Let's Talk About Sin by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV).

    As we approach Holy Week, I would like for you to think about Jesus as our sin offering. Up until His coming to earth, the Jews had to make offerings in order for their sins to be forgiven. Jesus was the Lamb of God, a sin offering that would do away with all the burnt offerings. He took on Himself all of our sins, so that we might have everlasting life.

    Sin cost Jesus His life, and should not be taken lightly. You were bought with a very high price indeed.

Let us take a look at what Jesus did for you as a sacrifice just so that you could be forgiven of your sins. These are some of the humiliating things that happened to Jesus before He died.  “The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him” (Luke 22:63 NIV). They continued to say insulting things to Him. “Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him” (Luke 23:11 NIV). “They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fist, and said, Prophesy! And the guards took him and beat him” (Luke 14:64 NIV). “He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:15 NIV).

“They put a purple robe on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him” (Mark 15:18-19 NIV). “And they crucified him” (Mark 15:24 NIV). Jesus suffered all of this for you and me. He took on himself the sins of the world. Then He willingly gave His life.

    I am so hoping that after reading this you are realizing that God cannot abide sin. Sin separates you totally from God. But because Jesus died on that cross, you can be forgiven if you repent and genuinely intend to change your ways. Just saying flippantly, “Forgive me” is not enough. You must be sincere and truly intend not to give in to that temptation again. It is of the utmost importance. Jesus did not suffer all of this for you to take sin lightly. It is so very important for you to be praying and asking God to help you not give in to temptation. He told His disciples that very thing on the evening He was arrested.

Take time this week to thank God for giving His son as an atonement for our sins.

Dear Lord,

Thank you so much for giving your Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Help us not to take this lightly, but to be in prayer that we won’t give in to temptation.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Have A Childlike Faith by Ann Elaine Broughton

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4 NIV).

    Jesus loved children. It makes me feel good to know that He took little ones onto His lap and blessed them. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14 NIV).

So is your faith like a little child’s faith? Having worked with children for 27 years, I can say that real young ones believe earnestly whatever you tell them. They are impressionable and open to anything. Their faith in many respects surpasses many adults. You see they haven’t been hardened by the world. They believe anything can happen.

    I read the book, Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo. It is about a little three year old boy who had an operation and during the operation had an out of body Heaven experience. In the book the boy describes to his father what he saw in Heaven. He mentioned that people in heaven had wings and lights above their heads. He was too little to know the word halo. The father proceeds to tell the story about a pastor’s daughter, age 3, who had asked her mommy during a church service, “Mommy, why do some people in church have lights over their heads and some don’t?” Is it possible that the little ones with childlike faith “see” things we can’t? Makes you wonder doesn’t it? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to see people’s halos? Oh, to have that childlike faith.

   Jesus wants us to have that kind of faith. He wants us to believe in the impossible such as: that all things actually DO work together for good to those who love the Lord and do according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28)  People can be healed. Heaven really is for real and that there is eternal life.  There are angels who do God’s bidding. You have within you the mighty power of the Holy Spirit that can enable you to do things that you think are impossible. So what is stopping you from having that childlike faith? It is time for you to humble yourself and believe like a little child in what others say is impossible. You will be surprised by what an impact that kind of faith can have on your life. Go for it.

Dear Lord,

Help me to have a childlike faith to believe that I can do the impossible through your strength. Help me not to limit your power in my life and what you can do through me.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Take Time To Be Still by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7 NIV).

    So do you take time every day to be still before the Lord and wait for Him? It seems that all of us are so busy with life that we don’t have enough time to really sit still and think about our Father. He wants us to take this time to get closer to Him.

    There is a story in the Bible about Mary and Martha. Martha had invited Jesus and His disciples to come and eat at her house. Mary, her sister, was expected to help her, but instead she was at Jesus’ feet listening to all He said. Martha was a little perturbed at this and went whining to the Lord. She said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40 NIV). Jesus told Martha that she was upset about many things, but only one thing was needed, and Mary had chosen the right one.

    This story warms my heart because if Jesus had come to my sister’s house I would be at His feet listening to every word He said just like Mary. I believe that it is so important for us to set our priorities right.

No matter what we should never give up our time with God every day.

That to me is the most special time of the day. It is a time to sit still and quiet and forget about all the things in my life that are stressful.

It is a time to only concentrate on God, His blessings He has shown to me, and to be filled with His peace. I urge you to always take time every day to sit still and pray to God. Jesus was happy that Mary had chosen the right thing to do. Don’t be so busy every day that you don’t take time to be with God. I can guarantee that if you skip your quiet time with God too many days, you will feel tremendously stressed and disconnected.

Dear Lord,

Help me to take time to be still and wait patiently for you. I long for your peace to permeate my soul so that I can continue to do your work where you have placed me. I know I need this time alone with you to be renewed in my spirit and to have the peace only you can give.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen