spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jun 2

These Will Lead to Hope and Joy

by Brenda Poulos

1 Thessalonians 5:17– pray continually.

Are you praying for your children, grandchildren?

Does it seem like you’re repeating the same prayers each day?

There’s nothing wrong with that. Remember that your fervent prayers “avail much.” However, I find that sometimes I don’t see the forest for the trees.

I came across the list of suggestions for praying which was sent to me by Compassion International some ten years ago when we began sponsorship of Nestor, a five-year-old African boy.

Here are several of the thirty-one ideas they sent. You may want to make some of these a habitual part of your prayers:

Pray for your child-

1- to accept Jesus as Savior and grow in Christ.

2- to resist negative peer pressure.

3- to develop strong friendships and family relationships.

4- to memorize God’s Word.

5- to make wise decisions.

6- for their safety and protection.

7- for patience and perseverance.

8- to tell the truth and resist temptation.

9- for physical health and strength.

10- to honor their parents.

11- to grow close to God in prayer.

12) for stability in his family.

13) for a spirit of hope and joy leading to a bright future.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 26

Never Changing

by Brenda Poulos

Hebrews 13:8– “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

My good friend, Jana, in the fourth grade often came to school crying. Her dad drank a lot, and when he did, his patience and demeanor changed. From day to day, she never knew “which dad he would be,” so she and her mother lived in constant fear.

Flowers, animals, and people grow. At certain times the changes can be breathtaking and wondrous. Others may not be positive changes at all! (Think about the stages teenagers go through!)

However, isn’t it good to know that our God remains the same, even though the world and everything in it changes?

His constancy means we can always rely on Him. His truths are not subject to whims or favoritism.

We can count on Him to always be there for us, to tell the truth (for He IS Truth), to guide us according to His plan for our lives. 

He will always show us His unconditional love, for that is His very nature.

My prayer today is that He will continue to change me to be more and more like Him!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 19

Today Is A Good Day!

by Brenda Poulos

Genesis 35:3- “Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”

Mother’s Day is over and Father’s Day is just around the corner. In between those two holidays, our family will celebrate a couple of birthdays.

In the verse I am sharing today, God talks with Jacob and he builds a memorial to that fact whereas nowadays we might give someone a special piece of jewelry or a plaque to commemorate holidays, birthdays, graduations, weddings, or accomplishments. 

We keep track of all of these dates in a small book. My grandfather kept his in his Bible, which I inherited. The most notable was the date of his baptism.

Sundays are a special day in our household, when we are able to worship as a family. Not out of habit. Not as a ritual. But because we want to give God honor and first place in our lives. 

If you haven’t been to church in a while, today is a good day to praise The Lord!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 12

Always Joyful

by Brenda Poulos

Philippians 4:4a- “Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord.”

As a child, I always felt safe. I knew my parents were nearby and would take care of me.

When mother passed away two years ago, and Dad followed her eight months later, I felt an extreme loneliness.

Since then, Mother’s Day has been a bittersweet day for me. 

Yes, I have wonderful adult children who make the day special for me. Still, I experience sadness and find myself taking consolation in the scriptures.

I read verses about God being with me and not forsaking me. I know He is always with me. 

However, the verse I share today is especially comforting. It made me smile in the midst of my loneliness. 

I belong to the Lord and that fact brings me great joy.

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May 5

Father Knows Best

by Brenda Poulos

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.”

We planned a trip with friends. 

They came down with colds.

Our daughter decided to “go” for her Doctorate.

Problems with her children took priority.

A friend wanted to become a foster parent.

A change in regulations disqualified her.

Changes in our plans are disappointing, but as Christians, we know that God has a plan for each of our lives—and it is His plan that is “best.”

I’ve found it easier not to be disappointed when my plans don’t work out, if I remember that God knows the circumstances surrounding my plans and what situations are just around the bend. 

Being about to see the past, present, and future—as well His knowing our hearts, desires, and motives—makes trusting Him easier. We can look forward to experiencing the very best He has for us.

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Mar 10

What Does the Cross Mean to You?

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 53:10- “It was the Lord’s will to crush Him.”

I have a “coffee table” book that I keep out and enjoy all year long, even though written with the “Easter Season” in mind.

Entitled, The Cross, author Max Lucado has done a phenomenal job with both the written and the pictorial presentation of the cross through the ages.

I agree with his statement that “No other image (in all of history) evokes such emotion.”

Compiled and published in 1998, it stirs my heart each and every time I read it.

On the cross, our creator and savior sacrificed himself for His creation. It was no accident. It was God’s plan… His choice… His will.

It was intentional and voluntary. An act of Grace. His plan of redemption.

John the Baptist called Jesus “The Lamb of God.” I call Him my Savior.

What does The Cross mean to you?

***Note, I will be taking the next 2-3 weeks to work on a home renovation. I will return to the keyboard the first of April. Easter Blessings, everyone!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 3

Do You Feel Powerless? Hopeless?

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 68:35b- “The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.”

Due to a powerful storm, our electricity was “off” most of the day. Not only did it make our vision difficult, without heat we were COLD. We could not cook, but luckily my husband is a snacker. That night we filled our stomachs with not-so-nutritious things to eat.

In church we had been talking about our all-powerful God, so the subject was already on my mind. What would my life be like if I no longer had His power to tap into?

Many times throughout the week, I experience His power in my life. Often, it is in response to prayer. Without knowing He would be there for me in difficult circumstances, without the assurance of Him being “in charge” of what is happening in the world, I would have no hope.

Is that how unbelievers must feel at times? Powerless. Hopeless?

Just knowing that, makes me want to share His Good News even more. How about you?

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Feb 25

A “Jesus Experience”

by Brenda Poulos

John 14:6- “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Last week I got a phone call from a friend who has spent the better part of seven decades in denial that Jesus exists. She told me, through many tears, that she had a “Jesus Experience” and now knows that Jesus is real.

You can guess at my rejoicing (I told her the angels in heaven rejoice when sinners come to salvation.) She said she had not yet been born again. She is simply acknowledging that Jesus is real. “Perhaps I will come to believe in him as my Savior. The jury is still out on that one.”

I am looking forward to meeting with her next week, hearing the story of her “Jesus experience,” and sharing the gospel with her. I praise God that she has taken the first step. 

Please pray that she will accept Jesus as the “way, the truth, and the life” and have an even greater experience when she becomes a child of God!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Feb 18

Perfect Love

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 8:38, 39- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Since this is Valentine’s week, I can think of no truer love to talk about than the love that God sent to us in the form of his son. No truer love than that which sent Jesus to the cross to die for our sins.

The Bible tells us that God IS love. He is the very essence of love.

As human beings, our minds and actions are motivated—at times—by so many emotions: sadness, jealousy, hate, kindness, empathy, anger, and so on. It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to have love be our only motivation.

Many people spend much of their time serving others, volunteering, donating money, and so on. These unselfish acts of human kindness are hard for some of us to fathom. Even more so, would be the giving of one’s life for another. 

I remember the awe I experienced as a youngster when I heard of Jesus’s love for me. I still am filled with wonder and amazement when I contemplate the depth of His love—his perfect love for all of us.

Let’s send God a valentine today. A prayer of gratefulness for His perfect and undying love!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Feb 11

Take the First Step

by Brenda Poulos

Zechariah 4:10a: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” 

“I’m a failure,” Barbara’s son yelled out as he came through the door.
She ran from the kitchen, a spatula in her hand. “Sammy, what’s this all about?”

“I’m going to get an “F” in science. My experiment didn’t work.”

“We’ll ask Dad to help when he gets home. But I want you to know that a person is only a failure if he doesn’t try. You’ve worked hard on your project. You’re not a failure.”

Barbara might not have known it, but she was teaching Sammy a Biblical truth. The verse above demonstrates how God feels about people who put forth effort.

What in your life are you wanting to accomplish? What behavior are you wanting to change? What would you like to learn? 

Today, remember that the Lord is pleased when you take that first step.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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