spiritualsnippets.com

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

Sep 25

You’re One of the Family

by Brenda Poulos

1 John 3:1a-  “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

 

I opened the blinds to the patio door outside our bedroom and was surprised by two bobcats!

“Whoa, you don’t belong here!” I shouted.

A friend told me about a family reunion she attended. It wasn’t quite the experience she had envisioned. “I love them all,” she said, “but we seemed so different. They were laughing and talking, but I felt like I didn’t fit in…like I didn’t belong.”

To please a friend, I once “played” a round of golf. The only thing I was good at was driving the cart. I couldn’t even hit the ball. I didn’t understand the terminology in order to take part in their conversation. Golf just wasn’t for me. I felt like I didn’t belong.

Have you ever felt that way?

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Left out of the “loop?”
Like you don’t belong?

If you are a believer in Christ, God tells us you DO belong—to HIM!

He created you…knit you together in your mother’s womb!  (Psalm 139:13)

You are his child.
Like a father loves and cares for his children

God loves you.

He cherishes you.

You have a special identity as a child of God. You are connected to Him with an unbreakable bond.

You never have to feel alone.

You’re one of the family.

 

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Sep 4

Father, I’m Home!

by Brenda Poulos

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Luke 15: 22-24 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

 

A soldier returns from battle.

A college student comes home for Christmas vacation.

A woman meets her birth mother for the first time.

Two friends reconnect after many years apart.

An estranged couple remarries.

Each scenario is a reason for rejoicing, isn’t it?

 

We don’t know the heartbreaking stories that lie behind each one, but we do feel the happiness in the reunions, don’t we?

We celebrate with each of those brought back together.

Relationships are mended and new memories can be made…

Hearts are joyous once again.

Although the word prodigal refers to someone who has spent money or resources recklessly or wastefully, that is not my “takeaway” from this Bible story.

Let’s focus on the fact that people were brought back together AND that relationships were restored.

Sometimes this happens simply because people return home after a time away, as in the case of the student and friends, above.

Other times, reconnections involve the element of forgiveness.

The prodigal son had wasted away his inheritance. He needed his father’s forgiveness. He humbled himself, seeking the restoration of their relationship.

God included this story in the Bible, I am convinced, to remind us that He forgives us…restores our relationship with Him…and that He wants us to follow His example in our own lives.

Is there someone in need of your forgiveness?

Or, is it you that needs the forgiveness of another?

In order for that to happen, two things must take place:  ~a humble, contrite heart of the one seeking forgiveness.  ~a willingness of the other to extend forgiveness.

In your case, it may not be an earthly relationship that needs mending. It may be your relationship with God that is in need of restoration.

If so, run to your heavenly father.

Let Him place the ring on your finger…

the robe on your shoulders…

and rejoice that you have returned home.

Experience anew what it is like to be wrapped in God’s grace!

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Aug 28

Prepare to Blossom!

by Brenda Poulos

 

27323922253_5fab10b390Psalm 121:5- “The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand.”

 

In the Arizona summer, shade is at a premium. People often circle parking lots more than once, looking to park in the shadow of a tree, building, or another vehicle taller than their own.

Finding a shady place to park can be akin to winning the lottery in the Valley of the Sun.

Drivers emerge from their vehicles with smug looks of satisfaction and head inside to shop, knowing when they return their cars will be twenty degrees or so cooler than they would be otherwise.

Psalms 120-134 are songs the Jews sang when traveling the roads toward Jerusalem. They prepared the travelers’ hearts and put them in a right attitude as they brought their sacrifices to God.

The reference to the “right hand” is a biblical symbol of one’s power and strength. Shade is the reassurance that we are standing in God’s shadow.

He is the source of our strength.

In this life, he is preparing each of us as we travel toward Heaven.

He is our keeper, our shelter, our protector, our guard.

He is preparing us for eternal life with Him.

In His shade, we do not burn up.

We do not wither.

Instead we flourish and blossom!

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Aug 21

In the Splendor of His Holiness

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 29:2- “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor  of his holiness.”

28957802972_097e78a424I watched the Olympics in Rio with awe as talented athletes from around the world came center stage to compete for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals in 300 events held in the space of 16 days.

I was astounded by their dedication, determination, and perseverance.

I was uplifted as many of the athletes turned their eyes upward and pointed toward heaven, giving God the glory for their superior, medal-winning performances, including Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man.

Terrell Diagneu, Maya Moore, Reid Priddy, Paige McPherson, Ryan Hall, Lolo Jones, Hunter Kemper, Wayde Von Niekerk, Missy Franklin also expressed their thanks to God.

Gabby Douglas, 16, the first African American woman in Olympic history to win the all-around gymnastics competition said, “…I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.”

Olympic gold medalist Christian Taylor, 26, made giving glory to God the reason for what he does and said that’s what keeps him grounded and motivated. He is now the world’s first triple jumper in 40 years to repeat his win as well as the first American athlete to win back-to-back golds for the event since 1904.

David Boudia and Steele Johnson won silver medals in synchronized diving. They give every ounce of glory to God, saying their true identity lies in Him.

These young men and women athletes acknowledge that it is God who gives them the skills and talents necessary to accomplish their Olympic dreams.

King David–wealthy, powerful, handsome–yet he knew who was responsible for his blessings and he gave praise and glory to God. He reminds us that whoever we are, it is to God’s glory that we are able to do what we do in life.

Singers, actors, athletes, writers, parents, teachers, lawyers, store clerks, cab drivers—whoever you are, wherever you live—it is by the grace of God that we all do what we do.

 

We may never break a world record or be openly-admired for our skills or talent, but as we finish each daily “event” may we also remember to

give God the glory and

worship Him in the splendor of His holiness.

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Aug 14

Safe Travels

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Jeremiah 17:7- “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

 

My husband likes to watch old cowboy movies. Often, there are episodes involving a wagon train crossing the country. With no way to know the conditions “up ahead” a scout is often sent out in front. His job is to look for impeding dangers, including the possibility of an ambush, and report back to the head trail master.

Many a movie plot hangs on the very outcome of such information—and the action taken by the brave men in the wagon party.

Wouldn’t it be nice if, in our everyday lives, someone would walk the road ahead of us and let us know of coming dangers? Someone we have complete confidence in? A person we trust to steer us clear of possible complications?

Wouldn’t it make life easier? Diminish our worries? Give us a certain degree of relief?

Wouldn’t we be more confident of our future if we knew for sure what tomorrow would bring?

Choosing the right person for the job would be key.

When we put our trust in God, we know the blessing that we are in the right place at the right time. That doesn’t mean we will be free from the dangers of this life, but it does mean that we are on the path that He has preplanned for us to travel…

The one that is filled with God’s greatest blessing for us.

The one in which He has chosen to reveal himself to us…

The one in which we can be of the most help to others…

Where we will learn the lessons He has for us as we travel homeward.

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Aug 7

YIELD

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 6:16– Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

 

In the last couple of years, several roundabouts were constructed on the entrances to freeways near our home. These were a new occurrence in our state and a number of accidents happened because drivers were unfamiliar with the traffic laws governing them.

(Roundabouts are circular intersections or junctions in which road traffic flows almost continuously in one direction around a central island.)

Drivers outside the roundabouts are expected to YIELD to vehicles already driving within them. In other words, drivers already on the roundabouts have the right of way.

In the same fashion, Christians are instructed to lead lives which are yielded to God.

In other words, we are to let God lead us. Let Him have the right of way.

We become followers.                                     226711064_141327731b

And we can be assured that He will never lead us in the path of a sinful life, but rather in paths of righteousness.

When we say, “Not my will, but thine, Lord,” we are giving control of our lives over to Him.

When we obey His Word, we are putting our faith and trust in Him…and we humble ourselves to His authority.

We no longer need to wonder if we are going in the right direction on the roundabouts of life.

With Him as our “central island” we can be confident that our path is the one intended for us and that He will lead us safely home.

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Aug 1

He Touched Me!!

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 9:21– She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

I’m not a football fan. However, when I was in junior high and high school, my friends and I “watched” the Arizona State Sun Devils play from our seats in the End Zone. We were affectionately called “THE KNOT HOLE GANG.”

Although I wasn’t crazy about the game, I sure did like the players.

Back in those days, fans were allowed to form a line on each side of the entrance where the players came onto the field. We were close enough that we could reach out and touch an arm or the sleeve of a uniform. We got goosebumps every time.

I also loved movies. On a trip to Hollywood as a young adult, I remember swooning when Clint Eastwood shook my hand.

A young man puts his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders—a loving touch.

A mother hold’s her sobbing child—a caring touch.

A concert pianist poises his hands above the black and white keys. The audience waits for—the touch of the master.

Two young men shake hands after an argument—the touch of friendship.

As incredible as each of these is, I can’t help but ask myself, “What would it be like to be touched by Jesus?”

In the book of Matthew, a woman declared that she knew she’d be healed just by touching the hem Jesus’s garment!

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She wasn’t a groupie or a young child idolizing a sports star. This was a serious situation.

She needed healing.

She knew she needed Jesus.

What about you?

Will you open your heart to be touched by Jesus? Allow his healing touch to make you whole again?

But, you say, Jesus doesn’t always choose to heal…

True.

Physical healing may not be in His plan for your life…or your loved ones’ lives.

But, He does want to heal your brokenness. He wants to use the disappointments and tragedies of our earthly lives to bring us to a place of dependance on Him. He wants to carry us through the troubled times, supporting us  with His strength.

He wants us to grow in our faith in Him. The kind of faith that believes He knows what is best for us and we trust Him to see us through…and to work out the difficulties we face for “the good of those who love Him and are called according to His good purpose.”

I have faith in a chair to hold me.

I have faith in my car to start each morning.

I have faith in my phone to keep me in touch with my family and friends.

But, I exercise my faith when I sit in the chair, turn the key in the ignition, and dial the phone.

Come to Him…in faith…believing.

Release control to Him…and experience His promises at work in your life.

Touch the hem of His garment.

 

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Jul 25

Anyone for Ice Cream?

by Brenda Poulos

I Corinthians 15:42- “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.”

Within four days the flowers my husband gave me for our anniversary had wilted.

The peaches from my neighbor’s tree rotted the day after they brought them over.

Bananas turn black.  Milk sours.  Lettuce wilts.

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Preservatives extend the freshness of some foods, but even canned goods have a shelf life.

Cheese and some beef are said to taste better when they are “aged,” but the sad fact is that most foods aren’t so appealing after the expiration date.

Crows feet at the outside corners of our eyes is one telltale sign that people are growing older.

Diminished capacity to see and hear.

Muscle strength weakens.

Hair turns gray, thins, recedes.

One day fades into another. Eventually walkers and wheelchairs become our friends.

Our human bodies, like fruits and vegetables, are perishable.

If only we could have our youthful bodies returned to us!

The verse from I Corinthians assures us that Christians will have perfectly youthful, resurrected bodies when we go to meet our Lord.

We will be beautiful….physically perfect. We will be strong and have endless vitality. There will be no limits to what our heavenly bodies will be able to do.

By the way, the ice cream won’t melt either.  (Oh, yes, there’s sure to be ice cream).

 

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Jul 18

Have You Changed?

by Brenda Poulos

 

 

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2Corinthians 5:17- “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

 

A man tries to convince a woman to give him a second chance. He pleads, “I’m not the man I used to be.”

A political figure urges Americans to vote for him because he has changed his beliefs on certain key issues.

A son admits he can hardly believe how he behaved in high school. “But, you’ll be glad to know I’ve really grown up in the last couple of years. I don’t do that stuff anymore.”

Recently, an old friend from elementary school (who seemed to always be in trouble) showed himself to be a respected businessman in his community. He’s a changed man.

Lying, cheating, filthy language, addictions.

They keep us from experiencing the lives we really want to live.

God says when we come to Him, our “old ways” can be things of the past. We become a new creation in Him. The old habits, thoughts, cravings, and actions can be conquered.

We CAN be a “changed man.” We can become responsible citizens, good parents, caring friends.

When others see the changes in us, they will want to know what made the difference in our lives…

And, then we can tell them, unashamedly, that it was the Power of God unto salvation.

And that it is available to ALL who BELIEVE.

 

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Jul 10

Do You See It?

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 46:10a- “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come…”

A spectacular-looking boat with a colorful spinnaker glided into view outside our vacation rental. “Honey, look! There’s the most beautiful sailboat in the bay!”

My husband left his comfortable seat to peer out the window. “Where? I don’t see anything.”

“It’s straight out there. Right where I’m pointing.” I thrust my finger forward for emphasis.

He shrugged his shoulders. “I still don’t see it.”

I crooked my finger and beckoned him to my side. “The trees must be blocking it from your view. Come stand by me. You’ll be able to see it from over here.”

He reached over to grab a handful of snacks from the table and sauntered over for one final try.  “Ah, there it is!”

 

 

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You have probably had a similar incident happen, haven’t you? One person sees something that the other cannot because of his vantage point?

That’s how it is with God. He can see everyone—and everything—past, present, and future—because of his unique vantage point.

If we were God, we could be 100% certain that we had done the right thing: taken the perfect job, married the ideal person, guided our children correctly.

If only we could see things from a perspective such as His.

From beginning to end, Genesis through Revelation, God’s Word helps us do just that.

By drawing close to God through his Word, we can change our vantage point.

No, we will never know all of the answers. We will not be able to foretell the future.

But, when we draw close to The One who does and can, then we only need to follow.

His perspective will keep us safe, secure, and on the right path.

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