spiritualsnippets.com

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

Oct 9

The Confession

by Brenda Poulos

Acts 13:38- “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

Alan breathed a sigh of relief as he heard the not guilty verdict. Thirty months waiting for a trial, but finally he’d been acquitted of murder. He would have thought he’d be happier as he rode home in his attorney’s car, but the guilt he felt was even heavier than before. Just because he could afford a high-powered defense team, did that mean he should be able to get on with his life while the family of the guy he’d murdered struggled to make ends meet?

Within days, Alan fell into a deep depression. He was unable to look anyone in the eye lest they guess that he’d been guilty and didn’t deserve his freedom.

When his brother-in-law, Bill, tried to talk to Alan, he guessed the source of his extreme sadness. When he invited him to church, Alan refused to go. So Bill asked his pastor to pay Alan a visit at home. It was during one of his visits that Alan confessed his sin and accepted Jesus as Savior.

He immediately felt the freedom that he’d expected to feel when he was acquitted of the murder charges. God had forgiven him—paid the price for his sins—but Alan knew he needed to confess his crime.

Months later, in prison, Alan led his cellmate to the Lord. A week after that, another prisoner came to know forgiveness of his sins because of Alan’s testimony. Today, he is still serving his sentence—and still winning souls for Christ.

No matter who we are. 

No matter where we are.

We can be instruments of salvation to a hurting world. That world begins outside our doors. Someone on our street… in our very neighborhood… needs to hear of the forgiveness of Christ.

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Jul 3

Pray Away the Darkness

by Brenda Poulos

1 John 1:9- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

I met with a group of other writers at a church coffee shop this past week. And as we sat discussing our current work, we were jarred by the sound of the door opening and banging against the wall.

A young woman stumbled in, wailing one of the most awful sounds I have ever heard, and threw herself onto the concrete floor about six feet from our table. Her shirt wet with tears, she lay prostrate on the floor and yelled, “No one can help me.”

Our small group went over and began to pray. The woman continued to cry out that she’d done something so bad that she felt even God would not choose to help her.

The coffee shop manager called the pastor of the church, asking him to come and talk with the young woman. When he arrived and introduced himself, she willingly went with him to his office.

Praise God that this  woman—even though she thought herself unworthy of forgiveness—came the the “right place” where she would hear of God’s love and mercy.

When our meeting ended, the door to the pastor’s office still remained closed. We prayed again for this person to accept God’s forgiveness and begin a victorious life in Christ.

The verse I chose to highlight today is likely one that the pastor quoted to her. 

Pray for someone you may know who needs to hear they can experience forgiveness, too.

May the love of God shine into the dark places of their souls.

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Jun 5

The Forgiveness of an Eleven-year-old

by Brenda Poulos

Acts 13:38- “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

Pauline arrived home from school one afternoon in April of 1965 to find her mother murdered in her bedroom.

This horrific incident could have caused the ten-year-old to run from God, but thankfully, she did quite the opposite. 

She ran to Him for comfort and peace. And when she did, she found purpose for her life. 

At the age of twenty-one, Pauline graduated from college, and began a prison ministry that taught forgiveness as its core.

Some forty years after her mother’s death, her killer was apprehended (a cold case file) and convicted. Through her ministry, Pauline was able to lead her mother’s murderer to the Lord. 

She declined the invitation to witness his execution, stating that he had been forgiven by her and her God.

Like him, we need to face the consequences of our actions. We are required to pay for our wrongdoings on earth.

But also, like him, when we confess our sins we can know the forgiveness and grace of Christ who died to pay the price for all who will believe.

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Feb 6

Clean Out Your Junk Drawer

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 130:4- “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”

Last week I had some friends over for a ladies tea. I had a wonderful time catching up on what was new with each one of them. 

When we were in my kitchen, I mentioned we were thinking of repainting. I decided to show them some paint samples I’d collected. Everyone crowded around as I looked in my “junk” drawer for them.

Out came tape, pencils/pens, a hammer, a screw driver, store coupons, and so on. I could feel the heat creep up my neck as the contents of my junk drawer were exposed. I finally found what I was looking for but vowed aloud to clean everything out—and soon. The others just laughed, confessing they had a junk drawer in their kitchen, too. 

Later that night, I thought about what had happened and how embarrassing it had been to have them look at all of the items stuffed inside my drawer—out of sight. I thought about the junk drawer of my soul. The sins kept there. Sins I wouldn’t want anyone to see: lies I’d told to make myself “look better;” things I should have done for others, but hadn’t.

I needed to clean out the junk drawer of my life. I knew the only way to do so was by asking forgiveness from my heavenly Father. Once I did, I felt the release of the weight I’d been carrying. I was lighter.

Ready to serve Him wholeheartedly again.

I thanked God for the forgiveness He promised to bring once I confessed my sins to Him, I got out my recipe folder and turned my oven to 350 degrees.

All of a sudden, I felt like making an apple cobbler.

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Jun 27

Will They Know?

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 3:2- “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.”

Many years ago, a fellow teacher at my school noticed the cross that I wear daily. She looked at me and said words I will never forget, “I didn’t know that you were a Christian!”

That was one of the saddest comments I had ever heard, but it changed my life, profoundly. I didn’t want people to only know that I was a Christian because of a piece of jewelry. I wanted them to see Christ in me!

I asked God to show me ways in which I needed to change so that others might know that I was His child. I wanted my life to be representative of a daily walk with my Savior… to show my commitment to Christ and be an outward sign of what He has done in my heart… to glorify Him through my life and actions.

Do I mess up? Of course I do! But because He forgives his children, He sends the Holy Spirit to help me move forward.

I still wear my cross necklace, but I trust it’s my actions that show the world who I am–in Christ!

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Apr 18

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 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 areas of blockage and asked for permission to place two stents.

Watching on the screen, we saw the stents inserted and the rush of blood into the arteries that had been previously blocked. 

What a miracle to witness. 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. Continuing to harbor resentment would only lead to further strain (block) those relationships.

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

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Feb 7

Come Back Home

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 15:13b- “…the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living…(and) 17a- When he came to his senses, he said… 18b-Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” 

We recently “rescued” a two-year-old dog that is incredibly sweet, loving, and (all-important) housebroken. However, he is very stubborn and this unfortunate trait is getting him in a bit of trouble.

He pulls on the leash instead of trotting obediently at my side. He refuses to come when we call his name. In short, he wants his own way.

When will he realize a bag of treats are ready and waiting for obedient doggies?

Which brings me to the story of the prodigal son who stubbornly wanted his share of his father’s inheritance. When he got it, he squandered it.

But, the story has a happy ending because he finally comes to his senses and returns home to apologize and beg forgiveness.

Have you reached a place in your life where you found what you were looking for couldn’t be found in “the world”? You realize that temporary pleasures are not deep and satisfying? 

If so, please put your faith in God.

Come back home and experience His best for you. 

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Jan 10

The Enemy Within

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous …”

My book, Simon Says, tells the story of a boy who is taunted by bullies—enemies on the outside.

A 1994 movie, The Enemy Within, is about a military officer who uncovers a sinister plot perpetrated by his own superior officer.

Enemies within and without.

Political unrest and the worldwide pandemic have left people skeptical, frustrated, and anxious.

But the Bible tells us not to worry. 

Worry is the enemy within. 

And, when taken to the extreme, worry becomes hate.

Christians, if ever there was a time for us to pray for our enemies, it has to be now. 

Only when we let the spirit of forgiveness rule in our hearts can we truly heal.

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Aug 9

Did You Know?

by Brenda Poulos

Bestseller book cover lg

I Corinthians 10:31- “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

 

Have you been reading Spiritual Snippets each week, unaware that I am an author of Christian Fiction?

My first book, Runaways, the Long Journey Home, was based on a recurring dream. I consider that book, and the four that have come after it, as opportunities to declare the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

Authors bear tremendous publishing and marketing expenses. The revenue from book sales is what keeps us afloat.

These summer months, with Covid keeping many of us inside, have been the perfect opportunity for new readers to experience just how exciting Christian Fiction can be. 

Here is the book description of Runaways from my Amazon Book page:

No Mama. An abusive father. A dog for a best friend.

Ten-year-old Jake runs away from his remote Appalachian home in the dead of winter.

He and Hound, face freezing temperatures and near starvation as they travel through mountainous terrain.

And, they narrowly escape Father as he tracks them with the very rifle he used to kill Sam and Mama.

Then, when Jake hears about God’s unconditional love for him, he is confronted with the biggest decision of his life:

Will he keep running…

Or face his father?

**All of my books are available on Amazon, Kobo, or at the Barnes and Noble order desk. Formats: paperback, e-book, and Audible. You can find out more about me on my two websites:  www.spiritualsnippets.com and www.brendacpoulosauthor.org   

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Dec 22

The Gift God Sent

by Brenda Poulos

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John 3:16- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend recently gave me this, author unknown. You may have seen, or heard, it before. I hope it blesses you, yet again…

                                                           GOD SENT US A SAVIOR

                                           If our greatest need had been information,

God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology,

God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need would have been been money,

God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure,

God would have sent us an entertainer.

But, our greatest need was forgiveness,

So God sent us a Savior.

Merry Christmas to you and thanks be to God who meets our greatest need.

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