spiritualsnippets.com

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

Aug 23

The Ten Virgins

by Brenda Poulos
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Matthew 25:13- “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”

Christians have likely read the parable in Matthew about the Ten Virgins, symbolizing the return of Jesus Christ for His Church.

Five of the virgins in the parable were ready with oil for their lamps; five were not. 

The bridegroom represents Jesus; the virgins, the church; the oil symbolizes spiritual readiness.

The meaning? Believers are encouraged to live in a state of readiness characterized by faith, obedience, and actual service.

This parable is just one of several found in the Bible on this topic.

When something is found multiple times in the Bible, we should heed its importance.

In this case, we are encouraged to live as He has taught us in His Word, awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Believers have nothing to dread.

We have everything to look forward to—the most glorious of which is the return of our savior, Jesus Christ!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Aug 10

Sorry I’m Late

by Brenda Poulos
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This is Monday afternoon and my Sunday blog is a tad late.

Our home renovation is officially in its last week and things are buzzing around here. Movers will arrive in a few days.

As I check things off of our “Punch List”, I am reminded of God’s Grand Plan for the world and mankind. My head spins when I think of all that must go into a plan like that.

But, then again, He IS God!

As for us, we have run into quite a few snags from ordering, to workmanship and everything in between.

And God? Since he has given human beings free choice, there have been twists and turns to His perfect plans. 

We agreed to a completion date with our general contractor, so we have a pretty good idea when our work here will be finished. We have a target date.

I don’t profess to know how God works, but I do know one thing because I have read it in the Bible—the date and time He has selected are known only to HIM.

In the case of my contractor and myself, not having a date “nailed down,” would have made both of us a little uneasy. 

In God’s case, being ready should make you and I a little concerned. We need to ask ourselves what it is that we need to do to get ready for God’s end time plan to unfold. 

There’s only one place to look. 

God’s Word. The Bible.

In the next few weeks (minus a couple I will take off for the “big move”, I will share scripture about the end times. 

I will NOT be able to ascertain a date, other than to say that it IS in the FUTURE. 

However, we should be able to find out just what God wants us to do to prepare ourselves.

And that’s why I’m writing this blog post.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 19

God WANTS to Forgive You

by Brenda Poulos
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“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” – Ephesians 1:7

I’ve met several people over my lifetime who have told me that they’ve done horrible, detestable, awful, unforgivable things.

Because they believed these to be sins God wouldn’t—even couldn’t— forgive, they stayed away from Christians, church services, even refused to read the Bible. 

If you are one of them, if you’re living a life without hope, there is good news for you.

God wants to forgive you. He’s willing to wipe the slate clean.

For those who are truly repentant and willing to turn away from a life of sin–even such as most of us cannot even fathom–your Creator will listen to your heartfelt prayer of confession.

If you desire a relationship with Him, He is willing.

There is hope.

There is a Savior.

His name is Jesus.

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Jun 14

Don’t Let Anger Rule

by Brenda Poulos
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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.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Apr 5

What It Means to Me

by Brenda Poulos
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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!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Dec 14

Another Shopping Idea

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

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Aug 17

The Author of Tomorrow!

by Brenda Poulos
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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!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Jul 20

Is My Truth Really The Truth?

by Brenda Poulos
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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.”

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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May 4

The Blind Man

by Brenda Poulos
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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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Apr 27

Worthless or Priceless?

by Brenda Poulos
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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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