spiritualsnippets.com

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

Sep 22

The Salt of the Earth

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 5:13a- “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?”

When a friend suggested it might help if I would soak my swollen feet in Epsom Salt, it got me thinking about the scripture in Matthew and about the other many uses “plain old salt” has had over the centuries.

Many of us salt our food to enhance the flavor.

Food companies use salt as a preservative. 

In the first century, salt was used to keep certain foods, especially meat, from spoiling. Salt also had religious and sacrificial significance. To eat salt with someone meant to be bonded together in loyalty.

As the salt of the earth, Christians are preservers of God’s covenant and give true flavor to the world. They are called to prevent moral decay and preserve goodness in society. We are meant to positively influence and enhance the lives of those around us, making a difference in our communities. 

Being “salt” means bringing flavor, preservation, and healing to the world around us.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Sep 15

Did You Know This?

by Brenda Poulos

2 Chronicles 7:14- “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Last night, I had an epiphany, of sorts.

One that I just had to share with you.

I have mentioned this verse in 2 Chronicles in the past, but as I reread it, yesterday, the words “who are called by my name” stood out to me.

God is talking to us, fellow Christians! He is talking to “my people who are called by my name.”

If you are a Christian, He is calling you out!

When I look at the world around us—fires, floods, immigration issues, lies, wars, and now rumors of more wars, we cannot remain complacent. We cannot have a “God will do what He is going to do” attitude.

He has commanded Christians to pray for our world.

One of the earliest things I remember being taught in Sunday School was that Prayer Changes Things.

I still believe that.

But that is not all. This verse is packed with more things God is commanding Christians to do. In my blogs for the next few weeks, I will be unpacking them. It’s that important.

Remember, James 5:16 says the “… The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

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Jul 31

He Hears

by Brenda Poulos

I John 5:14- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

From time to time, I like to read historical fiction. 

The main character in a book I read recently wrote faithfully each month to her fiancé during the war—even though she never got confirmation that he’d received her letters.

I thought of how comforting it is that Christians are assured of God hearing our prayers. He is concerned with our day-to-day lives, providing for our needs and guiding our steps.

We don’t have to worry about Him hearing us. His Word is truth and it assures us this is so.

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Apr 17

Nothing Will Compare to This

by Brenda Poulos

John 20:18- “Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”

Like me, I am sure you’ve seen a lot of beautiful things in your lifetime.

Sunrises. Sunsets.

Summer rains. Puffy clouds. Rainbows.

The Grand Canyon. Alaskan glaciers.

A newborn babe.

So many. So wondrous.

But the greatest of all is something we haven’t yet seen… something Christians are looking forward to with great anticipation:

OUR RESURRECTED LORD.

The disciples saw him. And some of the women.

And one day we will see Him face-to-face.

Hallelujah!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Nov 25

Are Your Feet Beautiful?

by Brenda Poulos

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Romans 10:15b- “As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

 

I am sure you have heard in the last few weeks about missionaries who have been captured and/or killed by the very people that they wanted to reach with the message of Jesus.

They didn’t stay in the comfort of their own homes. They didn’t enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with their friends and loved ones.

They went to a myriad countries around the world to preach the gospel—the Good News—to those who haven’t heard.

They were selfless…obedient…servants of The Most High God.

Some were tortured. Many lost their lives.

The Holy Spirit led. They followed—without regard for their own safety or well-being.

Most of us cannot imagine giving up what they have for the cause of Christ.

Hands serving…feet going…

God calls all Christians to a life of service to others. 

I see it everywhere I look: on street corners and in front of stores, Salvation Army volunteers ring their bells; church members add their gifts to the benevolent fund at church; people donate meals; others mow lawns; still others make blankets for those who are ill or those in need of winter warmth.

We aren’t all called to serve in far off countries. We only need to look around us to find ways of serving in our own communities.

Whether you choose to work in a soup kitchen or a non-profit thrift store; whether you can devote an hour or an entire day; if you are serving others in Jesus’s name, you are acting as His hands and feet here on earth.

 

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Mar 20

A Free Gift for You

by Brenda Poulos

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Luke 3:22- “… and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

 

From her hospital bed, Lois opens a card with a familiar picture of a white dove on the front. The very sight of it warms her heart and reminds her of the peace of God.

Jenny pulls into the parking lot of a hospice thrift shop. She notices a familiar dove symbol on the sign as she enters the building.

Bill buys his wife a new Bible for her birthday. He has her name inscribed onto the leather cover, choosing the symbol of a dove to accent the beautiful printing.

What is it about the dove that makes it a popular symbol among Christians?

Two prominent stories in the Bible involve the dove. One is about the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descending upon him as a dove.

In Genesis 8, Noah released a dove after the flood. When the bird returned to him, it had an olive leaf in its mouth, letting Noah know there was dry land nearby. Many commentaries consider this as marking the end of God’s judgment and the beginning of a new covenant with man.

What is this “new covenant?” Jesus explained at his last Passover meal that his blood would be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28). By this, he was affirming that his death and resurrection was the means by which he would bring salvation to all who would believe.

No more would the offering of animal sacrifices be required to cover their sins, a ritual that required repetition on a daily basis. Instead, Jesus would shed his perfect blood once—for all.

A free gift for all who would believe in the Son of God for the forgiveness of sins.

Not because of righteous things that we might do, but because of His great mercy.

He loved us. He gave himself for us.

That we might have eternal life.

May the Holy Spirit descend on you, like a dove, declaring to you the good news of His salvation and the truth of the gospel…

For this reason, He endured the Cross.

 

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Aug 10

God Working Through You

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 128:6a – May you live to see your children’s children—

I attended a Christian conference this week and was blessed by every speaker. I basked in a lush oasis of truth and love from God during that time. It is no secret that one way Christians hear from God is through other Christians.

One of the speakers talked about the time a friend sent him the words to a song. It was the perfect one for him to hear that day. He played it over and over again, letting it minister to his parched soul until he was refreshed and overflowing with joy.

Yesterday, I talked with a friend who shared a struggle their family is currently going through regarding visitation of her baby granddaughter. My heart broke, hearing that the baby’s father and grandparents had not seen this precious one for more than three months!

How can my friend possibly be smiling—finding peace—amid struggles like that? How can she sleep at night when her days are filled with law enforcement and legal issues?

After three months of prayer, God spoke to her through His written Word. She read His promise from Psalm 128 (above). Her heart leapt for joy with the assurance that she would see her granddaughter!

Moments after reading this verse, she received a telephone call from a relative, directing her to look at a specific Facebook page. Imagine her unspeakable joy when she saw the beautiful face of her granddaughter smiling back. The child’s mother had posted the picture and God used it to fulfill His words to her grandmother, my friend.

Her granddaughter is safe and healthy. God had not only heard her prayer, but blessed the reading of His Word by supplying tangible evidence of His love.

God can use our words of encouragement, our prayers, His Word, His people—in any way and any form—to bring hope, healing, and peace to those around us.

Pray for someone today, share a scripture, remind them that we worship a God who cares.

The encouragement they need, today, just may come from God, working through you.

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