spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jan 18

Want to Hear From God?

by Brenda Poulos
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“While he (Peter) was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!’” – Matthew 17:5

As recorded in Matthew, at Jesus’s transfiguration,Peter, James, and John heard God’s audible voice.

These are the same words God spoke when Jesus was baptized. 

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;[d] with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11

Want to hear from God?

In these days and times, God speaks to people in several ways: through His Word, in prayer, in our thoughts, and often in the stillness around us.

It’s not about hearing the sound of His voice.

It’s about recognizing His Presence… asking for His direction and guidance. 

He promises that those who seek Him will Find Him when they seek Him with all their heart.

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May 4

The Blind Man

by Brenda Poulos
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John 9: 6.7- “After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. My father also had it, so I knew first hand that this could lead to blindness. 

On the way home from my doctor’s office, I thought ahead to what this might mean for my future. Not being able to see colors, sunrises/sunsets, my children’s faces, read/write books, and so on.

Later, during Bible reading, I came across the passage about the blind man that Jesus heals. As I pray daily for healing for my own disease, I imagine Jesus applying cooling mud to my eyes and restoring my sight to what it once was.

Will my eyes be healed or does God have a different plan for me? That I don’t know.

What I do know is that the blind man’s faith healed him. So, each day I pray for increased faith, too.

If you have a physical or mental ailment and are in need of healing, read the many stories of miracles in the scriptures. I pray that your faith will be increased and you, too, experience Jesus’s healing touch.

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Apr 27

Worthless or Priceless?

by Brenda Poulos
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Psalm 51: 16,17- “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.”

I collect a pottery called Roseville. As part of the global world of antiques, it is sought  after—especially when it is in perfect condition.

However, if chipped or broken, it is nearly worthless on the resale market.

That’s the way it is with most antiques, however. Perfection is key.

What about human beings? 

The Bible tells us that no one is perfect.

But it also says that we are priceless to our God.

In fact, He wants us to come to Him with broken and contrite hearts, asking His forgiveness for our sins.

Then, because of His great love for us, He sees us as whole and perfect—because we are “covered” in the blood of His perfect son, JESUS!

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Mar 23

Who Is God to You???

by Brenda Poulos
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Psalm 84:12- “Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

Continuing on with my topic of God, this survey is subjective. I am interested in hearing from you. What role does God play in your life? 

Here are some examples: Friend, Creator, Savior, Healer, Judge, Provider, Protector, Sustainer, Comforter, Guide, King, and so on. 

Feel free to say “all of the above, none of the above”, or add to the list.

As you know, I write Christian Fiction based on Biblical truth. I intend to use this information to guide my writing over the next year. 

I appreciate your interaction!

Brenda

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Feb 16

True Love

by Brenda Poulos
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A few years ago, I compiled the blogs I had written up to that point, into two volumes. These encouragements from God’s Word are as true today as back then–and they will remain so throughout all eternity. For God’s Love never changes. (Available at Amazonbooks.com and also archived on my website, brendapoulosauthor.com and archived on spiritual snippets.com

John 3:16- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will have everlasting life.”

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Jul 21

Keeping Us Safe

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 141:9- “Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me.”

You perhaps were spellbound, as I was, by Donald Trump’s account of the assassination attempt on his life last Saturday. But what impressed me most, was when Mr. Trump said he felt safe at that moment, knowing that God was with him.

His statement resonated with believers worldwide. 

Each of us has felt the love and protection of our Heavenly Father at various times in our lives. King David was no stranger to adversity, either. In the Psalms, he often cried out for God to be with him.

God’s mighty power will sustain those who call on Him. Be assured that He will see you, like Donald Trump, safely through difficult circumstances, according to His plan and purpose.

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Nov 22

Additions to “Thankful” List

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 12:10- “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As a child, do you remember your classroom teacher or Sunday school teacher asking you what you were thankful for?

I always answered, “Mom and Dad.”

My parents are 94 and 95 years old. If you asked me the same question today, I would answer the same—but with an addition.

Mom and Dad just tested positive for Covid-19. They live in an assisted living facility where all of a sudden others are testing positive, too. Some have symptoms. Some do not. But, none of them will be able to be with their families/friends on Thanksgiving Day again this year.

I continue to thank God for them and for those who faithfully care for them when I cannot. To put the health and safety of others before oneself is acting from a Biblical perspective.

This ties in with “It is more blessed to give than to receive” of Acts 20:25. It may go against our human instinct to put others first, but it truly means walking according to Jesus’s command to be his hands and feet here on earth.

Of course, it is the Lord Jesus who should get our ultimate praise for the salvation He brought to each of us. As Christians, we are also thankful for his peace, his healing, and his provision.

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Nov 14

The Eternals

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 should not perish but have eternal life.”

I watched the television previews for a new series this week. Called The Eternals, it is about a fictional group of super-powered beings whose job it is to preserve and safeguard the planet. The basic premise is that they have—and will—live forever. (At least that is what I conclude from the trailer.)

Humans have always been fascinated with the prospect of living forever. We’ve all heard about billionaires that die and have their bodies preserved for awakening at a predetermined time in the future.

Death, however, is seldom longed for—except, perhaps by those who are in intense physical pain, those emotionally disturbed, or the elderly.

But did you know that you can have the assurance of eternal life?

The Bible includes many verses referring to the promise of eternal life, given to believers by Jesus Christ. He is not a fictional character, like The Eternals. He is God’s Son who gave his life–shed his blood–to pay the penalty for our sin.

The gift of Eternal life is available to all who put their faith in him.

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Nov 7

Warning Signs

by Brenda Poulos

I Corinthians 10:11 – “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.”

Ready to change lanes on the freeway last week, my car’s warning system notified me that there was a vehicle in my blind spot. 

This allowed me to avoid what would have been a horrific accident.

There are a lot of early warning devices nowadays and although some may be irritating (like the one on the thermostat of our home’s heating/cooling system) they are meant to help consumers avoid catastrophes.

There are many warnings in the Bible, too.

The Apostle Paul’s name always comes to mind when I think about those who were sent to warn others. I would like to tell you his words were always heeded, but that was not the case. 

Some of the saddest and most tragic stories in the scriptures are those about men and women who failed to heed God’s warnings—and the consequences they experienced.

Thank God for His Word and for those, like Paul, who were obedient to His commands. It is their stories that make us aware of the results of certain actions/decisions.

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Oct 31

Time for a Change

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 57:15- “For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite’.”

The day before her haircut appointment, Jana studied herself in the mirror.

She’d worn the same hairstyle for the past decade. Time for a change.

But that would only be an external change.

She also longed for an internal change.

For years, she’d been struggling with a critical spirit toward a certain individual.

She prayed to the Holy Spirit to change her attitude toward her friend, to grant her a forgiving spirit where she was concerned. 

Because, just like only her hair stylist could change her hairstyle, she knew only the Holy Spirit could change her heart.

It might not be pleasant. She knew from past experience that it might even be painful. But she longed for the joy was that was missing from their relationship.

Over the next few months, Jana continued to pray. Slowly things began to change and the joy in their friendship returned.

Do you need to make some kind of internal change? The Holy Spirit longs to revive your spirit and give you joy, too! 

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