Saturday, October 26, 2013

Love One Another by Ann Broughton





“Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV).

This is a commandment that Jesus proclaimed after the Pharisees, who were against him, had asked Him what the greatest commandment was in the Law. They thought they had Him cornered but instead of yelling at them, He just calmly stated the above verse. Did you know that the word love is mentioned 319 times in the Old Testament and 232 times in the New Testament?  Did you know that the word disappointment never occurs in the Bible?  Jesus’ whole ministry was based on love. He never told anyone that they were a disappointment to Him.  He loved Judas as much as He loved Lazarus. He loved the woman who was caught in adultery who the Pharisees threw on the ground in front of him in disgust. With stones in their hands, these men dared Jesus to say the word to stone her, but instead he bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. He said to these Pharisees, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7 NIV).  One by one they left and Jesus was alone with this woman. Then he said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? “No, one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John  8:10-11 NIV). 
You see Jesus showed love and compassion to someone who was in a desperate situation. All of these stories about Jesus in the Bible are to be an example of how we are to treat others. We are to show compassion and love to everyone. It is very easy to judge others sometimes when we truly don’t know what has gone on in their lives. You see none of us get through life without being hurt in some way or another. All of us have secret parts of our lives that we do not let anyone in to see. Sometimes these things that happened can cause people to be bitter and angry. How do you react to people who are like this? I truly believe that people who are mean or nasty carry around some pretty heavy burdens. These are the ones who truly need your prayers, and they need to be shown compassion. How do you show compassion every day?
I truly try to look people in the eyes at my work. I can usually tell if something is wrong and I try to show compassion to them. People’s eyes can portray pain, agony, sadness, and anger. Are you noticing this? It only takes a few minutes, to stop and say, “Is everything alright? Can I help you?” 
I urge you this week to be aware of those around you and who is suffering. Offer to pray for them or just give them a hug and an encouraging word. I am a big hugger, so I give my coworkers hugs when I see they are distressed. A hug is always comforting. Look around you and offer hope and love to those who need it.
Dear Lord,
Help me to reach out to others in love and show your compassion in all I do. Help me not to judge those who demonstrate anger and bitterness. There is always a reason for such behavior. Thank you for your mercy and grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen


Sunday, October 20, 2013

What Is Your Spiritual GIft? by Ann Broughton




“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men” (1 Cor. 12:4-6 NIV). 

How are you using the gifts God gave you? We all have gifts that we need to use to help others in some way. I know many people will say that they have no special gift that can be used by God, but they would be wrong. The Bible is specific, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7 NIV). This pretty much says that we are to use our gifts to help others.
 I believe I have several gifts: bringing joy to others, singing, teaching, and writing. I will have to admit that I was seriously considering not writing devotions anymore. I didn’t believe that my impact on others was that great and that my words of wisdom weren’t really reaching anyone. But after praying, I was convicted. I felt that I have this talent and maybe someone was being blessed that I didn’t know about. Maybe this talent that God gave me was helping someone come closer to God. So I decided to start writing again.
Now I truly believe that you have been given a special gift also. I will ask that question again, “What are you doing with the gift God gave you?”  There are so many people out there who need a smile, an encouraging word, a hug, a phone call, or a shoulder to cry on. You may be the one who needs to bring a meal to someone. You may be the one who visits a widow. There are so many people who have needs. As Christians, we are called to meet those needs and sometimes go out of our comfort zone to do it. Pray about this and do something for someone this week. Use your God given gift. You will be blessed and be a blessing to someone else.


Dear Lord,
Show me what my gift is and help me to use it for your purpose. Help me to reach out to others with your love and compassion.
In Jesus name,
Amen


Perseverance: A devotion by Ann Broughton

“ And not only this, but we also exult in tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven cha...