spiritualsnippets.com

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

Aug 31

Just the Beginning

by Brenda Poulos
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Ecclesiastes12:7,8- “…the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

Last week, my husband and I vacationed in a state where the cooler weather offered a reprieve from the summer heat. Still, mid-week, he told me he was ready to go home.

My friend, Beth, spent the last several months in radiation. She made a surprise visit to her friends a couple of weeks ago, just days before she passed away.

It was so good to see her. She was a very special person and will be missed. In her last conversation with us, she said she knew the end of this life was near, that she wasn’t afraid of what lay ahead, and that she was ready to “go home.”

For those of us who look forward to spending an eternity with Jesus, going “home” is nothing to dread. It is the end of our lives on earth, but just the beginning of good things to come.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Nov 19

My Refuge

by Brenda Poulos

Deuteronomy 33:27- “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Walking past a playground the other day, I saw a crying child run toward a man, calling “DaDa. DaDa. Me is hurt!” His father scooped him up in his arms, cradling him and speaking words of comfort.

I thought of my father who went to be with the Lord last year. I long to hear his voice and feel the safety of his arms as he used to hold me as a child.

Of course, that won’t be possible until I see him again in Heaven. However, as I wait for that day here on earth, the Bible reminds me that my heavenly father upholds me with his everlasting arms!

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Jul 9

You Can Be Confident

by Brenda Poulos

2 Corinthians 5:8- “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

A good friend of ours went home to be with the Lord last night. We know her absence here, means she is now present in heaven with God.

Her family reported that the last words she spoke on this earth were: “I love Jesus.”

I can only guess that those were also her first words in heaven.

It should comfort every Christian facing loss of a loved one that if the person being mourned knew Jesus as Savior, then they are no longer suffering and are rejoicing in heaven.

The assurance of our eternal home, the forgiveness of sins, and a relationship between God and each believer throughout this life are all a direct result of God’s redeeming grace.

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Jun 11

This Could Happen Because of You

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 10:14- “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? “

Our pastor asked this question in church this morning: “Is there someone who will go to heaven because of you?”

I immediately thought of the verse above. A person must hear the message of the gospel in order to be saved.

And they cannot hear it unless someone tells them.

Are you that someone? 

Am I?

Are we going to follow Jesus’ commandment or are we going to rely on our pastors and preachers?

Later, our pastor asked: Is there someone who is going to go to hell because of you…because you and I didn’t tell them?

Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to convict us. And the love of Christ to embolden us.

And, then let our feet take us—next door, down the street, across town—with the message of eternal life through faith in Jesus.

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Feb 27

Jessie’s Question

by Brenda Poulos

Jeremiah 29:13- “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jessie, seven-year-old daughter of a neighbor, has recently been curious about heaven—and hell.

“But everyone will get to go to Heaven, won’t they? Jessie asked.

“Only those who put their faith in Jesus,” Dorothy told her. “The Bible says that wide is the path that leads to destruction and narrow is the road that leads to life—and not everyone finds it.”

“Why can’t they find it?” Jessie asked.

Dorothy patted Jessie’s hand, looking into her crystal blue eyes. “Jesus says that He is The Way and that everyone that seeks Him, will find Him.”

Long after Jessie had gone to bed, Dorothy thought about their little talk and what might be the next steps in helping her daughter find salvation in Jesus. She felt peace when she remembered the verse from Jeremiah.              

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Sep 4

Victorious Reunion

by Brenda Poulos

I Corinthians 15:54- “ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

My father passed away last week, so instead of writing this blog, I was writing a speech for his memorial. I had an opportunity not only to eulogize a wonderful and godly man, but I also wanted to use my comments to present the gospel message to those in attendance who may not have heard it before.

I had spent a couple of days in tears, missing my dad. But it helped to dig into scripture as I wrote his eulogy. I soon found the comfort I needed and the strength to get through the memorial and for the days ahead.

I was reminded that I will see him again when I join my family in heaven one day. I thought of the joyous reunion he is having now with my mother. I gave thanks for the absence of pain and the renewal of his mind. Most of all, I marveled at the fact that he is now with our Lord. 

He has actually seen the face of God! 

The memorial service was beautiful. My two sisters spoke. My brother played the guitar and sang. The military salute and taps will be unforgettable. 

Our family united in a fitting tribute to a special man who left us a legacy of love, truthfulness, and faith.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jan 2

Wonderful

by Brenda Poulos

I Peter 3:22- “(Jesus) has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”

Recently, as I was compiling information on heaven, I came across this quotation credited to John Newton: “When I get to heaven, I shall see three wonders there. The first will be to see many people whom I did not expect to see; the second will be to miss many who I did expect to see; the third and greatest of all will be to find myself there.”

Christians don’t have to wonder if we will go to heaven when we die. We have assurance of our future home because of our faith in Jesus Christ and his payment for our sin through his death and resurrection.

However, if we look at another definition of the word wonder, “a remarkable or amazing event,” I’m sure we all will agree that it will be beyond description. Seeing Jesus and being in his presence, being reunited with family and friends, being restored to wholeness in mind and body, experiencing the answers to age-old questions, and so much more.

Heaven will be full of wonder.

WONDERFUL.

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Nov 14

The Eternals

by Brenda Poulos

John 3:16- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

I watched the television previews for a new series this week. Called The Eternals, it is about a fictional group of super-powered beings whose job it is to preserve and safeguard the planet. The basic premise is that they have—and will—live forever. (At least that is what I conclude from the trailer.)

Humans have always been fascinated with the prospect of living forever. We’ve all heard about billionaires that die and have their bodies preserved for awakening at a predetermined time in the future.

Death, however, is seldom longed for—except, perhaps by those who are in intense physical pain, those emotionally disturbed, or the elderly.

But did you know that you can have the assurance of eternal life?

The Bible includes many verses referring to the promise of eternal life, given to believers by Jesus Christ. He is not a fictional character, like The Eternals. He is God’s Son who gave his life–shed his blood–to pay the penalty for our sin.

The gift of Eternal life is available to all who put their faith in him.

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Oct 4

Will Pandemics Ever End?

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 21:4- “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

For eight months or more, Covid-19 has disrupted and destroyed many lives across the globe. Many people wonder if pandemics will ever end.

The answer is “YES!”

We can say with 100 percent certainty that there will be a future time when no one will experience health problems or illnesses of any kind.

Once believers reside in Heaven with the Lord, He promises to do away with all pain, suffering, and death. He will even restore those believers who have died to perfect health.

Though we live on earth and experience pain and suffering of many origins, the promise of God is for a future time when “the old order of things will pass away.”

God will not only restore us spiritually, to himself, but He also promises complete restoration for our bodies, as well.

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Sep 6

No Power Outages

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 22:5a- “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.”

 

 

Robin’s heart skipped a beat. Home with their two-month-old baby as her husband traveled across country to attend a class reunion, she felt a sudden pang of helplessness when the lights flickered and went out.

We are all aware of the power outages in several states due to hurricanes, intense winds, and flooding. And our hearts go out to families who are displaced … forced to rebuild …

Darkness causes us to feel vulnerable … uneasy.

But light wards off the criminal element and we feel safer—more in control.

The Bible reminds us that there will be no power outages in Heaven. No need of lamps, night lights, or street lamps.

We will never be anxious or afraid because there is no darkness there.

Our home will be with Jesus who IS light. “And in him there is no darkness at all.”

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