spiritualsnippets.com

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

May 22

He’s Got This

by Brenda Poulos

Job 22:21- “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.”

I don’t look forward to the two roundabouts I must maneuver every day on my way home. Even for those of us driving on them frequently, they can be tricky.

Each roadway leading into and out of the roundabout, posts a large YIELD sign. And, guess what? Frequent accidents are the norm.

The human animal doesn’t like to YIELD to others.

So consumed with “self,” we want to “go first.”

We Christians understand we are to YIELD to God, but are often stubborn and take things into our own hands. 

We forget that He already knows the outcome of every situation! There is no one more worthy of our trust.

When we YIELD to God, we will be at peace with Him and we will prosper.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Nov 23

Giving Thanks for Future Blessings

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 8:28- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Occasionally, I find myself missing my days of teaching elementary school. This is especially true around Thanksgiving.

Each year, my little kindergarteners would choose to be Indians or Pilgrims, making Pilgrim hats or headbands with colorful feathers. They would use brown paper grocery bags to make Indian vests or black and white butcher paper for Pilgrim attire.

Mothers would come to school and help us prepare stew, cornbread, apple cider, and spice cake and/or cookies for our customary “feast.”

The faces of those little ones were so precious as each child stood and told the class what they were thankful for… their families…their homes.

I know several families who are currently suffering from health issues. I know one going through a divorce. I know one dealing with broken relationships with siblings; another saddened by the estrangement of adult children.

It’s easy to be thankful for blessings like wealth, wisdom, newborn babies, and good health. It’s quite another to be thankful for the trials in this life, isn’t it?

But, many of us know that it’s in the hard times that we learn to trust God…that our relationship with Him deepens as we depend on Him for the strength to get us through.

It’s possible, that years after a hurtful event, we are able to see the good result(s) God brings about because of our dire circumstances. In fact, there are times when we can look back on what we once viewed as tragedies and see that they were actually future blessings—in disguise.

Which brings me to this point: If we, as Christians, believe the truth of Romans 8:28, shouldn’t we be able to trust God now?

Even if we never see the future?

Even if He never answers our question, “Why?”

Because that is really what faith is, isn’t it?

According to Hebrews 11:1, “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

We may not be able to see what God is going to do with a tragic circumstance, now, but we can have faith that those “things not seen” will someday come to pass.

Thanking God for the blessings in our lives, today, and for those in the future,

Brenda

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 9

Looking Beyond Present Circumstances

by Brenda Poulos

Hebrews 12:2– fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Both of our children had several recurring cases of planter’s warts when they were youngsters. The removal from the soles of their feet was very painful. After they had been through it once, each subsequent time they begged me not to make them go to the doctor.

I’d explain to them that although uncomfortable, the procedure would bring about the desired result. Once healed, their feet would no longer be tender to walk on. After several minutes of encouragement, they’d wipe away their tears and head for the car.

Once in the doctor’s office, a resurgence of the initial fear would often take place. That’s when I’d hold their hand and talk them through the operation. A few days later, they’d be playing outside again. The memory of the surgical procedure was already a thing of the past.

Have you ever put off a medical appointment because you thought the treatment would have been too painful, avoided having a conversation you felt might threaten a friendship or delayed making a decision that was just too difficult?

Jesus could identify with those feelings. He faced a painful death on the cross. However, he looked ahead to the salvation of mankind and endured the anguish. It was the only way to get the desired result.

There are times in life when the pain of the present must be endured in light of the promise of better days, better health, better circumstances to come in the future. The good news is that we will not have to go it alone. Jesus will be beside us all the way—guiding, encouraging, healing.

He was here. He knows what it is like to be human. But he also knows what it is like to be God. He doesn’t just hold our hands. He holds us in his hands.

He gives us the promise of a wonderful future because he was willing to look beyond his present circumstances and ahead to that glorious day when he will welcome his children into his kingdom—where he will sit at the right hand of God, to the glory of The Father!

 

Brenda

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