“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” There I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, than I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 NIV).
It impresses me a lot that Paul could say that he was well content in his weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecution, and difficulties. How many of us can say that when we are tested? Maybe we should try to do what Paul did and see all of these things as an opportunity to grow our character in the Lord and produce perseverance. I believe that when we try to do something that requires our faith in God, then we will truly see how God can work through our weakness.
When I started out in my career I wanted to be a music teacher. Then an opening for a Learning Disability tutor came available at the school in Wooster across from our home. I went to the interview and told the man that my degree was in music and I didn’t know if I could do a good job. He smiled and told me I would do fine. I had my doubts, but trusted that God knew more than I did. I was scared to death when I first started, but I prayed and God gave me wisdom to teach my students what they needed. I took courses, and I am constantly trying to learn more to help my students. Now, 26 years later, the Lord still guides me and shows me that in my weakness, He can accomplish amazing things. I have been able to help many students all because I took a leap of faith and walked through a door God opened for me.
We all have times when we are weak and endure all of the tough times above that Paul experienced. If we let God take over control, He will guide us and give us His strength to carry on. So the next time you feel as if you can’t make it, rely on God to get you through it and ask Him to help you see how it will help you to grow as a Christian. I wouldn’t be teaching today if it weren’t for the Lord carrying me through some really tough times. I know He can do the same for you.
Dear God,
Help us as we struggle with our weaknesses and troubles. Let us know that you are our source of strength when our strength is gone. Thank you for being there for us when we call on you and showing us how to rely on you for help.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Rejoice in Suffering by Ann Elaine Broughton
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…..” (Romans 5:3 NIV).
This winter I have had several health issues that are a result of my fibromyalgia. They aren't too serious, but causing enough pain to be irritating. I was feeling sorry for myself, because I don't handle pain that well. It is interesting how God has put several people in my path lately that have had much worse problems. One gal's older daughter fell into a bonfire and suffered third degree burns, got stung on her back by hornets, and is going to have some minor surgery. Well, I just stood there as she was telling me this and felt tremendously lucky that at least I didn't have to suffer like that. It also got my mind off myself and onto praying for her daughter who is suffering so much more than I am.
Persevering through the troubled times in our lives can be daunting, especially when they come in multiples. But centering ourselves on our own troubles only makes things worse. Reaching out to others helps us to stop dwelling on self-pity.
Paul says here that we are to praise the Lord when we have tribulations or sufferings. It is difficult to praise God through the tough times, but it is during those times that we really need to remember that the Lord loves us and is still with us. Persevere through your times of troubles, reach out to others, and praise God knowing He is there for you and will help you through whatever trial comes your way. When you have gone through your trial, then you can help others who are having difficulties. You can have true compassion for them because of what you have experienced. Since I know what it is like to be in pain, I have compassion for those who are suffering from fybromyalgia. Everyone needs compassion.
Dear Lord,
We know that troubled times will come to all of us. Help us to praise you for who you are, a mighty and awesome God, ready to give comfort to all who ask for it. Help us to persevere through our times of trouble knowing that after we have persevered we can help someone else.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
This winter I have had several health issues that are a result of my fibromyalgia. They aren't too serious, but causing enough pain to be irritating. I was feeling sorry for myself, because I don't handle pain that well. It is interesting how God has put several people in my path lately that have had much worse problems. One gal's older daughter fell into a bonfire and suffered third degree burns, got stung on her back by hornets, and is going to have some minor surgery. Well, I just stood there as she was telling me this and felt tremendously lucky that at least I didn't have to suffer like that. It also got my mind off myself and onto praying for her daughter who is suffering so much more than I am.
Persevering through the troubled times in our lives can be daunting, especially when they come in multiples. But centering ourselves on our own troubles only makes things worse. Reaching out to others helps us to stop dwelling on self-pity.
Paul says here that we are to praise the Lord when we have tribulations or sufferings. It is difficult to praise God through the tough times, but it is during those times that we really need to remember that the Lord loves us and is still with us. Persevere through your times of troubles, reach out to others, and praise God knowing He is there for you and will help you through whatever trial comes your way. When you have gone through your trial, then you can help others who are having difficulties. You can have true compassion for them because of what you have experienced. Since I know what it is like to be in pain, I have compassion for those who are suffering from fybromyalgia. Everyone needs compassion.
Dear Lord,
We know that troubled times will come to all of us. Help us to praise you for who you are, a mighty and awesome God, ready to give comfort to all who ask for it. Help us to persevere through our times of trouble knowing that after we have persevered we can help someone else.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Go Deeper in Your Faith by Ann Elaine Broughton
"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so I will let down the nets." (Luke 5:4-5 NIV).
Jesus had used Simon Peter's boat to speak to a very large crowd and it was after this that he told Peter to go out to the deep to catch some fish. Peter didn't have to do this. He could have made excuses and whined, saying that they had been out all night and there were no fish out there. But it was his submission that teaches us all a lesson. The results were amazing, enough fish to fill two boats. This convinced the fisherman that Jesus was a special man so much so that they gave up everything to follow Him.
Casting Crowns, a Christian musical group, has a song that speaks about being in the middle between the deep and the shore. The shore is where we were before we knew Jesus and the deep is where we give Him everything and not live for what this world can give us. Sometimes we are in the middle, not wanting to commit ourselves completely to Jesus, but yet not wanting to go back to the very dark life we had before Christ. Peter is an inspiration because he said, "I will do as you say." It is time for us to let down our nets into the deep and to trust God to use us in remarkable and amazing ways. It is easy to sit in the middle, but that is not where we will benefit from seeing how God can work in our lives. It is when we surrender everything into His hands that we truly see His power at work. Jesus said that nothing is impossible with God. We limit ourselves sometimes because we don't have enough faith to believe that God can still do awesome things through us. God needs us to go to the deep, trust Him, and do something amazing for Him in His name.
Dear God,
It is very tempting sometimes to stay in the middle, not committing ourselves to be fully used by you. After all, when we are in the middle, there are no expectations. Help us to go out into the deep because you want us to learn that trusting you can bring us amazing results. Thank you for giving us the courage to step out in faith knowing you will never leave us or forsake us.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Jesus had used Simon Peter's boat to speak to a very large crowd and it was after this that he told Peter to go out to the deep to catch some fish. Peter didn't have to do this. He could have made excuses and whined, saying that they had been out all night and there were no fish out there. But it was his submission that teaches us all a lesson. The results were amazing, enough fish to fill two boats. This convinced the fisherman that Jesus was a special man so much so that they gave up everything to follow Him.
Casting Crowns, a Christian musical group, has a song that speaks about being in the middle between the deep and the shore. The shore is where we were before we knew Jesus and the deep is where we give Him everything and not live for what this world can give us. Sometimes we are in the middle, not wanting to commit ourselves completely to Jesus, but yet not wanting to go back to the very dark life we had before Christ. Peter is an inspiration because he said, "I will do as you say." It is time for us to let down our nets into the deep and to trust God to use us in remarkable and amazing ways. It is easy to sit in the middle, but that is not where we will benefit from seeing how God can work in our lives. It is when we surrender everything into His hands that we truly see His power at work. Jesus said that nothing is impossible with God. We limit ourselves sometimes because we don't have enough faith to believe that God can still do awesome things through us. God needs us to go to the deep, trust Him, and do something amazing for Him in His name.
Dear God,
It is very tempting sometimes to stay in the middle, not committing ourselves to be fully used by you. After all, when we are in the middle, there are no expectations. Help us to go out into the deep because you want us to learn that trusting you can bring us amazing results. Thank you for giving us the courage to step out in faith knowing you will never leave us or forsake us.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Give of Yourself by Ann Elaine Broughton
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1 NIV).
Have you given up something for Lent? Many people decide to give up something as a sacrifice. I am going to offer you a challenge that goes beyond giving up chocolate, candy, or other goodies. I want you to give up some of your time as a sacrifice instead of food. Take time out of each day to do something for somebody else whether it is sending an encouraging email, card, or making a phone call to a shut-in. There are so many widows who need someone to visit with them. There are lonely people who need you to call them and lift their spirit. Maybe you could give up your cappuccino or bottle of pop every day and give the money to your church’s benevolent fund to provide food for the needy. Maybe instead of eating out one night during the week you could use that money for benevolence in some manner. These are just a few ideas of what you could do as an act of service for the Lord. I urge you this Lenten season to do something for others every day as your spiritual act of service. Actually, this shouldn’t just be for Lent, but it should be your mission every day of your life. I guarantee that you will feel so wonderful knowing that you are helping someone.
Dear Lord,
This Lenten season help me to offer myself as a sacrifice. There are so many people who need cheering up. Help me to take time every day to be your hands and voice of encouragement to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Have you given up something for Lent? Many people decide to give up something as a sacrifice. I am going to offer you a challenge that goes beyond giving up chocolate, candy, or other goodies. I want you to give up some of your time as a sacrifice instead of food. Take time out of each day to do something for somebody else whether it is sending an encouraging email, card, or making a phone call to a shut-in. There are so many widows who need someone to visit with them. There are lonely people who need you to call them and lift their spirit. Maybe you could give up your cappuccino or bottle of pop every day and give the money to your church’s benevolent fund to provide food for the needy. Maybe instead of eating out one night during the week you could use that money for benevolence in some manner. These are just a few ideas of what you could do as an act of service for the Lord. I urge you this Lenten season to do something for others every day as your spiritual act of service. Actually, this shouldn’t just be for Lent, but it should be your mission every day of your life. I guarantee that you will feel so wonderful knowing that you are helping someone.
Dear Lord,
This Lenten season help me to offer myself as a sacrifice. There are so many people who need cheering up. Help me to take time every day to be your hands and voice of encouragement to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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