Let Your Light Shine: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV).

It seems lately that the news has been filled with fatal shootings across our nation. This last Sunday many Christians were killed in a fatal shooting at a church. It seems like evil is prevailing and it can be very discouraging to say the least. But please know that even in a world seemingly filled with darkness, you can still be the light of hope to others.

I want this devotion to challenge all of you to be the light to the people all around you. Even though the news tells us about these people who are doing evil things, please know that there are more people doing good things. I gave my mother-in-law a book from Chicken Soup for the Souls filled with stories of people who did acts of kindness for other people. It is uplifting to read these stories because it reaffirms our hope in humanity.

You must be the one to make a difference by the way you treat others in your everyday walk of life. You need to meet people’s needs when you can. Jesus spoke the above words to his followers and they are just as relevant today as then. If everyone did good deeds for others wouldn’t this world be a better place? Show kindness to others, speak encouraging words, pray for and with those who are struggling, be a Christian example to those you work with, give money to those in need, and be a good listener. These are only a few ways you can be the light to others. It only takes one person to change another person’s life around. Reach out and care! God is with you!

Dear Lord,

The world seems so full of hatred and evil right now. Help me to let my light shine for you so that others will see my good works and praise you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

God Has A Plan For Your Life: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

“Why was I ever born?” Have you ever said that to yourself? I believe there are those reading this right now who think this. Please know that you were born for a very special purpose that God has prepared for you. You are one of a kind and nobody else is like you. God has given you special talents and gifts that you need to use to serve others. I love the verse when Jesus says that the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:30) God knew you before you were born and loved you. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;” (Psalms 139:13-14 NIV). “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies”(Psalm 57:10 NIV).

God wants you to trust Him with your future and know that His strength will empower you to do His will even when it seems impossible. My favorite verse is: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV). Also, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 3:16 KJV).

God has a special purpose for your life and with his strength you can show Jesus’ love to others in your special way. You have a gift that can be used to help others. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:6 NIV). It could be encouraging others, teaching, contributing to the needs of others, leadership, etc. You must pray and ask God what you can do with your gift and then, with God’s strength, use it.

Dear Lord,

I know you have a purpose for my life. Help me to use the gifts you have given me to serve others and be a witness of your tremendous love.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Be Still: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

It seems that there is little time to be still and worship God each day doesn’t it? Life is filled with so many responsibilities and work. A person can be in constant motion all day until bedtime. If you never take time to be still and commune with God you will become burned out quickly. Not only that you will find yourself having a problem with controlling your temper and emotions. Stress will build up and then you will have physical responses that will not be pleasant, such as headaches, stomach pains, stiff necks, to name a few.

Jesus took time to commune with his Father in Heaven during his ministry. He knew how important it was to be still. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16 NIV). Take this example and try to take time every day to be still, read the Bible, and pray. I can guarantee that your attitude will be changed for the better as you lift your worries to God and give them to Him. Let Him fill you with the peace that only He can give you in the midst of your crazy schedules. Early morning would be good, because then you could face your day knowing that God is with you and will help you with your daily concerns.

Personally, I like to read my Bible and then walk in the woods and pray to God. I just feel closer to him there. I can be really stressed when I start out, but as I go and pray it seems like my burdens are lifted. I always come home with a better outlook about my concerns.

You must find the time and place that is suitable for you. But I encourage you to take some time every day to be still, read the Bible, and pray. Then you will find peace in your soul.

Dear God,

Life gets very hectic sometimes. Help me to take time every day to be still and worship you. I know that it is during this time that you will fill me with your peace so I can be your ambassador in a world full of strife.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Encourage One Another: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:23-24 NIV).

Have you ever been in need of encouragement? This last week my husband and I went on a vacation to Traverse City, Michigan. We visited the Great Bear Dunes and decided to climb this huge hill to see an amazing view of Lake Michigan. It was a sandy bluff with little trees surrounding the trail. Rick asked me if I was sure I could make it, because it was very steep and 1.2 miles. I really wanted to see the view, so we started up the path. Halfway up, I was panting and had to stop every 10 feet just to catch my breath. I was tempted to go back, but my desire to see the view outweighed my fatigue. I grabbed hold of Rick’s hand and with his help I trudged up the hill with my eyes focused on the next curve. I just kept thinking that with Rick’s help I could make it. Other people on the path coming down told me that I could do it and the view was worth it. That made me work harder. When I finally reached the top I sat on a log and was awestruck at the beautiful scene of crystal blue water as far as I could see. It was worth the trouble.

