spiritualsnippets.com

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

Aug 29

The Mediator

by Brenda Poulos

I Timothy 2:5- “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

We recently sold our house. 

We used a realtor to write the listing, manage the showings, and see the process through escrow to the day of closing. 

A home inspector did his job and an appraiser set a number for the value. 

All these people played a vital role as intermediaries between us and the buyer.

I felt a new appreciation that Christians, because of Jesus bearing our sins on the cross, don’t need an intermediary between ourselves and our wonderful God.  

Once we have professed faith in Jesus as our Savior, we can come directly to the Father’s throne of grace in prayer. We can have a personal relationship with Him, bringing Him our concerns, our requests, our praise.

 Because nothing and no one can come between us!!!

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Jul 18

See the Blessing

by Brenda Poulos

Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Three years? Perhaps longer?”

Last month our son told us his family was moving to Germany where our daughter-in-law had accepted a position with the Department of Defense.

We had known about the job application. The possibility of them relocating. We’d even prayed that God’s will, not ours, would come to pass. And we really did want the very best for them. 

Still, the news devastated us.

My husband and I had just completed renovating a small condo near them. Four hours away from our home in Arizona.

We had looked forward to living part time near them and bonding with our newborn grandson. Now it looked like our dreams were only that. Dreams.

In the following weeks, they prepared for their move. Packing, selling many of their belongings, saying goodbye to family and friends.

Last March, God had led us to purchase the condo. We were so sure He wanted us to spend time with our son and family. Were we wrong?

No! We have come to realize that God blessed us in incredible ways. We had the resources to make the purchase, do renovations (which my husband and I love to do) and even bring us new friends in the process.

God knew that the sweet little family that we love so much would be leaving. He chose to bless all of us—ahead of time—with precious moments spent together. Times that have allowed us to form a close bond that will sustain us while we are apart.

Are you wondering where God is in all of the circumstances of your life? Ask Him to show you His hand of blessing… His plan for your future. 

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Jul 11

Take a Deep Breath

by Brenda Poulos

Proverbs 21:31b- “…victory rests with the Lord.”

At the end of the day, do you feel beaten down and dejected?

Do politically-charged events cause you stress?

Have you decided to keep the television—especially news channels—turned off for awhile due to divisive commentaries?

This constant state of unease and disruptiveness is NOT what God desires for us.

He wants us to rest in the knowledge that ultimately the victory will be His.

Take a deep breath. Go for a walk and enjoy the beautiful new day He has made. 

Trust Him for the outcome that will work out His plan for us as individuals and the world at large.

His Word says He is faithful. 

He will do it.

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Mar 28

Bringing Things Into Focus

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 5:7- “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

My vision became progressively worse until my world took on a hazy glow.

I consulted my ophthalmologist. Cataract surgery was in order.

I actually looked forward to it. The thought of a brighter world—maybe even a world free of the glasses I had worn since sixth grade—was very appealing.

Within a few minutes of surgery, I was released from my foggy world. 

I think about times when I fail to see clearly the actions I should take and the decisions I should make. When I wrestle with the “why’s” and “how’s.”

Those are the times I go to God’s Word. I need His healing for my “spiritual eyes” bringing purpose and direction—a clear focus on what is important.,

One day, God will reveal all things to us. But for now, it is His Word that encourages and gives us insight. We can come before God with confidence, knowing that what we ask for aligns with His will as outlined in scripture.

Are you having trouble seeing the path ahead? Do you need someone to lead the way?

Surrender your own will to His and just follow. 

Walk by faith, not by sight.

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Mar 21

Spiritual Direction

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 23:1-3  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake.”

My husband loves to drive. 

I’d rather look at the scenery, read a good book, or recline my seat and take a little nap. 

Now and again, he’ll ask me to get the map out of his satchel and look for a certain road, landmark, or whatever. Often, he pulls over to the side of the road and interprets it for himself.

If we should happen to get lost (now really lost, you understand) and I suggest that we ask someone for directions, he gives me “the look.”

Why is it men are so against asking for directions? Think about how many hours could be saved and how many wrong turns could be avoided!

As Christians, we have an infallible source at our fingertips! God, who has always been in existence, knows the past, present, and future. With His Word as our “map” and His Holy Spirit as our Guide, we never have to face an uncertain future.

If we take a wrong turn, we can get back on the right path by heeding what scripture reveals to us as truth.

Confident and encouraged, with His help, we find our way.

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Mar 7

Promises Made Good

by Brenda Poulos

Numbers 23:19- “God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?”

“But you promised!” My daughter cried—and even stamped her tiny foot—as she yelled the words. Tears ran down her cheeks. Four years old and she already knew the meaning –and the heartbreak—of promises not kept!

Earlier in the week, she had asked me if she could have a friend over to swim on Saturday. I said that she could, not knowing that she’d come down with a terrible cold by Friday.

We cancelled her plans. And, even though done with good reason, to a small child it became a “broken” promise.

She lay in bed all day, Saturday, coughing and sneezing, with a sore throat and a fever. She slept with the new bright orange and yellow beach towel I had bought her as a reminder of my new promise to ask her friend over, again, for a swim when she felt better.

Sometimes we may not be able to keep our promises. However, scripture reminds us that God’s promises are true. We can count on them with 100% certainty.

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Feb 14

Are YOU That Someone?

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 139: 8-10- “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

News broadcasts report that loneliness and depression in the pandemic have resulted in a staggering number of suicides.

Isolated. Cut off from friends, relatives, and colleagues.

Most of these people didn’t know the love of Jesus. Weren’t able to rely on His unfailing love.

If they had only known Him as their guide, comforter, and protector.

But God reminds us that they will only know if someone is willing to tell them. 

Are YOU that someone?

Will you step out in faith and share God’s Word with a hurting world?  

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Dec 13

BEHOLD!

by Brenda Poulos

Ephesians 1:18-  “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

It’s that time of year when we think of the Christmas Story. 

“BEHOLD” the angels sing.

It means more than just “look at, or observe.”

A deeper meaning is “to look intently at…”

Letting the eyes of our hearts be enlightened and focused on Jesus—who He IS and what He has DONE for us.

Scripture tells us we were made to BEHOLD Him.

The more we come to know Him through scripture, prayer and worship, the more we can truly do that.

As we decorate our tree, BEHOLD HIM.

As we wrap our gifts, BEHOLD HIM.

As we light our candles, BEHOLD HIM.

As we sing our carols, BEHOLD HIM.

As we eat our Christmas dinner, BEHOLD HIM.

As we read the Christmas story, BEHOLD HIM.

As we wash the dishes, box up the decorations for another year of storage, as we dispose of the tree and pack away the box of Christmas C.D.’s… Each and every day all year long,

LET US BEHOLD HIM!

As our King, our Creator, our Savior, our Provider and

OUR GOD.

I

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Nov 22

“Here I Am!”

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 3:20- “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Rhonda and Dwayne drove slowly through the once-small city in Arizona where they both had been born and raised. Where they met, fell in love, and married.

Nothing looked the same. High rise apartment buildings seemed to have sprung up on every corner. Old landmarks had disappeared. The place was almost unrecognizable.

Dwayne pulled over and studied the handwritten map Joe had sent. He doubled back. They had missed the turn.

Joe and Sandy were waiting on the porch when Dwayne pulled the SUV into their driveway. They had changed. Gray hair. Lines on their foreheads and at the corners of their eyes. 

Rhonda and Dwayne had aged quite a bit, too. Fourteen years will do that to you. 

But three hours later, the uneasiness at seeing each other after such a long time was gone. The awkward conversation had vanished. It was just like old times. 

They were family. Laughing, joking, telling stories. Eating a Thanksgiving meal together.

As Rhonda and Dwayne started for home the next morning, both couples promised to keep in touch and visit more often. Even if face-to-face trips weren’t possible, phone calls, emails, and Face Time would suffice until they could be together again.

God must feel that way, sometimes, too.

Listen. You can hear Him say

“Come over more often…”

“Stay longer…”

“Don’t forget to call…”

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Nov 8

Disappointed?

by Brenda Poulos

Nahum 1:7- “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”

Keep the faith.

Keep trusting God.

God is omniscient.

He knows everything. From beginning to end.

Be assured of His love for us.

God is omnipotent.

All powerful.

He can—and does—turn even what seems to us to be the worst of situations into good.

Even though we may be disappointed in current circumstances, we can choose to believe that

God is still able.

He is still God.

He loves us.

He will make a way for us.

He reigns!

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