spiritualsnippets.com

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

Jul 31

He Hears

by Brenda Poulos

I John 5:14- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

From time to time, I like to read historical fiction. 

The main character in a book I read recently wrote faithfully each month to her fiancé during the war—even though she never got confirmation that he’d received her letters.

I thought of how comforting it is that Christians are assured of God hearing our prayers. He is concerned with our day-to-day lives, providing for our needs and guiding our steps.

We don’t have to worry about Him hearing us. His Word is truth and it assures us this is so.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words

Leave a comment »
Oct 18

God Knows the Future

by Brenda Poulos

James 1:5- “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

I heard that an acquaintance of mine had become immersed in the practice of Numerology. Until today, I knew nothing more about it than it was somehow linked to the Occult.

Concerned for her spiritual well-being, I looked for information about this practice and consulted scripture for guidance in talking to her about it.

Here is a little of what I found. I include it here because the Bible warns us about such things. Please don’t get involved in this.

Numerology is defined as the use of numbers to interpret a person’s character or to divine the future (fortune telling).

There are different kinds of numerology:

Gemantria assigns numbers to each letter in the Hebrew alphabet in order to reveal a deeper or hidden meaning in words.

Other systems assign numerical value to the letters in one’s name, birthplace, etc. The totals are believed to have special symbolic interpretations. 

Modern numerology was developed by Cheiro, a fortune teller who developed a system of “fadic” numbers by adding together certain numbers to produce a “number of destiny.”

The Bible tells us to reject all forms of fortunetelling, horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, and so on. 

“…Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11: 14, 15.

You can read in Acts 16 about a fortune teller who was able to predict the future until the apostle Paul rebuked a demon out of her.

Practices like numerology and horoscopes may appear innocent at first, but soon people can get addicted to psychics and unwittingly allow Satan to control and destroy their lives. 

Peter proclaimed in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Study the scriptures and God will reveal the Truth.

Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Jul 26

The Torn Veil

by Brenda Poulos

 

28583129095_2f9fe15d3d

 

John 14:6- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

 

With movie theaters closed, many of us are watching movies at home on our televisions. Some are new releases. Some are old classics.

One such well-known movie is The Godfather.

The screenwriter used a number of ways to build the character’s (Vito Corleone, the crime boss and head of the “family”) importance.

One of them was to show that Vito was inaccessible but to only a few select people. Those who wanted to talk with him,  had to go through an enforcer, first—each and every time.

I thought about this as I read my morning devotional and spent time in prayer with God.

Amazing as it is, The God of the universe is totally accessible to Christians.

There is no title we must have. No secret knock. No certain time of day that He is to be approached.

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the Temple was torn. Access to the Holy of Holies was given to believers.

We don’t need to go through an intercessor, or enforcer. We can talk with Him anytime we’d like. 

Because once we come to the Father through Jesus Christ, His forgiveness of our sins makes a relationship with Him possible.

 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Nov 12

The Master of “Fake” News

by Brenda Poulos

 

33023896856_92c34f0091

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Every time I turn on the television, I am bombarded with what we have come to call “fake news”: The President did this or that, a famous person died, someone was secretly married, and so on. Often, we find out the story was totally fabricated.

Some of the lies are fairly easy to spot, but others are more difficult to discern.

Satan is the master of lies, the Bible tells us. And, the lies he wants us to believe are those that affect our eternal lives.

Here are just two examples of his lies that mean the difference between life and death:

The first lie is that there are many ways to get to Heaven.

Oh, it sounds good to some people who want to believe that no one religion or group has all the answers. It may sound plausible to them that as long as we are sincere and do our best, it will turn out well for us in the end.

But, the Bible says that Jesus is the only way to salvation.

Secondly, Satan wants you to think that as long as you believe in something, it’s okay. 

But, God’s word says in Acts 4:12- “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” And, in 1 Timothy 2:5. it says “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

The Bible is not fake news, a scam or a lie.

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD AND ONE WAY TO GET TO HIM. It is THROUGH JESUS CHRIST ALONE. 

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Mar 12

THE WARNING SIGNS

by Brenda Poulos

 

3715551997_0da0e44447Proverbs 16:25  “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

In many states, over the past couple of years, there has been an overwhelming number of wrong way drivers.

Serious accidents and many deaths have been attributed to failure to heed the warning signs.

Some of these drivers were impaired by drugs, alcohol, or lack of adequate sleep, but many say they really thought that they were entering the freeway, correctly.

Signs were posted. They just didn’t read them.

As a result, some died.

There are many books about what the authors believe is TRUTH about the future and eternity. Most of them aren’t trying to lead others astray. The vast majority feel what they are writing is true. In fact, they are zealous in their efforts to impart their knowledge to others.

However, only the Bible is the authentic Word of God. If you want direction, you need look no further.

Heed the signs…the warnings within its pages.

Nothing can be more important than the future of your eternal soul.

I’ve heard people say they wish life came with a set of instructions.

It does.

It’s called THE BIBLE.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Jun 5

BELIEVE

by Brenda Poulos

Mark 11:23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain,’Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but Believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.

 

27197218816_e15f2a2982

 

Believe.

I see this word on bumper stickers, jewelry, greeting cards, wall decor, and T-shirts.

It seems society has embraced it.

But, what does it really mean?

Believe in who?

Believe in what?

Believe in oneself?

Believe in the power within?

Believe in God?

I have a picture hanging in my home office, with simply “Believe” written in script.

It tells me that I can do it…achieve it…

But, I realize it is not me alone that makes anything happen in my personal life or my career.

It is God who leads me.

It is God who empowers me.

It is God who gives me the skills necessary to achieve.

But, it means still more.

To me, it is a reminder that I believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that I have eternal life through Him.

John 20:31 but these are written, that you may Believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing

you may have life in his name.

It IS important to have confidence in oneself…if that confidence comes from God.

It IS important to have a “can do” attitude…if one realizes that their giftedness comes from our Creator.

It IS important to have faith…if it is in God.

We can have every confidence in Him.

For it  is in Him WHO IS TRUTH that we have the power to BELIEVE.

Biblical lessons Encouraging words Uncategorized

Leave a comment »
Blog at WordPress.com.
%d bloggers like this: