spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jun 12

A Sympathy Card

by Brenda Poulos

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.”

Mia stood before the rack of greeting cards, shaking her head. She read card after card, unable to find a Sympathy card which accurately conveyed just what she wanted to say to her friend, Danielle, whose father had passed away over the weekend.

The cards reminded her of those she’d received when her own father died two years earlier—and of the comments friends and family had made at the funeral.

“He’s in a better place.”

“He was such a great guy.”

“He’d lived a nice, long life.”

“He’s no longer in pain.”

She knew they were meant to console and bring comfort, but instead they only emphasized the fact that her father didn’t know the Lord.

She walked over to the Christian/religious section. These were the kind of cards believers sent to each other. They brought real peace from the scriptures, each one telling of the hope of eternal life in Christ and the assurance that their loved one was in Heaven.

Mia took a moment right then and there to pray for her mother and oldest brother. She wanted them to know Jesus as their Savior and the Peace of God that passes all human understanding.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jun 5

The Forgiveness of an Eleven-year-old

by Brenda Poulos

Acts 13:38- “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

Pauline arrived home from school one afternoon in April of 1965 to find her mother murdered in her bedroom.

This horrific incident could have caused the ten-year-old to run from God, but thankfully, she did quite the opposite. 

She ran to Him for comfort and peace. And when she did, she found purpose for her life. 

At the age of twenty-one, Pauline graduated from college, and began a prison ministry that taught forgiveness as its core.

Some forty years after her mother’s death, her killer was apprehended (a cold case file) and convicted. Through her ministry, Pauline was able to lead her mother’s murderer to the Lord. 

She declined the invitation to witness his execution, stating that he had been forgiven by her and her God.

Like him, we need to face the consequences of our actions. We are required to pay for our wrongdoings on earth.

But also, like him, when we confess our sins we can know the forgiveness and grace of Christ who died to pay the price for all who will believe.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 29

To Judge or Not to Judge

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 7:1-5. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Writers will tell you that although it is sometimes difficult to find mistakes in one’s own writing, it is much easier to detect them in someone else’s.

Spelling, punctuation, grammar, plot, characterization, just to name a few.

Admittedly, writers often pick up on other writer’s mistakes, making it difficult for them to enjoy reading for pleasure. 

Is it like that for you in your relationships?

Do you find it’s easier to focus on the mistakes or idiosyncrasies of family and friends than it is to find your own faults?

And do you find it hard not to point them out and give advice on how to change?

God knows all about that. And He even tells us what to do.

He warns us against hypocrisy. He wants us to work on our own faults first. Focus on ourselves. 

He reminds us that only those who are “fault free” are we able to see clearly and help others.

(Author’s note: As my birthday gift to YOU, please go to Amazon books on Wednesday, JUNE 1, for a free e-copy of my best-selling book, The Choice. www.amazon.com/Books-Brenda-Poulos     If you have trouble with this link, please just go directly to Amazon/books. Once there, type in Brenda C. Poulos or The Choice. And, while you’re online, visit my new website at http://www.brendapoulosauthor.com)

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 22

He’s Got This

by Brenda Poulos

Job 22:21- “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.”

I don’t look forward to the two roundabouts I must maneuver every day on my way home. Even for those of us driving on them frequently, they can be tricky.

Each roadway leading into and out of the roundabout, posts a large YIELD sign. And, guess what? Frequent accidents are the norm.

The human animal doesn’t like to YIELD to others.

So consumed with “self,” we want to “go first.”

We Christians understand we are to YIELD to God, but are often stubborn and take things into our own hands. 

We forget that He already knows the outcome of every situation! There is no one more worthy of our trust.

When we YIELD to God, we will be at peace with Him and we will prosper.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 15

Reach Out

by Brenda Poulos

Acts: 17: 27: “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

“Why did God let this happen?”

This is a common question asked by those suffering from illness and loss. Isn’t it? Perhaps you have even said those words, yourself.

In Acts, we find that God wants to comfort those who are suffering. He hopes they will seek him “and find him.”

Over the years, I have heard stories about people who have come to know the Lord in the midst of difficult circumstances involving family members, friends, and even themselves.

These words remind me of the picture my parents had hanging in their house of Jesus knocking on the door of someone’s heart. 

Whether it is someone with a “scientific” mind who has doubts, or a person who has spent a lifetime running in the other direction, or a variety of other reasons, He is closer than you can imagine.

And He’s waiting for you to reach out for Him.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 8

Mom Taught Me How to Blow Bubbles

by Brenda Poulos

1 John 2:25- “And this is what he promised us—eternal life.”

My mother wasn’t perfect; but she was the perfect one for me.

She taught me how to embroider, to ride a bike, and blow giant bubbles with Bazooka Bubble Gum.

In my eyes, she was beautiful.

I miss her soft hands, the twinkle in her eyes, her encouragement, her unconditional love. 

I still listen for her voice, the shuffle of her feet, her laugh.

The sweet way she said my name.

If you’ve lost your mother recently, as I have, my prayer for you today is that you can rejoice in the small things you remember about her and in in knowing that this is but a brief time apart.

One day you will reunite.

And spend eternity together.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 1

The Truth About Your Name

by Brenda Poulos

Proverbs 22:1- “A good name is more desirable than riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

I’ve seen several online articles this week about rich, powerful, and famous people. 

They seemingly “had it all.” Good looks, influence, notoriety.

However, now each have at least this one thing in common: they have been caught doing something illegal, ruining their good name—forever.

They will soon be forgotten, losing the reputation they spent a lifetime building.

All the things this world has to offer can be lost by making just one poor decision. But the Bible tells us that it is better to be known as a good, moral, law-abiding person.

It’s the way we live our lives that is of upmost importance.

 Our good name will stay with us forever.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Apr 24

Do You Have It “All”?

by Brenda Poulos

Mark 10:25- “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Brad shook hands with his partner and turned to place his briefcase in his Tesla. He glanced at his Rolex. Eight o’clock. Once more, he’d missed dinner with his family.

All the way home, through the gate, and up the gradual incline that ended in a curved driveway, he thought about his charmed life.

He had everything. Wealth, a beautiful family, a retirement account unsurpassed by anyone in his company. Why, then, was he unhappy? Unfulfilled? 

The new guy, Jack, was starting at the bottom. He was barely even able to support his family on his meager salary. But he had a spring to his step. He radiated happiness.

His demeanor was so irritating that today Brad flat out asked him what made him so happy. 

“Jesus.”

Brad knew what that kind of life would mean. Bible Studies, Potluck dinners at the church, and tithing. Giving up time and resources he’d worked so hard to acquire.

He stood on his front steps, his hand on the door handle. Who in their right mind would give all this up?

Not me, that’s for sure.

It’s hard for the rich and powerful to put faith in anyone other than themselves. But they need a Savior just as much as you and I. 

If you know someone who “has it all” on earth, pray that they will be able to relinquish control—for a heavenly reward.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Apr 17

Nothing Will Compare to This

by Brenda Poulos

John 20:18- “Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”

Like me, I am sure you’ve seen a lot of beautiful things in your lifetime.

Sunrises. Sunsets.

Summer rains. Puffy clouds. Rainbows.

The Grand Canyon. Alaskan glaciers.

A newborn babe.

So many. So wondrous.

But the greatest of all is something we haven’t yet seen… something Christians are looking forward to with great anticipation:

OUR RESURRECTED LORD.

The disciples saw him. And some of the women.

And one day we will see Him face-to-face.

Hallelujah!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Apr 10

Take Action

by Brenda Poulos

1 John 3:18- “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

Most of you probably know that I am a writer and besides this blog, I also write one each week for other writers.

This week, I am making a case for “Show, Don’t Tell.” It is simply a writing principle by which authors use action, description, and dialogue to bring the written word alive so that readers experience the story more fully than being “told.”

I immediately saw the parallel between the verse from 1 John and this writing principle.

God doesn’t want us to just talk about helping others. He wants to see action on our part, whether it means giving someone a ride, mowing their lawn or furnishing a meal.

On a movie set, one regularly hears, “Lights, action, camera.”

In the Bible, we read about servanthood and how God wants us to act out our faith.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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