spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jan 17

What Can You Do In Eight Seconds?

by Brenda Poulos

Philippians 4:8- Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

The average attention span is 8 seconds. My pastor used that fact as an illustration in his sermon last week.

Hum, I thought. Must be why my husband channel surfs so much…

But, seriously, 8 seconds isn’t very long.

Or is it?

I challenged myself to think of ten things—productive, worthwhile things—I could do if I only had 8 seconds before my mind started to wander:

1- I can make the bed.

2- I can text my son “xoxoxoxoox”

3- I can scratch my dog behind the ears.

4- I can say a short prayer for a friend.

5- I can wave at a neighbor and wish him a good day when I take my garbage can to the curb.

6- I can take my husband a glass of iced tea while he works in the yard.

7- I can send a “Thinking of You” e-card to my sister.

8- I can send a Facebook Friend request—or accept one.

9- I can remind a grandchild that Jesus loves them.

10- I can meditate on an encouraging Bible verse, like the one above.

Eight seconds might be just long enough to make a difference in your life, or in the lives of others.

Care to share your list?

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Jan 10

The Book is Always Better

by Brenda Poulos

2 Timothy 3:16- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

 

You may have watched the television movie event, THE BIBLE.

Every year, near Easter, my husband settles down to watch the classic movie, The Ten Commandments.

Recently, we saw the movie version of a best-seller novel.

No matter what the subject matter, I always hear people say, “The movie wasn’t nearly as good as the book.”

Of course, there are many reasons for this. The story must be shortened because it would take too many hours for the movie version to tell the entire story in detail; some scenes are made more exciting, some more visually appealing; endings may be changed to allow for the possibility of a sequel, some are just better played out in a slightly different way, or perhaps the director simply didn’t like the original writer’s ending…

The story gets muddied a little, the ending is tweaked just so.

And then there are movies that are “Based on True Life Events”, which differ from those claiming to be “Inspired by True Events”.

In the first instance, some names may be changed, but the story should stick close to the way things happened. The second, however, uses real events to create a fictional story and so are not held accountable for an accurate portrayal of characters and events.

We don’t have to worry about any of these things when we read God’s Word, the Bible, however. It is most certainly accurate. It is what it claims to be: the infallible, inerrant, Word of God. We can trust it. Learn from it. Be comforted and strengthened by it.

Yes. The Book is always better.

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Jan 3

“Help!”

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 121:1-3

 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

 

“Help!” cried Jonah from the belly of the whale.

“Someone help us!” screamed the miners trapped miles beneath the earth in Chile.

“Help, somebody, help!” yelled the couple who careened off the road and landed at the bottom of the canyon.

“Honey, can you tie my shoes for me?” asked my husband—very reluctantly—after recent rotator cuff surgery.

We all need help at one time or another. Men, I’m told, are the most reluctant to ask for help…the most unwilling to accept it, too.  And, it usually doesn’t happen until they are up against the wall, with nowhere else to turn.

Finally, they manage to get the dreaded word out.

“Help!”

It is a wise person who knows when to ask for help, but an even wiser one who knows who to ask.

King David wrote many Psalms to the Lord. In many of them, he cried out to God for help. In others, he thanked the Lord for answering his cries and bringing help when he needed it.

His Psalms have been a source of comfort to countless people over the years. In them, he shares his inability to conquer his troubles and defeat his enemies, on his own.

Wisely, he relied on God for help.

Some of the problems we face today are very similar to those of this mighty king in the Bible: illness, adultery, deceitfulness, the death of loved ones…

We learn from God’s Word that there are no problems too big, or too difficult, that He cannot handle.

Whatever the situation we face today, we can be assured that when we cry out for help, He hears us.

David knew who to go to when he needed help.

When we find ourselves lacking the ability or strength to correct our situations, let’s remind ourselves of the truth in God’s Word.

God is here for us, today, just as he was for King David.

The God of the universe…the maker of heaven and earth…the Savior of the world wants to be the one we call on in times of trouble, too.

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Dec 21

Prepare Your Heart to Seek God

by Brenda Poulos

2 Chronicles 19:30– “Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.”

Gifts wrapped. Check.

Cookies baked. Check.

Christmas letter written. Check.

Tree trimmed. Check.

Preparations.

All year long we prepare for

Birthday parties.

Meals.

Exams.

Food drives.

Company.

The Bible tells us how the Israelites prepared for their journey into the Promised Land, Noah prepared for the flood by building the Ark, Solomon prepared to build the temple, the people prepared for the passover, and Mary for the birth of Jesus.

The Bible also tells us that we must prepare our hearts to seek God.

Not just at Christmas.

But every day.

Like David. Like King Jehoshaphat.

What does that look like, in real life, in the twenty-first century?

Perhaps it looks no different than it did back then: coming before the Lord in quiet contemplation, emptying our thoughts of the hustle and bustle of preparations and coming quietly before Him…

with praise on our lips

with thanksgiving in our hearts

with souls ready to be filled.

Expectantly.

Jubilantly.

 

With a desire to know Him.

 

The babe in a manger.

The Savior on a cross.

The Lord of All.

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Dec 13

Join The Army

by Brenda Poulos

Genesis 21:22– And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do.”

 

Bells ringing. Red kettles.

It’s that time of year, isn’t it?

Salvation Army volunteers—outside stores and malls. Rain or shine. Warm or cold.

Whether ignored or embraced, there they are. Faithful to their cause.

I knew little more than the fact that they are a Christian-based organization.

This year, I was determined to find out more.

Here is just a fraction of what I discovered:

  • Founded by William Booth in 1852 in England.
  • Began as a ministry to win the lost multitudes to Christ.
  • Booth started by preaching in the streets of London to the poor, homeless, and hungry.
  • In 1865, he began tent meetings to preach the message of hope and salvation.
  • In 1879, Lt. Eliza Shirley held the first meeting of the Salvation Army in America.
  • Today, the Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world.
  • Most centers hold weekly worship services.
  • Areas of ministry include: prison ministries, adult rehab, veterans services, elderly, combatting human trafficking, and missing persons via international social service.

I had no idea they did all of this, as well as offering residential housing and work opportunities to various individuals and groups.

They are literally an army of individuals whose main goal is GIVING SPIRITUAL DIRECTION TOWARD A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AS PROVIDED BY JESUS CHRIST.

I remember, as a child, singing a song in Sunday School about being in the “Lord’s Army”. (I may never ride in the infantry, shoot in the cavalry, shoot the artillery,  but I’m in the Lord’s Army.) These words were followed with a salute.

It wasn’t until years later, when guys I knew were drafted into the U.S. Army, that the concept of God’s Army started coming into focus for me.

Now, more than ever, a vast army of God’s people needs to rise up in prayer and step out in faith. We need to join with other Christians around the world in serving those less fortunate and in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel to a hurting world.

Fear and unrest dominate newscasts. Violence abounds.

Time is short.

We may not ring a bell.

We may not stand outside the mall beside a donation kettle.

But, we can pray, donate, serve, share the message of hope.

Because, when we do, like Abraham,

God will be with us.

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Dec 6

Make A Joyful Noise–and Join the Heavenly Choir!

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 15:3- “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!”

 

This morning, our church choir was a bit scant. Some were ill, others on holiday trips. The director did something that has never been done before. She did an all call, asking members of the congregation to walk to the front of the sanctuary and “fill-in” for one of the missing members.

Now, I admit to being “vocally challenged”. So, when the opportunity to sing with the choir arose, I jumped on it.

Like a lot of us folk who weren’t blessed with the most beautiful of voices, I LOVE to sing…to lift my voice in praise of the Almighty. So, I literally flew to the front and joined the group.

It was a great experience. I forgot all about being in front of the congregation and just sang—from my heart.

I couldn’t help but imagine, when I returned to my seat, what it will be like to sing in that heavenly choir one day…joining in with the angels in unending praise of our Lord.

Only then we will be able to fully express the depth of our love and our gratefulness to our savior.

I don’t think we will need any kind of a teleprompter. We will sing from the depths of our souls.

From that place deep inside that only Jesus can fully know or understand.

My voice may produce more of a noise, than a beautiful sound of a fine-tuned instrument, but it will definitely be filled with joy!

This IS indeed a joyful season, but for Christians every day is a reason to rejoice…every day is a new opportunity to lift our voices in praise to our king.

Even if it is for only five minutes in the warmth of a morning shower—my usual venue—let’s lift our voices as if in rehearsal for that heavenly choir that we will one day be able to join.

Because I have it from a good source that there are still a few openings left.

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Nov 29

What To Do In That Little Slice of Time Between the “Question” and the “Answer”

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 15:4- For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

 

We were among the thousands of people in airports this past week.

One of my favorite things about traveling is people watching. There are a lot of little jewels to be observed…and beyond the observations are often things to be learned.

In line at the ladies restroom, I overheard a grandmother as she prodded a toddler to hurry up and get in line; then, she encouraged him to be patient as he waited.

Isn’t that the way life seems to be sometimes?  Hurry up. Wait. Hurry up. Wait.

There are plenty of situations in which we must practice the art of patience. The dictionary definition of patience is:  “The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting upset or angry.” My definition is: being content while waiting. A Bible Study leader once linked patience to the Biblical concept of “resting.”

Resting…hum…not struggling against…but, instead, taking a deep breath and just allowing oneself to be in perfect harmony with the “in between.” That often annoying and sometimes unbearable slice of time between the question and the answer.

I think of laying my head back in a swimming pool and relaxing—simply floating. Not treading water—no, that requires expending effort to just stay afloat in the same spot…But, floating, with my eyes closed…letting the water support me…Can you just see it? Feel it? The sheer peacefulness of it?

After all these years of me asking my prayer partners to pray that I would learn patience, could it possibly be that God didn’t want for me to just “tread water”—He might have wanted to teach me to float?

To be supported by Him, His love, His Word, His promises?

Not struggling.

No expending energy.

Just simply resting

In Him.

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Nov 23

Giving Thanks for Future Blessings

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 8:28- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Occasionally, I find myself missing my days of teaching elementary school. This is especially true around Thanksgiving.

Each year, my little kindergarteners would choose to be Indians or Pilgrims, making Pilgrim hats or headbands with colorful feathers. They would use brown paper grocery bags to make Indian vests or black and white butcher paper for Pilgrim attire.

Mothers would come to school and help us prepare stew, cornbread, apple cider, and spice cake and/or cookies for our customary “feast.”

The faces of those little ones were so precious as each child stood and told the class what they were thankful for… their families…their homes.

I know several families who are currently suffering from health issues. I know one going through a divorce. I know one dealing with broken relationships with siblings; another saddened by the estrangement of adult children.

It’s easy to be thankful for blessings like wealth, wisdom, newborn babies, and good health. It’s quite another to be thankful for the trials in this life, isn’t it?

But, many of us know that it’s in the hard times that we learn to trust God…that our relationship with Him deepens as we depend on Him for the strength to get us through.

It’s possible, that years after a hurtful event, we are able to see the good result(s) God brings about because of our dire circumstances. In fact, there are times when we can look back on what we once viewed as tragedies and see that they were actually future blessings—in disguise.

Which brings me to this point: If we, as Christians, believe the truth of Romans 8:28, shouldn’t we be able to trust God now?

Even if we never see the future?

Even if He never answers our question, “Why?”

Because that is really what faith is, isn’t it?

According to Hebrews 11:1, “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

We may not be able to see what God is going to do with a tragic circumstance, now, but we can have faith that those “things not seen” will someday come to pass.

Thanking God for the blessings in our lives, today, and for those in the future,

Brenda

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Nov 15

Things They Are A Changin’

by Brenda Poulos

Numbers 23:19a- “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

I noticed a website selling white heels and matching purses last week. Don’t they know you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day?

I saw a commercial for mascara that “clumps”—on purpose! It seems my search for the perfect mascara is over!!!

Profanity is not always bleeped out, nowadays!

Girls with blond hair are dying their roots black!

Teenagers—even adults—frequently wear their underwear on the outside.

People are often seen wearing their pajamas in grocery stores and shopping malls…

Things are changing. Unwritten societal “rules” are being replaced at a rapid pace.

Is there no end to the changes possible in the future?

I can say without apology, that I liked things the way they used to be. Predictable. I could count on the fact that if I knew the rule, I’d be doing the correct thing.

We can be sure of some things, though. Like the fact that God never changes.

We can count on His Word, His truths, remaining the same throughout all eternity.

In this world of uncertainty, we can have the assurance that

He will not change course…

He will not change His mind…

He will not check out…

He will not abandon us…

He will not stop loving us…

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Nov 8

Flourish!

by Brenda Poulos

John 10:10b-“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Last month, I attended a Ladies Retreat. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with other women from my church.

Just like all other retreats I have been to, we had a theme that gave direction to each “session” and guided our worship time together.

Our theme:  FLOURISH: Grow! Thrive! Multiply!

The following thoughts are my interpretation of our speaker, Annie Kingrey’s, message to those who attended the retreat-

If we spend time in God’s Word, it will be of great comfort to us when trials come in our lives. We won’t be uprooted. In fact, we can thrive!

Said another way:  If we will stay in The Word during the in-between times (the lulls) we will put down deep roots. Then, when the storms of life come along, we won’t be uprooted. 

When we hear of the death of a loved one, when we receive an unfavorable diagnosis, when our job is in jeopardy, God’s Word will take us far beyond merely “coping” or “making it through.”

He says we can FLOURISH—amid the storm-tossed seas of life.

God isn’t just in the business of helping us get by. He wants to do far more than that.

This may be a radically new perspective for many of us, but God wants us to live a VICTORIOUS life…here…and NOW.

When the seas are calm.

When the tempest is churning all about us.

On the good days.

On the bad days.

EVERY day.

“It’s time for us to more than just survive. We were made to thrive!”

(Words from our theme song, Thrive, Mark Hall and Matthew West, 2014). 

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