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 character; and proven character; hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

Have you ever exulted in tribulation? It is tremendously difficult to do, but according to scripture if you do, you will be blessed. At the moment I have many Christian friends who are persevering through chemo treatments in order to be healthy again. Thinking about week after week of treatments seems so daunting, but all of my dear friends know the Lord, and are persevering through it with peace and complete faith that God is in control. You see they can do this because they know their lives are secure in Gods love and eternal life is very real to them. They have the hope that is spoken of in the above verse. They are wonderful witnesses of how faith in God can help you get through serious tribulations.

Do you have the faith required to meet tribulations head on with a firm belief that God is in control and will see you through it? You know troubles happen to all of us. Life is certain to lambaste you some time with a situation that will drive you to your knees. Will you persevere and remain faithful? It is so important to keep a close relationship with the Lord at all times. Pray to Him as if you are praying to a friend. Ask Him to show you where you can serve Him. Ask Him to show you where you need to improve in you Christian walk. Praise Him for the many blessings he has given you. Read the Bible daily and glean from it ways to have a stronger faith in God.

I have personally gone through many trials. I have been driven to my knees in tears, but as I cried out to God, he always gave me the peace I needed to persevere through my trial. Trust me, the peace of God is very real. One of my favorite verses that I refer to when I am in a trial is, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Dear Lord,

I know that trials will come in my life. Help me to trust you. Help me to persevere through my tribulation knowing that you will never leave me or forsake me. Help me to be a witness to others during my trial, so that they may see your peace in me. Thank you for the peace that passes understanding.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Who Do You Listen To? a devotion by Ann Broughton

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10: 27-28 NIV).

Who do you listen to? I know there might be some people who are reading this who listen to an inner voice that says: “You are stupid”, “You are fat” “You will never amount to anything”, “Nobody loves you”, You will never succeed”. If you are a Christian you need to know that these words are not what Christ would want you to dwell on. You are an heir to the kingdom of God. “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17 NIV).

You can listen to the voice of darkness, Satan, or choose to listen to the Holy Spirit. Satan is spoken of in the Bible as being the darkness. Jesus spoke to Paul about this. “I am sending you to them (Gentiles) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18 NIV). Satan would love for you to wallow in misery and self-condemnation. But the Holy Spirit within you will fill your soul with hope and peace. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

When you start saying negative things about yourself, you are in darkness. When Jesus was being tempted by Satan, he rebuked him. Jesus said, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Matthew 4:10 NIV). I would suggest that you say the same thing to the devil.

“Away from me, Satan. The Bible says I am an heir of God. You have no authority over me because I am sealed with the Holy Spirit”. You must be the one to change your thinking. Nobody can do that for you.

Dear Lord,

Please help me when my thoughts are full of negativity about myself. I know it is only the devil trying to convince me I am worthless. I know that he is wrong. Help me to immediately rebuke him, and believe the truth that only you can give me; that I am a child of God. Let your light in me shine before others so that they will see your love through my actions.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Resolutions: by Ann Broughton

 “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV).

Have you made your list of resolutions for the New Year? It seems everyone has good intentions at the beginning of the New Year, but oftentimes we get lazy and forget about the list. Usually at the top of the list is for people to lose weight and exercise. Well, today I will challenge you to put seeking the Lord and His plans for your life as the number one item on your resolution list. After all, that should be your first priority.

The Wise Men or magi of the Bible certainly put the need to find the Christ child as their number one priority. These men were not even Jews, but were astronomers and had seen the star and had researched that a King of the Jews was to be born. As soon as they saw the star they headed to Jerusalem, which was very far away. It might have taken them many months to get to Bethlehem, as the Bible says that “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11 NIV).  Jesus was no longer a baby but a child and later King Herod commanded that all boys 2 years and under should be killed, so we know that Jesus was a young child. So these men traveled earnestly to find Jesus for a long period of time. They let nothing stop them. Their mission was to see Jesus and give Him gifts.

My challenge to you as we start the New Year is to earnestly seek the Lord with all your heart every day and give Him the gift of yourself in service to others. You have a special gift that only you have, and you must seek the Lord to help you see it and use it for Him. Every day, take time to pray, seek the Lord’s will, read the Bible, and then go out and serve Him in whatever He leads you to do. There is so much need around us that it should not be hard to find a way to serve. People need hope. They need to know that people care for them and that God loves them. So many people are lonely and sad. You can be the one that turns a life from despair to happiness just by caring and sharing what the Lord has done for you. This could be the greatest year ever in your life if you just step out in faith and seek the Lord earnestly.

Dear Lord,

As we approach a New Year, let us strive to earnestly seek you every day. Help us to put seeking you at the top of our to do list every morning, so that we can serve you with the gift you have given us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

One Day At A Time: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NIV).

Are you worrying about what will happen tomorrow or in the future? Is something weighing down your heart so much that it is difficult to find joy in living? Life can bring many trials, sickness, pain, and sorrow, but Jesus knew you would have trials and provided words of encouragement in the Bible to help you make it through those times of doubt and worry. When I feel overwhelmed by life’s troubles, I pray that God will help me to see that this is just a small part of the big picture of my life, and I trust Him that good can come out of each trial that comes my way. Because of my trials, my faith has grown tremendously. I have felt peace in times of great distress, that I know could only have come through the Holy Spirit working in my life.

When you are hit by life’s trials, please know that if you call upon Jesus to help you, he will be there for you. In the gospels you will find that Jesus was full of compassion and was constantly healing those who were sick. He cares about you and your needs. He hears your prayers. He knows your thoughts, worries, and fears. He alone can calm your spirit. It is very necessary that you surrender what is troubling you into the hands of Christ. If you cannot control the situation then you must give it to Christ, and trust him to take care of it. Remember this verse: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:13 NIV). Another verse I cling to when I am in the midst of trials is: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). In my own life, I have seen good come from serious trials. If you trust God he can make it happen. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Dear Lord,

I know trials will come, but I also know that you are with me during each trial and will give me the peace to get through it. I also know that you can bring about something good even in the worst situations. I trust you with my future and know you will never leave me.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen