spiritualsnippets.com

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

Feb 4

“Come, Follow Me”

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 19-20: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.”

I thought of my grandson when I read this verse. He graduated mid-year from high school and was struggling to know what to pursue in his life. (As you know, some kids follow their dreams from grade school on up. Others don’t have a clear idea of what they’d like to do until they are in college!)

When talking to his coach, he was encouraged to pray about a direction for his life. In addition, he gave my grandson some pamphlets about Christian colleges, and so on.

One of them caught his eye. It was WYAM and The University of Nations. Within less than a month, he’d signed up and flown to a training base in Kona. Now, he is preparing his heart, mind, and soul for service to others.

Our grandson is becoming a modern day “fisher of men.” 

His communications with us tell of learning from scripture and drawing close to the Lord. His joy is overflowing and we couldn’t be happier that he is following God’s leading for his life.

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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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Dec 26

Living the Spirit of Christmas All Year Long

by Brenda Poulos

 

Philippians 2:3b- “in humility value others above yourselves.”

In the season of Christmas, 

Have you noticed more people stopping for you to cross the street?

Have you experienced someone inviting you to go ahead of them in line?

Have you seen doors being held open for shoppers?

Have you been asked to donate money for the homeless?

Small gestures.

Human kindness.

Why can’t it be like this all year long?

The Bible tells us it can. When we put ourselves last. When we think of others first.

Researchers tell us that the happiest people on the planet are those who volunteer (serve others). These people have discovered the Biblical principle for themselves.

And they live the Spirit of Christmas all year long.

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Apr 25

Spread the Joy

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 6:31- “Do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’”

A few years ago, we vacationed in Hawaii. We liked the slower pace, the relaxed atmosphere. We also enjoyed the island music.

One popular song which played over and over was “Don’t Worry; Be Happy.”  We couldn’t help but sing to the catchy tune with a positive message.

God’s Word reminds us that worrying about anything is useless and counter- productive. Real happiness is found, not in wishful thinking, but in obedience to the Lord.

Our focus needs to be on others—not on ourselves. 

When we help a neighbor, donate our time at a local food bank, or visit a shut-in, we forget about ourselves and leave our worries up to the Lord. When we act as the hands and feet of Jesus, we find His provision for our own needs to be more than enough.

He will be continually refilling our reserves of energy and compassion toward those whom Jesus has called us to serve. 

When we follow His example, we find that our joy (yes, not superficial happiness, but deep spiritual joy) overflows!

So, don’t worry! Be happy!

And spread the joy!

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Feb 1

Hands

by Brenda Poulos

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Deuteronomy 28:12– “…The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.”

 

The director raises his hands high above his head, out to the side, makes a circle with his fingers, holds his hands tight in front of him—a variety of signals to the choir, telling them how he wants them to sing. Loud or soft. Words to emphasize. When to hold a note… Every movement of his hands means something.

Hands.

An audience applauds to show appreciation for a performance.

Hands.

A lady uses sign language. A child watches intently, then uses his hands to communicate in return. Fingers fire rapidly, back and forth, as they “talk” to one another. The transference of  thoughts and feelings between two human beings.

Hands.

A student raises his hand in class. The teacher calls on him. There is an interchange—perhaps a question answered—and then back to work. A system of recognition and classroom organization.

Hands.

A volunteer touches the shoulder of patient in a wheelchair. The elderly man looks up with eyes of gratitude. Off they go for a “walk” down the hall of an adult care center.

Hands.

A wife brings her husband a hot cup of coffee as he reads the newspaper.

Hands.

A young girl pets her dog. He licks her face.

Hands.

A grandmother teaches her granddaughter how to stitch a quilt.

Hands.

People in church raise their hands during worship, reflecting their praise and devotion to the Lord.

Hands.

They offer love, help, and praise. They communicate an individual’s caring heart. They serve others.

The Bible says that hands were created for good things and He will bless acts of kindness and service done with our hands. It doesn’t matter if they are the hands of a young child or the crippled hands of a ninety-year-old senior citizen.

His nail-scarred hands should be our example.

 

 

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Sep 22

Spread the Joy!

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 6:31– “Do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?”

A few years ago, we vacationed in Hawaii. We enjoyed the slower pace, the relaxed atmosphere. We also enjoyed the island music.

One popular song which played over and over the week we were there was “Don’t Worry; Be Happy.”  We couldn’t help but sing it throughout the day. It was a catchy tune with a positive message.

God’s Word reminds us that worrying about anything is useless and counter-productive. Instead, God says that real happiness is found, not in wishful thinking, but in obedience to His Word.

Our focus needs to be on others—not on ourselves. We will find that when we take steps to help a neighbor, donate our time at a local food bank, or visit a shut-in, we will forget about ourselves, leaving our worries up to our Lord. As acts of service and worship, when we act as the hands and feet of Jesus, we will find His provision for our own needs to be more than enough.

We will find that we are never depleted, but that He is continually refilling our reserves of energy and compassion toward those whom Jesus has called on us to serve. When we follow His example, we find that our joy (yes, not superficial happiness, but deep spiritual joy) overflows!

Don’t worry! Spread the joy!

Brenda

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