God Has A Plan For You: A devotion by Ann Broughton

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV).

 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

God does not care about your outer appearance. He cares about your heart.  Let me give you an example from the Bible. When David’s brother was considered for king, God rejected him. He wanted someone who trusted in God so He chose a shepherd boy named David. God said about David’s brother, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV).  So how does your heart measure up? Is it surrendered to the Lord’s will? Are you praying about His plan for your life?

God made each one of us with a special plan and we do not have to be perfect on the outside to do it. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). All of us, men and women, have good works to do for the Lord that He has prepared ahead of time for us. It is up to us to do them.

It does not matter how old we are or how we look, we are to be doing God’s will in our lives. God created us to be the ones to help others who are in great need. Each of you has a specific purpose. If you do not do it, then nobody else will.

It is not enough for us to say. “Why Lord, are you letting all these bad things happen to people?”  We are to be the ones to help them. He created us to do good works such as: give money to those in need, give food to those who are hungry, and encourage those who are lonely, ill, or sad. These are only a few things that we can do for Him. If you pray, God will place on your heart what you can do for Him to help others. Then do it.

This week do what you can for others and do His will. Stop fretting about your appearance. Work on getting your heart aligned to the Lord’s will for your life.

Dear Lord,

We oftentimes get all caught up in our outer appearances, when we need to take a long look at what is in our hearts and if our plans are measuring up to what you would want us to do. Help us to always do your good works that you have prepared in advance for us to do.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Glorify God in Your Trial:a devotion by Ann Broughton

“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16 NIV).

In Jesus’ ministry he often healed peopled from illnesses and demon possession. He showed compassion and love to everyone. There is one story I would like to tell you today that really made an impact on me.

A blind man was sitting near him and his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2 NIV). You see during this time they believed that people were ill because of a sin they had done or their parents had done. What Jesus told them made me stop and think. He said, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me” (John 9:3-4 NIV).

It was if I had just read this for the first time. I guess that is why we are to study and reread the Bible all the time, because we will receive wisdom when we do this.

Many people are afflicted with many types of chronic illnesses. I have fibromyalgia and many other people also have this. There are many others who have an autoimmune illness which really hampers their lifestyles. Have you ever wondered why you had to have this illness?

I personally never thought it was a way to glorify God, but now I am.

How can the work of God be displayed in your life when you have a chronic illness? As a Christian you can be a help to others who are suffering also. You could send an encouraging card to someone who is suffering. You could start a support group and share ideas on how to feel better. You could tell them how God has helped you by giving you the strength to just keep going without complaining.

God can use any weakness we have to help others see His glory. It is our attitude that needs to be constantly conformed by His power in us, to do the work He wants us to do even when we don’t feel like it. We are to be that blessing that someone else needs.

Dear Lord,

Help us all the time, no matter what our condition, to be an example of what you can do in our lives even when we don’t feel that well. Let others see the work of God displayed in our lives through our afflictions. Help us to glorify you every day by reaching out to others.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Do Not Fear by Ann Broughton

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”

(Isaiah 41:10 NIV).

Does fear have a hold on you at the moment? Is it filling your mind with dread?

Fear can paralyze you. It can lead to depression and great emotional stress which can lead to poor health. As a Christian, it is so important to trust God and not let fear get the upper hand in your life. Here are a few verses that might help you when you are gripped with fear. These are all references from the NIV, version of the Bible, except one.

1. Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

2. Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

3. Joshua 10:25
Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous….”

4. 1 Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you…”

5.  2 Timothy 1:7 ESV 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.

It is so important to not worry about things you have no control over. God wants you to lay your worries and fears at his feet and trust Him to help you with the unknowns of this life. Sometimes the “What ifs” can fill you with dread. But can you really know what the future holds? The most important thing to do is let it go and give it to God. If you consider all the ways He has helped you with your troubles in the past and how you got through them by holding on to your faith, it will help you know that He will never fail you or forsake you in whatever the future holds. 

I know in my own life, that God has never failed to give me the strength to get through all the difficult times in my life. I have felt His peace in the midst of tremendous trials in my life. This is a peace that only He could give me.

If you are feeling fear at this time, please believe that God loves you and wants you to feel His peace. He will protect you from fear. One of my favorite verses is: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:5 NIV).  Give your fear to God and trust Him.

Dear Lord,

It is very easy to be enveloped in fear, but I know that your love and peace is available to me. Please fill me with your peace and help me to lay all my worries at your feet, knowing that you are in control. I know that you will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you for helping me to live a fearless life.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen