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Where Do You Get Your Strength?

by Brenda Poulos

Philippians 4:12, 13- “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

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A friend of mine was raised by her grandparents. They had lived through the Great Depression when times were hard and resources scarce.

They told her many stories of how difficult life had been for them and reminded her how fortunate she was to never to have known what real hunger felt like.

They came to know, as did the Apostle Paul, that they could be content in every situation if they would tap into the strength of the Lord Jesus.

As a child, my friend grew tired of hearing stories of the struggles of her grandparents. After all, she was a young girl with no idea of the plight of others around the world.

Then, tragedy struck her own family when she was in her thirties. She almost gave up when they were reduced to begging on a street corner.

It was then that she remembered the words of her grandparents decades before, and the scripture from Philippians.

She turned to God, finding joy in the midst of poverty.

She learned the secret of contentment when she allowed

Him to become her strength.

Blessings in Imperfections

by Brenda Poulos

Exodus 4:11– “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”

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One of my early assignments was teaching severe and profound disabled children.

People used to ask me how I did it. All I can say is that those kids blessed me in ways that no average students ever could.

If you’re the parent of, know, or teach this type of child, you know what I mean.

Even so, have you ever asked yourself if God sometimes creates people to be less than perfect, physically or mentally?

Or, perhaps, permits disabilities, and imperfections?

And what about life’s tragedies? Does God have a hand in those?

Difficult questions. Difficult answers.

Let’s start with what we know:

*Psalm 139 tells us that God is personally—and intentionally—involved in the creation of each and every person in utero.

*Proverbs 13:33 says He is even behind what we may view as random acts of creation, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”

*In Exodus 4:11, He says that He is sovereign in creating people with disabilities.

*And let’s not forget the story in John, chapter 9. In it, Jesus talks about a man’s blindness as having a divine purpose, “…so that the work of God would be displayed in his life.”

This side of Heaven, we will never fully understand the ways of God. For now, however, we must exercise faith and trust because of the things we are sure of, like His unfailing love for us and His attributes of goodness, mercy, and grace.

Snow Plows, Garmins, and Jesus

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 85:13– “Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”

Winter.

For a large portion of our country, that means snow, ice, and powerful storms.

It also means travel slowdowns, flights cancelled and roads closed.

Let’s suppose we fly back east to be with relatives for Christmas.

Our plane lands. We get our luggage from baggage claims and follow the signs toward the rental car counter.

Keys in hand, suitcases in the trunk, and Starbucks Grandes nestled into the console, we punch Aunt Emma’s address into our Garmin.

A quarter of a mile down the road, we come to a screeching halt.

As snow falls and wind howls around us, we are helpless as we watch snow plows work to clear the highway filled with miles of ice covered vehicles ahead of us.

We shake our heads. After hours in the sky and additional time at the rental car kiosk, it will be glistening white snow that stands between us and a long-awaited time of family reunion.

It is now that thoughts of God push through the hustle and bustle of the day.

So, we conclude, this is how it is with God:

We may try to get to Him. At times, it even seems that we are making progress as we go about our lives. But, the truth is, just like the snow and ice on the road, our sin stands between us and God.

As I observe snow plows doing their work, I am reminded that JESUS has done the work of redemption for us.

There is nothing we can do to pave our way to eternal life and God. There is only one way: Jesus.

As we let Him take control, we are able to see the path clearing ahead.

As we follow His directions, it isn’t long until we are home

celebrating with the Father.

Seize Every Opportunity

by Brenda Poulos

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Psalm 107:2- “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.”

You may be an author, a song writer, or a painter with special gifts at storytelling. Or, you may be a teacher, a carpenter, or baker with completely different talents.

No matter what your profession, if you are “redeemed of the Lord” scripture says we need to tell our story.

Sharing our story of salvation with others is not just reserved for the pulpit; not just for Sunday mornings.

We can tell others about the love of Christ at the mall, on the beach, in line at the grocery store deli.

Wherever we are…whenever the opportunity arises…

Remember that commercial where a guy hits his forehead with the heel of his hand and proclaims: “I could have had a V-8?”

I don’t say that to be funny.

I say it because it’s a missed opportunity and I confess that too many times, I have failed to advantage of the sharable moments when they have clearly been there.

As the New Year unfolds, how about making a spiritual resolution?

Let’s seize every opportunity to tell our stories.

365 Days A Year

by Brenda Poulos

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Psalm 22:27-“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.”

J.J. holds his mother’s hand as she leads him out of the candle lit sanctuary. “I liked the baby Jesus, and the angels. The sheep were funny,” he said excitedly. “Can we come again next week?”

“This is Christmas, honey. It’s special for this holiday. We can come, again, next year, if you’d like.”

Across town, Sarah and her family take the ornaments off the tree, pack them away and place them back into the attic. “The tree was so pretty. When can we decorate again?”

“Next Christmas.”

Yes, Christmas is over. Everything goes back in its box…put away until

Next year.

And, along with the songs, the lights, and the ornaments, much too often, is the Lord Jesus.

Placed back in the manger.

Back on the shelf in the attic.

Until next year.

Unfortunately, there are many are willing to worship the babe in the manger at Christmas, but don’t recognize that it was He who grew up to the be Savior of the world…their Savior.

Are you someone who finds it’s acceptable to worship the occupant of the manger, but that’s where it ends with you? Is it somehow frightening to worship the Savior of The Cross?

To do this would mean that you somehow bear some responsibility to give Him his rightful place in your life all year long, wouldn’t it? It would require a commitment…a change of course.

No longer would Christmas be just a ritual or an event.

It would become a life of worship and service in which your heart would be turned toward Him every day.

A heart living out the promise of Christmas 365 days a year.

No Tree This Year

by Brenda Poulos

Galatians 4:4- “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

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For several reasons, we decided not to put up a Christmas Tree this year.

Instead, the focal point in our living room is a lovely pottery Nativity which was painted by my sister-in-law more than three decades ago. We have displayed it for many, many Christmases.

The cow no longer has one of his horns. The saddle on one of the camels, one ear of the donkey, and the face of the shepherd boy have been chipped over the years.

The nativity may not look quite as beautiful as it once did, but I am enjoying it more than ever before.

I guess it was only natural to spend so much time and effort on our trees in the past. After all, it takes hours to place the lights and ornaments on it just so. Then there’s arrangement of the tree skirt and the placement of the packages underneath…

But, as I said, this year our focus is on the Nativity: Mary, Joseph, the babe in the manger, the Wise Men and the Shepherds, the livestock, and the Angel which appears to be hovering overhead.

God planned the redemption of humankind and, at just the right time, he sent his son, Jesus, into the world. God in the flesh, born in a stable and lying in a manger.

The story gets more beautiful with time. Nothing chipped, cracked, or missing.

The birth of our Lord in the fulness of time.

Magnification

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 1: 46, 47– “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.”

When we were kids, I remember the boys in our neighborhood being fascinated with magnifying glasses.

They attempted to use them to start fires, using bits of paper and dry grass. It was difficult to get the sun’s rays to hit just right, but once in awhile they were able to produce a spark.

They also observed small objects such as ants and studied the intricate pattern of the flesh on their arms.

The process is called magnification.

Those of us who wear glasses are familiar with the fact that lenses make letters appear larger so that we can see them more easily.

When we magnify something, it doesn’t get bigger. However, the object that we are magnifying becomes clearer.

So, like Mary, when we “Magnify the Lord” we become the lens to help others to see details about God’s character, goodness, grace and mercy more clearly.

We also magnify Him for us.

By increasing our focus on Him, we make Him greater in our thoughts and affections.

We exalt Him above all else.

King of Kings. Lord of Lords.

Baskets Full of Memories and Miracles

by Brenda Poulos

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!

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.