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

Dec 4

Baskets Full of Memories and Miracles

by Brenda Poulos

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Matthew 14:20– “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.”

 

 

I have some pretty significant memories of baskets over the years: brightly-colored Easter baskets, a woven bicycle basket with a metal “bell,” the pauper’s basket on a small table at the church door.

We recently moved Mom and Dad into an assisted living facility. As we readied their longtime house for sale, we came across a basket that I had made at vacation Bible School as a young child. (photo above)

Just seeing it brought back fond memories of those long-ago days of learning Bible stories at church.

You might be surprised at how many of them involved baskets:

Moses hidden inside a specially-prepared basket in the river by his mother and then found and protected by Pharaoh’s daughter.

Saul, let down next to a wall in a basket by the disciples and saved from a throng seeking to kill him.

The basket of consecrations, the interpretation by Joseph of the chief baker’s dream, the basket of unleavened bread…

And among these is the familiar story of a small boy who shared his lunch of bread and fish, providing enough for a crowd of 5,000—with 12 baskets of food left over!

Baskets offering protection.

Baskets used to transport.

Baskets with which to gather and store.

This is the time of year when we are asked to fill baskets with food and clothing for those less fortunate. And when we do, may God bless them, as he did the boy’s lunch, and multiply our simple gifts to bless others—to overflowing!

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Nov 27

Sharing the Reason for Hope

by Brenda Poulos

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1 Peter 3:15- “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

 

I gather up my things and exit the passenger side of the car. Outside stands my husband with “that look” in his eyes. He cannot understand why it takes me so long to exit.

I tell him that I have to get my bottled water. (It’s hot in Arizona and I get thirsty).

Next, my sweater. (It’s often cold in church, restaurants, malls, and meetings).

I also take an umbrella. (You never know…)

I take my coupon organizer. (I’m prepared for discounts anywhere we go).

I often have a soft drink, bottle of lotion, sunglasses, a few coins for change, and breath mints, too.

Then, of course, there are my purse and keys.

Oh, you think some of those things should go into my purse?

No room.

You see, in there I keep my wallet, checkbook, business cards, kleenex packet…

I guess you could say I’m prepared.

There are certain situations in the Bible in which God warns us to be prepared. One of them is in the verse from 1 Peter, chapter 3, verse 15.

Just as there may be an unexpected shower, or the need for sunglasses or breath mints, undoubtedly someday someone will ask us about our faith.

And, when they do, we need to be ready to give them an answer, explaining how we came to know and trust Jesus as our Savior.

Being prepared will mean that we will be able to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way in order to gently, respectfully, introduce someone to the God who loves them and gave himself for them, too.

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Nov 20

Choose Your Own Ending

by Brenda Poulos

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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.”

When I taught my creative writing unit to my third graders, I sometimes used what we called “story starters.” These were usually a paragraph or two which “started” a story.

Although the initial paragraphs were typed onto the students’ papers, I usually read them aloud—very dramatically, if I do say so myself—following up with the directions for the students to finish the story, using their imaginations. Afterward, volunteers read their story endings in front of the class or posted them on a bulletin board.

Most students loved creating their own endings. Some were happy, some exciting, some sad. All of the many variations, which had each started from the same initial teacher-written paragraph(s), ended differently.

In real life, we have choices to make which affect the stories of our lives, don’t we?

And, then there’s the ultimate decision—whether or not to follow Christ.

No matter what our personal “story starter” was, we each have the power to choose our own ending.

In my latest book, The Choice, Will Hayes rejects Jesus and later experiences the reality of hell.

It didn’t have to be that way, of course. He could have chosen Christ. He could have chosen life.

I wrote the book as an urgent message to those who have, yet, to make the choice.

The Bible says that God doesn’t want any of us to perish. He gives us the freedom to accept or reject Him.

The ending of our story depends on the choice we make.

Yes, the beginning of our story has already been written, but, we can still experience forgiveness for the less-than-perfect choices that have shaped our lives from that point forward.

We can still be assured of eternal life in Heaven, by accepting Jesus as our Savior.

 

How will your story end?

The choice is yours.

 

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Nov 13

Dear Friend

by Brenda Poulos

 

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John 15: 13-“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

 

Veteran’s Day means, to some people, a day off school and or/work. But to many Americans, it is a day to honor those who serve—and have served—our country.

Whether in the lines of battle or as support behind them, we owe veterans a debt of gratitude. The freedoms that we enjoy are due to the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.

Few of us can truly understand the depth of love of country—or for their fellow man— that motivates these brave soldiers to make the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us—while we sit at home and watch television, enjoy family barbecues, or play golf.

Life goes on for us, virtually uninterrupted, unless we are the family members of a loved one claimed by a sniper’s bullet or a surprise ambush.

For those who served in the past, those currently stationed in faraway countries, and for those who are contemplating enlisting in the future, I am grateful.

You don’t know me.

We may never meet.

But, I want you to know that I appreciate your standing in the gap for me.

Because of you, I enjoy a beautiful home and family, I can walk the streets of my neighborhood in relative safety, I am able to worship without persecution.

When I look into the sky, I see a sprinkling of white clouds and expansive wings of an eagle flying overhead—not planes being shot down, rockets exploding, and smoke filling the air.

Because of you, I enjoy a quality of life that is only a dream for many others in the world.

Jesus reminds us that the greatest among us are those who lay down their own lives for others…

Thank you for being my friend.

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Nov 7

Need Help Doing What is Right?

by Brenda Poulos

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Romans 7:15-  “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

 

Have you ever felt like Paul in this verse from Romans?

Does it seem the more you try not to do something you know is wrong, the more you find yourself doing it?

It could be lying.

Perhaps speaking your spouse with sharp words.

Maybe it’s being critical of someone else’s actions.

Or watching something inappropriate.

You try not to do it. You really make an effort. You pray to God for help.

We all have similar stories, don’t we?

So, what gives?

The Apostle Paul wrote the words in Romans 7:15. Even though he was a mature christian, but he admitted to doing the very things he didn’t want to do!

Perhaps one of the marks of a mature Christian is the awareness of this struggle with evil in our lives.

So, like Paul, we find ourselves saying, “What is wrong with me? How come? The very good that I want to do, I do not do. That which I don’t want to do, is precisely what I do?”

If we read on to the end of Chapter 7, a verse pops out at us: “Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ our Lord.” And, if we proceed into Chapter 8, Paul talks about the power of the Holy Spirit to give us strength to conquer our sins…our destructive behaviors that hurt us, those we love, and strain our relationships.

One of the reasons He gave us the Holy Spirit was to help us do what is right.

If we are forgiven through the death of Christ on the cross, why do we still live with the truth from chapter seven?

The truth is, we are both saint and sinner. And, as long as we live here on earth, we will experience this struggle.

So, take hold of the power of the Holy Spirit to help you conquer your weaknesses as they show up in your daily life.

Then, thank God for victory over the very things that keep you from a deep and satisfying relationship with Him and those you love.

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Oct 31

Are You Ready?

by Brenda Poulos

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Matthew 24:36, 44- “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

 

I use a pocket planner.

Some people use a wall calendar.

Their purpose? To keep track of appointments and special dates.

We circle or star the really important ones—those that are important to remember.

We sometimes countdown to events that are especially significant.

We know when they will take place because we are told the date, in advance, and we keep track of them.

Then, when the day arrives, we are ready.

We have our gifts in hand, our car is gassed up, we look our best. We are able to take part in the celebration, attend the event, or keep the appointment.

Occasionally, the date or time is changed or event rescheduled, but for the most part, things happen according to plan.

However, what if things happened according to someone else’s timetable? What if we were told to be ready, but had no idea of the day or time?

That is the way it will be when Jesus returns to earth.

The Bible says he will return, but that only God the Father knows when that will be. No one will know in advance, so we are cautioned to be spiritually ready.

So, how does one do that?

While we are still living, or until Jesus comes again, we have every opportunity to repent of our sins and profess faith in Jesus.

In the end we will all be judged.

Everyone, the still living and the resurrected dead, will face God’s judgment.

Those who know and trust Jesus as their Savior will have nothing to fear. We will be ready.

We don’t know when.

But, we do know who.

He’s the one that makes us ready—forgiven, made righteous, pure and blameless in His sight—

by the Grace of God.

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Oct 24

Goldilocks Liked Lukewarm. God, Not So Much…

by Brenda Poulos

Revelation 3:15,16-  “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

 

 

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There’s something about the fall that sparks conversations about the weather. People often share their favorite temperature ranges (I love 75-80 degrees), their preference of outdoor activities, and so on.

Some people prefer iced coffee; others like it hot; still others let it cool off just a little before taking that first sip.

It always reminds me of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Goldilocks tasted all of the bowls of porridge, looking for the one that was neither hot, nor cold. She wanted it “just right.”

God used temperature to express how He felt about Christians in the church at Laodicea. He said he’d prefer that people were cold (not zealous) or hot (zealous ). What He doesn’t like are “lukewarm” Christians. He even says He will “spew” them out of his mouth.

So, what are lukewarm Christians?

Based on what I have read, I am going to make some assumptions:

They lack the desire for daily prayer and Bible reading.

They give money to charities and church after they have met their own needs/wants.

They don’t really hate sin. They just don’t want to be punished.

They put what they want to do ahead of service to God and others.

They choose what is popular over what they know to be right. They don’t want to cause conflict or give up their social position and/or friendships for voicing their convictions.

They think more about life in the here and now, than about life after death.

They rarely share their faith.

They say they love God, but they often put their ultimate trust in themselves.

Most of us stand convicted of being lukewarm, at times. 

But, if it becomes a pattern in our lives, it is cause for concern.

If we are honest, the last thing we want to do is displease our Lord. The very thought should sadden us.

So, perhaps it is time for some honest self-examination.

It we are lukewarm, we need to turn to Him, now. Trust in Him. Stay close to Him each day in an attitude of adoration and desire to serve as He directs. Ask Him to show us how to live the victorious, obedient Christian life He wants for us.

The life that uplifts others.

The life that pursues holiness.

The life that glorifies Him.

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Oct 16

What Do Wine, Fish, and Clay Have in Common?

by Brenda Poulos

Jeremiah 18:4– “But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”

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Great cooks put unusual ingredients together on national television and end up with mouth-watering meals and desserts.

I thought I’d try it.

I opened the refrigerator and took out a little of this and a little of that.

Everything went into the skillet. Fifteen minutes later I dished it onto plates and set them on the table.

“Not half bad,” my husband remarked as he reached for a second glass of water.

I smiled.

It was nothing like the account of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding, or when He took five loaves and two fishes and fed 5,000 people, but still…

What about Jesus completely changing a person?

You may know someone who had a hardened heart, unwholesome habits, spoke unkindly to others, made life miserable for his family. Then, after responding to the gospel, he changed completely.

His outward smile now gave evidence of his changed heart.

His speech, his habits, his attitude—all of it changed when he met the Lord.

Jesus says He’s the potter and we are the clay.

If we let Him, He is willing to make something beautiful out of us—

a vessel He can use for His good purpose.

 

 

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Oct 9

Up Close and Personal

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 19:1-4  “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”

 

In the late 1950’s, President Dwight Eisenhower made a stop in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dad loaded our family of six into the car and drove for more than an hour to the airport. There, we joined other folk at the chainlink fence separating the runway from a stretch of desert.  30032881542_2be5c5e44e

The air crackled with excitement as we kept watching the late afternoon sky for a sign of his arrival. When his plane landed, he walked over to the fence and shook hands with those fortunate enough to be in the front row. He even kissed a couple of babies, as I recall.

The crowd was quite large for those times and most were adults, so Dad gave each of us a turn to sit on his shoulders so we could see the beloved “IKE.”

We had quite a tale to tell at school the next day. Not only had we laid eyes on the President, we had also been allowed to stay up past our bedtime!

Yes, it was quite an experience—one I have never forgotten.

A Bible story I have never forgotten, either, is that of Zacchaeus, who wanted to see Jesus so badly that he climbed a tree to get a better view.

Many years later, I learned that the sycamore tree is not a tall and sturdy tree. But, I guess it gave him just enough of a boost that he achieved his goal.

Not only did he see Jesus, but Jesus noticed him. He even invited himself over to Zacchaeus’s house that very evening!

As much as I enjoyed seeing our nation’s thirty-fourth president up close, I know nothing will compare to experiencing a personal greeting from Jesus in Heaven.

If you are a Christian, you won’t need to sit on anyone’s shoulders or climb a tree to see Him.

There won’t be a chainlink fence between you and your Savior.

We will see Him face-to-face.

And, word has it, He’s invited you to dinner.

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Oct 3

Imposter or “The Real Deal”?

by Brenda Poulos

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I Timothy 3:16b– “He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artificial turf.

Carpet made from recycled tires.

Cauliflower. Mashed, it tastes like mashed potatoes.

Designer-look perfumes and purses.

False eyelashes.

Floor tile that looks like woodgrain.

Ritz crackers, baked with spices tastes like apple pie.

Silk plants/flowers.

Simulated stones.

Vinyl that looks and feels like leather.

 

FAKES.  IMPOSTERS.

The world is full of them.

 

The world is also home to false gods. They may be horoscopes, statues, planets, money…anything or anyone that people put their trust in is technically a “god” to them.

 

Sadly, they lead to disappointment…many with tragic consequences.

How can one tell a fake—an imposter—from the real thing?

The verse in First Timothy says Jesus was verified in six ways:

1.He appeared on earth in the flesh.

2.He was vindicated by the Holy Spirit.

3.He was seen by angels (and, if I might add, by many people)

4.He was preached about (by the disciples).

5.He was believed on by many people (…and the number is growing).

6.He was taken up (ascended) into heaven.

In today’s world, we use the word endorsement, to mean declaring approval, when we refer to lending credibility to a person, product, or claim.

In Matthew 3:17 God said of Jesus, “…This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

So, he has been verified and endorsed—by God the Father.

Jesus is not a fake. Not an imposter.

He’s the real deal.

He is the Son of God.

Our Savior. Our Redeemer.  Our risen Lord.

 

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