spiritualsnippets.com

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

Nov 8

Disappointed?

by Brenda Poulos

Nahum 1:7- “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”

Keep the faith.

Keep trusting God.

God is omniscient.

He knows everything. From beginning to end.

Be assured of His love for us.

God is omnipotent.

All powerful.

He can—and does—turn even what seems to us to be the worst of situations into good.

Even though we may be disappointed in current circumstances, we can choose to believe that

God is still able.

He is still God.

He loves us.

He will make a way for us.

He reigns!

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Nov 1

He Sees Your Heart

by Brenda Poulos

I Samuel 16:17b– “… The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I nearly passed up a friend at the grocery store this week. Her mask kept me from recognizing her—until I heard her voice.

Covid-19. Social distancing and…masks.

It’s become a way of life in our world this year.

A son comes home from war, left to live with the horrors he has seen. Parents hardly recognize the young man he’s become.

A familiar scenario for far too many.

God tells us in I Samuel that God knows us. He knows our hearts.

Whether you are a lost sheep in need of a Shepherd or a believer in need of your Father’s encouragement, have faith and trust in the Lord.

He knows us. He sees beneath that “happy mask” we often wear for family and friends. 

He knows our needs. He’s here for us. He sees our hearts.

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Oct 25

Victory

by Brenda Poulos

Proverbs 21:31b- “…victory rests with the Lord.”

At the end of the day, do you feel beaten down and dejected?

Do politically-charged events cause you to be stressed out?

Have you decided to keep the television—especially news channels—turned off for awhile due to divisive commentaries?

This constant state of unease and disruptiveness is NOT what God wants for us.

Even though he wants us to vote and exercise our rights as citizens, He also wants us to rest in the knowledge that ultimately the victory will be His.

Take a deep breath. Go for a walk and enjoy the beautiful new day He has made for us. 

Trust Him for the outcome that will work out His plan for us as individuals and the world at large.

His Word says He is faithful. 

He will do it.

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Aug 23

Suit Up!

by Brenda Poulos

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Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

 

Wanda Sue Maxey said: “There isn’t a mask big enough to protect us from everything going on in the world today. We need to suit up with the whole armor of God.”

Of course, we should follow the mask and social distancing mandates. But God has given us all we need to withstand the assaults of satan.

Why live in fear that we will touch something or be around someone who will put us in harm’s way?

God has called us to be bold, speak in truth and share His Word.

He has given us- 

THE BELT OF TRUTH: The truth about who we are in Christ. Jesus is the Truth that sets us free. We must let God’s Word guide our prayers. Memorize verses so we can recall them quickly when we need their encouragement and direction.

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:  Christ’s righteousness protects our hearts. Scriptural truths help us to walk in the Lord’s will. We should ask someone we trust to pray for us when we struggle with obedience.  

THE GOSPEL OF PEACE:  The gospel is the Good News, the forgiveness of sins and access to God through faith in Christ. Satan wants us to worry, but oneness with the Lord produces peace. It keeps our feet anchored and standing firm.

THE SHIELD OF FAITH: Roman soldiers dipped their shields covered with animal hide. into water so when fiery darts hit them, the wet hide would extinguish the darts. A Christian’s shield of faith needs to be regularly dipped in the water of God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” We must set our faith on God’s character, not on circumstances.

THE HELMET OF SALVATION: Salvation comes the moment we place our trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the payment for our sin. But salvation is also worked out through a lengthy process of sanctification when we allow Him to work in every part of our thoughts. The enemy fights for strongholds in our minds. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT:  “When we are tempted, the most effective weapon that God has given believers is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. When the devil tempts us, we need to respond with the Truth of God’s Word. 

Let’s put on the Whole Armor of God and walk in the fullness of His Grace.

 

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May 17

Count the Cost

by Brenda Poulos

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Luke 14:28- “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Luke 14:31- “ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?”

 

I spent several days this week comparing prices on items for a large scale D.I.Y. project my husband and I are doing.

By the time I finally decided which companies had the best deals and began to order, a few of the prices had gone up.

I was spitting nails—literally. 

I took a few calming breaths and started in again. 

When beginning anything, one must always count the cost.

When we decide to say something negative about a friend, we must realize that we might lose a friendship.

Count the cost.

When we offer someone our help with their yard work, but don’t show up, there can be a break in trust.

Count the cost.

Every day we make decisions that affect relationships in negative or positive ways.

The Bible reminds us of this actual Biblical principle in the book of Luke. We need to think of the consequences of our actions… decide if what we are considering doing is worth it or not.

Count the cost.

 

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Mar 22

Praise–Not Panic

by Brenda Poulos

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Psalm 28:7- “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”

 

In these uncertain times, it’s easy to lose our tempers…become depressed…cast blame.

Satan wants nothing more that to use current world circumstances to drive a wedge between us and our Heavenly Father’s love.

Even though our circumstances have changed in the past few weeks, God has not.

He is our shield of protection against the enemy.

He remains strong when we feel weak.

He is able—and will—bring good out of our present world situation.

Let’s choose trust rather than turmoil.

Let’s choose praise instead of panic.

When we choose to praise God in the midst of life’s storms, we can find joy in spite of our circumstances. 

The apostle Paul told us that in good times, and bad, he learned to be content. 

His story encourages us to praise God for His goodness, grace, and love, even when what we are experiencing at the time may not be pleasant.

May our hearts leap with joy–today and always– as we praise our amazing God.

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Dec 10

Laying Aside Our Perspective

by Brenda Poulos

I Corinthians 13:12- “ For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”28684556474_5ed7a6dcbb

Have you ever seen one of those magazine pictures that is a “partial” picture and you’re to try to imagine what the entire picture might be?

For instance, the picture might be that of the frightened face of a young boy. You might think that, if you could see the entire picture, he is afraid of a bear…or he is lost in a department store…or he is facing an angry parent’s discipline. Then, when you turn the page, you find out if you have guessed correctly as the entire picture is revealed.

Situations in our lives are a lot like that because the Bible tells us that we can only see “in part.”

That accident, illness, or disappointing friendship that causes us worry and sorrow in the present, may just be the catalyst for bringing someone to Christ or averting a loved one from physical harm.

Since we only see part of the scene, we learn to trust God—to exercise our faith in Him—remembering that He is in control of it all and is able to see the BIG PICTURE.

A long time ago, the life of a college friend was spared because she wasn’t able to make a plane connection—a plane that crashed shortly after take-off.

So often through the years, I have thought about that incident. It has served as a reminder to me that I need to exercise my faith in God during difficult times.

One day, I am sure that we, too, will be able to see the BIG PICTURE. And, when we do, we will no doubt be surprised to learn of the many times God has protected us and guided us, using the trials in this life to fulfill His ultimate purpose.

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Mar 1

What’s In the Bucket?

by Brenda Poulos

1 John 5:11b-13: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.  13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

My husband and I saw a rather intense movie this afternoon. We rode home in quiet contemplation, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

When we arrived home, he went outside to do yard work and I grabbed my shopping list and headed to the car for my weekly trip to the grocery store.

As was just about to pull away from the house, when my husband walked up to me with a bucket in his hand. “Guess what is in this bucket?” He held it out toward me. “Go ahead, look.” He smiled and gestured for me to come closer.

Hunkered down in the corner was a brown baby bunny! My heart soared and my tenseness faded away. This precious example of new life changed my countenance in an instant!

What is it about new life that lifts our spirits…give us hope?

The Bible says that we can have a new life, in Christ, when we acknowledge Him as our Savior and accept His forgiveness of our sins.

Our hearts will soar when we give up the things of the past—the sins that weigh so heavily on us—and let Jesus claim the victory over them!

Romans 6:14 says that sin will no longer have dominion over us, but instead we will have newness of life.

May the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him. (Romans 15:13)

Brenda

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Feb 2

Lip Sync?

by Brenda Poulos

Jeremiah 23:26– How long will there be lies in the hearts of those who speak false words in My name, who speak the lies of their own heart?

On the morning news I heard a story about a recent Lip Sync contest that took place on a late night television show. A video clip showed famous celebrities belting out the lyrics to popular contemporary songs and the audience cheering them on, as if they were hearing the actual artists themselves. In most cases, it was virtually impossible to tell they were not really singing the words themselves!

I think about the voice of God. Is it possible for us to know if it is really His voice we are listening to, or that of someone else? Someone who may say similar words, but twist them ever so slightly so that the meaning is distorted? The intent to misguide…

How can we know His true voice? How can we recognize the voice of impostors who really mean to lead us away from The Truth?

Television talk shows, social media, magazines—the list goes on and on. It won’t take much effort to find voices in every venue that purport to know and proclaim their own “truth.” If we are not careful, we may fall prey to their message. We may, in fact, be led away from the True and Living God we so earnestly seek.

There are hundreds of books to be read. There are opportunities to attend church or even watch worship services from your own living room. You can read online commentaries. The list is never ending.

So, I ask you, again: How will you know the message is from God? How will you know His true voice from that of the Lip Syncers of this world?

The Bible, as God’s Word, is His message to us. It is the only written word that is 100% endorsed by Him. So, when we read or hear other voices, the way to know if they voice His Truth is to simply check out the message they bring against what The Bible says. If their words align with the Bible, they can be believed as trusted sources. If they conflict, discard what they say and believe God’s Word every time.

If you do, you’ll never go wrong, never be led astray, never be caught wondering if it is really HIS Voice.

Brenda

 

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Dec 15

What Do You Give the Man Who Has Everything?

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 2:13- “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, goodwill toward men!’”

It waits under the Christmas tree wrapped in delicate paper and adorned by a large bow trimmed in gold. The gift is mesmerizing.

What could be inside? You shake it, hoping its sound will give a clue as to the contents. You consider its size and shape, narrowing the possibilities.

You think of the things you included on your “Christmas List” and try to judge whether or not each item could possibly fit into a box of that size or shape. Still, you won’t be sure until you actually remove the paper and ribbon.

Yes, the giving and receiving of gifts is exciting.

I saw a television ad a few days ago, which asked, “What do you give the man who has everything?” I immediately thought of Jesus. Isn’t He the epitome of one who has everything? What kind of gift would He want? Another galaxy? A trillion more stars?

Some 2,000 years ago, Jesus left Heaven where He, literally had everything, to be born in a stable to earthly parents who had very little resources. What He wanted then—and what He still wants in the 21st Century—is a relationship with US.

He wants our love, our trust, and our praise! He wants to hear our voices lifted in adoration, or softly making petitions in prayer. He want us to hear His voice, too, as we wait on His answers, as we read His Word.

In this “Season of Giving”, remember along with me the ultimate gift—Jesus—the Savior wrapped not in a gold-trimmed bow, but in swaddling clothes. The Lord of All who gave it all—for you and me!

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