spiritualsnippets.com

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

Don’t Let Anger Rule

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Ephesians 4:26a – “In your anger do not sin . . .” 

For months, Tom suspected his wife of cheating.

Unable to keep his bottled-up emotions at bay any longer, he finally confronts Liz.

When she confirms his worst suspicions, he goes berserk, grabbing his gun, and storming out the door.

He drives to his best friend’s home. His heart beats wildly in his chest. He feels sick to his stomach. Brad is the last person he’d suspect of something like this.

Tom is consumed by the anger of betrayal. Conflicting thoughts fill his mind. 

As he stares at the gun on the seat beside him, Ephesians 4:26 runs in a continuous loop in his head.

He remembers his pastor’s sermon on the topic of anger. It is an emotion that every human being has experienced. “The key to beating the influence of anger in your life is to “not let the anger result in sin . . . don’t let anger take over and “rule in your heart.”

Tom doesn’t recall how long he sat in front of Brad’s house, struggling to the the right thing, but it was the following day when he returned home to talk with Liz.

It was a difficult period in their lives, but some three years later the couple reunited. They’ve shared their story at couple’s conferences over the past twenty years, hoping that their obedience to God will somehow influence others to resist the impulse to retaliate against those who sin against us.

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What It Means to Me

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Hebrews 12:2-“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I wear a gold cross around my neck. 

Everywhere I go, I see people wearing crosses, too.

Why?

To some it is simply a piece of jewelry, but to Christians, it is symbolic of being a Christ follower.

It does not have magical powers.

“Jesus’s cross” did not have any power either.

The power was (and is) in the person upon the cross.

Jesus Christ, the perfect one, paid the price for the sins of all mankind upon that cross.

That’s why we wear it around our necks—a symbol and remembrance of what He did for us.

His resurrection from the dead is the power we recognize at Easter—and everyday—as  we give thanks for His great love and mercy toward us.

Alleluia,! He is Risen!

He is Risen, indeed!

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Another Shopping Idea

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A family chooses forgiveness to mend their broken relationships. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8ZDJYGB

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The Author of Tomorrow!

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Hebrews 12:1-2“… let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Some authors write historical fiction/non-fiction, focusing on the PAST.

Others I know write about events and characters in the PRESENT.

But, Jesus?

The Bible says He is the “Author and Finisher” of our faith, meaning He has the central role in initiating and completing the work of faith within each Christian. 

As time passes, and events unfold in our world, we can rejoice that a we know Jesus. He’s the author of tomorrow!

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Is My Truth Really The Truth?

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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.”

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The Blind Man

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John 9: 6.7- “After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. My father also had it, so I knew first hand that this could lead to blindness. 

On the way home from my doctor’s office, I thought ahead to what this might mean for my future. Not being able to see colors, sunrises/sunsets, my children’s faces, read/write books, and so on.

Later, during Bible reading, I came across the passage about the blind man that Jesus heals. As I pray daily for healing for my own disease, I imagine Jesus applying cooling mud to my eyes and restoring my sight to what it once was.

Will my eyes be healed or does God have a different plan for me? That I don’t know.

What I do know is that the blind man’s faith healed him. So, each day I pray for increased faith, too.

If you have a physical or mental ailment and are in need of healing, read the many stories of miracles in the scriptures. I pray that your faith will be increased and you, too, experience Jesus’s healing touch.

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Worthless or Priceless?

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Psalm 51: 16,17- “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.”

I collect a pottery called Roseville. As part of the global world of antiques, it is sought  after—especially when it is in perfect condition.

However, if chipped or broken, it is nearly worthless on the resale market.

That’s the way it is with most antiques, however. Perfection is key.

What about human beings? 

The Bible tells us that no one is perfect.

But it also says that we are priceless to our God.

In fact, He wants us to come to Him with broken and contrite hearts, asking His forgiveness for our sins.

Then, because of His great love for us, He sees us as whole and perfect—because we are “covered” in the blood of His perfect son, JESUS!

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Why Did Jesus Come?

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John 18:37- ““So you are a king?” Pilate said. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Whoever accepts the truth listens to my voice.”

When asked why Jesus came to earth, most Christians would answer something like this:

To bring salvation to the world.

To offer forgiveness for our sins.

To give believers the gift of eternal life.

To fulfill the prophecies.

To bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free!

EACH OF THOSE IS TRUE.

However, there is something more fundamental.

JESUS CAME TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH.

So, just what is “truth”? How can we know the truth?

I have recently begun a Bible Study by Focus on the Family, called THE TRUTH PROJECT. 

Since I began watching the DVD’s, I have been so excited to know Jesus on a deeper level than ever.

If you ARE a Christian, I pray that this blog post will encourage you to make a commitment to learning more about our Lord. THE TRUTH PROJECT IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

And, if you are not currently a believer, consider purchasing THE TRUTH PROJECT and its accompanying workbook so you can jot down Bible verses and truths you discover along the way.

The Truth Project is available on Amazon. 

It is 13 one-hour DVD’s that look deeply into our moral compass as revealed in scripture, explaining both the relevance and importance of living the Christian Worldview in our daily lives.

Happy Easter! He is Risen!!

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I Shook My Head

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

Last week, we received a flyer—an invitation to attend Easter services at a local church.

Curious, I read the accompanying literature. It said they would be commemorating the DEATH of Jesus.

That was it. Not one Bible verse in the tri-folded pamphlet.

Nothing about Jesus rising again on the third day. Nothing about salvation, the forgiveness of sins, nothing about the promise of eternal life through faith in Him.

I shook my head. Who would want to put their faith in someone who died? Death without resurrection????

But, the Jesus I know conquered sin and death on the cross. He alone offers forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.

And, HE IS ALIVE!!!!

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A Cord of Three Strands

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Ecclesiastes 4:12- “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

In elementary school, I had two best friends. We did everything together. We defended and protected one another. We were a living example of a cord of three strands.

I have two sisters. We have always been close. When my parents passed away, we were able to support and comfort one another. Another example of a cord of three strands.

I am married to a good Christian man. We take care of, encourage, comfort, and uphold one another. Together, we are a cord of two strands. However, because we share a common faith, God forms the third cord in our relationship. 

When hard times come, when sorrow invades our lives, when physical ailments might otherwise tear us apart, the strong bond of three strands preserves us because…

A CORD OF THREE STRANDS IS NOT EASILY BROKEN.

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