God in Our Hiding Place by Ann Elaine Broughton

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7 NIV).

Whenever we feel afraid we can turn to God to protect us. He is certainly a safe hiding place. Actually, He is the only hiding place that we can depend on when the storms of life threaten to swallow us up.
David wrote this verse and he certainly knew all about finding a hiding place. He had to run away from Saul, who was trying to kill him. He hid in a cave. I am sure he was wondering about his calling from the Lord. But you see even in the cave, God was there with him. David constantly communicated with God and relied on His answers to guide him. The Lord had not abandoned him.
Sometimes we need to go to the hiding place with God in order to get our priorities right. Sometimes we have a tendency to try to take the reins of our lives into our own hands and do what we please instead of asking God. It is in those times when we might end up running for our lives due to poor decisions that has led to harsh consequences. God is there waiting for us to find His hiding place, to rest in His loving arms, and receive His mercy.
When I was a little girl I was tremendously afraid of fierce storms.

When I was young I had witnessed the tornado that went through the area and I believe that the terror surrounding this had made a very big impression on me. So whenever there was a storm brewing with very dark clouds, I would panic and run to my hiding place. I felt safe and secure there. That hiding place was in my mother’s arms on her bed. I felt safe there. Just like my mom’s arms around me, giving me peace, so my Father’s arms give me peace when life’s storms threaten to overwhelm me.
Trust God this week with all of your overwhelming needs. Run to His hiding place and know that He will protect you and will deliver you from your feelings of despondency. He is waiting with arms open wide.
Dear Lord,
You are my hiding place. I know that you are always there when I call upon you for help. You will deliver me from evil and keep my safe.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

You Are On God's Guest List by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel” (Proverbs 27:9 NIV).

How many friends do you have? How many friends have you had in your lifetime? Friends are so important in our Christian walk. They give us comfort, advice, and love. I am currently reading a book called God’s Guest List by Debbie Macomber. She wrote this book to show everyone how God uses people in our lives to help us, teach us, love us, encourage us, and help us grow. It is such an inspiring book. As I read it, I went over in my mind the people who have made an impact on my life. God has put people in my path who helped me grow as a person spiritually, who loved me when I felt in despair, who provided me with encouragement to write, and who have helped me get healthy.
After reading this book I have taken time to remember some people who have made an impact on my life. I know that God has put these people in my life to teach me things. Because of their relationships I have used the gifts God has given me in greater ways. A friend recommended that I start a devotional blog and now I have written 117 devotions. My friend also recommended that I publish my devotions on NBXpress.com. Now the word of God is being spread even more due to the persistence of a friend who saw my ability and knew I should do more.
God has put so many people in your life. There are people who have changed your life forever. They have encouraged you and loved you right when you needed it. Take time to think about all the people God has led to you and how they impacted your life. Then ask God to send people to you so you can be their Christian influence. Everyone you meet is a potential gift from God. It is up to you to take the time to give of yourself to see what blessing is in store for you and the other person. Pray for everyone you meet. Everyone can use prayer.
Dear Lord,
I thank you so much for the friends that have blessed my life. Thank you for those who have changed my life for the better, who have helped me grow spiritually, and who have helped me when I was down. Help me to reach out to others in the way that you did as you walked this earth.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Reach Out To Others 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 NIV).

Think about this past week and how you served the Lord. Did you help others in a self sacrificing way? Do you think about others’ needs first?
Are your interests surrounded around your needs so much that you have wrapped yourself up in a cocoon of self-pity?
Yes, we all have needs, but I have found that when I am praying for someone else’s problems or if I am actively helping someone, I have little time to be wrapped up in my own problems. I believe that Jesus wants us to reach out to others so that we won’t succumb to self pity.
Let’s face it, all of us have problems. In this world, we will, but it is how we view these problems that make a difference on our quality of life. We have power over our thoughts. We can decide what we think about. We can choose to wallow in self-pity, or look around us for someone who needs help and go to them. We are to serve others. We are to reach out to those who are hurting and give them hope. We are to feed the hungry, wipe the tears of those who mourn, pray with those who are hurting or are tempted, and go out of our way to show Christ’s love to those around us, even our enemies. This is how people will know that we are Christians, by the love and care we show as we serve the Lord in a self-sacrificing way. Don’t become so busy with your life, that you don’t have time to help those who are in need. We, as Christians, are to reach out to others. It is a command of Christ. “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Matthew 20:26 NIV).
Guess what? The world does not revolve around you. There are others surrounding you who need Christ’s loving arms and His caring voice. There are people who are needier than you and who hurt worse than you. There are always others who are worse off than you and you must realize this and reach out to them. It is time to get out of your comfort zone and help others. This week find someone who has a need and comfort them in some way. Reach out and you will not regret it. I am always happiest when I am helping someone.
Dear Lord,
Help me this week to not think about my own problems, but help me to reach out to someone who has a great need. Help me to serve others in a humble manner.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Serving the Lord by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galations 6:9 NIV).

This is Labor Day, a day set aside to honor those who work. As Christians, we are to labor for the Lord every day. Jesus spent every waking moment doing His Father’s work, and He also wants us to do the work that He calls us to do. “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me” (John 9:4 NIV). Think about Jesus’ ministry.
From morning until night, He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, and preached the good news to the poor. His ministry was selfless. He served in complete humility and loved everyone. The way Jesus worked is the way we are to work. We are to be His hands and use them to serve others. We are to be His lips, and tell others about God’s wonderful love for them. Please don’t stop at just reading the Bible and praying. It is so important to put your faith into service.
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17 NIV). This statement from James is so true. It is not enough just to believe in God. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder” (James 2:19 NIV). You see even the demons believe in God, so you have to do more than just believe. You must display in your life the character of a Christian: you must serve Him and live a life that is pleasing in the Lord’s eyes.
This Labor Day consider how you are working for the Lord. Examine yourself and see if your life portrays the virtues of a Christian. Do the words you speak demonstrate to others that you love the Lord? Are you helping others in complete humility? Are you not complaining about your service for him?
Dear Lord,
Help me to work for you every day in complete humility. Help me to speak words that you would be proud of. Help me to witness to others who are in need of the Father’s love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen