spiritualsnippets.com

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

Aug 25

Fleeting and Elusive, Unless…

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 33:18- “…the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”

Sports. Money. Beauty. Intellect. Fame. Experiences. 

These are some of the things the “world” says bring Joy and Hope.

Do they really?

I would agree that they do for a time—until the next problem comes along. Until someone disappoints you. Until an illness plagues someone you love. Until the supply runs out.

Happiness is fleeting—and elusive. You think that what you have found is “new” and “different” and will satisfy, until the next hardship…

And then, you’re searching again… 

Have you tried Jesus?

He’s the only one who can bring you true and lasting JOY and Hope.

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Mar 10

What Does the Cross Mean to You?

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 53:10- “It was the Lord’s will to crush Him.”

I have a “coffee table” book that I keep out and enjoy all year long, even though written with the “Easter Season” in mind.

Entitled, The Cross, author Max Lucado has done a phenomenal job with both the written and the pictorial presentation of the cross through the ages.

I agree with his statement that “No other image (in all of history) evokes such emotion.”

Compiled and published in 1998, it stirs my heart each and every time I read it.

On the cross, our creator and savior sacrificed himself for His creation. It was no accident. It was God’s plan… His choice… His will.

It was intentional and voluntary. An act of Grace. His plan of redemption.

John the Baptist called Jesus “The Lamb of God.” I call Him my Savior.

What does The Cross mean to you?

***Note, I will be taking the next 2-3 weeks to work on a home renovation. I will return to the keyboard the first of April. Easter Blessings, everyone!

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Feb 18

Perfect Love

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 8:38, 39- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Since this is Valentine’s week, I can think of no truer love to talk about than the love that God sent to us in the form of his son. No truer love than that which sent Jesus to the cross to die for our sins.

The Bible tells us that God IS love. He is the very essence of love.

As human beings, our minds and actions are motivated—at times—by so many emotions: sadness, jealousy, hate, kindness, empathy, anger, and so on. It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to have love be our only motivation.

Many people spend much of their time serving others, volunteering, donating money, and so on. These unselfish acts of human kindness are hard for some of us to fathom. Even more so, would be the giving of one’s life for another. 

I remember the awe I experienced as a youngster when I heard of Jesus’s love for me. I still am filled with wonder and amazement when I contemplate the depth of His love—his perfect love for all of us.

Let’s send God a valentine today. A prayer of gratefulness for His perfect and undying love!

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Jan 21

Worth the Wait

by Brenda Poulos

Hebrews 6:15- “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”

Have you ever prayed fervently for something and—as yet—not have it come to pass?

Jen prayed that the “right” man would come along. For years, she prayed. But nothing happened.

Fast forward twenty-five years.

Jen connected with a nice man at her high school class reunion. They dated for awhile, but he ended up marrying someone else.

Ten more years went by.

Now retired, Jen became a volunteer at the county library where she met Hank. A nice guy. Funny and caring. Everything she’d hoped for—and more.

They married January 4, 2024.

When asked if he was worth waiting for, she answered an enthusiastic, yes!

God had answered both of their prayers—as he had been praying, too!!!

Like Abraham, Joseph, David, and Simeon, we find that waiting on God’s answers to prayer requires patience and faith. These men of the Bible persevered and trusted in God’s perfect timing even though they didn’t understand the wait.

The Lord’s plans for our lives are good. Patient waiting refines our character and glorifies God.

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Jan 14

The Most Excellent Way

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.”

When I get up in the middle of the night, I often trail my hands along the wall so I won’t wake up anyone by turning on the light. However, I have been known to stub my toe or bang my elbow because I cannot see clearly.

Light can refer to seeing with one’s eyes. However, light can also refer to understanding something or someone. 

Jesus promises us that He will be our light, leading us perfectly in every situation—if we will only follow Him. He will show us the “most excellent way.”

I remember a song I dearly loved to sing as a teenager, “The Light of the World is Jesus… come to the light, ’tis shining for thee… “

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Dec 3

A Blessed Event

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 4: 13,14- “And 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.”

Instead of writing a “Christmas-themed” post for the week of Christmas, I am going to celebrate all month long!

Praising God and thanking Him on a daily basis actually means continually celebrating His goodness to us. (And He is greatly to be praised, isn’t He?)

Luke says the angels praised God at the birth of Jesus. They knew what a special event it was. They understood what His presence would mean for all mankind. 

I can only imagine what it was like to look into the sky that night and see it filled with angels… hear their trumpets and their hear their beautiful voices.

Emanuel. God with us.

God come to earth in bodily form.

A gift to sinners. 

Wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Truly, a blessed event!

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Oct 8

Rejoice in Him

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 5:11- “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

We get a free “area” magazine in our mailbox once a month. October’s issue has an endearing picture of a grandfather and his grandchild. It made us feel all “warm and fuzzy,” until we read the headline:

THE JOY OF HALLOWEEN.

I’m sorry if I offend you, but glorifying Halloween in our stores and neighborhoods is sometimes more than I can take. When it is called JOYFUL, I draw the line.

Evil spirits, skeletons, witches, zombies and goblins cannot produce JOY.

I like Carmel apples, popcorn balls, and hot apple cider the same as the next person. And I know, little children have fun “dressing up” and getting candy. They have no idea what is behind it. I don’t begrudge them having fun.

But, JOY in headlines has always been used in conjunction with Christmas, the birth of our Savior, helping others…

Joy is that deep-down happiness—that inward contentment—we Christians experience as a result of grace, salvation, forgiveness, kindness, mercy and so on. 

In the future, I hope we can reserve the words HALLELUJAH, JOY, ANGELS, JESUS and dozens more for use in descriptions which reflect Christian values.

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Oct 1

How Are People and Plants Alike?

by Brenda Poulos

John 15: 1,2- “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

It was such a gorgeous fall morning, my husband and I decided to do some trimming in our yard. Slightly overcast, with a gentle breeze blowing, we worked and occasionally waved at neighbors walking by.

Quite a few tender shoots on our bushes had not grown in unison with the others, so (as much I regretted doing it) I cut them off. Doing so returned the bushes to the nice, rounded shape we desired.

As I trimmed each one, I thought of the Bible verse above. We are so much like plants, going astray from what God intended. We sometimes need pruning, too, in order to become more fruitful.

In this way, God returns us to our intended paths, removes bad habits, and establishes in us the joy of being in close relationship with Him once more.

The pruning is not always pleasant, but I have learned over the years that it is not as painful or as often, if I remain in the Word and make sure not to neglect praying for others, as well as for myself.

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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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Apr 9

The Greatest Love of All

by Brenda Poulos

John 15:13- “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Have you ever read the lyrics of Whitney Huston’s 1985 hit song, “Greatest Love of All” composed by Michael Masser and Linda Creed?

All these years later, it is still popular. Often sung in competitions, the overall effect is meant to be uplifting. 

However, if you read carefully, the song is actually tragic. Here are a few lines:

I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs                                      

A lonely place to be

And so I learned to depend on me

I am sure many Christians would have liked the opportunity to talk to the composers about the love of Christ and His invitation to draw strength for our daily lives from HIM.

Later in the song:

The greatest love of all

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself      

Is the greatest love of all

Jesus taught us to love one another—not ourselves. To love as He loved.

A love that would even sacrifice ourselves for others.

As I read the words of Jesus and then the words of the songwriters, my heart breaks for those who do not know the love of Jesus.

A love that took Him to the cross.

High and lifted up—for you and I.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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