spiritualsnippets.com

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

Dec 30

What Will the New Year Bring?

by Brenda Poulos

24489665267_368210a56b

 

Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Do you have plans for the New Year?

A much-anticipated trip? The realization of a long-term goal?

Perhaps you are building a new home or beginning to research your ancestry.

Whatever you might be looking forward to or working toward, the beginning of a new calendar year is just what some people need to give them the impetus to get started.

God has plans for us, too.

And, His plans are positive. He wants us to prosper. He wants us to look toward the future with hope.

The kind of hope we have in his son, Jesus—the hope of spending eternity in Heaven because of the forgiveness of sins made possible by his death on the cross.

You can start the New Year by accepting his gift of forgiveness and beginning to live a new life in Christ. And that new life will be the one God has planned for you.

A future full of hope. 

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Dec 23

Merry Christmas, Jesus!

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 2:12- “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 

23429017319_9c42047a76

 

More than 30 years ago, my teacher’s aide, Monica, painted a ceramic replica of the Vargas Kneeling Santa. We have enjoyed displaying it every Christmas since then, especially because it puts the celebration of Christ’s birth in proper perspective.

Recently, my neighbor, Karen, brought me information on just how this remarkable work of art came into existence:

Having pictured in his mind for many years the figure of Santa kneeling by the crib of the Christ Child, Ray Gauer was determined to find an artist who could create such a figurine. Through a series of incredible coincidences, he was led to the studio of Maestro Rudolph Vargas, a renowned wood carver in Los Angeles.

Maestro Vargas, whose religious figures are displayed in churches in many major cities of this country—and also in the Vatican—understood the significance of depicting the two symbols of Christmas in such a unique way. From his original sculpture, molds for casting others were made.

On November 7, 1986, Maestro Vargas died, leaving behind a tremendous volume of work, including paintings and drawings. He also carved furniture, pots and bowls. His life size carving of Christ on the Cross is displayed in the chapel at the Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte, California.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Dec 17

From the Manger to the Cross

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 1:21- “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

4154099868_6a669a0449

 

Have you ever wondered why newborn babies cry when they take their first breath? I think it is because they have just left the nice warm environment of their mother’s womb only to be hung upside down by the heels, face a blast of cold air, and confront the bright lights of the delivery room.

Jesus departed from Heaven where he had been surrounded by adoring angels, experienced love and fellowship with God the Father, and had everything he could ever want. He left a perfect environment, his position as part of the Holy Trinity, and the worship of all the Heavenly beings surrounding the throne.

I think, though he took on earthly form, he still had memory of being in Heaven with God and the Holy Spirit. He knew he was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, but he left that position behind to become one of us in order that he might one day become our Savior.

Now, I’m not a doctor, so there may be a physical reason as to why newborns cry at birth. I’m not a pastor, so theologically I may have taken some license with my description, above. But, I am a Christian. And, by faith this much I know: Jesus came to earth as a babe, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, rose on the third day, and ascended back into Heaven where he now makes intercession for each believer.

For Christians, this Christmas season isn’t just a celebration of the babe in the manger. We look, as he did, toward the cross—because it was there that he did the will of God the Father so we could experience a new birth in Christ. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

1 Comment »
Dec 2

Does Your Marriage Need a Renovation?

by Brenda Poulos

 

6903034428_1fa0cf6877

Ephesians 5: 24-28; 33b “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies…and the wife must respect her husband.”

 

A morning newscast this week gave the results of a recent survey: “The key to a happy marriage is having two separate bathrooms.”

Mutual respect, honesty, and open lines of communication— things I would have thought would top the list—were not even mentioned.

What did God have to say on the subject? I turned to Ephesians. The words submit, love, and respect stood out.

When had those biblical virtues become obsolete and been replaced by things valued by “the world”?

As Christians we must not let love of worldly things keep our eyes off the things of God. We must hold fast to the truths written in the Bible. 

If we don’t, we may fall prey to falsely believing that things like a big bank account, expensive clothes, and fancy vacations are keys to not only personal satisfaction, but also happy marriages. 

And, like the survey, we might someday find ourselves in the midst of a bathroom renovation, when what we really need to do is to seek the answers in God’s Word.

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Nov 25

Are Your Feet Beautiful?

by Brenda Poulos

42405387081_e3b6e23ed8

Romans 10:15b- “As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

 

I am sure you have heard in the last few weeks about missionaries who have been captured and/or killed by the very people that they wanted to reach with the message of Jesus.

They didn’t stay in the comfort of their own homes. They didn’t enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with their friends and loved ones.

They went to a myriad countries around the world to preach the gospel—the Good News—to those who haven’t heard.

They were selfless…obedient…servants of The Most High God.

Some were tortured. Many lost their lives.

The Holy Spirit led. They followed—without regard for their own safety or well-being.

Most of us cannot imagine giving up what they have for the cause of Christ.

Hands serving…feet going…

God calls all Christians to a life of service to others. 

I see it everywhere I look: on street corners and in front of stores, Salvation Army volunteers ring their bells; church members add their gifts to the benevolent fund at church; people donate meals; others mow lawns; still others make blankets for those who are ill or those in need of winter warmth.

We aren’t all called to serve in far off countries. We only need to look around us to find ways of serving in our own communities.

Whether you choose to work in a soup kitchen or a non-profit thrift store; whether you can devote an hour or an entire day; if you are serving others in Jesus’s name, you are acting as His hands and feet here on earth.

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

1 Comment »
Nov 18

Joy In The Midst of Anguish

by Brenda Poulos

40725469800_482ca614de

 

I Thessalonians 5:18- “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

 

Did you read this verse and think, “How can we give thanks in the midst of disasters and death?”

Doesn’t God see the devastation caused by floods, fires, and acts of violence in our country? 

Three things stand out to me:

1. God is asking us to be thankful, not necessarily for the circumstances, but in the midst of them to retain a thankful attitude for what we do have.

2. Giving thanks is not based on our present circumstances.

In giving thanks, we are not denying our current hurts. We are, however, showing our thankfulness for our position in Christ and the joy ahead of us because we have put our faith in Jesus. Faith that his death, burial, and resurrection saves us from our sins and assures our eternal life. 

We focus on the “joy that is set before us”…that deep inner joy that abides in spite of our disappointments and struggles. 

When we lead lives of gratitude and Thanksgiving every day, it will change our whole perspective on life. By focusing on our blessings and sharing what we have with others, we understand the true meaning of thankfulness.

3. And, finally, instead of asking, “Why me?”, we should ask “What for?”  Why does all of this happen? It is ultimately to display the reality of Jesus…to bring glory to God…to accomplish his ultimate will and purpose. 

This season, let’s give thanks in the midst of pain, anguish, and loss, looking ahead to the joy we have in Christ Jesus.

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

1 Comment »
Nov 11

No Requirements

by Brenda Poulos

31146731161_b3c4c066b7

Romans 5:8- “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

Please join the choir. No talent required. 

I was excited to read these words in our church bulletin. Let’s just say that if they’d hold auditions based on talent, I wouldn’t have a chance. 

Oh, I do like to sing along with the car radio, and once in awhile in the shower. I do worship in song from my seat in church.

But, up front and center? Behind a microphone? Oh, no, that would never happen.

Most choirs, I was sure, would never “accept” me. But, the call for new members for the church choir said no one would be refused.

Maybe I would go to that first practice on Wednesday night…

Even though a lot of things in life must be earned, we don’t need to be talented, perfect, or beautiful to be accepted by God. We don’t have to do a certain number of good works or fulfill specific requirements.

Membership in God’s family is “come as you are.” Even though we are sinners, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Nov 4

Identity Crisis

by Brenda Poulos

5897901526_7ef7f0305b

 

Romans 8:15b-17a “…you received the spirit of sonship as God’s adopted children. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are His children, then we are His heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…”

 

As I picked up my online order at the Walmart counter, I was asked to show my driver’s license to verify my identity.

My husband has “Ask for ID” written on the back of his credit cards. 

Passports, birth certificates, fingerprints, passwords on various accounts—all in an effort to assure others that we are who we say we are.

Some people suffer from an identity crisis, unsure of their role in life. They say they don’t know the “real them.”

Our identity here on earth includes more than just our name, age, etc. It is also our values, our beliefs, and our personality…the roles we play in our community and our families.

But, as Christians, our identity is “who we are in Christ.” We have been adopted into God’s family. We are brothers and sisters who are heirs to all that God has, through Christ. As Co-Heirs to the Kingdom of God, we share in all the status, rights, and privileges of His beloved son, Jesus. 

We never have to worry that our identity will ever change or be challenged. Those who have faith in Christ belong to HIM.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Oct 28

Comforting Others

by Brenda Poulos

18190443195_459f4dc878

 

2 Corinthians 1:3,4- “ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

 

“Mama, Mama! I’s hurted,” Randy runs to his mother’s waiting arms with tears streaming down his face.

Jenny picks him up, sets him on the counter and inspects his skinned knee. “It’s going to be all right, son. I’ll wash it off and put on a bandage. You’ll be good as new.”

Comfort.

Arlene fluffs the pillow of an elderly parent.

Tiffany paints a picture for a classmate who has the mumps.

We listen to the troubles of a  dear friend.

Comfort.

It’s part of what we humans are to offer one another in times of trouble.

Just as Jesus was aware of the needs of others and offered them consolation, He teaches us to recognize the hurt around us and comfort others with the love of Christ.

Today, God is asking me to reach out, specifically, to a friend who does not have a relationship with Him. Mourning the loss of someone close to her, she has no hope for the future. 

“Lord,” I pray, “How does one console someone who doesn’t know you?”

As I read the verses from 2 Corinthians once more, the answer comes: “…with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Oct 21

Rescued

by Brenda Poulos

9732631583_ed47dbd309

 

1 Corinthians 15:4- “(that) he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

 

This week, a man was rescued from an abandoned mine shaft in my home state of Arizona. He had been trapped there for three days.

No food. No water. Cold desert temperatures. Two broken legs.

Oh, I should mention that he fought off three rattlesnakes.

What joy he must have felt to hear human voices overhead and realize that he would soon be reunited with his family.

Jesus was in the grave three days. 

He didn’t need a rescue team because God the Father raised him from the dead. 

Jesus had been separated from Him for three days because of the sin he bore for us. I can only imagine his joy at being reunited with his Father.

Joy unspeakable awaits each Christian, as well. We will experience the joy of all joys when we are reunited with our Savior!

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
«Older Entries
Newer Entries »
Blog at WordPress.com.