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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Jul 6

A Sense of Awe

by Brenda Poulos
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Psalm 19:1- “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

As I watched fireworks on July 4th, I also enjoyed hearing three of my favorite songs: God Bless America, Amazing Grace, and America the Beautiful.

With a sense of awe, I thank God for giving these songwriters their unique abilities to create music for the rest of us to enjoy… and be inspired by.

Their songs resonate with my own soul as I sing along to worship God for giving us this beautiful land. I thank God for our many freedoms, which include the freedom to worship.

The universe cries out with Thanksgiving for the works of His hands. All nature, His Word tells us, lift their voices in praise.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of living in the United States of America!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jun 1

Want to Rewrite Your Past?

by Brenda Poulos
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Isaiah 43:25- “I, I am He  who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

It’s the ten year anniversary of the publishing of my first book, Runaways: The Long Journey Home. Curious to see if I had improved as a writer over the last ten years—and eleven books later—I decided to begin rereading all of my books in the order in which I wrote them. 

I wondered if I would find so many mistakes that I would want to rewrite a couple of them. And that got me thinking…

As Christians, wouldn’t it be wonderful to be given the opportunity to “rewrite” our past? To make better choices… to lean on the strength and wisdom of the Lord?

But, we don’t need to do that, do we? Because of God’s wonderful gift of forgiveness of our sins.

God not only forgives, He blots them out. Gone forever is our past with all of its mistakes… sinful actions.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t learn life lessons from past failures. We just don’t have to live with the guilt.

Praise God for His Mercy and Grace!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Nov 17

The Plan

by Brenda Poulos
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Isaiah 14: 26,27- “This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”

While we may not all agree as to what has taken place in our recent election, many were praying beforehand. Praying that God’s will would be done for the people of the United States.

These verses, from Isaiah affirm that God does have a plan and His plan will come to pass.

No matter what political party you may belong to, please believe that GOD IS GOOD.  And while we may not understand what has taken place, He acts in a way which will lead to ultimate GOOD.

 Take heart. He is in control.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Nov 3

Don’t Be Afraid

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 41:10- “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Gus worked at the local Circle K after he retired from teaching. He liked dealing with the public, especially his conversations with construction workers putting in an extension of a nearby freeway. 

One night, as he was talking with one of them, a guy with a gun barged into the store. The construction worker was shot trying to protect Gus. The robber got away with the cash in the drawer and the construction worker lived.

Gus said the verse in Isaiah 41 was what kept going through his mind as the robber held his gun on them. As a young kid, he had memorized a number of verses in his Sunday School classes. Over the years, they were instantly there when he needed them.

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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Oct 20

Are You Adopted?

by Brenda Poulos

Ephesians 1:5- “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

My husband is Greek. I am mostly German. Our “bestie” couple friends are Italian and belong to an Italian club.

They asked us if we wanted to join and we reminded them that we are not Italian.

They said it didn’t matter. We’d be “adopted in.”

We had a great time at the Italian picnic as newbie Italians. On the way home, I thought about the Bible reference regarding our “adoption as sons of God.”

So, just what does it mean to be adopted into God’s family?

It’s simple. When we come to faith in Christ, we are adopted into His family and given all the rights that heirs of God possess.

God doesn’t adopt people because they are worthy. He adopts them on the basis of His grace.

Christians are forever part of God’s family.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Aug 11

The Race

by Brenda Poulos

Hebrews 12:1- “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

It has been an exciting two weeks for us as we watched the summer Olympics. There were a total of 45 categories of sports represented. Many of them were “races”—track and field, swimming, cycling, rowing, and so on. 

Each event had rules and specific directions for those competing. In each “race” there were winners. And in each one, some fell short of the goal.

Why didn’t all Olympic competitors succeed? Lack of commitment in practicing? Illness? Injury? There could be many reasons.

I thought about the “race” that God has set out before each of us in this life. Although we are not competing against anyone, the Bible warns us not to be hindered (entangled) by sin. For it is sin that will prevent us from reaching the goal—serving our Lord the best we can… the way He has planned for us.

It could be deficient funds, wrong timing, lack of commitment, life’s distractions—any number of reasons for us to fail as we run life’s race. 

As for myself, I recognize that my own self-consciousness—nervousness in public-speaking— is a hinderance to my personal “race.” 

Once we recognize the deterrents in our lives, we are able to pray for God to help us overcome them. I know He wants each of us to finish well, the race He has marked out for us.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Aug 4

Are You Watching?

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 139:13,14- “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

I am enjoying watching the Olympics. I am in awe of the human body. 

Its capabilities. Strength. Power. Resilence.

While we applaud the performances of these amazing athletes, last night I praised their Creator. 

Tissue. Bone, Organs. Muscles. Senses. He thought of everything, didn’t He?

I love the scripture this week because it shows the depth and intricacy of the love and caring with which He made each of us.

I am especially blessed when I see athletes who give God the glory for their abilities… when they look upward, I sense their gratefulness for His blessings in their accomplishments.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 14

He’s Got This

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 46:10- “Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”

We are being bombarded with newscasts, talk shows, and all sorts of political ads this summer.

They get my heart rate up and make me cranky.

Those two factors can mean a recipe for WORRY.

I find peace and contentment by remembering the phrase, “HE’S GOT THIS.”

We need to keep our eyes focused on THE WORD. God has a purpose and a plan to all He ALLOWS to happen in our world. He knows where all this chaos is leading and like little children, we need to trust our Heavenly Father to take care of it.

We need to stay informed so that we can pray and vote. But, we need to TRUST that He will accomplish HIS PURPOSE.

I wrote the lines above prior to hearing about yesterday’s tragic events. Let’s encourage ourselves by remembering God knows the “intents and purposes” of every heart. He will judge the evil that takes place in our world.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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