“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…..” (Philippians 2:14 NIV).
Let’s face it all of us have complained about something during our lifetime, but the above verse tells us not to so that we can be a good example to other people. Being blameless and pure are pretty great goals to try to achieve. This verse tells us that complainers are not blameless and pure. When a person complains it usually means they are in a bad mood and consequently, that bad mood can rub off on others. If you have been around a person who complains all the time, you know exactly what I mean. A complaining person makes others feel negative.
Linda Dillow, the author of Calm My Anxious Heart, tells a story about a missionary named Ella who lived in Africa for 52 years as a missionary. Believe it or not, she never complained, even when the heat was above 120 degrees. She had a motto, which I am paraphrasing: not to complain about anything, not to picture yourself in any other circumstances, not to compare your life with anyone else, not to wish something else would have happened instead of what did, and not to worry about tomorrow. She was content because she lived by this motto and she trusted God explicitly with her life.
If we live by this motto, we too will find things to praise God for, instead of complaining. All of us have so many things we can be thankful for, blessings that God has showered down upon us. All we have to do is think on these things instead of negative things.
If you find yourself complaining, stop yourself and think about something positive you can say instead so you will be a shining light to someone who needs words of encouragement. I believe all of us would like to be pure and blameless, children of God without fault. Let us try hard this week to be shining lights for others by speaking words that are positive and encouraging.
Dear Lord,
Help us this week not to complain about anything, knowing that there are so many things we can be thankful for. Let us measure our words wisely when we are with others because our witness is very important, and we want to lift peoples’ spirits instead of making them feel discouraged.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Do Not Worry by Ann Elaine 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).
Jesus spoke these words to his followers as he taught them how to live their lives in accordance to God’s will. It is familiarly called the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon can be read in Matthew chapters 5-7. I believe that worry is one of the most crippling disorders in our faith with God. We can get all caught up in issues that “might” happen and get lost in worry so much that even our health is impaired. Worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet, can cripple us with fear and doubt. We can get so caught up in the “what ifs” that we don’t enjoy the wonderful things that are happening around us at the present time. Jesus knew that as human beings it is very easy for us to forget that God is in control: that we can trust Him to take care of us and help us through anything that might happen. Jesus’ solution to worry is this: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew: 6:33 NIV). Here he is speaking about not worrying about what you will eat, or drink, or what you will wear because God knows that you need these things. All you have to do his seek his kingdom, do His will, and He will take care of you.
My challenge for you this week is that if you find yourself worrying about something, stop and pray. Tell Jesus what your are worrying about and imagine that He is taking your worry away and giving you strength and peace instead. Then make it a point that as soon as you start to worry you totally surrender it to the Lord, and remember: “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).
Dear Lord,
Help us not to worry about tomorrow. Help us to give our worries to you, knowing that you will provide for us everything we need to cope with life’s unpredicted circumstances. Help us to trust you with our lives as we seek your kingdom and your righteousness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Jesus spoke these words to his followers as he taught them how to live their lives in accordance to God’s will. It is familiarly called the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon can be read in Matthew chapters 5-7. I believe that worry is one of the most crippling disorders in our faith with God. We can get all caught up in issues that “might” happen and get lost in worry so much that even our health is impaired. Worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet, can cripple us with fear and doubt. We can get so caught up in the “what ifs” that we don’t enjoy the wonderful things that are happening around us at the present time. Jesus knew that as human beings it is very easy for us to forget that God is in control: that we can trust Him to take care of us and help us through anything that might happen. Jesus’ solution to worry is this: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew: 6:33 NIV). Here he is speaking about not worrying about what you will eat, or drink, or what you will wear because God knows that you need these things. All you have to do his seek his kingdom, do His will, and He will take care of you.
My challenge for you this week is that if you find yourself worrying about something, stop and pray. Tell Jesus what your are worrying about and imagine that He is taking your worry away and giving you strength and peace instead. Then make it a point that as soon as you start to worry you totally surrender it to the Lord, and remember: “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).
Dear Lord,
Help us not to worry about tomorrow. Help us to give our worries to you, knowing that you will provide for us everything we need to cope with life’s unpredicted circumstances. Help us to trust you with our lives as we seek your kingdom and your righteousness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Using God's GIfts by Ann Elaine Broughton
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV).
I am studying about the tabernacle and how it was built in the Old Testament. God gave gifts to men through the Holy Spirit in order to build the tabernacle. Bezalel was a man gifted by God to have skills as a craftsman to make everything that was needed for the tabernacle. God spoke to Moses concerning Bezalel: “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…..” (Exodus 31:3 NIV).
Just as God gave Bezalel special skills to do his job, the Holy Spirit equips us with skills to serve the Lord. Each one of us has a special gift that only we can perform for the Lord. Have you prayed and asked God to reveal this gift to you? It is our responsibility to use our gifts to serve others. We are the temple of God and we are the ones who must do His will on this earth. It is not enough to read the Bible, go to church, and pray. We are to do something in order to help others see God through our actions. James, the brother of Jesus expresses it this way: “ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17 NIV). James says it is not enough just to believe in the Lord because even the demons believe that….and shudder (James 2:19). We must also be doing something for the Lord and not just sitting in our comfort zone keeping all of our gifts to ourselves. Who are you benefiting by doing that? Jesus promised that He would help us bear the fruit if we trust Him. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV). My challenge to you this week is to pray to God to show you what your gift is and how you can use it to help others learn more about the Lord. Remember He has equipped you. It is up to you to use it.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we search for the gifts and abilities in us that can be used for your Kingdom. Lead us to see what we can do for you and help us to be brave through your Holy Spirit to take up the challenge you set before us. We know that you will be faithful to complete it in us because you have promised never to leave or forsake us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
I am studying about the tabernacle and how it was built in the Old Testament. God gave gifts to men through the Holy Spirit in order to build the tabernacle. Bezalel was a man gifted by God to have skills as a craftsman to make everything that was needed for the tabernacle. God spoke to Moses concerning Bezalel: “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…..” (Exodus 31:3 NIV).
Just as God gave Bezalel special skills to do his job, the Holy Spirit equips us with skills to serve the Lord. Each one of us has a special gift that only we can perform for the Lord. Have you prayed and asked God to reveal this gift to you? It is our responsibility to use our gifts to serve others. We are the temple of God and we are the ones who must do His will on this earth. It is not enough to read the Bible, go to church, and pray. We are to do something in order to help others see God through our actions. James, the brother of Jesus expresses it this way: “ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17 NIV). James says it is not enough just to believe in the Lord because even the demons believe that….and shudder (James 2:19). We must also be doing something for the Lord and not just sitting in our comfort zone keeping all of our gifts to ourselves. Who are you benefiting by doing that? Jesus promised that He would help us bear the fruit if we trust Him. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV). My challenge to you this week is to pray to God to show you what your gift is and how you can use it to help others learn more about the Lord. Remember He has equipped you. It is up to you to use it.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we search for the gifts and abilities in us that can be used for your Kingdom. Lead us to see what we can do for you and help us to be brave through your Holy Spirit to take up the challenge you set before us. We know that you will be faithful to complete it in us because you have promised never to leave or forsake us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Out of the Pit by Ann E. Broughton
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:1-2 NIV).
Have you ever felt like you were in the bottom of a pit? Has life ever seemed just too tough because of problems that just seemed to keep lambasting you? It is during our times of deepest distress that our faith must come into action and when we must turn our hearts to the Lord. Daniel had this problem when he was thrown into the lion’s den. (Daniel 6: 1-28) Daniel was a man of great integrity. The king had given him great responsibility and was planning to set him over the whole kingdom. Well, as you can imagine there were those who were jealous and tried to find something bad about him to discredit him. They only found out that he was trustworthy, not corrupt, or negligent. They knew he was a Jew so they asked the king to issue an edict that anyone who bows to any god or man other than the king would be thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel was faithful to the Lord and was found praying to Him. The king threw him into the lions’ den, which was a deep pit. Daniel was in that pit all night and the king was very distressed. In the morning the king rushed to the pit and yelled for Daniel asking him if his Lord had saved him. Daniel said that an angel of the Lord had come and shut the lions’ mouths because he had been innocent in the Lord’s sight. No wound was found on him because he trusted in God.
What a wonderful story for us!!! If we too trust in God He will lift us out of our pit of despair and bring us joy. Daniel had complete trust and followed the Lord in every way and the Lord did not forsake him.
Do you believe that nothing is impossible with God? Trust him in your time of need and he will not fail you. Just as he came to Daniel, He will come to you and lift you up, set your feet on the rock, and give you hope.
Dear Lord,
Just as Daniel trusted you in his dire need, so enable us to trust you knowing that you hear our prayers and cries for aid and will give us the strength we need to meet whatever problems that we face today. Thank you for your unfailing love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Have you ever felt like you were in the bottom of a pit? Has life ever seemed just too tough because of problems that just seemed to keep lambasting you? It is during our times of deepest distress that our faith must come into action and when we must turn our hearts to the Lord. Daniel had this problem when he was thrown into the lion’s den. (Daniel 6: 1-28) Daniel was a man of great integrity. The king had given him great responsibility and was planning to set him over the whole kingdom. Well, as you can imagine there were those who were jealous and tried to find something bad about him to discredit him. They only found out that he was trustworthy, not corrupt, or negligent. They knew he was a Jew so they asked the king to issue an edict that anyone who bows to any god or man other than the king would be thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel was faithful to the Lord and was found praying to Him. The king threw him into the lions’ den, which was a deep pit. Daniel was in that pit all night and the king was very distressed. In the morning the king rushed to the pit and yelled for Daniel asking him if his Lord had saved him. Daniel said that an angel of the Lord had come and shut the lions’ mouths because he had been innocent in the Lord’s sight. No wound was found on him because he trusted in God.
What a wonderful story for us!!! If we too trust in God He will lift us out of our pit of despair and bring us joy. Daniel had complete trust and followed the Lord in every way and the Lord did not forsake him.
Do you believe that nothing is impossible with God? Trust him in your time of need and he will not fail you. Just as he came to Daniel, He will come to you and lift you up, set your feet on the rock, and give you hope.
Dear Lord,
Just as Daniel trusted you in his dire need, so enable us to trust you knowing that you hear our prayers and cries for aid and will give us the strength we need to meet whatever problems that we face today. Thank you for your unfailing love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Sunday, January 4, 2009
A Resolution to God by Ann E. Broughton
“When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said” (Numbers 30:2 NIV).
In the Old Testament there were many times that God made a covenant (promise) to people. God never broke this covenant. For example: God made a covenant to never again flood the earth and kill everything. He promised Abraham that from him would come a great nation, and the nation of Israel still exists today because of that promise.
Now I would like to have you think about a covenant that you can make with God. As we start a new year it is common for people to make resolutions, usually it is about losing weight, exercising, spending more time with family etc. But I would like to challenge you to make a promise to God to do something for Him this year. This should not be taken lightly. As the above verse says, a vow to the Lord is serious business and must not be broken so when you make your promise to God you really must keep it. Pray to God and ask Him what you can do for Him during this year and then write down what thoughts come into your mind concerning ways that you can serve Him. Make a covenant to Him, write it down and keep it where you can see it every day. The Lord has a purpose for you and this year you can grow in amazing ways if you surrender your will to Him. May God bless you as you search for a way to grow closer to Him by serving Him in whatever way you are led.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we search for a way we can serve you and make a promise to you to do it. Let us not take lightly this promise. Lead us to do what you want us to do, and give us the strength and courage even when we feel it is impossible. We know that nothing is impossible with God.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
In the Old Testament there were many times that God made a covenant (promise) to people. God never broke this covenant. For example: God made a covenant to never again flood the earth and kill everything. He promised Abraham that from him would come a great nation, and the nation of Israel still exists today because of that promise.
Now I would like to have you think about a covenant that you can make with God. As we start a new year it is common for people to make resolutions, usually it is about losing weight, exercising, spending more time with family etc. But I would like to challenge you to make a promise to God to do something for Him this year. This should not be taken lightly. As the above verse says, a vow to the Lord is serious business and must not be broken so when you make your promise to God you really must keep it. Pray to God and ask Him what you can do for Him during this year and then write down what thoughts come into your mind concerning ways that you can serve Him. Make a covenant to Him, write it down and keep it where you can see it every day. The Lord has a purpose for you and this year you can grow in amazing ways if you surrender your will to Him. May God bless you as you search for a way to grow closer to Him by serving Him in whatever way you are led.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we search for a way we can serve you and make a promise to you to do it. Let us not take lightly this promise. Lead us to do what you want us to do, and give us the strength and courage even when we feel it is impossible. We know that nothing is impossible with God.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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