spiritualsnippets.com

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

May 29

To Judge or Not to Judge

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 7:1-5. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Writers will tell you that although it is sometimes difficult to find mistakes in one’s own writing, it is much easier to detect them in someone else’s.

Spelling, punctuation, grammar, plot, characterization, just to name a few.

Admittedly, writers often pick up on other writer’s mistakes, making it difficult for them to enjoy reading for pleasure. 

Is it like that for you in your relationships?

Do you find it’s easier to focus on the mistakes or idiosyncrasies of family and friends than it is to find your own faults?

And do you find it hard not to point them out and give advice on how to change?

God knows all about that. And He even tells us what to do.

He warns us against hypocrisy. He wants us to work on our own faults first. Focus on ourselves. 

He reminds us that only those who are “fault free” are we able to see clearly and help others.

(Author’s note: As my birthday gift to YOU, please go to Amazon books on Wednesday, JUNE 1, for a free e-copy of my best-selling book, The Choice. www.amazon.com/Books-Brenda-Poulos     If you have trouble with this link, please just go directly to Amazon/books. Once there, type in Brenda C. Poulos or The Choice. And, while you’re online, visit my new website at http://www.brendapoulosauthor.com)

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

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Apr 18

Spiritual Stents

by Brenda Poulos

Acts 8:22- “Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.”  

Several years ago, my father went into the hospital for routine heart testing. 

Approximately a half-hour into the procedure, the doctor called the family into a conference room and showed us (via computer screen) Dad’s heart. He indicated areas of blockage and asked for permission to place two stents.

Watching on the screen, we saw the stents inserted and the rush of blood into the arteries that had been previously blocked. 

What a miracle to witness. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

Driving home, I thought about my how I needed a change of heart toward a close friend and an attitude adjustment toward a family member. Continuing to harbor resentment would only lead to further strain (block) those relationships.

I turned to the scriptures, asking God to show me what to do. I found guidance in His Word. Acts 8:22 said I needed to repent of my wrong attitude and ask forgiveness—first of God, and then of them.

It wasn’t easy, but I knew it was right. 

When I was obedient to God’s Word, a heavy weight was lifted. Today, our relationships are closer than ever!

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Apr 28

Who Is Your First Love?

by Brenda Poulos

 

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Matthew 22:37, 38-Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

 

God’s Word says that He is to be our first love.

We hear it from the pulpit, Christian radio, conferences, missionaries. 

We hear it in Sunday school and from our parents.

I saw this somewhere on the internet awhile back. (It didn’t give credit to anyone, so I apologize that I cannot do so, here, either). It is a great way to remember this principle:

F – finances

I  – Interests

R – relationships

S – schedule

T – troubles

We are to give Him the pre-eminence above all others. 

First in our thoughts and hearts.

We are to elevate Him in our lives to the highest place…Make Him first in our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.

“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18

 

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Sep 4

Father, I’m Home!

by Brenda Poulos

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Luke 15: 22-24 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

 

A soldier returns from battle.

A college student comes home for Christmas vacation.

A woman meets her birth mother for the first time.

Two friends reconnect after many years apart.

An estranged couple remarries.

Each scenario is a reason for rejoicing, isn’t it?

 

We don’t know the heartbreaking stories that lie behind each one, but we do feel the happiness in the reunions, don’t we?

We celebrate with each of those brought back together.

Relationships are mended and new memories can be made…

Hearts are joyous once again.

Although the word prodigal refers to someone who has spent money or resources recklessly or wastefully, that is not my “takeaway” from this Bible story.

Let’s focus on the fact that people were brought back together AND that relationships were restored.

Sometimes this happens simply because people return home after a time away, as in the case of the student and friends, above.

Other times, reconnections involve the element of forgiveness.

The prodigal son had wasted away his inheritance. He needed his father’s forgiveness. He humbled himself, seeking the restoration of their relationship.

God included this story in the Bible, I am convinced, to remind us that He forgives us…restores our relationship with Him…and that He wants us to follow His example in our own lives.

Is there someone in need of your forgiveness?

Or, is it you that needs the forgiveness of another?

In order for that to happen, two things must take place:  ~a humble, contrite heart of the one seeking forgiveness.  ~a willingness of the other to extend forgiveness.

In your case, it may not be an earthly relationship that needs mending. It may be your relationship with God that is in need of restoration.

If so, run to your heavenly father.

Let Him place the ring on your finger…

the robe on your shoulders…

and rejoice that you have returned home.

Experience anew what it is like to be wrapped in God’s grace!

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Sep 8

Spiritual Stents

by Brenda Poulos

Acts 8:22- “Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.”  

Several years ago, my father went into the hospital for what we thought would be routine heart testing. Approximately a half-hour into the procedure, the doctor called the family into a conference room and showed us (via computer screen) Dad’s heart. He indicated two areas of blockage and asked for permission to place two stents.

Watching on the screen, we were able to see the stents inserted and the resulting rush of blood into the arteries that had been previously blocked. What a miracle to witness. We were all spellbound. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

Driving home, I thought about my how I needed a change of heart toward a close friend and an attitude adjustment toward a family member. I knew that harboring resentment would only lead to strained (blocked) relationships.

My hurt was deep and my feelings were REAL. I wanted to change and I knew that until I did, those relationships would’t be restored. But, how could I achieve these changes on my own?

I turned to the scriptures, asking God to show me what to do. I found guidance in His Word. Acts 8:22 held the answer. I needed to repent of my wrong attitude and ask forgiveness—first to God, and then to them.

It wasn’t easy, but I knew it was right. When I was obedient to God’s Word, a heavy weight was lifted. Today, our relationships are closer than ever!

Brenda

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