The Messiah by Ann Elaine Broughton

“The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he” (John 4:25-26 NIV).

Several years ago I sang in “The Messiah”, a musical oratorio written by Handel. “The Messiah” is a musical masterpiece that proclaims Jesus from birth until the resurrection using biblical references. As I sang I felt goose bumps run all over my body as the words declaring the Messiah’s birth resonated through the room. The long awaited Son of God is born. Then the music moved on to His death. He was bruised for our iniquities, chastised, and wounded for our transgressions. By his stripes we are healed. Then the Hallelujah chorus declares that Jesus will reign forever. When the king heard this chorus he was so moved by it that he stood to his feet and that is why everyone rises when it is sung today. And what a wonderful chorus it is. Hallelujah, our Savior reigns forever and ever. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. What a wonderful Messiah!
What can this Messiah or the Anointed One do for you? Messiah is a Hebrew word which when translated into Greek means Christ. Both words mean the Anointed One or one who is especially appointed by God for His plan and purpose. God had a plan for Jesus from the time He was born, just as He has a plan for you and I. Jesus fulfilled that plan when He was nailed to the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. Now this Messiah lives forever and offers that to you and me. What have you done with this Messiah? Have you given your life for His purpose? Do you live to do His will every moment of your Life? Life is so short and it is so important to realize that your Messiah is a prayer away and that to do His will is the most important life focus you can ever have.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the Messiah and all He did for us on this earth. We cannot repay all the pain and anguish He felt on the cross, but we can give our lives as living sacrifices to do His will. Help us to fulfill your purpose for us here on this earth.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

The Mighty God by Ann Elaine 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, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

Have you called upon the Mighty God to help you lately? Do you realize that nothing is impossible for Him? I believe we have a tendency to put Jesus in a box and as mere humans it is impossible for us to comprehend just what a Mighty God can do for us. But maybe it is time to open that box and explore and believe beyond our wildest dreams what we can do with the Mighty God that resides in all of us if we are Christians. We have within us power that is amazing. Have you tapped it lately or are you too busy to even ponder what Jesus can do through you? “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). I would suggest that you memorize this verse. It is so very important for you to realize that the power within you is the Mighty God capable of doing mighty things through you if you take time to pray and believe. The impossible is possible with God and you might be the very person He needs to show that to the world.
Let me give you an example of how the Holy Spirit changed a man in the Bible. Peter was an apostle who was impulsive. When they arrested Jesus it was Peter who cut the high priest’s servants ear off. Before Jesus was arrested He predicted that Peter would disown Him. Peter vowed that he would never disown him. After they arrested Jesus, Peter followed behind and when asked three times if he followed after Jesus, he denied it. He was behaving like a coward. But after the Holy Spirit came to the apostles something exciting happened. They were filled with great power. Peter stood up and preached a sermon that concluded with 3,000 people being baptized. His sermon was powerful and he certainly wasn’t the timid and scared person he portrayed at Jesus’ arrest.
The same Mighty God is in you in the form of the Holy Spirit if you are a Christian. It is up to you to decide either to push this power back and deny it or pray and watch what God can do through you. Take time this week to pray and mediate on how you can be used by the Mighty God that exists in your very being. Imagine what He can do through you if you believe.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be used by you in mighty ways that only you can perform. I am just a weak human being, but I know that through your power I can complete what your task is for me on this earth. Help me not to be afraid, but to step out in faith to accomplish your purpose.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

The Names of Jesus by Ann Elaine Broughton

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV).

There are 50 names for Jesus in the Bible and it is so very important for you to learn what those names are and what they mean to you.
Once I went to a women’s conference and heard a speaker who said all the names of Jesus from memory. She did not hesitate once and by the end we were all on our feet praising God and crying. It was so very powerful to hear all those wonderful names of Jesus out loud and I do mean loud. She was practically yelling at the end. It was awe-inspiring.
I will give you 10 of them to ponder. Over the next ten weeks I will be writing a devotion on each name and how it impacts your Christian life.
• Almighty
• Messiah
• Redeemer
• Resurrection and the Life
• Savior
• Shepherd
• Son of God
• The Way, the Truth, The Life
• Wonderful Counselor
• Bread of Life
• Prince of Peace
Jesus is all these names and more. Meditate on these names and what impact these names have on your life. He is available to you in all these forms and longs to bring you to a deeper more meaningful relationship with him. But you must take time to do this and really pursue quiet time with Him. You need this so very much in order to find peace in your hectic and busy life.
Dear Lord,
Help me to meditate and pray in quiet every day in order to find the peace only you can give. Help me to ponder what all these names mean to me personally and reveal to me what I need to do to show others who you really are.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

God Has A Secret Name For You by Ann Elaine Broughton

“To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it” (Revelation 2:17 NIV).

Jesus has a secret name for you. Do you know what it is? I just got done reading a wonderful book called, “Your Secret Name: Discovering Who God Created You To Be” by Kary Oberbrunner. I highly recommend this book. The author of the book was crippled by an emotional illness that was very severe. He had believed the bad names others had given him and he had given himself. But through several God inspired events he was able to finally tell a counselor what he was doing and get help. His new name now is FREE, meaning free of all the lies of Satan.

The premise for the book is that God has a secret name for you and it is important that you learn what it is. Too many times the names that are attached to us are not what God wants. Some examples are: fat, ugly, dumb, learning disabled, anorexic, bulimic, depressed, anxious, liar, deceiver, adulterer, or addict to name a few. These names are given by the ultimate deceiver, Satan, and are given in order to cripple those who have them and throw them into utter darkness. But Jesus has given each one of us a secret name; a name that can transform us into what God wants us to be.

After reading this book I prayed and meditated about what God’s secret name for me was. As I was praying a word came into my mind: JOYGIVER. Anyone who truly knows me will agree with that. I love to make people laugh, and my own laugh is unforgettable. People have commented how my smile makes them happy. So when I start believing the names Satan puts in my mind that aren’t good, I will remember that Jesus’ name for me is JOYGIVER, and I will smile and tell Satan to get behind me.

You too can learn what your secret name is. Don’t believe the negative names that might come to your mind. Pray and meditate and ask the Lord to reveal to you what your secret name is. It will come to you. Then remember that name when you are tempted. When you get to Heaven, He will greet you by your secret name. Isn’t that wonderful!!!

Dear Lord,
Satan wants us to believe the lies that we are worthless. Help us as we search for your secret name for us, and help us to live up to it when we find it. Give us strength not to give in to temptation and believe the old names that we once had.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen