spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jessie’s Question

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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Victorious Reunion

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.

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Wonderful

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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The Eternals

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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Will Pandemics Ever End?

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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No Power Outages

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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Give Them a Nudge

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Mark 1:14,15- “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

 

I do my grocery shopping on Sunday afternoons following church, assuring my husband has fresh vegetables, fruit, deli meat, and bread for his lunch Monday thru Friday.

As I was entering my favorite supermarket today, I heard part of an announcement for a coupon give-a-way at a specific table at the far end of the store.

I watched as men and women alike, hastily turned their carts in that direction. “That’s worth eight bucks,” I heard someone say.

I’m sure I looked bewildered because someone gave me a nudge and shared the necessary information. “They are giving free rotisserie chickens to the first-twenty-five shoppers!”

What is there about the word FREE that sparks elation in our hearts?

I wonder why Eternal Life, Salvation, and Heaven—free gifts from Jesus—aren’t always met with the same sense of awe and jubilation… 

Is it because people cannot believe such wonderful gifts could be true, I asked God?

For some.

Do others feel they are undeserving? 

Are there some who don’t believe there is a God, so a gift from Him has no basis in their reality?

Maybe there are those who are unrepentant of their sins and want to keep the status quo?

Or, could it possibly be that they simply need to hear the announcement?

Give someone a nudge and tell them the Good News.

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The Navigator

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Matthew 7:13,14-  “Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.”

 

Hospice invited all of its volunteers to a celebration dinner last month. I looked at the address of the hotel on the envelope, clueless as to where it might be located.

I punched the address into my car’s navigation system and followed the highway from my home, past dozens of intersecting roads, and finally arrived at my destination.

Roads.

Paul was blinded on one.

Palm fronds lined the road as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

The disciples saw Jesus on a road after His resurrection.

Zacchaeus climbed a tree in order to see Jesus when he traveled down a road.

The Bible tells us that broad is the road that leads to destruction and narrow is the road that leads into heaven.

Not as many travel on it. 

It is easier to go the “way of the world” and follow after one’s own devices than it is to follow The Lord. For this reason, Jesus shows us the picture of masses traveling down a wide road—following each other to destruction instead of following The Lord through the Gateway to Life.

He encourages us to take the narrow road.

Just like Zacchaeus, Paul, Matthew and the other disciples. 

Just like believers everywhere who long to spend an eternity in Heaven with Him.

 

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From the Manger to the Cross

Matthew 1:21- “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

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Have you ever wondered why newborn babies cry when they take their first breath? I think it is because they have just left the nice warm environment of their mother’s womb only to be hung upside down by the heels, face a blast of cold air, and confront the bright lights of the delivery room.

Jesus departed from Heaven where he had been surrounded by adoring angels, experienced love and fellowship with God the Father, and had everything he could ever want. He left a perfect environment, his position as part of the Holy Trinity, and the worship of all the Heavenly beings surrounding the throne.

I think, though he took on earthly form, he still had memory of being in Heaven with God and the Holy Spirit. He knew he was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, but he left that position behind to become one of us in order that he might one day become our Savior.

Now, I’m not a doctor, so there may be a physical reason as to why newborns cry at birth. I’m not a pastor, so theologically I may have taken some license with my description, above. But, I am a Christian. And, by faith this much I know: Jesus came to earth as a babe, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, rose on the third day, and ascended back into Heaven where he now makes intercession for each believer.

For Christians, this Christmas season isn’t just a celebration of the babe in the manger. We look, as he did, toward the cross—because it was there that he did the will of God the Father so we could experience a new birth in Christ. 

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Happily Ever After

 

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Romans 6:23- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

Although I always enjoy the process of beginning to write a new book, there is nothing more satisfying than the moment I type, “THE END.”

After months of writing, weeks of editing, cover selection, formatting—everything that is involved in producing a book—when it all finally comes together, it is a joy—and a relief!

Actually, we don’t type the words “THE END” anymore, but I remember the “olden” days when books and movies did bear those very words.

I also remember a variation in which the words “HAPPILY EVER AFTER” were just as prevalent—especially in children’s books.

I even recall Porky Pig stuttering at the end of his cartoons, “THAT’S ALL, FOLKS!”

But, in the real world, there is no “END.”

Many people think that death is the final goodbye. However, the Bible teaches that humans beings have eternal souls. It even says that it is totally up to each of us where we would like to spend eternity.

Putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our savior assures us that we can spend eternity in heaven, rather than hell. According to God’s Holy Word, those are our only two options.

If you have made the choice for Jesus, then I rejoice with you!

If not, I urge you to get a Bible and open to the book of John. Begin reading there. 

You will no doubt have questions, so please seek out a Christian friend or pastor. They will be able to lead you to faith in Christ. 

Recognizing that we are all sinners, each of us need to put our faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness. His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead gives us the assurance of an eternity in heaven with Him and other believers.

Your final breath here on earth—will be swallowed up in victory!

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