Have Courage, God is With You: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Be strong and courageous, Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

Is there something happening in your life right now that requires courage? Do you have feelings of discouragement? Are you terrified?

Sometimes when circumstances seem totally out of our control it is very easy to become discouraged and terrified. This is the time when your faith in God is tested. We are not promised a life that is filled with no problems or sicknesses. It is our faith in God that sustains us through these difficult times. It is the courage we receive from our faith that helps us through each day.

There are many examples from the Bible of people who had to have courage and trust God. Joshua had to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land with God’s help. The odds were against them, but God had told them not to be afraid and they believed Him and went ahead to conquer that land. Esther stood up against the king in order to save her people and could have died in the process, but she trusted in God and her people were spared. David slew a giant with a sling and a stone because He knew God was with Him and would give Him the courage to do it. Peter stepped out on the raging waves because Jesus called him and he did not sink until he took his eyes off Jesus. These are only a few people in the people who trusted the Lord and found courage.

Please know that the courage displayed by these people in the Bible is still available to you from God. His strength and courage lies in you through the Holy Spirit and is able to help you at all times. Trust Him to fill you with peace instead of terror and discouragement. Call upon Him and tell Him your needs and He will give you strength. One of my favorite verses helps me when I get discouraged, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10 NIV). Take courage, God is with you.

Dear Lord,

There are many times in life when we can get discouraged and spiral downward into depression. Help us to call upon you knowing that you will give us strength and courage to carry on. We know that your love never fails and will sustain us even during stressful times.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

What Are You Truly Worshipping: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3 NIV)

It is time as a Christian for you to take account of what you spend the most of your time thinking and doing. Is God still the one you are giving top priority to in all you do?

I am reading a wonderful book called “Gods At War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart by Kyle Idleman. It is a very convicting book. It makes you face what is first in your life and really take a look at how much time you spend doing things like: scrolling Facebook, playing video games, watching tv, checking the internet etc. Is something taking up so much of your time that you are neglecting serving the Lord in a way that He wants you to? Has something else taken first place in your thoughts other than the Lord? Are you obsessing over something that can be very harmful to you? Has something taken up so much of your time that you are neglecting reading the Bible and praying? These are all pretty difficult questions, but need to be asked so you can stop some pretty harmful behaviors. Moderation is the key, but sometimes for some people it is difficult to stop after they begin. If you think you cannot handle something in moderation than do not even start it. Ask God to give you strength and He will help you.

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37 NIV). God does not want you to have any idols in your life that you worship over Him. He wants to be number one in your life. So you need to decide what comes first in your life and if it isn’t God, you need to take some time praying about that.

Dear Lord,

It is very easy to get so busy that we forget to put you first in our lives. Help us to truly take stock of the time we spend on unnecessary things and commit ourselves to stop putting these things first instead of you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Think on These Things: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11: 28 NIV).

Are you craving rest for your soul? We have a camper on Indian Lake and that is where I like to go to get away and get closer to God. You might say it is my sanctuary. I find myself able to concentrate on the Lord better there among nature and quiet. But it is all about perspective also. I anticipate going there to unwind, pray, and get closer to God. That is my mindset when I set out to go to the camper and the lake.

Now I would like to discuss with you about perspectives and concentrating on thoughts that are restful. My camper has a large deck and we have very comfy chairs on it. Now I could sit and stare at the side of the neighbor’s camper and not exactly find peace, but if I move down about six feet I can sit and see a beautiful gazebo and think of Thomas Kincade pictures. 

This is a choice I can make and needless to say my choice is always to sit and gaze at the gazebo. There is a plaque about prayer in the gazebo so when I stare at the gazebo, I am immediately reminded of my Savior’s love for me.

We have choices in what we think about. We can sit and think about all the troubles, struggles, faults in others, and negative things in life or think on the many blessings that we have and praise God for them. You must be able to choose your thoughts just as easily as you choose a candy bar. Throw away the negative thoughts immediately and replace them with thoughts of God’s love for you, and His peace will fill your heart and soul. It is easy to dwell on the negative thoughts which will only serve to bring your spirit down to depression, but you may choose to say, no, and switch channels in your mind to how God has helped you in the past. One verse that helps me remember what to think upon is: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable----if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

So the next time you are tempted to slip into the darkness of negativity, remember that God loves you, and if you call upon His name, He will surely answer and give you rest.

Dear Lord,

It seems that it is very easy for us to think on negative things instead of praising you for the blessings you have given us. Help us to be thankful in all situations and learn that your peace is always there for us no matter what the circumstances. Help us to remember the words of Philippians 4:8 and think on those things.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen