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Keeping the Peace

by Brenda Poulos

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Proverbs 15:4- “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

Holding my tongue has always been hard for me, especially when I was young. I was a “know-it-all” and I felt it my duty to correct my siblings.

Mom often told us: “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

I always thought it to be “Mom’s Rule”, but actually I found reference to it in the Bible. It was good advice decades ago in our home and I’ve found it to be one of the surest ways to avoid arguments and “keep the peace” in adulthood.

The tongue that is controlled can be used as an instrument of blessing. Our words can bring encouragement and hope.

Gift-giving Perfected

by Brenda Poulos

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Matthew 7:11- “If you, then…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

“Just what I wanted!” I exclaimed. I squirted on the expensive perfume after opening the pretty package.

My husband is a good gift-giver. As usual, he’d remembered months before my birthday when I had tried some on in the mall. Then, he’d gone back to the store at some point and made the purchase, waiting for just the right occasion to give it to me.

Our heavenly Father likes giving his children gifts, too—often in the form of blessings. I am always astounded when his love is shown in this way. It may be the unexpected visit from a friend, a little leftover cash to purchase something I’ve wanted, a flowering plant on our back patio, an especially beautiful sunset, or the healing of a sick friend.

He knows our needs and our desires and always sends them at the perfect time.

Giving Hearts

by Brenda Poulos

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Deuteronomy 15:10- “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then, because of this the Lord your God will bless you…”

The holidays are upon us. Filled with the many joys of the season, it is the time for many of us to reflect on God’s goodness and blessings.

Each time I visit my mailbox, however, I am given reminders that there are many in the world who have needs that have not been met.

Food pantries, rescue missions, prison ministries, and many others send requests for donations in the mail.

The Bible reminds us to give generously because the nature of a giving heart is one who gives gladly—one who realizes “there, but for the grace of God, go I.”

Where Does Joy Come From?

by Brenda Poulos

James 1:2- “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

I was probably an emotional child. I remember a number of times crying to my mother about my problems and disappointments. She always gave the same advice. I knew this. I guess I just kept going to her because I wanted a sympathetic ear and a comforting hug.

She always told me not to dwell on my present circumstances, but instead to count my blessings and look for the silver lining in the clouds.

As I grew older, I came to understand that my joy was in the Lord. Period.

I might not always like my circumstances, but I could always rejoice in the fact that I was His child and He was watching over me.

Don’t Be Afraid

by Brenda Poulos

Matthew 10:26-“So do not be afraid (of them), for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.”

Did you notice there was no blog post from me last week?

That’s because my computer died. It was sudden. I’m sure it felt no pain.

But I sure did.

In Matthew, Jesus is giving directions to his disciples as they are being sent out “into the world.” But, as I prayed for my computer’s memory to be restored, the last part of the verse kept coming to mind. So I prayed that all of my data would be disclosed and made known.

After a week of repeated disappointments from those I went to for repair help and data recovery—along with much prayer, God directed me to just the right young man to tackle the problem.

As of last night, my computer is up and running.

Knowing that all perfect gifts/blessings come from the Father above, my praise is to Him for restoring my computer to good health and for providing skill and wisdom to the troubleshooter who helped me here on earth.

If I ever doubted that God cared about the little trials in our lives, I will never do so again!

God’s love is eternal and all-encompassing.

No matter the circumstance, we need not be afraid.

The Best Way to Start Your Day

by Brenda Poulos

Colossians 4:2- “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

Periods of earnest prayer for the needs of family and friends seem to be a way of life for most of us. Asking for God’s intervention, healing, and guidance often take up the bulk of our prayer time.

Then, we wait for His answer and send our prayers of Thanksgiving.

However, the verse from Colossians reminds us that in addition to praying earnestly for things that concern us, we still have much to be thankful for. We need to thank God for his blessings and for meeting our needs at the same time we are praying about matters that concern us.

Beginning each day with a thankful heart will keep the rest of our day in perspective. Instead of focusing only on our needs, we can thank Him for His abiding love, His provision, and then for answered prayers. This is the perfect way to remind us to praise our Creator, Savior, and Lord.

How and when do you thank God?

Grandmother’s Example

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 6:38- “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Her gnarled fingers slipped into her coat pocket and retrieved a dollar bill. She put it into the pot beside the bell ringer. As her eyes met mine, she whispered these words, “There—but for the grace of God—go I.”

My grandmother taught me many Christian principles by example. And, as far as I know, she never lacked for anything she really needed.

She wasn’t rich, monetarily. That wasn’t her motivation for giving (as some nowadays interpret the verse in Luke). No, she gave because Christ asked her to—and in doing so, He reminded her that He was supplying her needs. In turn, He used her—and others like her—to meet the needs of the poor.

Because of her giving, she was blessed in other ways. A happy, healthy family. A faithful, God-fearing husband. Fellowship with a community of believers.

Especially in this Christmas season, I am reminded both of her words—and His. For it is by His grace that God blesses us with the same measure we use to help meet the needs of others.

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Oh, Joyous Fall!

by Brenda Poulos

Acts 14:17- “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Fall is my favorite season.

The smell of autumn leaves, bonfires, s’mores, warm cider, pumpkins and spices…

The other seasons each have their own distinctive scents, special foods, and ways of celebration, too.

God cares for us intimately, giving us each new day as a gift from Him. And, as the Great Provider, He gives us rain, crops, foods to sustain us.

But, read today’s verse, again. He also gives us these things in order to fill our hearts with joy.

God cares about us in the midst of life’s storms and, in the fullness of time, brings us back to the mountaintops where He showers us with blessings and indescribable joy.

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Now Is The Time for Praise

by Brenda Poulos

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2 Samuel 22:1-3 “David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield and the horn of my salvation.

He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—

from violent people you save me.”

Did you ever wake up praising God?

Wow. What a feeling!!!

You’re on top of the world.

Maybe you’ve just received good news. Perhaps an answer to prayer. Or, you’ve been blessed in an unexplainable way and you look at a friend and say, “It has to be a God thing.”

I usually begin by shouting to the heavens, “Thank you, Lord.” This is followed by a more serious prayer and a chorus or two.

Praise isn’t just for today—or for us. A lot of people in the Bible had reason to give God a “shout-out,” too.

Many Christians love to read the Psalms because of King David’s beautiful words. He sang 2 Samuel, as he did a great many of his Psalms. He also played stringed instruments. David knew how to express his love and gratitude.

Some of David’s psalms were written in the midst of battles—or as a result of deliverance from the hands of his enemies. He knew when—and how—to praise God.

I recall, as a child, singing this chorus: “Do you know what time it is? Time to praise the Lord … anytime’s the right time to praise the Lord.”

Whether in the midst of disappointment or a spiritual battle, after you receive a blessing or an answer to a prayer, NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO PRAISE THE LORD.