“Because you have have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you”
(Matthew 17:20 NIV).
This weekend my children and grandchildren came for a visit. I was playing with them in our back yard. My oldest grandson was throwing a lightweight ball up on the roof and catching it. My other grandson, who is 5, said he wanted to try it. I told him that I didn’t think he could get the ball on top of the roof. He looked at me and said, “I can try, can’t I?” I said, “Sure.” I really doubted he could make it. He looked at the ball and then looked way up on the roof. He hoisted that ball up on one hand and gave it the biggest push he had. We all stood in amazement as that ball hit the roof. He looked at me and gave me the biggest grin ever. He was very proud of himself. This made me remember that God wants us to at least try to serve Him in ways that others may view, or maybe we view, as impossible for us. But with God giving us strength all things are possible.
It reminds me of the Bible story of David and that sling. Here he was a little boy against a huge giant. Everyone made fun of him, thinking there was no way he could kill that old giant. But he said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty……” (1 Samuel 17:45 NIV). He raised his sling and threw the stone, killing the giant. He knew that God was with him and that he could not fail.
God has called all of you to do mighty acts for Him, even if you don't think you have the courage or talent to do it. He gives you the strength and talents to do it. So it is up to you to just try. Maybe God has placed a need in your heart that only you can fulfill, whether it be in your church, work, or a friend who needs support. God has ways of impressing on your thoughts His desire for you, if you take the time to pray and feel His presence. Maybe a name keeps coming up in your thoughts. Pray that God will guide you and then act on it. God is waiting for you to have enough faith to move a mountain. The least you can do is give it a little push. Try it and you will be amazed at what God can do through you.
Dear Lord,
Help me to step out in faith, believing that you are with me. Help me to know your will and act on it. I know that there is a service that I can do for you that will show others how much you love them. I was not meant to just sit and pray or read the Bible without serving you. Thank you for your guidance. I know I can do this with your strength.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
True Friendship by Ann Elaine Broughton
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9.10 NIV).
A true friend is a person who will be there for you when you are in need of encouragement and love. A true friend will never leave you or abandon you when life gets tough and you need someone who cares to stand by you.
David and Jonathon were very good friends and their friendship can be an example for us. Jonathon was the son of Saul. Saul was the king and became jealous of David and gave an order for him to be killed. Jonathon wanted to save David, so he warned David of his father's intention. He himself could have been killed because he warned David. But he loved his friend so much that he risked death to help him. The Bible speaks of their devotion to each other. "And Jonathon had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself" (1 Samuel 20:17 NIV). David had to leave his friend, but made an oath with him. They both wept when they had to say goodbye. "Jonathon said to David, Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever" (1 Samuel 20:42 NIV).
Much later on, David fulfilled his promise in a great way. Saul and Jonathon were killed in battle and Jonathon's son, a cripple, was left alone. David had the crippled son found and brought to him. He sat him at his table and accepted him. David gave him the land that was his father's. King David remembered his oath with his friend, Jonathon, and helped his son. I would call that true friendship.
We are to support one another, give encouragement, and show unconditional love. "A friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17 NIV). The kind of friendship that Jonathon and David had calls for love and sacrifice. Is there a friend in your life right now who needs your support? What can you do to show that person you care? Take time this week to do something nice for your friends. They need you to show them your love and compassion in a special way. Remember Jesus' words, "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Luke 6:31 NIV).
Dear Lord,
May we learn from David and Jonathon and become the kind of friends that you want us to be. Let us encourage our friends to follow you in every aspect of their lives. Help us to take the time to care about them and show them that we care. Life seems so busy sometimes that we forget to keep in touch. Help us not to get so busy that we forget our friends and their needs.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
A true friend is a person who will be there for you when you are in need of encouragement and love. A true friend will never leave you or abandon you when life gets tough and you need someone who cares to stand by you.
David and Jonathon were very good friends and their friendship can be an example for us. Jonathon was the son of Saul. Saul was the king and became jealous of David and gave an order for him to be killed. Jonathon wanted to save David, so he warned David of his father's intention. He himself could have been killed because he warned David. But he loved his friend so much that he risked death to help him. The Bible speaks of their devotion to each other. "And Jonathon had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself" (1 Samuel 20:17 NIV). David had to leave his friend, but made an oath with him. They both wept when they had to say goodbye. "Jonathon said to David, Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever" (1 Samuel 20:42 NIV).
Much later on, David fulfilled his promise in a great way. Saul and Jonathon were killed in battle and Jonathon's son, a cripple, was left alone. David had the crippled son found and brought to him. He sat him at his table and accepted him. David gave him the land that was his father's. King David remembered his oath with his friend, Jonathon, and helped his son. I would call that true friendship.
We are to support one another, give encouragement, and show unconditional love. "A friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17 NIV). The kind of friendship that Jonathon and David had calls for love and sacrifice. Is there a friend in your life right now who needs your support? What can you do to show that person you care? Take time this week to do something nice for your friends. They need you to show them your love and compassion in a special way. Remember Jesus' words, "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Luke 6:31 NIV).
Dear Lord,
May we learn from David and Jonathon and become the kind of friends that you want us to be. Let us encourage our friends to follow you in every aspect of their lives. Help us to take the time to care about them and show them that we care. Life seems so busy sometimes that we forget to keep in touch. Help us not to get so busy that we forget our friends and their needs.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Monday, September 14, 2009
Walk in the Light by Ann Elaine 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 NIV).
Jesus was mentioned many times in the Bible as being the Light. In Isaiah a prophecy concerning Jesus was, “….the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2 NIV). Needless to say that Jesus’ nemesis, Satan, is associated many times in the Bible with darkness. John speaks about Satan and his angels and darkness, “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day (Jude 6 NIV).
Paul speaks to Christians about the walk they had before they saw the light. “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness…” (Ephesians 5:8-11 NIV).
If you have ever been in a cave and they turned out the lights, you know how darkness can feel. It is scary. We should think about that cave every time we have a desire to turn to ways that do not please the Lord. Where would you rather be? In a dark scary cave all alone with your desires that aren’t holy or standing on the mountaintop in the light praising God. Through the Holy Spirit you can conquer the darkness that can creep into your heart. Pray and ask God to help you be strong and walk in His ways. Read the Bible so that verses can come to your mind that will help you remain faithful. Remember that Jesus is the light of the world and will lift you out of that cave every time you call for help.
So the next time you are tempted to approach that cave, ask the Lord to lead you back to His light. Remember this verse: “So since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thes.5:8 NIV).
Dear Lord,
There are many times in life when we are tempted to give in to the ways of darkness that we walked in before we were Christians. Help us out of the darkness to see your light. Help us to be self-disciplined so that the darkness doesn’t entice us. Help us to be in constant communication with you. Let the Bible be our guide as we try to live a life pleasing to you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Jesus was mentioned many times in the Bible as being the Light. In Isaiah a prophecy concerning Jesus was, “….the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2 NIV). Needless to say that Jesus’ nemesis, Satan, is associated many times in the Bible with darkness. John speaks about Satan and his angels and darkness, “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day (Jude 6 NIV).
Paul speaks to Christians about the walk they had before they saw the light. “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness…” (Ephesians 5:8-11 NIV).
If you have ever been in a cave and they turned out the lights, you know how darkness can feel. It is scary. We should think about that cave every time we have a desire to turn to ways that do not please the Lord. Where would you rather be? In a dark scary cave all alone with your desires that aren’t holy or standing on the mountaintop in the light praising God. Through the Holy Spirit you can conquer the darkness that can creep into your heart. Pray and ask God to help you be strong and walk in His ways. Read the Bible so that verses can come to your mind that will help you remain faithful. Remember that Jesus is the light of the world and will lift you out of that cave every time you call for help.
So the next time you are tempted to approach that cave, ask the Lord to lead you back to His light. Remember this verse: “So since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thes.5:8 NIV).
Dear Lord,
There are many times in life when we are tempted to give in to the ways of darkness that we walked in before we were Christians. Help us out of the darkness to see your light. Help us to be self-disciplined so that the darkness doesn’t entice us. Help us to be in constant communication with you. Let the Bible be our guide as we try to live a life pleasing to you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Monday, September 7, 2009
What Does God Require of You? by Ann Elaine Broughton
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NIV).
Remember several years ago when you could see “What Would Jesus Do?” on bracelets? It was a fad some would say, but it should be every Christian’s motto. In order to find out what Jesus would do, you need to read the Gospels which are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In those books you will read that Jesus behaved justly, showed mercy, and walked very humbly before God His Father. He was the model for all of those who want to walk in the way that pleases God. He fed the poor, showed mercy to those who were sinners, and gave his life for everyone on the cross so that we could have eternal life some day. Jesus forgave his enemies and told us to do the same. He showed compassion to those who were in need.
He commanded his disciples to be servants and demonstrated his servant’s heart by washing their feet. That was truly humble.
He went to his friends when they were in need because their brother had died and showed his sympathy and compassion by weeping. The shortest verse in the Bible is “Jesus wept” (John 11:35 NIV).
We are to show compassion just like Jesus did. I am sure that there are people in your life that need your compassion and care. When was the last time you prayed for them or did something special for them? Jesus did not sit around and dwell on his own problems all the time. He went out and helped people instead. Their needs were the utmost importance to Him. We are to act unselfishly and give to others out of compassion.
Now your challenge is to read the gospels and ask yourself all the time, “What would Jesus do?” and then act on it. It is too easy to just sit and do nothing. Someone you know needs encouragement, love, and compassion. Do something now. Do it for Him.
Dear Lord,
As we read the Gospels, help us to act more like Jesus. Help us to exhibit His attitude at home, at work, and at our church. Let us be doers of your Word. Lead us to those who need your love and help us to give it unconditionally.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Remember several years ago when you could see “What Would Jesus Do?” on bracelets? It was a fad some would say, but it should be every Christian’s motto. In order to find out what Jesus would do, you need to read the Gospels which are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In those books you will read that Jesus behaved justly, showed mercy, and walked very humbly before God His Father. He was the model for all of those who want to walk in the way that pleases God. He fed the poor, showed mercy to those who were sinners, and gave his life for everyone on the cross so that we could have eternal life some day. Jesus forgave his enemies and told us to do the same. He showed compassion to those who were in need.
He commanded his disciples to be servants and demonstrated his servant’s heart by washing their feet. That was truly humble.
He went to his friends when they were in need because their brother had died and showed his sympathy and compassion by weeping. The shortest verse in the Bible is “Jesus wept” (John 11:35 NIV).
We are to show compassion just like Jesus did. I am sure that there are people in your life that need your compassion and care. When was the last time you prayed for them or did something special for them? Jesus did not sit around and dwell on his own problems all the time. He went out and helped people instead. Their needs were the utmost importance to Him. We are to act unselfishly and give to others out of compassion.
Now your challenge is to read the gospels and ask yourself all the time, “What would Jesus do?” and then act on it. It is too easy to just sit and do nothing. Someone you know needs encouragement, love, and compassion. Do something now. Do it for Him.
Dear Lord,
As we read the Gospels, help us to act more like Jesus. Help us to exhibit His attitude at home, at work, and at our church. Let us be doers of your Word. Lead us to those who need your love and help us to give it unconditionally.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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