The Gift of Salvation by Ann E. Broughton

“For it is by grace you are saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).


God has given everyone such a wonderful gift in salvation. It is up to us to accept this wonderful gift and live for Him. Some people believe that if they do a lot of wonderful things for people, they will go to Heaven. But if their hearts aren’t surrendered to the Lord, then all the works they do won’t mean anything in the Lord’s eyes because God can see their hearts. After we have been saved then our lives need to portray His love to others as a result of His grace given to us.
After we have received God’s gift of salvation, striving to please the Lord in every area of our lives is so important. Then the works done for others will be God inspired. Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians of what benefits service to others can bring. “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Cor. 9:12-13 NIV). People who are touched by our kindness may be compelled to ask us why we are helping them. It is an opportunity to tell them about God’s wonderful grace and His love for them. This service for others should not stop at Christmas, but we should be helping others every opportunity we get all through the year.
Dear Lord,
Help us to serve others without having selfish motives. We know that the Christmas season gives us many opportunities to serve others, but help us also to serve you by giving to others all through the year. As we do this let us be a witness of Christ’s love to everyone we have contact with so that they will see Christ in us and be blessed by our unselfish service.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Prince of Peace by Ann E. Broughton

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

Peace. During this hectic season, that word seems far removed from what we see at stores. People are hustling around trying to find that perfect gift and waiting in long lines to check-out. I think the peace that Jesus proclaimed isn't on many peoples' minds during the Christmas season. But the child that was born for us in Bethlehem, was the Prince of Peace. This Christmas I would like for you to have peace in your hearts. During Jesus' ministry he often spoke about peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27 NIV). Peace won’t come from buying that perfect gift for someone or receiving the gift you always wanted. The world wants to convince you that having these material gifts will make you happy, but the only true peace and happiness is found through Jesus Christ. The baby born in the manger is a symbol of the perfect gift given to us. It is He that can give you the peace in your soul that surpasses anything the world could give you. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV). This peace is available to everyone who surrenders their life to Christ. This Christmas season may you be filled with the peace only Christ can give. Let that peace permeate everything you do during this busy time of the year.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for giving us the Prince of Peace. May we take time to remember that we have Christ in us and that His peace is available to us all the time. May His peace be shone through us wherever we are.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Shepherds Worship Baby Jesus by Ann E. Broughton

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11 NIV

The first to hear the news of the Christ child were the shepherds. The scripture says that they hurried off to find the baby, and then they went and told everyone about what the angels told them. Maybe the angels told the news to the shepherds because Jesus would become our shepherd. These shepherds bent their knee to worship the Christ child and later they would be saved through this little baby when He grew up to be the great Shepherd. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me----just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15 NIV). He sacrificed His life to save us from the enemy (Satan) and death. Just like a shepherd who would lay down his life for his sheep, so did Jesus become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus is our shepherd who loves us. "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young" (Isaiah 40:11 NIV). I like to imagine Jesus holding me close to His heart when I am having struggles or when life's burdens threaten to overwhelm me. I picture myself in His arms safe and sound, away from the enemy (Satan) and secure in His love.
Jesus calls us by our name and leads us. "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:3-4 NIV). We are referred to in scripture as the sheep..."We all like sheep have been led astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6 NIV). Jesus is our shepherd calling us by name while we wander in the wilderness of sin and hopelessness. It is up to us to listen to His voice and run to his arms to receive his forgiveness and grace. In order to hear His voice we need to be still long enough to meditate in prayer. This is a busy season and sometimes it is easy to be all caught up in the shopping and parties and forget about the baby Jesus the shepherds went to see. Let us remember why we celebrate Christmas and listen to our Shepherd's voice. He is calling to all of us to serve Him.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for sending us Jesus as our shepherd. Help us to listen to His voice and come running to Him when we are lost. Let us never go so far away from Him that we can't hear His voice anymore, because it is then that the enemy will sneak up on us and steal away our peace. Thank you for saving us and holding us close. May we remember that the baby born on Christmas became the shepherd who sacrificed himself so that we can live forever.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Treasures in heaven by Ann E. Broughton

“Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21 NIV).


