spiritualsnippets.com

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

Sep 8

Spiritual Stents

by Brenda Poulos

Acts 8:22- “Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.”  

Several years ago, my father went into the hospital for what we thought would be routine heart testing. Approximately a half-hour into the procedure, the doctor called the family into a conference room and showed us (via computer screen) Dad’s heart. He indicated two areas of blockage and asked for permission to place two stents.

Watching on the screen, we were able to see the stents inserted and the resulting rush of blood into the arteries that had been previously blocked. What a miracle to witness. We were all spellbound. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

Driving home, I thought about my how I needed a change of heart toward a close friend and an attitude adjustment toward a family member. I knew that harboring resentment would only lead to strained (blocked) relationships.

My hurt was deep and my feelings were REAL. I wanted to change and I knew that until I did, those relationships would’t be restored. But, how could I achieve these changes on my own?

I turned to the scriptures, asking God to show me what to do. I found guidance in His Word. Acts 8:22 held the answer. I needed to repent of my wrong attitude and ask forgiveness—first to God, and then to them.

It wasn’t easy, but I knew it was right. When I was obedient to God’s Word, a heavy weight was lifted. Today, our relationships are closer than ever!

Brenda

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Sep 1

Bringing Things Into Focus

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 5:7- “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

 

For months my vision had become progressively worse until my world had taken on a hazy glow. Nothing was clear anymore. I consulted my ophthalmologist. Cataract surgery was in order.

I actually looked forward to it. The thought of a brighter world—maybe even a world free of the glasses I had worn since the sixth grade—was very appealing.

The process was streamlined, painless, and went off without complications. Within a few minutes, I was released from my foggy world. I was amazed—and thankful.

I think about the times when I fail to see clearly the actions I should take, the decisions I should make, when I wrestle with the “whys”. Those are the times I know that I must go to God’s Word. I need His healing for my “spiritual eyes”, bringing purpose and direction—a clear focus on what is important.

Some day, God has promised to reveal all things to us. But, in the present time, it is His Word that encourages and gives us insight into the future. Based on it, we can come before God with confidence in prayer, knowing that what we ask for aligns with His will as outlined in scripture.

So, go to His Word when you are having trouble seeing the path ahead, when you need someone to lead the way, when you are willing to surrender your own will to His, and just follow—when you’re willing to “…walk by faith, not by sight.”

Brenda

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Aug 26

Spiritual Direction

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 23:1-3  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake.”

My husband loves to drive. Me? I’d rather look at the scenery, read a good book, or recline my seat and take a little snooze.

John is usually good with directions, but now and again, he’ll ask me to get the map out of his satchel and look for a certain road, landmark, or whatever. I’m not quite sure why he asks me to do this because he rarely believes me. He just pulls over to the side of the road, takes the map, and interprets it for himself.

If we should happen to get lost (now really lost, you understand) and I suggest that we ask directions at the next gas station, he gives me “the look”. We’ve all seen it at some time or another, so no further explanation necessary, right?

Why is it people, in general, and men, specifically, are so against asking for directions? Think about how many hours could be saved and how many wrong turns could be avoided!

As Christians, we have an infallible source at our fingertips! God, who has always been in existence, knows the past, present, and future. With His Word as our “map” and His Holy Spirit as our Guide, we never have to face an uncertain future.

If we take a wrong turn, we can get back on the right path by heeding what scripture reveals to us as truth. We feel confident and encouraged. We are no longer “lost”, but with His help, we find our way.

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Aug 19

Hit “Delete”

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 1:18- “…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow…”

My article for the school newspaper was due at the end of the week. I had been working on it for an hour, but my thoughts just weren’t coming together. It lacked a certain pizazz. I decided to take a break and come back to it later. Maybe it would make sense to me when I took a look at it with fresh eyes. Or, maybe it wouldn’t, and I’d scrap it and start all over. 

Have you ever wished you could start all over? Maybe erase something you said to a friend or spouse in anger? Perhaps go back to a point in time when you made a hasty choice resulting in an unplanned pregnancy or wished you hadn’t told your parent a lie to avoid punishment? Ever wanted a “redo”—an opportunity to do it all over again—and make a better choice the next time around? A chance to wipe the slate clean?

God does, in fact, offer us the opportunity to hit that DELETE key. Even though He knows everything we have done, He is willing to forgive us.

Why would He do this? Because He loves us UNCONDITIONALLY and because He wants a relationship with us which is only possible because His Son, Jesus, paid the price for our sin.

Brenda

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Aug 12

Promises, Promises

by Brenda Poulos

Numbers 23:19- “God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?”

“But you promised!” My daughter cried—and even stamped her tiny foot—as she yelled the words. Tears ran down her cheeks and onto her new silk blouse. Four years old and she already knew the meaning—and the heartbreak—of promises not kept!

Earlier in the week, she had asked me if she could have a friend over to swim on Saturday. I said that she could, not knowing that she’d have a terrible cold by Friday. I had to “break” my promise to her and, even though done with good reason, to a small child it became a “broken” promise.

She laid in bed all day, Saturday, coughing and sneezing, with a sore throat and a fever. She slept with the new bright orange and yellow beach towel I had bought her as a reminder of my new promise to ask her friend over, again, for a swim when she felt better.

There are times when, for one reason or another, we may not be able to keep our promises to those we love. However, I am reminded in scripture that God’s promises are  true and we can count on them with 100% certainty.

Brenda

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Aug 10

“Google It” Spiritual Style

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 119:105- “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

I was visiting with my parents when a question about plant fertilizers came up. Dad, of course, touted the benefits of steer manure. Mother brought up the effectiveness of a well-known national brand on indoor plants. My husband suggested that a mixture of certain ones might be optimum.

Having no opinion, but still wanting to be part of the conversation, I suggested that we “GOOGLE IT”. After all, just about everything we need to know, is right there at our fingertips. Isn’t it?

But, what about questions of a spiritual nature? For instance, how should we respond to those who hurt us? What should we do with feelings of inadequacy, sadness, betrayal?

Proverbs 14:12 says, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” We are told that it is God’s Word that provides the answers for all of our concerns and problems.

Christian bookstores are filled with enjoyable and uplifting books, both fiction and non-fiction. These can be helpful and offer directions on a myriad of subjects, but none of them is a substitute for the scriptures, the indisputable Word of God.

So, whether you see an answer to a Biblical truth or just need encouragement for your day, try “Googling It” spiritual style and turn to our ultimate source, The Bible.

Blessings,

Brenda

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