spiritualsnippets.com

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

Apr 16

He Never Changes

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 100:5- “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

I read an article this week about Old Faithful, the powerful geyser in Yellowstone National Park. It was named as such because it erupted with reliable regularity (every 91 minutes).

Scripture tells us that God is faithful. We can count on Him. Rely on Him to do what He says He will.

We don’t have to guess about what He considers important, just, right, or true.

Since He cannot lie, break His promises, or change His mind we can be assured He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Feb 12

Everyone. Everywhere.

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 5:13- “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”

You have seen huge crowds on television—or even been a part of one at an inauguration, a sporting event, or funeral of a well-known person. I recently watched part of a Billy Graham crusade, marveling as the camera panned over a throng of thousands. 

Yesterday, as I drove in rush hour traffic and sat through more than a few traffic light changes, I praised the Lord to worship songs on Christian radio. In my mind’s eye, I saw people bowing before Him. Then, the scene widened to include the whole earth. And, I could see people all around the globe each with bended knees.

We know the Bible says in the future that all will bow before the Lord, but what if the humbling before our God isn’t just one at a time as we come before Him? What if it will take place just as I imagined—all worshiping Him in unison?

And what if the crowd is made up of everyone who has ever lived? Past and present. All at the same time. All generations. All cultures and countries represented.

Can you even envision that? Mind boggling, isn’t it?

I’m not a pastor or even a seminary graduate. I’m just a layman who loves the Lord. I’m not saying that this is exactly “Biblical.” But I believe it is very close to how it will happen.

All those on earth, in heaven—and even all those “under the earth” will bow to Jesus.

To the Glory of the Father. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Feb 5

Look Inside

by Brenda Poulos

1 Samuel 16:7b- “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

People stared at me in the grocery store, but I couldn’t figure out why. It couldn’t be because my face was so attractive or recognizable.

What gives?, I asked myself.

When I returned home, I took a good look in the mirror. Disheveled hair, dusty and stained clothing, holes in my grubby tennis shoes. 

My husband and I had been working all day on a home renovation project when I rushed out to get what we needed for dinner. I hadn’t given a thought to my appearance when I grabbed the keys and drove to the nearby supermarket.

In our new neighborhood, no one knew me or my background, intentions, or anything about me. They only had my appearance to base their opinions on.

However, it’s not that way with God. Outside appearances don’t concern Him. He knows us on the inside. 

And He still loves us.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 17

Follow His Lead

by Brenda Poulos

Exodus 13:21– “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.”

Feel the need for guidance?

Don’t know which way to turn?

Wonder if you’re on the right path?

There’s a lesson to be learned from the passage from Exodus. 

God watched over the Children of Israel on their journey to the Promised Land, guiding them with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. All they had to do was follow it when it moved and stop when it stopped.

Sound simple?

The Bible tells us that God will direct our paths if we keep our eyes on Him. Running ahead of Him (thinking we know what’s best) is what gets us into trouble. 

How can God lead, if we run ahead?

We need to follow the One that knows all the twists and turns in the trail just as the  Israelites did.

God has a path for each one of us. All we need to do is keep our eyes on Him.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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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.

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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May 15

Reach Out

by Brenda Poulos

Acts: 17: 27: “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

“Why did God let this happen?”

This is a common question asked by those suffering from illness and loss. Isn’t it? Perhaps you have even said those words, yourself.

In Acts, we find that God wants to comfort those who are suffering. He hopes they will seek him “and find him.”

Over the years, I have heard stories about people who have come to know the Lord in the midst of difficult circumstances involving family members, friends, and even themselves.

These words remind me of the picture my parents had hanging in their house of Jesus knocking on the door of someone’s heart. 

Whether it is someone with a “scientific” mind who has doubts, or a person who has spent a lifetime running in the other direction, or a variety of other reasons, He is closer than you can imagine.

And He’s waiting for you to reach out for Him.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 13

Perfect Faithfulness

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 25:1- “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”

We invited some new friends over for dessert at our house last week. When a large frame with a dozen small pictures of our family over the years caught their eyes I told them a little bit about each person and pet displayed. 

What a thrill it was to share the joys of a lifetime with others. 

Thinking back to that experience, I realize that each photograph recounts, in some way, the faithfulness of God. We remember that He has blessed us with people and events in our lives that He planned for us before we were even born.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 6

The New Black

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 5:20- “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

I read on the internet this week that “Orange is the New Black.”  

When one uses the expression that something is the new black, they mean that it is suddenly fashionable or popular. What was once considered good is now replaced by something else.

I thought about the way our social culture has been changing rapidly during the past few years. Words which were once not allowed to be spoken on television and radio, are now commonly heard—and no one even blinks an eye.

The way people dress in public nowadays would never have been allowed in malls, public parks, or restaurants a decade ago. What was once discreet and tasteful is now thought to be old-fashioned. 

Actions that were labeled as wrong are now right; and those that were once considered right, have become wrong in the eyes of the world.

God told us in his Word that this is exactly what would happen in the End Times. He also has told us which behaviors He considers right and wrong/ sinful and not. God doesn’t change His mind. In fact, Hebrews 13:8 states that he remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

With God, what is right is right; what is wrong is wrong. We never have to second-guess Him. 

Isn’t it a comfort to know He doesn’t change His mind or His standards? That unlike the world that changes constantly around us, we can always depend on Him?

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Dec 12

No Tears

by Brenda Poulos

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73: 25b-26.

There were no tears at our mother’s deathbed this week. It’s true.

It wasn’t because she wasn’t a wonderful person, mother, and friend.

It was because she had suffered with Alzheimer’s for six years and we rejoiced to have her set free from a brain and body that no longer functioned as they should.

We cling to the promise that she is once again whole.

Of course, the next day it hit me that I would never see her smile again or hear her call my name. I broke down, as you would expect. I will miss my mother!

But God is our family’s strength and hope.

And our portion forever.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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