How is this experience like your Christian walk? You see we as Christians need to encourage each other as we try to live as Jesus would want us to live. Without me grabbing onto Rick’s hand, I would not have made it up that hill. We need to come along side a friend in need and let them know we care and will help them. The first Christians, according to Acts 2:44-47, met together and had everything in common. If someone needed money, they would sell their possessions and goods so as to help them. They ate together with glad and sincere hearts. We are to love one another and encourage each other as we strive to live a life that is pleasing to God. There are so many people who need help, and they need to know someone cares about them. You be the one to help them to the top of their steep hill of trouble to see that glorious view of hope in the Lord.

Dear God,

There are so many people who need encouragement. Help me to be the one to come alongside them and to assist them in any way I can. Help me to put other people’s needs above my own, just as Jesus did. Help me to be a living example of how Jesus loved others.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Deny Yourself: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV).

Recently I learned that a friend of mine from one of our previous ministries lost her 42 year old son due to a tragic accident. He was riding his bike and a truck went through a stop sign and hit him. I was heart broken for my friend and her family. When incidents like this happens I become very reflective about life. I think all of us take life for granted. We think that we are indestructible and that death is far off in the future, but we are only guaranteed this moment. We are here by the grace of God. It is important to be doing His will every moment and behaving in a manner that would please God with every breath He allows us to breathe.

Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Also: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 37,39 NIV). Are you doing this? When you wake up do you thank God for the day, and ask him to show you ways that you can be used by him? There are so many ways you can show Jesus’ love as you go through your day. You could help someone unload groceries, complement someone, send an encouraging card to someone, tell someone they are doing a great job, or witness to someone about what Jesus had done in your life. The world seems to be full of hate and unkindness now, at least that is what the news suggests. But if each one of us were to show kindness to others, then maybe things would change. It just takes one person helping someone that can start a chain reaction. Be on the lookout for ways to show random acts of kindness. As a Christian this should be how we behave to others. We must love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

I pray that those of you reading this will not take your lives for granted, but will be praying every day for ways to show God’s love to others and in every endeavor put Christ first in your life.

Dear Lord,

I realize life is short and that sometimes I take it for granted. Help me to constantly be aware that I must put your will above mine. Help me to be a living example of your love as I go about my daily business. Help my words to be uplifting to those around me.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Forget Not All His Benefits: A Devotion by Ann Broughton

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with love and compassion….” (Psalm 103: 2-4 NIV).

Sometimes when you are in the midst of a trial it is easy to forget how the Lord helped you through other times of strife. The pain, illness, sorrow, grief, financial burdens etc. seem so overwhelming that it is easy to fall into despair. But, it is at these times of trials that your faith will be tested and remembering how the Lord helped you through other trials will help you get through any current issue that is looming before you.

The other day I reread one of my journals I had written since 2005. During the last 12 years I have had many bouts of fybromyalgia flares and other serious health issues. I was glad I wrote about them, because I also wrote how God helped me through the pain, provided a doctor who helped me tremendously, and just gave me peace when I called out for help. You see He never failed to give me strength to keep carrying on. There were many times I wondered if my pain would ever stop, but it did. If I was in agony I would cry out to God, and all of a sudden a peace would fill my soul that is just too hard to explain. It is there for you too, my friend. Just ask for it!

So you see now if I think a current problem is impossible, I remember how God helped me through all these other trials, and I know with His strength I can keep going. He has never failed me.

I hope this gives you some hope also. The Bible is filled with people who trusted God during very serious trials, and He was always full of compassion. Please keep pressing on, remembering that God will never fail to give you peace in the midst of your problems. My favorite verse is, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NIV). I can very honestly say I can. Remember God is only a prayer away.

Dear Lord,

I know that you have never failed to help me in past trials. Help me to keep trusting in you in whatever hardship I face in this life. Thank you for the peace that only you can give.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Press On: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3: 13-14 NIV).

Are you pressing on in your faith or are you stuck looking in the past and wishing you could have a “do over”? Have you ever watched someone running in a marathon? Did you notice that they are always looking forward to that next mile and finally the finish line? If they kept looking backwards they would most likely bump into someone else and fall down. Not to mention their speed would be compromised a lot. So you see in our lives we need to let go of our past and move ahead with our eyes set on Christ. Give Him all those hurts from your past and let Him carry them. He wants you to move on to be His witness to others so that they will be able to cross the final finish line of life with hope.

Our lives are not like writing on a computer, where we can delete the last sentence we did not like. What is done in our lives is done. If we have hurt someone, we need to say “I am sorry,” and move on. If we have been hurt by someone we need to forgive them or Jesus will not forgive us. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV).

The most important thing to remember is that Christ is with you and will help you to move on. Let it go. If you cannot fix it, then give it to God and trust Him. The most important thing you need to remember is that God loves you. He does not want you to wallow in self-pity, but He wants you to be filled with His peace.

If you are noticing that you sit around bemoaning your past, stop it. Pray that God will give you a new vision of what He wants you to be. Look around for opportunities to help others. Read the Bible and let God’s words wash over your soul. He wants you to keep moving forward with faith to His high calling. You have a purpose that nobody else has. It is time for you to let go and let God.

Dear Lord,

Help me to press on with faith knowing that you have forgiven me of all my past sins. I give you my past and surrender all of my hurts onto you. Now help me to run the race for you with your purpose set before me. Help me to keep my eyes on you and not on my past. Help me to keep my eyes on the ultimate goal; heaven.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Time For An Attitude Check: A devotion by Ann Broughton

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NIV)

Can you honestly say this every day? You do have a choice as soon as you wake up as to what attitude you will have for your day. You can rejoice that God has allowed you another day on this earth and be glad it it. You have control of your thoughts and you can determine whether your outlook will be one of gloominess or happiness.

I read a book called, The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg. I highly recommend this book. In it he described a lady who was bed ridden, blind, nearly deaf, and had lived in a convalescent home for 25 years. Plus, she had a huge cancerous sore that distorted her face. Now you would think this woman would have been very depressed, but she wasn’t. Mr. Ortberg gave her a flower and she asked if she could give it to someone else since she could not see it. She handed it to another person and said that it was from Jesus. He visited her for three years and read the Bible to her. Then he asked her what she thought about all the long hours laying in that bed or in a wheelchair. She said she thought about Jesus. He asked what she thought about Jesus. She said that she thought about how good he had been to her. She said that she was mostly satisfied. She said that people might think she was old-fashioned, but she did not care because she would rather have Jesus because He was all the world to her. Then she sang that old hymn, Jesus Is All The World To Me.

Now I ask you again, hopefully with a new perspective. Can you say every morning, “This is the day the Lord has made, let ‘me’ rejoice and be glad”. After reading this in the book, I was totally humbled by this sweet lady’s attitude about Jesus. You see the power of the Holy Spirit can transform you on the inside so that even when you are in the most dire need of strength to face your day, you will find the strength that only Jesus can give to carry on. Think of this lady, when you feel like you cannot keep going. She pulled strength from her faith in Christ to keep living and witnessing about His love. Surely you can face each day with a smile, knowing that you have the love of Christ permeating your very soul. May you always rejoice that you are alive to show His love to others.

Dear Lord,

Help me to use each day to bring your love to others. May I be like this lady and rejoice that I have this day to worship you and to witness to others. Help me to have a positive attitude so I can be a blessing to others.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Wait On The Lord: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14 NIV).

I believe all of us can agree that waiting is very difficult. Maybe as you are reading this you are waiting for something such as: a diagnosis, an answer to prayer, a job interview, a phone call about a house you put an offer on, or a loved one to accept Christ as their Savior. The list can go on and on and these are only a few things you can be waiting on. I want to give you hope that God does hear your prayers and will answer in His time. You must trust Him that His timing is best.

Let me give you a few examples from the Bible of people who had to wait and what the outcome was. First, Noah was told by God to build an ark to save animals and his family from a great flood. Noah was faithful and worked on the ark for 100 years before the flood came. Before that time rain had not even fallen on the earth. Because of Noah’s faithfulness mankind was preserved as well as all living creatures. (Gen. 6-8) Then there is Abraham who was promised a child by God in his old age. This child would be the start of a great nation. Abraham had to wait 25 years for this to happen. Then Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old. (Gen.15-21) Joseph was thrown in prison for something he did not do. While in prison God was with him and the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and was made responsible for all that was done there. The Lord gave Joseph success in whatever he did. He was in prison for two years before he was presented to the pharaoh to interpret a dream. This accurate interpretation enabled Joseph to be put in charge of all of Egypt to prepare for a famine. (Gen. 30-41) You see his time in prison helped him to rule a nation.

These are only a few example of how God uses time to teach us to trust Him.

If you are waiting for an answer for a healing please take heart by the example of Hezekiah. He became mortally ill, and Isaiah told him he would die. Hezekiah prayed to God and wept, telling God to remember how he had walked before God in truth, with his whole heart and had done what was good in God’s sight. God told Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that he had heard his prayer and would extend his life by 15 years. (2 Kings 20:1-6) You see do not give up hope on praying for healing. You must trust God with the outcome no matter what it is, and keep believing.

No matter what you are waiting for please know that God’s timing may not be yours. But you must keep being faithful and pray, believing that nothing is impossible with God. It may take years or days, but God does hear you and an answer will come. Trust Him to know what is best. “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, “You are my God”. My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:14-15 NIV).

Dear Lord,

Help me to trust you to know the right timing for an answer to prayer. I know you love me and will never leave me. As I wait, give me the peace that only you can give.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Thy Will Be Done: a devotion by Ann Broughton

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8 NIV).

Do you desire to do God’s will? I believe as humans being we have a tendency to want our will over God’s. After all, we do know more about our lives and our goals than God does. Right? This is wrong!

I really enjoy listening to a song called, Thy Will, by Hillary Scott. The words talk about how after all was said and done she had ended up with a broken heart and these three words, thy will be done. Also what really made me stop and think were the words that said that she needed just to stop and remember that “you’re God and I am not”. Wow, isn’t that what we all need to say when we pray.

Sometimes we want to be in control over other people’s lives. We ask ourselves, “Why don’t they just quit those bad habits?” or “Why can’t they see that is the wrong career for them?” I am sure there are many other ways that you yourself try to control other people’s lives or wish you could. You really need to stop this, and trust that they will follow God's will in their lives. Remember you are not God. 

I did not know how much I like to be in control until I retired. Now all of a sudden I want to control other people around me and offer suggestions liberally. My husband believes it is because I was a teacher and controlled kids for 30 years. Now I need to control lives of those around me. I have really been praying about this because I know it is wrong. 

Doing God’s will means leaving Him in control of your life and trusting Him to take care of your loved ones. We must be confident that God’s timing is right and even when we wonder why it is taking so long, we must trust His wisdom. This verse reminds me of trusting God with my prayer requests. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14 NIV).

Dear Lord,

Help me to give up the control of my life to you completely. I know that your will is more important than mine. Help me to trust in your timing. Help me also to trust those I love into your care, knowing that you love them even more than I do.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Do Not Be Afraid: by Ann Broughton

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

What are you afraid of? Is there something that you fear that you obsess over a lot? Fear can paralyze you and cause you to be in a fight or flight mode, which can be very unhealthy. This kind of stress can lead to many health issues in your body. To be afraid of something you have no control over is senseless. But it is easy to obsess over the “what ifs” of life and become scared and depressed. I urge you if you do this, to please stop and remember that you have a Savior who promised to give you peace. As soon as you start fearing something that may or may not happen, please immediately pray for the Lord to help you stop thinking these negative thoughts, and fill you with His peace. You are in control of your thoughts, and it is up to you to stop thoughts that can harm your health.

I have participated in many Bible studies that Beth Moore has written and can attest that she is a wonderful Christian women. Even Beth said that she at one time felt flooded with fears of all kinds. She wrote down every verse in the Bible regarding being strong and courageous. Every time she felt afraid, she would start reading those verses to remind herself that God was with her and would give her the strength to overcome her fears.

I do not know what fears you battle in life, but I know that God will never fail you or forsake you. He will give you the courage and peace to face each day with calm assurance. Do not fear. God is with you. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).

Dear Lord,

Help me to not let fear occupy my thoughts so much that I do not have peace. I know you will never leave me and that you have promised me peace. Help me to give my fears to you and trust you to take care of me no matter what happens to me in this life.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Your Purpose: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“For you are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

God has a purpose for your life. You are one of a kind and have abilities that nobody else has. God knew you before you were born. “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:15-16 NIV). He gave you talents and abilities that are to be used for His purpose. “For your are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

Just as Jesus’ ministry was one of service, so your life should show His love by using your special talents and abilities to serve others. His message was that we are to love one another and take care of the poor.

So I would like you to ponder what you are doing with your abilities in order to serve God. If you look around there are many people who need encouragement, financial assistance, food, clothing etc. We are to be Jesus’ ambassadors on this earth and use the talents and abilities He gave us to help others.

I saw on the news how an elderly man in the nursing home was knitting hats for the homeless. He said that he wanted to use his last days on earth to help others. What a wonderful example of serving God and showing love to others. You may be a good cook and like to share meals with those who need a good meal, or maybe you can knit or crochet. There are many organizations that accept knitted or crocheted items for the poor or for chemo patients. Pray and ask God to show you how you can use your special abilities to bring joy and aid to others. Then watch for ways to serve. There are so many people who need help.

Dear Lord,

I know that you have given me special gifts and abilities that I can use to help others. Help me to be aware of the needs around me so I can be the one to make a good difference in someone’s life who needs to see your love in a special way.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen