spiritualsnippets.com

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

Mar 16

Let Your Faith Sustain You

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-8383669.jpeg

Psalm 73:28a– “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;”

When my father suffered terribly in his last hours of life, I was angry with God.

“Why, God, are you letting him hurt so?” I cried out. 

It distressed me to see him in pain. My dad loved God and lived a good Christian life. I had been so sure that he would just “slip away” into eternity, but this was nothing like I had envisioned.

Now, without my earthly father to comfort me, I followed what I’d been taught in church. I sought comfort in God’s Heavenly arms. I drank in scriptural truths from the Bible, I expressed my feelings in prayer, and I sought solace in the presence of my “church” family and my siblings.

Fast forward two years. We recently lost our twin great-granddaughters. I could chose anger, but I have learned that God’s ultimate plan for these two little angels will be better than anything I can imagine. 

If you’re going through a hard time right now, let me urge you to run to God, not away from Him. Let Him bring you comfort and peace to overcome your sadness.

Let your faith sustain you!!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Mar 9

How Old Is God?

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-8717464.jpeg

Psalm 90:2- “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

When I was a young woman, there was a well-known book and television show based on humorous things kids asked adults. One of them was, “How old is God?”

The question delighted Art Linkletter’s viewing audience—and it intrigued me, too.

There are multiple Bible verses referring to God as everlasting… from eternity past and to eternity future.

He has always existed (the only entity to never be “born”) and will never cease to exist (die).

In this world of “beginnings” and “endings”, let’s take time this week to contemplate Him… praise Him… for He is the everlasting God.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Mar 2

Are You in Awe of Him?

by Brenda Poulos

The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-2469122.jpeg

Jeremiah 2:19b- “Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.”

My husband and I are taking part in a new Bible Study at our church. The study began last week with focusing on the question, 

“Who is God?”

“New” Christians are learning just how BIG, powerful, and awesome He is. They acknowledge Him as CREATOR of the universe, mankind, animals, and so on.

However, those of us who have been Christians for a long time, may become complacent and need a refresher on God’s awesomeness. We need to see Him—and worship him—as the omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God that He is.

The verse from Jeremiah is a reminder that God is saddened when we no longer appreciate or are in awe of Him. The Bible is full of verses that reveal his character and the depth and breadth of his love for us!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Feb 23

An Unchanging God

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-681391.jpeg

Jeremiah 33:20- “This is what the Lord says: ‘If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that the day and night no longer come at the appointed time’,”

The verse I’ve chosen for this week refers to one of God’s conversations with the prophet Jeremiah. God wanted The Children of Israel to understand that He would never break any of His promises to them.

Breaking them, He said, would be about as likely as Him  changing the hours He had established when He created the day and night!

In other words, “Not going to happen.”

Fellow Christians, the Bible is full of promises God has made—and kept. He hasn’t broken a single one, and won’t, for all of eternity.

That very fact should be of supreme comfort to us in a world which seems to be in never-ending turmoil.

An unchanging God in a constantly changing world. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Feb 9

A Cord of Three Strands

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-13555358.jpeg

Ecclesiastes 4:12- “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

In elementary school, I had two best friends. We did everything together. We defended and protected one another. We were a living example of a cord of three strands.

I have two sisters. We have always been close. When my parents passed away, we were able to support and comfort one another. Another example of a cord of three strands.

I am married to a good Christian man. We take care of, encourage, comfort, and uphold one another. Together, we are a cord of two strands. However, because we share a common faith, God forms the third cord in our relationship. 

When hard times come, when sorrow invades our lives, when physical ailments might otherwise tear us apart, the strong bond of three strands preserves us because…

A CORD OF THREE STRANDS IS NOT EASILY BROKEN.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Feb 2

Your Uniqueness is Showing

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-17030036.jpeg

James 4:10- “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

The Bible tells us that each of us is uniquely gifted by God. I have a brother-in-law who is a genius. I know a couple of people who are hysterically funny. I have a friend whose smile is a wonder to behold. Several others are gifted public speakers/teachers. My great niece is a remarkable artist.

Politicians, celebrities, sports stars, singers, models—even authors—often  get attention that makes it difficult to remain humble. Sometimes those receiving attention get caught up in the “glory” of the moment, forgetting the One who blessed them with their good looks, talent, or unusual skill.

However, there have been times I have seen a football player or a contestant on a talent show, look up or raise their hands, giving God the glory for their performance. My heart swells in gratitude for them because their small gesture speaks volumes.

Even though we may not be the recipients of public acclaim, we can be assured that when we recognize God’s hand in our accomplishments, He sees our hearts.

It is God whose voice will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Jan 26

FaceTime Surprise

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-3791664.jpeg

2 Corinthians 4:6- For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Yesterday, I got a surprise visit from my sisters on FACETIME. Seeing them really made my day. It was almost as good as physically being with them, except that our conversation didn’t end with a hug!

I look forward to the day when I stand in the presence of our Lord and see him face to face. I cannot even imagine what it will be like to actually see him!

Now, Christians, we see him with eyes of faith, but one day his promise to us will be fulfilled and we will see him glorified!!!!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Jan 19

A New Beginning

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-7468196.jpeg

1 Samuel 16:13- “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers.”

Tomorrow

MLK Day

Inauguration Day

The American President is not a king, and an inauguration is not a coronation, but it does spark a memory of kings in “Bible Times.” 

Specifically, I recall how God chose David to be King from among his eight older brothers. 

David was called a man after God’s own heart. He was obedient, had great faith and trusted God. Those qualities made him the leader God wanted for Israel.

Like David, each of us has been chosen by God—created for a specific purpose. And once His plan has been discovered, faith and trust in God is essential in carrying it out.

Are you facing a crossroads today? Are you unsure what God’s perfect plan is for your life? Or, do you even question whether there is such a plan at all?

The answer is in the Bible. He desires to work in the world through us.

Let His Word lead you to a New Beginning.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Jan 12

Neighbor Helping Neighbor

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-9076534.jpeg

Acts 4:32- “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”

The fires in California have dominated the news the last ten days or so. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have lost homes and loved ones.

Just as in the wake of other disasters (tornados, hurricanes, flooding, and so on) a common thread runs through many of the stories.

Neighbor helping neighbor.

It is a beautiful thing to see, isn’t it?

The verse in Acts 4 tells us of a time when pooling of resources was common place. The people shared everything they had with one another.

Let’s not wait for disasters to strike. Let us take up the mantle of caring for our neighbors in times of our own prosperity.

Let us be of “one heart and one mind.”

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Jan 5

Can You Help?

by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: pexels-photo-326545.jpeg

2 Corinthians 9:7-“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

On December 26th, our granddaughter had an emergency c-section to deliver her twins at 24 weeks. It was a rough start and one of the girls has since died. The second twin is holding her own in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. 

This is a devastating and costly situation for the baby’s parents, since she was born weighing one pound and may need to be in the hospital for several months.

They have started a GoFundMe webpage, asking for donations to help with the astronomical costs they are facing in the days and months ahead. If you are able to help by donating any amount, would you please consider doing so? Although the site lists the donation amounts, you are able to remain anonymous from everyone but the parents.

I have placed the link for Skylare, Jason, and baby Sage here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-skylare-and-jasons-twin-miracles?attribution_id=sl:dfbb607d-62e4-4ae4-a268-30d0992dce8f&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Don’t feel obligated to give, but I understand that these GoFundMe sites are used quite commonly nowadays and are very secure. None of your financial information is saved, but please know how much even a small donation will help.

Thank you!

Brenda

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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