God's Discipline devotion by Ann Elaine Broughton
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons..........No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 5-7, 11 NIV).
When I was a child discipline was expected when I didn’t respect my mother or if I did something that could be harmful to me. At the time it was painful, but it did make me not want to do it again. Sassing resulted with soap in my mouth, which tasted horrible and made me think twice about sassing. Once I climbed out of my neighbor’s window above her porch and was running around on the roof, which could have meant a broken neck. The flyswatter was awaiting me when I got home, and you can bet I never walked out on the porch roof again. My mother loved me and wanted me to learn how to make good choices and respect others. It was a good lesson.
God works in the same way. His discipline comes when you don’t obey His word and do what you want to do instead of what God wants you to do. There are consequences to sins and those can be very serious. God uses those consequences to help you learn a lesson so that you won’t do it again. Learn from it, repent, and pray for strength not to do it again. God wants you to learn to make right choices so you won’t have to be disciplined. But the wonderful thing about God’s discipline is that nothing can separate you from His love. He loves you and wants you to be happy. So the next time you are suffering from the consequences of a bad choice, remember that God still loves you and just wants you to be the best Christian you can be.
Dear Lord,
It is so difficult sometimes to give up our selfish desires in order to do your will. Help us to surrender all that we are to you so that we won't have to be disciplined in order to obey you. It is only when we try to run as hard as we can in the direction of selfish motives that we find ourselves needing to be harnessed in, much to your dismay. Forgive us when we stray and help us to learn from our mistakes. Thank you for providing us the peace and righteousness that only you can provide after we are trained by your discipline.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine by Ann Elaine Broughton
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful” (Proverbs 15:13 NIV).
“A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).
How often do you smile and laugh in a day? Laughter and smiling have many health benefits. I just read an article on-line stating that smiling can ease your depression and stress, boost your immune system, releases endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin, helps you stay positive, is contagious (others will smile because you are), and makes you look younger. * Looking at this list just makes you want to smile. I remember reading that a man cured his cancer by watching funny movies and laughing so I guess it is good medicine. I believe in laughter and am very good at it. I am known for my smile and my laugh. People will hear my laugh when I’m in a store and hunt me down saying that they recognized my laugh. I guess it is my sonar for people. I enjoy making people laugh also.
I believe, as Christians, it is so important to be joyful and smile when greeting people. Whenever I’m at the store I always make a point of smiling at people because it makes them feel better. There are so many people with problems who need a bit of cheering up and it doesn’t take much effort to just look them in the eyes and smile. I would challenge you to smile at people this week as you roam about shopping or working. I guarantee that they will smile back and you have just done something wonderful by lifting up their spirits. It is a way as a Christian to show Christ’s love in a very special way. Jesus spoke about joy and his love that is in you, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV). Now it is up to you to share that joy with others. Be happy, smile, and share the joy of Christ with others as much as possible.
Dear Lord,
Help me to share your joy to others by smiling when I meet them wherever I go. I know there are so many people who need to feel your joy, so let me be your cheerful ambassador as I share your love with the people I meet everyday.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
* http://longevity.about.com (Top 10 Reasons to Smile by Mark Stibich, Ph.D.)
“A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).
How often do you smile and laugh in a day? Laughter and smiling have many health benefits. I just read an article on-line stating that smiling can ease your depression and stress, boost your immune system, releases endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin, helps you stay positive, is contagious (others will smile because you are), and makes you look younger. * Looking at this list just makes you want to smile. I remember reading that a man cured his cancer by watching funny movies and laughing so I guess it is good medicine. I believe in laughter and am very good at it. I am known for my smile and my laugh. People will hear my laugh when I’m in a store and hunt me down saying that they recognized my laugh. I guess it is my sonar for people. I enjoy making people laugh also.
I believe, as Christians, it is so important to be joyful and smile when greeting people. Whenever I’m at the store I always make a point of smiling at people because it makes them feel better. There are so many people with problems who need a bit of cheering up and it doesn’t take much effort to just look them in the eyes and smile. I would challenge you to smile at people this week as you roam about shopping or working. I guarantee that they will smile back and you have just done something wonderful by lifting up their spirits. It is a way as a Christian to show Christ’s love in a very special way. Jesus spoke about joy and his love that is in you, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV). Now it is up to you to share that joy with others. Be happy, smile, and share the joy of Christ with others as much as possible.
Dear Lord,
Help me to share your joy to others by smiling when I meet them wherever I go. I know there are so many people who need to feel your joy, so let me be your cheerful ambassador as I share your love with the people I meet everyday.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
* http://longevity.about.com (Top 10 Reasons to Smile by Mark Stibich, Ph.D.)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Be Content by Ann Elaine Broughton
"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV).
Are you content? Can you say you have been content in every situation? It sounds impossible doesn't it? But according to Paul contentment can be learned. Let's review the different situations Paul is referring to. "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from river, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger in the sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked" (II Cor. 11:23-27 NIV).
No matter what your circumstances I'm thinking they couldn't compare to the hardships of Paul, and he learned to be content. I believe he wrote all of these down to encourage us. If he could find strength in God to help him through all these tough times, we too can ask God to help us and be assured that He will come to our aid. The reason Paul could do all things through Christ who gave him strength was because he gave his all to the cause of Christ. He surrendered all of his life to doing the Lord's will and the Lord helped him to be content. He trusted in Jesus to give him peace.
Jesus said ..."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). No matter what our circumstances are we can know that we can have the peace that Jesus spoke of as long as we surrender everything into His hands. It is possible to learn how to be content. Pray that God will give you the strength to carry on during the tests in life. Rest in His love and feel His peace envelop you. Take time out of your busy day to just concentrate on His peace.
Dear Lord,
Help us to be like Paul and learn how to be content in all circumstances. We know that you can give us peace that the world cannot give. In the midst of our busy lives, help us to take time to just bask in your love and find peace.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Are you content? Can you say you have been content in every situation? It sounds impossible doesn't it? But according to Paul contentment can be learned. Let's review the different situations Paul is referring to. "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from river, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger in the sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked" (II Cor. 11:23-27 NIV).
No matter what your circumstances I'm thinking they couldn't compare to the hardships of Paul, and he learned to be content. I believe he wrote all of these down to encourage us. If he could find strength in God to help him through all these tough times, we too can ask God to help us and be assured that He will come to our aid. The reason Paul could do all things through Christ who gave him strength was because he gave his all to the cause of Christ. He surrendered all of his life to doing the Lord's will and the Lord helped him to be content. He trusted in Jesus to give him peace.
Jesus said ..."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). No matter what our circumstances are we can know that we can have the peace that Jesus spoke of as long as we surrender everything into His hands. It is possible to learn how to be content. Pray that God will give you the strength to carry on during the tests in life. Rest in His love and feel His peace envelop you. Take time out of your busy day to just concentrate on His peace.
Dear Lord,
Help us to be like Paul and learn how to be content in all circumstances. We know that you can give us peace that the world cannot give. In the midst of our busy lives, help us to take time to just bask in your love and find peace.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Be Self-controlled by Ann Elaine Broughton
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galations:5:22 NIV).
If you were to rate yourself between 1 to 10, with ten being totally self-controlled, what rating would you give yourself? I believe that of all the fruits, patience and self-control is the most difficult to practice consistently. For me self-control is centered on goodies that I shouldn’t be eating. If Satan would have dangled a HO-HO under my nose and said, “God said this wasn’t good for you, but he really didn’t mean it and it won’t really kill you,” I would have grabbed it in a minute and gobbled it up. I guess I can sympathize with Eve a little on that fruit that she was deceived to eat. Unfortunately, I’m not so keen on fruit, but if you have anything sweet in sight I will devour it in a minute. Self-control in this area is very difficult for me. My goal this summer is to eat healthier so that I can live longer to serve the Lord. That is a challenge for me.
If you lack self-control in an area of your life like me and are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit to help you. Self-control is so important because anything that means more to you than the Lord is a sin and needs to be dealt with in a serious way. You need to pray that the Lord will help you have self-control in situations where you know you are weak. Lack of self-control in any area of your life needs to be brought before the Lord in prayer. You can call on the Lord’s strength when yours is gone. You must say no when you are tempted to do something you know will be harmful. The Holy Spirit will help you: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26 NIV). The most important thing to know is that you must have an on-going relationship with Christ, and pray daily in order to acquire the help you need.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes it is so difficult to have self-control. Please help me to rely on the Holy Spirit when I’m tempted to give in and do things that aren’t pleasing to you. I want to be healthy so that I can serve you a long time. Give me your strength when I am weak.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
If you were to rate yourself between 1 to 10, with ten being totally self-controlled, what rating would you give yourself? I believe that of all the fruits, patience and self-control is the most difficult to practice consistently. For me self-control is centered on goodies that I shouldn’t be eating. If Satan would have dangled a HO-HO under my nose and said, “God said this wasn’t good for you, but he really didn’t mean it and it won’t really kill you,” I would have grabbed it in a minute and gobbled it up. I guess I can sympathize with Eve a little on that fruit that she was deceived to eat. Unfortunately, I’m not so keen on fruit, but if you have anything sweet in sight I will devour it in a minute. Self-control in this area is very difficult for me. My goal this summer is to eat healthier so that I can live longer to serve the Lord. That is a challenge for me.
If you lack self-control in an area of your life like me and are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit to help you. Self-control is so important because anything that means more to you than the Lord is a sin and needs to be dealt with in a serious way. You need to pray that the Lord will help you have self-control in situations where you know you are weak. Lack of self-control in any area of your life needs to be brought before the Lord in prayer. You can call on the Lord’s strength when yours is gone. You must say no when you are tempted to do something you know will be harmful. The Holy Spirit will help you: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26 NIV). The most important thing to know is that you must have an on-going relationship with Christ, and pray daily in order to acquire the help you need.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes it is so difficult to have self-control. Please help me to rely on the Holy Spirit when I’m tempted to give in and do things that aren’t pleasing to you. I want to be healthy so that I can serve you a long time. Give me your strength when I am weak.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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