I just read about a Wal-Mart employee getting trampled to death by some 2,000 people who rushed the doors to get to wonderful sales.
I find it very sad that all those people were so driven by material things that a human life did not matter to them. Jesus did not approve of loving material things more than serving others. In the above verse Jesus spoke to a rich man after the man had asked him how he could obtain eternal life. The rich man had obeyed the commandments since his youth, so he thought there would be no problem about getting eternal life. But you see Jesus knew this man’s heart and the one thing he loved more than getting eternal life was his riches. That is so very sad because when we die we will not be taking any of our things with us. When the need for things overcomes our need for the Lord, then our faith suffers and ultimately it could keep us from eternal life. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, where thieves break in and steal. But store up yourselves treasures in heaven ……for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV). I believe that the treasures that we store up in heaven are the selfless acts Jesus told us to do. Jesus said “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matt.25:34-36 NIV). So take time this week to analyze where your treasure lies, and what you are doing to acquire your treasure in heaven. Do a selfless act to help someone this week and you will be blessed so much and you will lay up a treasure in heaven.
Dear Lord,
Help us to keep material things in the proper perspective, and help us to realize that our treasures need to be centered around selfless acts of service that would be pleasing to you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Fear the Lord by Ann E. Broughton

"Now fear the Lord and serve him with faithfulness.........But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve................But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24: 14-15 NIV).

In this passage of the Bible, Joshua had led the Israelites to the promised land and had given them an ultimatum. The Israelites had a history of serving the Lord and then worshiping idols. It was a cycle that repeated itself. Joshua told the people that they needed to stop worshiping the idols of the other lands and that they should serve the Lord. They all agreed and because of Joshua's declaration that his household would serve the Lord, the Israelites followed the Lord during his whole lifetime. That is quite a testimony for a man who stood up for God and lived it all of his life. This should be an inspiration for us. It is not enough to go to church on Sunday. It is so important that our households see Christ in us in every aspect of our lives. Otherwise, they will view our faith as only going to church. It is so much more than that. It is trying our best to be what Christ would want us to be every day. I have written in my Bible this phrase. "I will do the best I can for Jesus' sake today where I am." Reading the Bible and seeing how Jesus lived can help us with this. His life is so full of examples of how we should live. He showed us how to have compassion for those less fortunate, to love one another, to forgive those who wrong us, just to name a few. He was in constant prayer to his father and obeyed him even to the point of death on a cross so that we can have eternal life. What are you doing to show others that your faith is genuine? Maybe it is time to take a look at what you truly believe and be the example Christ wants you to be so that your household and the generations that follow you will serve the Lord. It only takes one person to make a difference.
Dear Lord,
Help us to take the stand to follow you and serve you the way you want us to. We know it can be difficult, but we also know that you have promised us that you will never leave us or forsake us as long as we do your will. Fill us with your wisdom so that we can help our household to serve you also.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Educator's devotion by Ann E. Broughton

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you are also doing…We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” ( I Thes. 5:11,14 NIV).

Do you remember the last time someone encouraged you? It seems that God has always put people in my life who are encouragers, and I’m so very thankful for their loving ministry to me. I have gotten cards with such wonderful words of encouragement from a teacher at school. Those words helped me see how Christ can use me in my work and that with His help I can accomplish what He wants me to do. I think all of us need that encouragement from time to time. We have a tendency to get all caught up with the needs in our jobs and family, that we fail to see the needs of our friends and co-workers. When was the last time you spoke or wrote a word of encouragement to someone who you knew was struggling? Paul tells us in this passage, or should I say orders us, to help each other out. We are to build one another up so that those who are outside of Christ will see our good works and seek the Lord. My challenge to you is to encourage someone this week. I would like to encourage the teachers in my life right now. I read in a magazine how a man was changed forever by two teachers who cared about him. “As a child, Ned Hallowell, MD had a bipolar father, an alcoholic mother, and two disabilities—ADD and dyslexia. He was sent to boarding school where he attached to two teachers who took him under his wing. He says, “They saved my life.” Today he’s a prominent psychiatrist, happily married father of three and author of a dozen books about the value of what he calls “human moments” --- our meaningful connections to other people.” November 2007, Prevention magazine.
Teachers, I hope this is an encouragement to you. You may never know what an impact you have made in your student’s lives, but it surely is worth the effort. We must believe that our influence on these students’ lives goes way past the grade level we teach. We can make a tremendous impact on a student’s life just by using encouraging and positive words. Many of our students come to us with problems and need someone to care and believe in them. We can be that person who saves their lives just like teachers did for Ned. What a wonderful profession we are in.
Dear Lord,
Help us to be encouragers this week. Help us to seek out those who need help and show them your love by being the encourager you would have us to be. Help us to always be seeking ways to show your love to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

A Thankful Heart by Ann E. Broughton

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 4:6 NIV).


This is the time of year that we think about all the many things in our lives that we can be thankful for, but an anxious heart can totally destroy any idea of thankfulness and peace. The above verse is quite a challenge because the first statement seems impossible to accomplish: “Do not be anxious about anything.” Let’s face it our lives always seem to have something occurring that would make us anxious. But as Christians we are commanded to give all of our anxious moments to God so that He can give us peace. Seems impossible doesn’t it? Have you tried it? Consider what is making you anxious at this moment. Is it something that you have control over? Then pray and ask God to help you find a solution. Then take action to solve your problem. If it isn’t something you can control, than trust God with it and leave it in His arms. As you see in the second verse if you pray and thank Him for who He is in your life, then you will have peace both in your mind and in your heart. Peace is so wonderful. It means you aren’t restless, worried, or nervous. You are at peace because you have faith that your Heavenly Father will take care of your anxious heart. This Thanksgiving consider all what God has done for you in your life and truly give Him thanks. Peace be with you.

Dear Lord,
Life is filled with so many anxious moments. Help us to remember that you are in control. Help us to be thankful for who you are and the peace you can give us if we trust you with our anxious moments.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Deny Yourself by Ann E. Broughton

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV).

Denying oneself is probably one of the hardest things to do. You are to give God all that you are, that includes your flaws as well. Sometimes it is very easy to be self critical about how you look on the outside, but God looks at your heart. God told Samuel that very thing, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7 NIV). God wants you to give Him your whole heart. It is then that God can use you in ways that you can’t even imagine. The Lord has a special plan for your life, but you must totally deny yourself in order to find out what that plan is. The cross you have to bear will be lighter knowing that the Lord is with you to help you bear it. May you realize the wonderful potential that is within you that can be used in remarkable ways if you just deny yourself and follow Christ.
Dear Lord,
Let us consider how our hearts measure up to your inspection. Help us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses willingly knowing that in the end you will be meeting us with open arms saying, "Well, done my faithful servant."
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Remaining Faithful by Ann E. Broughton

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22: 31-32 NIV).

Have there been times in your life when you felt as if Satan was sifting you? What was your reaction? I believe our reaction to times of trials shows unbelievers how strong our faith is. I heard a speaker once who said there are always the “watchers” in our lives that notice how we react to life’s problems. You must be constantly on guard as to the way you react to Satan’s sifting. It is essential that you remain faithful to the Lord during your struggles so as to be a good witness to those who are unbelievers.
How do you display faithfulness when problems arise in your life such as when temptation arises, tragedy strikes or when an illness is diagnosed? There are several things you can do to prepare yourself for the trials you will face. It is essential to read the Bible every day and ask God to help you gain insight from His word. When Jesus was tempted He quoted scripture, which gives you an example of what to do when Satan is attacking. Also, it is important to be praying and communing with the Lord on a daily basis. Let other Christians know about your struggle so they can pray for you. Jesus prayed for his friend, Peter. Let His example encourage you to ask your friends to pray for you and with you during your struggles. Finally, always remember the Lord is faithful and will never forsake you as long as you trust in Him.
Are you in the middle of a sifting from Satan? Have faith that the Lord will see you through it so you can be a faithful witness for Him. Ask Him for strength and guidance.
Seek from the Lord the lesson He wants you to learn from your experience and use what you learn to help others.

Dear Lord,
Help us to be faithful to you when trials come our way. We know that there are those who are watching how we will react so we must demonstrate faith in you and call upon your help when we are weak. Give us strength to show others a calm spirit during the storms of life so that we can be faithful witnesses.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen

No Record of Wrongs by Ann E. Broughton

No record of wrongs devotion by Ann Broughton

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs" (I Cor.12:4-5 NIV).

This chapter of Corinthians has been known as the love chapter. I have seen it on plaques that are popularly given to wedding couples, but I think it was meant for how all of us should treat one another. I would like to concentrate now on the last words....it keeps no record of wrongs. Even if we forgive people for the wrongs they have done to us, it is still in our memories. I believe that Satan uses these wrongs in our memories to try to cause us to become bitter, angry, and depressed. Satan wants us to feel these emotions because then we are not effective in our witness for Christ.

According to this scripture, we are to forgive and not keep a record of it. So our challenge is to give these wrongs to Jesus and surrender our bad feelings about these wrongs to Him. That way Satan cannot use them to bring us into despair. A favorite verse of mine that will help us when we start thinking about all the wrongs that have happened to us is..."and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (II Cor. 10:5 NIV). If we give these bad thoughts to Christ, He will give us peace and help us not to dwell on the bad, but concentrate on His love for us. Christ could have called a legion of angels to save him from the cross, but instead he forgave those who berated Him and died so that we could have eternal life. He was the ultimate example of keeping no record of wrongs. And since we are to behave like Him, our challenge is to not give in to bad thoughts, but surrender all of them to Christ. Let us walk in His love this week and give our thoughts to Christ and trust Him to help us as we try to live a life pleasing to God.
Dear Lord,
We know that in this life there will be people who wrong us in someway. Help us to forgive and give these wrongs to you. When memories of these wrongs threaten our peace, help us to give them to you. We know that you will give us peace. Thank you for your love and example.
In Jesus name,
Amen

A New Covenant by Ann E. Broughton

“The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book (2 Kings 23:3 NIV).

Josiah has just heard the word of God and tore his robes because he finally realized that his people had not followed what God wanted them to and God’s anger had been poured out upon them. He was grieved and wanted to know what he could do to restore the nation’s relationship with God. He tore down all the idols that were being worshipped.
He was such a wonderful spiritual leader that the Bible says that neither before him or after him was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did…with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength.
How does this apply to our walk with Christ. Before we became Christians we walked in sin. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we made a covenant with Him, to follow His will for our lives. A covenant should not be taken lightly. It is a promise that is not meant to be ever broken. When Josiah read the Book of Covenant he was so moved that he tore his robes and wept. Does the word of God move you in this way also? The Bible is God’s word and when read should move us to live a life pleasing to God. Just as Josiah chose to dedicate his life to serve the Lord, so we must constantly be measuring our lives to see how they measure up to what God’s will for us is. Josiah tore down all the idols after he read the covenant. So we must lay down at Jesus' feet all of the sinful issues in our lives that keep us from benefiting from a closer relationship with Christ. We must be constantly aware of the weak areas in our lives that could lead us into sin and surrender them to the Lord.
If we love him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength, he will give us the strength we need to handle any temptation that comes our way.
Dear Lord,
Help us to take time every day to read your word and not take the words we read lightly.
Help us to learn from them so that we can grow as Christians. Help us also to be aware of temptations that come our way and give us the strength to call upon you for help. We know you will never fail us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

God's Will For Your Life by Ann E. Broughton

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).


There was a movie out this summer called "The Bucket List". It was about older men who made a list of all the things they wanted to do before they died and how they went about doing them. It made me think that maybe as Christians, we too should have a bucket list. This doesn't include a trip to Tahiti, which would be nice. It doesn't include sky diving or scuba diving or bungee jumping. I believe our bucket list must start with God first. It is fine to have goals for the future because without them we can flounder in our lives and have no purpose, but our goals should be what God wants for us. As we see from the verse above God does have a plan for each of us. Plans to use us in amazing ways, if we let Him. That is the tricky part. It is very easy to do as we please and leave God out of it, but true happiness and peace in your soul can only occur when you follow God's will for your life. We all have a future that is totally in God's hands and can be as exciting and adventurous as sky diving. He will take you places where you have to grow as a person spiritually.
He may also make you face personal issues that you need to face and fix in order to be a better witness. Look at each challenge as a way for God to mold you and learn from it. Ask Him to show you how you need to change to be a better Christian, and you won't believe the exciting revelations that will come your way.
This week pray and ask God what your specific bucket list should be for Him. Then see what a wonderful adventure God has in store for you.
Dear God,
Help us to pray and believe that your plans for us are good. That you want us to grow as Christians in order to serve you better. We anxiously await each opportunity you give us to serve you. Help us to be willing, no matter the challenge, to step up and do what you have planned for us to do.
In Jesus' name,
Amen