spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jan 2

Seize Every Opportunity

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Psalm 107:2- “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.”

 

You may be an author, a song writer, or a painter with special gifts at storytelling. Or, you may be a teacher, a carpenter, or baker with completely different talents.

No matter what your profession, if you are “redeemed of the Lord” scripture says we need to tell our story.

Sharing our story of salvation with others is not just reserved for the pulpit; not just for Sunday mornings.

We can tell others about the love of Christ at the mall, on the beach, in line at the grocery store deli.

Wherever we are…whenever the opportunity arises…

Remember that commercial where a guy hits his forehead with the heel of his hand and proclaims: “I could have had a V-8?”

I don’t say that to be funny.

I say it because it’s a missed opportunity and I confess that too many times, I have failed to advantage of the sharable moments when they have clearly been there.

As the New Year unfolds, how about making a spiritual resolution?

Let’s seize every opportunity to tell our stories.

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Dec 27

365 Days A Year

by Brenda Poulos

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Psalm 22:27-“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.”

 

J.J. holds his mother’s hand as she leads him out of the candle lit sanctuary. “I liked the baby Jesus, and the angels. The sheep were funny,” he said excitedly. “Can we come again next week?”

“This is Christmas, honey. It’s special for this holiday. We can come, again, next year, if you’d like.”

Across town, Sarah and her family take the ornaments off the tree, pack them away and place them back into the attic. “The tree was so pretty. When can we decorate again?”

“Next Christmas.”

Yes, Christmas is over. Everything goes back in its box…put away until

Next year.

And, along with the songs, the lights, and the ornaments, much too often, is the Lord Jesus.

Placed back in the manger.

Back on the shelf in the attic.

Until next year.

Unfortunately, there are many are willing to worship the babe in the manger at Christmas, but don’t recognize that it was He who grew up to the be Savior of the world…their Savior.

Are you someone who finds it’s acceptable to worship the occupant of the manger, but that’s where it ends with you? Is it somehow frightening to worship the Savior of The Cross?

To do this would mean that you somehow bear some responsibility to give Him his rightful place in your life all year long, wouldn’t it?  It would require a commitment…a change of course.

No longer would Christmas be just a ritual or an event.

It would become a life of worship and service in which your heart would be turned toward Him every day.

A heart living out the promise of Christmas 365 days a year.

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Dec 25

No Tree This Year

by Brenda Poulos

Galatians 4:4- “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

 

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For several reasons, we decided not to put up a Christmas Tree this year.

Instead, the focal point in our living room is a lovely pottery Nativity which was painted by my sister-in-law more than three decades ago. We have displayed it for many, many Christmases.

The cow no longer has one of his horns. The saddle on one of the camels, one ear of the donkey, and the face of the shepherd boy have been chipped over the years.

The nativity may not look quite as beautiful as it once did, but I am enjoying it more than ever before.

I guess it was only natural to spend so much time and effort on our trees in the past. After all, it takes hours to place the lights and ornaments on it just so. Then there’s arrangement of the tree skirt and the placement of the packages underneath…

But, as I said, this year our focus is on the Nativity: Mary, Joseph, the babe in the manger, the Wise Men and the Shepherds, the livestock, and the Angel which appears to be hovering overhead.

God planned the redemption of humankind and, at just the right time, he sent his son, Jesus, into the world. God in the flesh, born in a stable and lying in a manger.

The story gets more beautiful with time. Nothing chipped, cracked, or missing.

The birth of our Lord in the fulness of time.

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Dec 18

What If Jesus Were Born Today?

by Brenda Poulos

 

6439494977_17f82094aeLuke 2:10-14~ “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

 

A brilliant star guided the Wise Men and Shepherds to the actual place where baby Jesus rested. Angels filled the night sky, their songs of praise directed to God.

Without the technology we have in the world today, news of the miraculous birth was a good deal slower than what we are used to.

So, what might it be like if Jesus were born today?

First of all, he would probably be born in a hospital, with Mary being released to go home the following day. Soft blankets, a mobile over the crib, and an economy box of disposable diapers would be necessities.

Mary would sit in a rocking chair next to the changing table and rock Jesus to sleep while Joseph stands in the doorway contemplating just how much their lives had changed in the last twenty-four hours. He’d wonder just how he was going to maintain their privacy when the news got out about the birth of God’s son.

Later, hearing a noise outside, Joseph would flinch when he looked out the window to see a crowd already gathering. The offers for the first photo would start pouring in, somewhere around six digits. Maybe more.

Mary would ask for some supplies from the grocery store, and Joseph would come up with an ingenious plan to escape the horde of reporters, retrieve the needed items, and sneak back into their apartment undetected.

The weeks and years to follow would be spent dodging the paparazzi.

Yes, the news would travel fast via texts, tweets, instagrams, Facebook stories, reports on the Evening News—even U-Tube Videos on his first birthday.

We can use our imaginations to suppose what his life might be like from that point on. Speaking engagements…guest appearances on late night television…maybe even a miniseries…

But, the point is this. Would we have believed that the son of God had been born on earth—that he had come to save people from their sins—any more than the Jewish aristocracy of their day believed it? After all, the Messiah they were looking for was a warrior—a conquerer—not a lowly peasant boy. So, would we believe that an ordinary-looking boy from a lower-middle class family could possibly be God’s son or would we attempt to explain it away as another instance of “Fake News?”

What would it take for us to believe? The recorded words that would turn out to be the best-selling book of all time? A documentary, perhaps?

Maybe footage from a surveillance camera showing Jesus talking to God? Or a Dateline exclusive interview in which Jesus describes what his life was like in Heaven and why he was willing to become human and die on a cross so that we might be reconciled to God?

Would his picture be displayed in our churches? Would he be invited to preach sermons there?

It’s interesting to speculate, isn’t it?

I am sure of only one thing: if he were to be born today, the result would be the same. There would be those who would reject Him; those who would embrace Him.

The truth, however, would still be the truth: He came to do the work The Father sent him to do.

He’d still be the Messiah…Immanuel, God with us.

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Dec 12

Magnification

by Brenda Poulos

1431384410_db38f8a58fLuke 1: 46, 47– “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.”

 

When we were kids, I remember the boys in our neighborhood being fascinated with magnifying glasses.

They attempted to use them to start fires, using bits of paper and dry grass. It was difficult to get the sun’s rays to hit just right, but once in awhile they were able to produce a spark.

They also observed small objects such as ants and studied the intricate pattern of the flesh on their arms.

The process is called magnification.

Those of us who wear glasses are familiar with the fact that lenses make  letters appear larger so that we can see them more easily.

When we magnify something, it doesn’t get bigger. However, the object that we are magnifying becomes clearer.

So, like Mary, when we “Magnify the Lord” we become the lens to help others to see details about God’s character, goodness, grace and mercy more clearly.

We also magnify Him for us.

By increasing our focus on Him, we make Him greater in our thoughts and affections.

We exalt Him above all else.

King of Kings. Lord of Lords.

 

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Dec 4

Baskets Full of Memories and Miracles

by Brenda Poulos

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Matthew 14:20– “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.”

 

 

I have some pretty significant memories of baskets over the years: brightly-colored Easter baskets, a woven bicycle basket with a metal “bell,” the pauper’s basket on a small table at the church door.

We recently moved Mom and Dad into an assisted living facility. As we readied their longtime house for sale, we came across a basket that I had made at vacation Bible School as a young child. (photo above)

Just seeing it brought back fond memories of those long-ago days of learning Bible stories at church.

You might be surprised at how many of them involved baskets:

Moses hidden inside a specially-prepared basket in the river by his mother and then found and protected by Pharaoh’s daughter.

Saul, let down next to a wall in a basket by the disciples and saved from a throng seeking to kill him.

The basket of consecrations, the interpretation by Joseph of the chief baker’s dream, the basket of unleavened bread…

And among these is the familiar story of a small boy who shared his lunch of bread and fish, providing enough for a crowd of 5,000—with 12 baskets of food left over!

Baskets offering protection.

Baskets used to transport.

Baskets with which to gather and store.

This is the time of year when we are asked to fill baskets with food and clothing for those less fortunate. And when we do, may God bless them, as he did the boy’s lunch, and multiply our simple gifts to bless others—to overflowing!

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Nov 27

Sharing the Reason for Hope

by Brenda Poulos

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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.”

 

I gather up my things and exit the passenger side of the car. Outside stands my husband with “that look” in his eyes. He cannot understand why it takes me so long to exit.

I tell him that I have to get my bottled water. (It’s hot in Arizona and I get thirsty).

Next, my sweater. (It’s often cold in church, restaurants, malls, and meetings).

I also take an umbrella. (You never know…)

I take my coupon organizer. (I’m prepared for discounts anywhere we go).

I often have a soft drink, bottle of lotion, sunglasses, a few coins for change, and breath mints, too.

Then, of course, there are my purse and keys.

Oh, you think some of those things should go into my purse?

No room.

You see, in there I keep my wallet, checkbook, business cards, kleenex packet…

I guess you could say I’m prepared.

There are certain situations in the Bible in which God warns us to be prepared. One of them is in the verse from 1 Peter, chapter 3, verse 15.

Just as there may be an unexpected shower, or the need for sunglasses or breath mints, undoubtedly someday someone will ask us about our faith.

And, when they do, we need to be ready to give them an answer, explaining how we came to know and trust Jesus as our Savior.

Being prepared will mean that we will be able to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way in order to gently, respectfully, introduce someone to the God who loves them and gave himself for them, too.

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Nov 20

Choose Your Own Ending

by Brenda Poulos

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John 3:16- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

When I taught my creative writing unit to my third graders, I sometimes used what we called “story starters.” These were usually a paragraph or two which “started” a story.

Although the initial paragraphs were typed onto the students’ papers, I usually read them aloud—very dramatically, if I do say so myself—following up with the directions for the students to finish the story, using their imaginations. Afterward, volunteers read their story endings in front of the class or posted them on a bulletin board.

Most students loved creating their own endings. Some were happy, some exciting, some sad. All of the many variations, which had each started from the same initial teacher-written paragraph(s), ended differently.

In real life, we have choices to make which affect the stories of our lives, don’t we?

And, then there’s the ultimate decision—whether or not to follow Christ.

No matter what our personal “story starter” was, we each have the power to choose our own ending.

In my latest book, The Choice, Will Hayes rejects Jesus and later experiences the reality of hell.

It didn’t have to be that way, of course. He could have chosen Christ. He could have chosen life.

I wrote the book as an urgent message to those who have, yet, to make the choice.

The Bible says that God doesn’t want any of us to perish. He gives us the freedom to accept or reject Him.

The ending of our story depends on the choice we make.

Yes, the beginning of our story has already been written, but, we can still experience forgiveness for the less-than-perfect choices that have shaped our lives from that point forward.

We can still be assured of eternal life in Heaven, by accepting Jesus as our Savior.

 

How will your story end?

The choice is yours.

 

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Nov 13

Dear Friend

by Brenda Poulos

 

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John 15: 13-“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

 

Veteran’s Day means, to some people, a day off school and or/work. But to many Americans, it is a day to honor those who serve—and have served—our country.

Whether in the lines of battle or as support behind them, we owe veterans a debt of gratitude. The freedoms that we enjoy are due to the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.

Few of us can truly understand the depth of love of country—or for their fellow man— that motivates these brave soldiers to make the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us—while we sit at home and watch television, enjoy family barbecues, or play golf.

Life goes on for us, virtually uninterrupted, unless we are the family members of a loved one claimed by a sniper’s bullet or a surprise ambush.

For those who served in the past, those currently stationed in faraway countries, and for those who are contemplating enlisting in the future, I am grateful.

You don’t know me.

We may never meet.

But, I want you to know that I appreciate your standing in the gap for me.

Because of you, I enjoy a beautiful home and family, I can walk the streets of my neighborhood in relative safety, I am able to worship without persecution.

When I look into the sky, I see a sprinkling of white clouds and expansive wings of an eagle flying overhead—not planes being shot down, rockets exploding, and smoke filling the air.

Because of you, I enjoy a quality of life that is only a dream for many others in the world.

Jesus reminds us that the greatest among us are those who lay down their own lives for others…

Thank you for being my friend.

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Nov 7

Need Help Doing What is Right?

by Brenda Poulos

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Romans 7:15-  “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

 

Have you ever felt like Paul in this verse from Romans?

Does it seem the more you try not to do something you know is wrong, the more you find yourself doing it?

It could be lying.

Perhaps speaking your spouse with sharp words.

Maybe it’s being critical of someone else’s actions.

Or watching something inappropriate.

You try not to do it. You really make an effort. You pray to God for help.

We all have similar stories, don’t we?

So, what gives?

The Apostle Paul wrote the words in Romans 7:15. Even though he was a mature christian, but he admitted to doing the very things he didn’t want to do!

Perhaps one of the marks of a mature Christian is the awareness of this struggle with evil in our lives.

So, like Paul, we find ourselves saying, “What is wrong with me? How come? The very good that I want to do, I do not do. That which I don’t want to do, is precisely what I do?”

If we read on to the end of Chapter 7, a verse pops out at us: “Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ our Lord.” And, if we proceed into Chapter 8, Paul talks about the power of the Holy Spirit to give us strength to conquer our sins…our destructive behaviors that hurt us, those we love, and strain our relationships.

One of the reasons He gave us the Holy Spirit was to help us do what is right.

If we are forgiven through the death of Christ on the cross, why do we still live with the truth from chapter seven?

The truth is, we are both saint and sinner. And, as long as we live here on earth, we will experience this struggle.

So, take hold of the power of the Holy Spirit to help you conquer your weaknesses as they show up in your daily life.

Then, thank God for victory over the very things that keep you from a deep and satisfying relationship with Him and those you love.

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