God is With You in Your Fiery Trial By Ann Broughton

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV).

    Are you going through a fiery trial? Have you gone through a fiery trial? I have been through my share and very recently. Going through the fire is no fun, but afterwards I have noticed how much my faith has grown. It is interesting that when I am in the furnace prayers become fierce and nonstop. I notice that afterwards I become more compassionate towards other who are experiencing troubles. Trials are meant to make you grow as a Christian, and to help you reach out to others when they have needs. It is a refining process that reveals how strong your faith is.

   Let me give you an example. I love history and have visited many historical villages where they re-enact life as a pioneer. I always enjoyed watching the smithy. He would take a piece of iron and hold it in the fire until it glowed. Then he would hammer it very hard and then thrust it back into the fire. He would continue doing this many times until he held up a beautiful vine that he had made by welding, forging, and hammering.

   You see our lives are like that piece of iron. We are put into the fire to test our faith and how we will respond to trials that come our way. It is so essential that you have a close relationship with your Father in Heaven in order to handle this refining. He is the only one who can give you the strength to make it through it with your faith in tact. At the end of your trial, you will be made more beautiful on the inside if you have believed and gained strength from His love.

   Just remember Christ suffered much more for you, and gave His life.

He understands your trial and will help you.

Dear Lord,

Help us through our fiery trials and give us faith to know that you are there with us. Give us strength and help us learn from it so that we can help others.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Is Your Friendship Just Right? by Ann Broughton

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---think about these things” (Philipians 4:8 NIV).

    Sometimes we might think a friendship is just right when it isn’t. We have a tendency as human beings to rationalize and believe that it is alright to have one foot in the world and one foot in Christianity. It is fine to hang out with friends who do not believe as we do as long as we don’t give in to temptation and do something that is not pleasing to God. I think peer pressure is very real, even with adults. We tell ourselves, well just this once I will do this, just to show them I care about them, or I don’t want them to think I am not any fun. I will ask them to church eventually and tell them about Christ. Meanwhile, I think our relationship is just right.

  I would like to tell you a little story about me and a pair of pants that I thought was just right. I had bought a pair of black pants and hung them up in our closet that I share with Rick. Well, one morning, I was rushed and grabbed a pair of pants, put them on, and dressed up for work.  I got to work and noticed in the mirror that my pants seemed long. I thought I would really have to hem them that night. I put my hand in the pocket and thought, “Wow, these are really deep pockets, and it is so cool that they have a pocket for my cell-phone.”  When I got home and changed into my casual clothes, I noticed that I had been wearing my husband’s pants all day long. Needless to say, I died laughing. But you see all day, I thought they were my new pants. I thought they were just right.

   When we are in relationships, we must first of all think; Does this person help me to be the best Christian I can be? Do I help this person to believe in the Lord? Do I act different with this person than I do with my Christian friends at church? I am not saying you shouldn’t hang out with non-Christians, but your very best friends should be helping you live a life that is pleasing to God. They should be someone you can be accountable to. They should be someone who knows the above verse and tries very hard to live up to it.

   Analyze your relationships and check to see that you aren’t giving in to peer pressure and doing things that aren’t pleasing to God. Make sure your true friends are Christians who have set the mark high to follow God with all of their hearts.

Dear Lord,

Help us with our relationships. Help us choose best friends that are doing your will in their lives and who will help us to live a life that is pleasing to you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Each Day is a Gift from God by Ann Broughton

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90: 12 NIV).

    I believe we take our lives for granted. We walk around every day thinking that, “I can do as I please because I have tons of days ahead of me.” Lately, I have been pondering my life and its longevity. None of us know when we will die, so we must be living every moment in a manner that is pleasing to God. I have made a resolution to make sure that each day I have a good attitude and not let little things perturb me. It is a challenge some days, but I am determined to live like there is no tomorrow. I want to be more positive than negative. It is all a matter of mindset and making yourself not dwell on bad thoughts. Life is too short to be grumpy, mean, and nasty. I would hate to think that my last words were hurtful to someone. I would want to leave this earth with a clear conscience. I would want to do a kind deed for someone every day and give when there was a need. I believe that God really wants us to give to those who ask for help and not be greedy.

    Jesus was pretty blunt about what happens when you are greedy.

In a parable in Luke 12:16-21 Jesus spoke about a greedy rich man who produced a great crop. He laid up all these crops in huge barns and sat back and said that now he could eat, drink, and be merry.

God told him he was a fool and that very night his life would be demanded from him.  Then God said, “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God”

(Luke 12:21 NIV).  I believe that not only is it riches that shouldn’t be withheld, but also using your talents to serve others. We cannot be greedy and selfish about our time either. There are people who need a smiling face, an encouraging word, a card etc. Make each day count for Christ and do your best to make it a day that would please Him.

Dear Lord,

Every day is a gift from you to us. Help us to embrace it and be positive. Help us to use our abilities and talents to serve you in a special way each day.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen