spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jul 20

Is My Truth Really The Truth?

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

The term, “My Truth” has been popular for a number of years. The concept being that there may not be an ultimate truth, so people are entitled to adopt their own “truths”—those which are real to them.

To illustrate, a person may believe that the color we all recognize as red is yellow. As long as it is not harmful to others, this alternate truth would be acceptable.

There is a problem with even this simple illustration, though, isn’t there? Right away, I see the difficulty of defending this alternate truth of a “red light runner.”

What does the Bible say about truth?

Throughout the entire book, we are told repeatedly that Jesus is “The Way, the TRUTH, and the Life” and that no one can come to the Father (God) except through Him (Jesus).

The Bible and its teachings are all referred to as “truths.”

That knowledge gives me, as a Christian, peace and comfort. It is encouraging to know I am following the One who is TRUTH, rather than a false “truth of my own.”

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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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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Jan 19

A New Beginning

by Brenda Poulos
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1 Samuel 16:13- “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers.”

Tomorrow

MLK Day

Inauguration Day

The American President is not a king, and an inauguration is not a coronation, but it does spark a memory of kings in “Bible Times.” 

Specifically, I recall how God chose David to be King from among his eight older brothers. 

David was called a man after God’s own heart. He was obedient, had great faith and trusted God. Those qualities made him the leader God wanted for Israel.

Like David, each of us has been chosen by God—created for a specific purpose. And once His plan has been discovered, faith and trust in God is essential in carrying it out.

Are you facing a crossroads today? Are you unsure what God’s perfect plan is for your life? Or, do you even question whether there is such a plan at all?

The answer is in the Bible. He desires to work in the world through us.

Let His Word lead you to a New Beginning.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Oct 27

What’s the Alternative?

by Brenda Poulos

Deuteronomy 6: 6-9: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

My husband and I used to like going to the movies, but we haven’t been to one in months.

We even enjoyed the previews. But not anymore.

They are filled with such violence and horror we’d never consider watching that sort of thing for 90 minutes!

I shudder to think what these are doing to young people’s minds.

We need to show them there are alternatives in good wholesome literature, Christian films, and—first and foremost—God’s Word.

We must monitor what they see on the internet. What they hear on the radio. Who they choose as friends.

It’s harder to be parents in today’s world than it was in previous generations. Christian parents and grandparents must take their responsibility seriously… be good role models… take their children to church and make sure their kids see them reading the Bible… help the young ones memorize scripture.

This verse from Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance for all of us to be intentional in raising children. If it was important centuries ago, it is even more so today.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jan 28

The Meanings of 666 and 777

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 13:16-18. “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”

Recently, someone asked me the significance of the numbers 666 and 777.

If you’ve ever wondered about these, keep reading.

The number 666, commonly known as the Mark of the Beast, serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God and following a path of sin and rebellion.

It is a reference to the end times (and many Bible scholars believe we are now living in that period of time) and the coming of the Antichrist who will lead a rebellion against God before the final judgment. He will require all people to take his mark. Those who don’t will not be able to buy or sell goods, among other things. 

Remember, 666 is man-centered… God-denying. It means  “never God, never God, never God,” whereas 777 is the divine number of God.

Triple sevens in scripture show something that has been divinely ordained is being perfectly fulfilled.

The number 7 has been significant throughout the Bible: God rested on the 7th day; the apostle John describes seven churches and seven spirits before God’s throne in Revelation 1:4; 777 is the number of the perfect Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the number emphasizes the importance of God’s work being completed perfectly in our world.

The message? Refuse the mark and stand up for God. Heaven is your reward.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Sep 18

Thought Life

by Brenda Poulos

Psalms 19:14- “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

In high school, my Sunday school teacher frequently talked about “thought life,” warning us that impure thoughts lead to impure actions. Conversely, he said that pure thoughts lead to actions that are acceptable to God.

Throughout life, I have found the verse in Psalms to be true. But for teens nowadays, the influences of social media, movies, and literature are even more profound.

So, if what goes into their minds is impure, how can their thoughts (the meditations of their hearts) be pleasing to God? And how can the result be lives lived according to God’s will?

I think the answer to the question is found at the end of the verse: Those that find their salvation and strength in the Lord, will be able to live with clean minds (thoughts) and out of their mouths will come clean speech.

The Bible and prayer—along with the Holy Spirit—will guide teens living in the world today. When their true desire is that their thoughts and actions please God, He will be there to help them do just that. 

As parents and grandparents, daily prayer for our young people to resist the temptations of this world and to follow the truth found in God’s word is more important today than it has ever been.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jun 26

The Fourth Man

by Brenda Poulos

Daniel 3:25- “Look!” He answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

One of my favorite Bible stories is about Daniel and his friends, who defied the authorities and refused to bow down to the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar set up. They were thrown into the fiery furnace, God protected them and they were let go, unharmed.

As a child, I somehow missed the part about the fourth man in the furnace that day. However, as an adult, I see it as a clear depiction of the fact that when we are going through trials and tribulations, Jesus is right beside us. 

He has never promised to solve all of our problems for us or heal all of our aches and pains. But he has said he will never leave or forsake us. He reminds us that he is there with us. He is a friend that sticks closer to us than a brother.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Apr 3

Unchangeable Truth

by Brenda Poulos

Ephesians 4:21– “… when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.”

A friend bought the third edition of a well-known non-fiction book. He was thrilled with his purchase, convinced he’d bought it at a good price.

Why did he want the third edition? Being a scientific book, he wanted to always have the most up to date information.

It is not unusual for books to reprint when so-called “facts” become obsolete, especially those about vitamins, diet, and child-rearing.

The Bible, however is unchangeable. Its message, its truths, remain the same throughout all eternity—past, present, and future.

There will never be a reason for an update, or a change due to inaccuracy. It is perfect and will always remain so.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Feb 27

Transformation: On the Inside

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 12: 2a- “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

A new prescription pill is on the market, targeting individuals with mental issues. I perked up when I heard these words: “You cannot change what goes on in the world, but you can change what goes on inside you.” (Perhaps not a perfect quote because I wrote it down later).

As believers, we can change a lot of what goes on inside us. Developing the daily habit of prayer and spending time in the Word are key to “renewing our mind.”

And we must guard our hearts and minds. That’s a matter of monitoring what goes into us—the visual, oral, and auditory.

Movies. Conversation. Music. Books.

It’s been over fifteen years ago that I began to listen exclusively to Christian radio. Now, granted many of the secular songs on the radio are beautiful and there is nothing wrong with them, per se. However, I found that often the commercials and commentary were often chocked full of negativism and sexist remarks that I knew held the potential for keeping my mind off things “above.” 

Over the years, I have developed a “filter,” making it possible for me to “guard my heart and mind.” The Holy Spirit has changed my mind and my desires, just as Christ promised.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jun 6

A Nourishing Spiritual Diet

by Brenda Poulos

Colossians 3:1 6a- “Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly…

How many times are we told to eat foods that are good for our bodies? Lean meats, vegetables, fruits, whole grains… 

When given the choice, do we often grab a handful of chips or a couple of chocolate chip cookies instead?

Sometimes it takes a lab report or a visit to the doctor to set us straight and help motivate us into making healthier choices. And when we do, we feel better and have more energy.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with reading a good mystery novel now and then, we need to be on a regular diet of good spiritual food.

We are able to grow in our walk with the Lord through daily reading of the scriptures and application of the principles from God’s Word.

Look at that word, “richly” in the verse from Colossians. Spiritual food isn’t diet food, where we don’t feel satisfied. Spiritual food has substance. It nourishes our souls.

As with healthy eating, spiritual food gives us the energy to face whatever the day may bring. We won’t feel depleted by day’s end, but rather we will find ourselves energized and encouraged as our day unfolds.

Keeping a New Testament or small Bible with you at work or in your car or purse will also make it possible for you to get a spiritually-healthy “snack” in the middle of the afternoon. 

A spiritual diet of truths from God’s Word will guide you, and grow you in your faith.

Let God’s Word dwell in you richly.

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