spiritualsnippets.com

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

Mar 26

Enjoy the Gift!

by Brenda Poulos

Ephesians 2:8,9- “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Last week, I was surprised to hear a friend say that he’d done all he could do to assure himself a place in heaven. He elaborated to tell of his acts of kindness to others as his main focus in life. He also mentioned that he didn’t use profanity and was a good father who spent a good deal of time with his children.

If anyone was going to heaven, he was certain it would be him.

Knowing he’d been brought up in the same church I had, I reminded him that Jesus had paid the price for our sins and we are saved by his grace—not works.

If you have been held captive by a works-based system, like my friend, please hear the Good News of scripture. Salvation is the gift of God through his Son, Jesus. Faith in that very fact is what will assure you of a home in heaven once this life on earth ends.

No reason to worry. No reason to work. Just enjoy God’s gift of eternal life!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Mar 19

Me, a Saint??

by Brenda Poulos

Hebrews 10:10– “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

When his neighbor thanked him for helping with his yard work while he was ill, he told Bill “You’re a saint!”

As Bill walked across the street to his own home, he thought about what Ben had called him.

Am I really a saint? Gwen and I have been arguing a lot lately and I’ve been slacking off at work, blaming a huge mistake on my partner instead of admitting it was my own fault.

He settled in a comfortable chair in the den and reached for his Bible. He needed to hear what God said about sainthood. After all, hadn’t the pastor preached on that very subject sometime last year?

He rifled through his notes from previous sermons and finally found the scripture the pastor had used. In the margin of the paper, Bill had scrawled, a saint is a person who is innocent in the eyes of God.

That’s right, a believer is forgiven of his sins. When God looks at him, he sees Jesus—his pure innocent son who died for his sins. He is declared righteous in God’s sight.

Bill confessed his sinful behavior to God, thanking Him for forgiveness through Jesus Christ, his Lord.

He was a saint after all—a sinner, saved by grace!

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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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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Feb 12

Everyone. Everywhere.

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 5:13- “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”

You have seen huge crowds on television—or even been a part of one at an inauguration, a sporting event, or funeral of a well-known person. I recently watched part of a Billy Graham crusade, marveling as the camera panned over a throng of thousands. 

Yesterday, as I drove in rush hour traffic and sat through more than a few traffic light changes, I praised the Lord to worship songs on Christian radio. In my mind’s eye, I saw people bowing before Him. Then, the scene widened to include the whole earth. And, I could see people all around the globe each with bended knees.

We know the Bible says in the future that all will bow before the Lord, but what if the humbling before our God isn’t just one at a time as we come before Him? What if it will take place just as I imagined—all worshiping Him in unison?

And what if the crowd is made up of everyone who has ever lived? Past and present. All at the same time. All generations. All cultures and countries represented.

Can you even envision that? Mind boggling, isn’t it?

I’m not a pastor or even a seminary graduate. I’m just a layman who loves the Lord. I’m not saying that this is exactly “Biblical.” But I believe it is very close to how it will happen.

All those on earth, in heaven—and even all those “under the earth” will bow to Jesus.

To the Glory of the Father. 

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Dec 25

Join the Choir!

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 2: 13, 14- “Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Have you even wondered what it was like to be part of that heavenly choir on the night of our savior’s birth? Both the sight and the sound of it all were no doubt more amazing than we can comprehend.

Revelation tells us about a similar occurrence which will happen in the future when all our voices will join with that of the angels in praising King Jesus.

None of us were there at his birth here on earth, but it is likely that we may be witnesses of that great event when Jesus returns.

As Christians of old looked forward to the Messiah’s coming, so do we look with great anticipation to His appearing.

Until then, may you know His peace and love in abundance.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Dec 17

Do You Know Where You’re Going?

by Brenda Poulos

John 8:12- “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

As my husband and I shopped at the mall, I lingered at an eye-catching display in one store window while he kept walking.

Once I realized he wasn’t with me, I rushed to find him in the crowd. As we reconnected—at our car in the parking lot—I told him that I’d been looking for him for the last thirty minutes.

And his reply? “If you’d kept up with me, you would have known where I was going.”

So it is when we are seeking Jesus. Have you wandered away?

Being a Christ Follower means staying close to Him. Daily prayer and scripture reading are essential as we seek to follow His will.

We can’t hear His voice, if we don’t stay close. Fortunately, He is our light and helps us find our way back to Him. 

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Nov 27

Thanks for Everything

by Brenda Poulos

I Thessalonians 5:18- “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Both Cheryl and her husband Marty had health challenges all year long. Added to that, their daughter unexpectedly announced that she and her husband of five years had decided to divorce.

On the way to the supermarket to get the last minute fixings for New Year’s Day Dinner, their car was hit by a red light runner. Cheryl and Marty were not injured, but their car was totaled.

And it was New Year’s Eve!

Joey, the tow truck driver, gave them a lift home and a reminder from I Thessalonians. He told them to rejoice in Christ. No, not rejoice that they’d been in a car wreck. He pointed out that the verse says in; not for. 

“In means in the midst of or amid. So, the verse means that even while we may have problems or difficulties, we still can rejoice that we have Jesus. We have His love. We have His care. We have salvation because of His sacrifice. We have His promise.” 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Oct 30

Your Dream Home

by Brenda Poulos

John 14: 2, 3: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Being a fan of home renovation, I like to watch HGTV. A show I’ve gotten interested in lately is My Lottery Dream Home. Although most of the people on the show have won the lottery, there are also those who have inherited large amounts of money.

Such was the case of one couple featured in an episode I saw last week. At long last, these people could afford to live in the large, comfortable home they had always dreamed of.

As I saw the happiness radiating from their faces, I thought of the home in heaven that believers long to see when our earthly stay is over. It’s not just the streets of gold that we long to see—although that will be spectacular—but also the fact that we will be reunited with our Lord and loved ones.

Jesus told us that when he returned to heaven, he would be preparing a place for us, which I believe will be uniquely ours. It will be suited for us in every way, reflecting the way he cares for each of us here on earth by meeting our needs as individuals.

However, it will be beyond all we can think or imagine. It will be spectacular.

It will be our dream home.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Sep 11

What is it About Pets?

by Brenda Poulos

1 John 4:19- “We love because he first loved us.”

Angie had a hard time healing emotionally after her Springer Spaniel, Rex, died. She had been shy growing up, and a bit of a “late bloomer” as her mother put it. But once she connected with Rex, her confidence grew by leaps and bounds.

He loved her no matter what and she thrived beyond all her parents could hope for.

Most people will tell you that the dog’s ability to give its owner unconditional love that is the reason they are so drawn to their pets.

The Bible tells us that we love Jesus because he first loved us—while we were sinners. He loves us unconditionally and we are drawn to Him with cords of love and grace.

Do you need someone in your life who will love you no matter what? Turn to Jesus and acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord. Experience His peace and unconditional love.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Apr 24

Do You Have It “All”?

by Brenda Poulos

Mark 10:25- “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Brad shook hands with his partner and turned to place his briefcase in his Tesla. He glanced at his Rolex. Eight o’clock. Once more, he’d missed dinner with his family.

All the way home, through the gate, and up the gradual incline that ended in a curved driveway, he thought about his charmed life.

He had everything. Wealth, a beautiful family, a retirement account unsurpassed by anyone in his company. Why, then, was he unhappy? Unfulfilled? 

The new guy, Jack, was starting at the bottom. He was barely even able to support his family on his meager salary. But he had a spring to his step. He radiated happiness.

His demeanor was so irritating that today Brad flat out asked him what made him so happy. 

“Jesus.”

Brad knew what that kind of life would mean. Bible Studies, Potluck dinners at the church, and tithing. Giving up time and resources he’d worked so hard to acquire.

He stood on his front steps, his hand on the door handle. Who in their right mind would give all this up?

Not me, that’s for sure.

It’s hard for the rich and powerful to put faith in anyone other than themselves. But they need a Savior just as much as you and I. 

If you know someone who “has it all” on earth, pray that they will be able to relinquish control—for a heavenly reward.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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