spiritualsnippets.com

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

Nov 22

Additions to “Thankful” List

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 12:10- “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As a child, do you remember your classroom teacher or Sunday school teacher asking you what you were thankful for?

I always answered, “Mom and Dad.”

My parents are 94 and 95 years old. If you asked me the same question today, I would answer the same—but with an addition.

Mom and Dad just tested positive for Covid-19. They live in an assisted living facility where all of a sudden others are testing positive, too. Some have symptoms. Some do not. But, none of them will be able to be with their families/friends on Thanksgiving Day again this year.

I continue to thank God for them and for those who faithfully care for them when I cannot. To put the health and safety of others before oneself is acting from a Biblical perspective.

This ties in with “It is more blessed to give than to receive” of Acts 20:25. It may go against our human instinct to put others first, but it truly means walking according to Jesus’s command to be his hands and feet here on earth.

Of course, it is the Lord Jesus who should get our ultimate praise for the salvation He brought to each of us. As Christians, we are also thankful for his peace, his healing, and his provision.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
May 10

Are There Weeds in Your Garden?

by Brenda Poulos

 

13627795145_94260fb0a3

Isaiah 41:10- “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.”

 

 

 

I always admire my beautiful Lantana plant at the corner of my yard when I pull out of the driveway.

However, this morning I noticed a huge weed growing out of the middle of it. When had that happened?

I had to dig it out before it took over the entire plant.

What about you?

Are there any weeds growing in your garden?

Weeds like discontent, deception, depression? Bad habits? Unforgiveness?

I am sure you have heard stories of people who have let disappointments or crises of various kinds ruin their lives. 

But, it doesn’t have to be that way.

God’s desire is that we would rely on Him for healing… for comfort… for restoration. 

He is a loving Heavenly Father who doesn’t want to see the weeds in our lives grow huge and choke out our happiness and productivity. 

Our world is going through some challenging times right now. But, instead of letting the circumstances we face overcome us, He wants us to go to Him in prayer.

To lay our troubles at His feet and trust Him to see us through.

 

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Apr 19

Pray for Healing

by Brenda Poulos

6143809369_5baf154344

 

2 Chronicles 7:14- “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

One night after King Solomon had finished building the temple, The Lord appeared to him. The words He spoke are just as relevant today as they were then.

This verse is often quoted in times of disaster.

The pandemic we are experiencing is reason enough for all of us to daily reach out to God for help… for mercy.

Could we have any more reason to compel us to pray for our country and our world?  

There is no doubt that He loves us. He promises to hear our prayers.

More than that, He promises to bring healing to our world.

If we only will humble ourselves and

PRAY.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Feb 24

The Blessings of Being a Lamb

by Brenda Poulos

40045948283_5fa5c00f20Hosea 4:16- “The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs in a meadow?”

 

You can learn a lot about life when you are waiting your turn in the waiting room at the dental office.

In the midst of reading a magazine article a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a toddler scurry down from his mother’s lap and almost into the parking lot before she tackled him.

Back inside, she opened a container of Goldfish crackers and gave him a toy to play with. That worked for a few minutes, but before I’d even finished reading, she was calling out to the little boy who had once more wriggled out of her grasp.

Mom had met her match. The chase continued several more times before my name was finally called. And, by that time, the child’s mother was using a sterner voice and threatening stiffer “punishment.”

The children of Israel were guilty of the same type of behavior. And, so are we. We keep doing the very things we know we shouldn’t.

We often ignore God’s warnings because we want to do it our way. We want to be in charge.

Just like the little boy in the dental office, we do know better. Hosea 4 tells us that God wants to treat us like obedient lambs. Psalm 23 adds that He wants to give us rest, healing, guidance. His desire is to protect us, give us support and comfort. He wants to bless us with all good things, just as the mother in the dental office probably wanted for her little boy.

But, he was stubborn, so she had to treat him like a heifer. It won’t be until he becomes a loyal and obedient lamb, that he can enjoy all that she wants for him.

Jesus set the example as the “Lamb of God.” He was obedient and his father exalted him above every other. 

I used to read the scripture about the Lamb of God, thinking that meant Jesus was the sacrifice for our sins—which is very true. But, as God’s lamb, he is also a perfect picture of obedience.

And, obedience leads to a beautiful parent/child relationship in which God blesses those who keep His commandments. 

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Apr 16

Be That One out of Ten

by Brenda Poulos

 

16086525109_f7b99f7715

Luke 17:17- Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

 

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus healed ten men who had leprosy. Only one of them came back and thanked Him.

We often forget to thank God, too, even though we have so much to praise Him for—the healing of a physical ailment, provision of a necessity, an unexpected blessing.

The Easter season is often one in which we overlook the purpose, and get caught up in the secular aspects of the day—coloring eggs, putting together the family dinner, buying a new dress…

Let’s not take for granted His Mercy and Grace, His forgiveness of sins and His gift of salvation.

Praise to our Most High God. The author and finisher of our faith.

Thank you, Jesus, for your work on the Cross.

Thank you for the Resurrection and the empty tomb.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

3 Comments »
Aug 1

He Touched Me!!

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 9:21– She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

I’m not a football fan. However, when I was in junior high and high school, my friends and I “watched” the Arizona State Sun Devils play from our seats in the End Zone. We were affectionately called “THE KNOT HOLE GANG.”

Although I wasn’t crazy about the game, I sure did like the players.

Back in those days, fans were allowed to form a line on each side of the entrance where the players came onto the field. We were close enough that we could reach out and touch an arm or the sleeve of a uniform. We got goosebumps every time.

I also loved movies. On a trip to Hollywood as a young adult, I remember swooning when Clint Eastwood shook my hand.

A young man puts his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders—a loving touch.

A mother hold’s her sobbing child—a caring touch.

A concert pianist poises his hands above the black and white keys. The audience waits for—the touch of the master.

Two young men shake hands after an argument—the touch of friendship.

As incredible as each of these is, I can’t help but ask myself, “What would it be like to be touched by Jesus?”

In the book of Matthew, a woman declared that she knew she’d be healed just by touching the hem Jesus’s garment!

22201213594_853805abd3

She wasn’t a groupie or a young child idolizing a sports star. This was a serious situation.

She needed healing.

She knew she needed Jesus.

What about you?

Will you open your heart to be touched by Jesus? Allow his healing touch to make you whole again?

But, you say, Jesus doesn’t always choose to heal…

True.

Physical healing may not be in His plan for your life…or your loved ones’ lives.

But, He does want to heal your brokenness. He wants to use the disappointments and tragedies of our earthly lives to bring us to a place of dependance on Him. He wants to carry us through the troubled times, supporting us  with His strength.

He wants us to grow in our faith in Him. The kind of faith that believes He knows what is best for us and we trust Him to see us through…and to work out the difficulties we face for “the good of those who love Him and are called according to His good purpose.”

I have faith in a chair to hold me.

I have faith in my car to start each morning.

I have faith in my phone to keep me in touch with my family and friends.

But, I exercise my faith when I sit in the chair, turn the key in the ignition, and dial the phone.

Come to Him…in faith…believing.

Release control to Him…and experience His promises at work in your life.

Touch the hem of His garment.

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

2 Comments »
Jul 3

I Know You’re Out There

by Brenda Poulos

25165347794_28a3965cd5-1

 

Psalm 91:4– “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

 

As I awoke this morning, God told me to put aside what I had already started writing for today, and to write this message TO YOU, instead:

Yesterday, you were on top of the world.

Today, everything has come crashing down all around you.

Yesterday, you had no worries…only endless possibilities.

Today, you are considering only a few options.

Yesterday, the sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in sight.

Today, the skies are are overcast and there is a storm brewing.

Yesterday, you wore a smile that lit up the room.

Today, that smile has turned to tears.

I know you are out there.

You are asking God, “Why my family?”  or  “Why me?”

You are wondering what good can come of your situation…your loss of a loved one…your diagnosis…your sudden disappointing news.

You’re holding back the tears, denying the feelings of abandonment, loneliness, betrayal.

You don’t have to go it alone.

God wants to rescue you.

Pray fervently for Him to heal your relationship, your broken heart, your body.

He wants you to draw close to Him. He wants to offer you His strength, His peace, His power.

He loves you. Lean on Him.

Instead of focusing on whatever your problem is, He wants you to give it over to Him and let Him handle it.

He wants you to trust Him and the power of His mighty hand.

You are precious to Him.

He wants to pour out His love on you.

He wants to cover you with His wings.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Blog at WordPress.com.
%d bloggers like this: