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A Cord of Three Strands

by Brenda Poulos

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Ecclesiastes 4:12- “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

In elementary school, I had two best friends. We did everything together. We defended and protected one another. We were a living example of a cord of three strands.

I have two sisters. We have always been close. When my parents passed away, we were able to support and comfort one another. Another example of a cord of three strands.

I am married to a good Christian man. We take care of, encourage, comfort, and uphold one another. Together, we are a cord of two strands. However, because we share a common faith, God forms the third cord in our relationship.

When hard times come, when sorrow invades our lives, when physical ailments might otherwise tear us apart, the strong bond of three strands preserves us because…

A CORD OF THREE STRANDS IS NOT EASILY BROKEN.

Do You Feel Powerless? Hopeless?

by Brenda Poulos

Psalm 68:35b- “The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.”

Due to a powerful storm, our electricity was “off” most of the day. Not only did it make our vision difficult, without heat we were COLD. We could not cook, but luckily my husband is a snacker. That night we filled our stomachs with not-so-nutritious things to eat.

In church we had been talking about our all-powerful God, so the subject was already on my mind. What would my life be like if I no longer had His power to tap into?

Many times throughout the week, I experience His power in my life. Often, it is in response to prayer. Without knowing He would be there for me in difficult circumstances, without the assurance of Him being “in charge” of what is happening in the world, I would have no hope.

Is that how unbelievers must feel at times? Powerless. Hopeless?

Just knowing that, makes me want to share His Good News even more. How about you?

Who Is Watching?

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 14:27- “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

It seems that at every turn lately, I hear of a friend or family member who is facing health, financial, or relationship difficulties. The death of a spouse, disrespectful children, disappointments at work.

Each one of us has a cross to bear. And Christians and non-Christians alike are watching to see how we are going to handle our problems.

When we find our strength in the Lord, we are an encouragement to others.

And, we discover our joy in following Christ.

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No Tears

by Brenda Poulos

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73: 25b-26.

There were no tears at our mother’s deathbed this week. It’s true.

It wasn’t because she wasn’t a wonderful person, mother, and friend.

It was because she had suffered with Alzheimer’s for six years and we rejoiced to have her set free from a brain and body that no longer functioned as they should.

We cling to the promise that she is once again whole.

Of course, the next day it hit me that I would never see her smile again or hear her call my name. I broke down, as you would expect. I will miss my mother!

But God is our family’s strength and hope.

And our portion forever.

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Mount Up!

by Brenda Poulos

Isaiah 40:31– “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Admit it.

You find it difficult to wait patiently for answers to your prayers.

Me, too.

When I questioned why God often made me wait for so long, my pastor said it was so I would learn patience.

I accepted that, knowing I certainly did need to work on patience in many areas of my life.

However, I recently discovered another purpose to waiting.

The verse in Isaiah reveals that those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.

We are all aware of the mighty eagle…its powerful wings.

So, next time you are waiting, draw on the strength of God’s Word. You’ll not only receive your answer, but the strength to deal with anything that comes your way.

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UNMOVABLE

by Brenda Poulos

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Matthew 16:18– “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

So, what does it mean to be a “rock”?

We’ve heard the term “rock hard” as pertaining to muscles.

We’ve heard it when talking about someone having steady nerves.

It also means to have resolve and be unmovable.

When Jesus called Peter the “rock,” He gave us a visual picture of the very foundation of a building.

Jesus was beginning to build his church. Not a physical building, but a company of believers. Peter, the “rock” was there to support the others as they spread the “GOOD NEWS.”

Just as Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith, we need to be prepared to support fellow believers in their daily Christian walk.

Whatever the future brings, His strength will uphold us and together we will be unmovable.

Plug In

by Brenda Poulos

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Isaiah 40:29-“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

After we moved, I couldn’t find the cord to my keyboard. I looked everywhere I could think of.

No cord meant no sound, no music.

Without plugging into the electricity in our home, the keyboard couldn’t perform as it was intended. The cord was essential.

I cannot display the fruit of the spirit, I cannot dispense grace in my dealings with family and friends if I don’t stay connected to God. I depend on Him for strength to do the right things when I am weak.

When I am not “plugged in” through scripture and prayer, my Christian life is devoid of the power I need to face different situations when they arise.

I am weak; often weary.

He promises to let me tap into His power when I need Him.

And, when I do, I function just as He intended.

The Secret of Contentment

by Brenda Poulos

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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.”

As a child, he wanted each new toy.

As a teenager, she bought a new outfit for every occasion.

As a young adult, she constantly redecorated her first home.

As an executive, he purchased a luxury car every year.

Boats, vacations, jewelry.

Would they ever be satisfied? Would happiness always elude them?

Would they someday learn the secret to being content with what they had in the “here and now?”

The apostle Paul knew the secret.

True joy—real contentment—wasn’t based on things.

Paul was content because of his faith in God. That one relationship was what gave him the strength to persevere no matter what his life circumstances.

The truth is, contentment is a state of being. It is a way of life that is not acquired and lost, based on life’s circumstances.

It can be who you are because you know whose you are.

You can be content if, above all else, you first seek a relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Then, as the Bible says in Matthew 6:33, “all these things will be given to you as well.”

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.