually try to cope with the “new normal” in their own way.

Directions are intended to keep us safe.

God has our best interests at heart, too. That’s why he gave us His Word.

Unlike us, who are taking it one day at a time and doing our best to comply with new regulations and procedures as they evolve, God sees everything from beginning to end. 

We can trust in His guidance 100% of the time.

Walking according to His direction will keep us safe and secure. 

 

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Jun 21

First Time Father

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Deuteronomy 30:20a: “Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to Him…” 

 

A miracle has taken place in our family. At age forty-four, my son will become a father for the first time.

He will soon experience what it means to have another life dependent upon him for his physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.

There will be joyous days ahead for my son’s little family, but in all reality, there will also be some challenging ones, as well.

He will learn to depend on his Heavenly Father for guidance, while gaining a new appreciation for the many truths in scripture that apply to a father’s role in the life of a child.

There will be times when he will feel overwhelmed in the day-to-day responsibilities and doubt his adequacy as a parent. In those times, I pray he will experience God’s tender mercies and His faithfulness.

Just like so many fathers before him.

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Jun 15

Fix Your Thoughts on What is True

by Brenda Poulos

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Philippians 4:8- “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

 

Unbelievable. All the stuff that is said on social media and newscasts these days.

No wonder people are panicking. Wracked by fear. Uncertainty.

Thoughts dominated by “what-if’s.”

God wants us to be free of doubts, depression, and worries. But just what does He want us to have on our minds? 

Philippians holds the key: replace the negative thoughts with those that are true, right, and good.  

Start looking for that truth in God’s Word. 

Biblical stories teach us Godly principles and truths that apply to people throughout the ages and in all circumstances.

Lean on Him and keep your thoughts on things above.

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Jun 7

Uncompromising Faith

by Brenda Poulos

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Daniel 3: 17, 18- “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

 

A few weeks ago, our pastor focused part of his sermon on the familiar story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  

Because these men stood up for God and what was right, they were thrown into the fiery furnace. God protected them. Not a hair on their heads was singed.

They had faith that God would take care of them, but stated that even if His plan for them was not to be saved, they would still be true to the Living God.

Do you, like many Americans feel you have been experiencing trial by fire? 

Financially, physically, emotionally?

Even spiritually?

It may not happen today—or even next week—but sometime in our lifetimes, we will likely be called upon to stand up for God.

It may be when a negative remark is made in a circle of friends. 

Or, it might be in response to a new law in our country.

Whatever it may be, we must decide NOW what we will do when that time comes.

Will we, like Daniel’s friends, stand up for the one, true and living God—no matter what the outcome?

 

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May 31

Sundowning

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Revelation 21: 23-25 “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.”

 

About five years ago, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Not long after that, we started noticing that she often became confused and suffered from anxiety in the late afternoon and evening.

We were told that this state of confusion, which also may include aggression or ignoring directions, pacing, or wandering is called “Sundowning.”

It is not a disease, but instead a group of symptoms common among people with dementia.

I thought about Mom, yesterday, as I was reading in Revelation about the Holy City, to be established one day here on earth.

Since there will be no night there, Sundowner’s Syndrome will be a thing of the past. In fact, so will anxiety, sadness or any of the emotional or physical ailments we experience in this life.

In the New Jerusalem,  “…all things will be new.”

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May 24

A Red Door in a Field of Corn

by Brenda Poulos

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Luke 11:9- “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

John 4:35b- “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

 

My husband and I were enjoying a road trip throughout the midwest.

We rolled the car windows down and breathed in the fresh air as we drove down a narrow road flanked on both sides with ripening corn.

You can imagine our surprise when up ahead we noticed a door standing in the middle of a field.

Painted red, it stood out like a neon sign.

My husband pulled the car over, letting it idle as we took in the odd sight. “I wonder why someone put a door in the middle of a corn field.”

“It would make a great painting. The kind of art you see in galleries.”

As we drove on, I contemplated the door. Its purpose… Its intended message.

Several scriptures came to mind. And then a smile…

It may have not been the message the farmer intended, but God’s message was there for all to see. He has subtle messages all around us, if we only take time to make the connection.

That’s why I started writing weekly blogs over five years ago. It has brought me closer to God and I hope those of you that have been “following” me have been blessed, too.

Spiritual Snippets: seeing everyday events in the light of God’s Word.

 

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