spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jan 7

Don’t Worry; Be Happy!

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 12:25- “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

There are lots of reasons to worry. I’m sure you could make a list of at least a dozen things in your life—or of your family’s or friends’ lives—that would be legitimate causes for worry. However, as Christians, we understand that worrying about something doesn’t solve the problem.

We also know that prayer changes things.

And, I also know that what we usually worry about is not real. It’s how we choose to see things.

We need to change how we see them (our attitudes) and turn those mountains into molehills (as my grandmother used to say).

Remember these sayings?

Let go; and let God.

Look on the bright side.

Walk on the sunny side of the street.

Let a smile be your umbrella.

Don’t worry; be happy!

Let’s put our worries at God’s feet in prayer. And, with praise and Thanksgiving for all He has given us, let’s allow His peace and power to work in our lives.

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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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Jun 18

Our Heavenly Father

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 21:6,7,8- “He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

When I taught third grade, I had my students make Father’s Day cards for their dads.

One year, when astronauts, rockets, and space were dominating the news, I gave them this writing prompt for their message:     “My dad is the best dad in the world because…”

You can imagine some of the things these youngsters came up with, praising their fathers for many different reasons.

Today as we think about our heavenly father, there are many reasons to thank Him for being our Creator, Savior, Provider, Protector, and Sustainer.

But the verse in Revelation, tells us that He will also be our Avenger. He will right every wrong and rid the world of sin and death once and for all!

Today—and everyday—He is worthy of our praise… worship… and adoration.

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Nov 20

Anxiety or Peace?

by Brenda Poulos

Philippians 4:5-7- “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

A girls’ lunch get-together is usually filled with laughter and lots of chatter. However, a few months ago, it was anything but.

Claire, the hostess for that month, told the group of four that she was again facing cancer, having been in remission for almost three years.

Sally confided that her husband was having an affair with someone at work.

Beth’s daughter had experienced a miscarriage and Ellen had to put down Charlie, her faithful Cocker Spaniel.

So many sad stories. So many reasons to be downhearted and fearful of the future.

But instead, Sally pulled out a recent Bible Study and read the scripture from Philippians to the women at the table. Then, she led her friends in prayer. That was followed by an opportunity for each woman to share a reason to praise God.

By the time Claire served lunch, there was a smile on each face and hope in each heart.

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Oct 2

Today’s a Good Day

by Brenda Poulos

I Samuel 2: 1,2- “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord … No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.”

In these past months filled with illnesses and worldwide natural disasters, Christians everywhere have been praying fervently. Day after day, we offer our entreaties to the Lord.

But when the answer comes, do we remember to thank the Lord for his answer, his provision, his loving kindness? 

I Samuel tells the story of Hannah, who poured out her soul to the Lord. And when the answer came, she didn’t forget to thank and praise Him.

Not a day goes by without a reason to praise our wonderful God. It may not be the answer to your specific prayer, but it may be lifting up thanks for His provision, our homes, our families, our health. 

Today’s a good day to thank the Lord!!!

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Mar 20

Seven Opportunities

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 92:1-2. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.”

A Christian radio host in my area has, for several years, suggested people improve their attitudes and relationships by changing just one thing each day. Not arguing so much with a spouse, being kind and accepting of in-laws, making oneself aware of how they spend their money. The list encompasses almost anything that impacts family and friends.

This morning, I thought about one thing I could do to improve my relationship with God. (After all, Christians know that if the relationship is not what it should be, it is up to us to change. Not God. He is always there. Ever willing to listen, encourage, and forgive).

I thought of my prayer life, scripture reading, witnessing, service, giving, mentoring, and thankfulness/ praising God. 

Seven areas. 

Seven days in a week. 

Seven opportunities to draw closer to Him.

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Jan 31

Hands, Heart, and Soul

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 134:2- “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

Were you were brought up in a conservative Christian home like I was?

Did you attend a conservative church like I did?

Then, for a moment, would you consider breaking out of your comfort zone?

What’s holding you back from worshipping God with your whole heart, soul and hands?

I took the challenge several years ago. I can only attest to my own experience. It was profound and continues to be to this day.

For me it wasn’t electrifying in a physical sense, but for the first time I felt a unique connection—a drawing of spirit to Spirit.

Some who have spent an extended period of time in prayer or meditation, or those who have fasted have told of similar experiences to mine—a “peaceful exhilaration” (my term).

And, more than that, I experience a bonding… a linking together with the one true God. He doesn’t just soak up my praise. He joins with me as we experience together his goodness, holiness, and majesty.

Your experience will perhaps be uniquely yours, but I encourage you to give your whole being over to the praise of our Creator, Savior, and Lord. 

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Dec 20

True Adoration

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 2:20- The shepherds “returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”

*Part 2, from last week’s “Behold!”

Come, let us adore our Christ.

What is meant by the term adore?

Worshipping Him (and the truth of who He is) and rejoicing in Him with great joy.

Exceeding great joy is at the heart of true adoration.

LOVE, HONOR, ESTEEM, WORSHIP, ADMIRE, GLORIFY, PRAISE, REVERE, RESPECT DEEPLY.

With Genuine Faith in Who Jesus Really Is: 

The Child born king of the Jews.

God’s Son, our Savior, who reigns on His throne at the right hand of The Father.

Let’s adore Him with every thought we have, every goal we set, each decision we make, the words we speak and the actions we take.

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Apr 5

Twenty Seconds Well Spent

by Brenda Poulos

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Psalm 55:17- “Evening and morning and at noon will I pray to the Lord, and cry aloud and he will hear my voice”

 

I am learning a lot as I spend an increased amount of “alone time” here at home.

The first thing I learned is that I’m not alone. I feel a deep and abiding joy as the Holy Spirit ministers to me.

The biggest thing I am learning is the importance of prayer in the life of believers. He is teaching me not just how to pray, but actually to pray more often and in every circumstance—for family, friends, and the people of the world.

Here’s an idea I’d like to pass along: as you spend your twenty seconds of hand washing time over the course of the day, send up a prayer and praise to the Heavenly Throne each and every time.

That’s it.

Nothing earth-shaking.

Or is it?

I can tell you, it’s rocking my world!

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Apr 22

The Cross Was No Accident

by Brenda Poulos

Night view of Antigua, Guatemala from "Cerro de la Cruz"

John 3:16- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 

The Cross.

For Christians, the symbol of hope.

The death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation through the forgiveness of sins for all who believe.

The cross was no accident. 

His great love motivated the Creator to sacrifice His Son.

We have painted them, gold-plated them, encrusted them with jewels, decorated our walls with them, worn them around our necks…

What is it that draws our hearts to the cross?

The Bible says that we love Him because He first loved us.

I think we are drawn to the cross because it is there that He showed us the extent of His pure, unconditional, unending, indescribable love.

No, the cross of Christ wasn’t lovely. It was “rugged” as the old hymn describes it. Built with rough, splintered wood that was held together by crude nails.

Christ was nailed to it and died the death of a common criminal. How unbelievable He would do this for you and for me.

Yet, Jesus welcomed the cross. He had planned this moment from the beginning. It had all come down to this.

But the cross was no more the end for Jesus than it is for us. 

Coming to the cross with Thanksgiving for the love that put Him there, rejoicing at the open tomb announcing His resurrection, leaving our sin there and following Christ.

That’s just the beginning. 

Let’s celebrate it today. 

He is worthy of all praise. Crown Him with many crowns. Lord of Lords. King of Kings.

The precious  Lamb of God. 

 

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