One Day At A Time: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NIV).

Are you worrying about what will happen tomorrow or in the future? Is something weighing down your heart so much that it is difficult to find joy in living? Life can bring many trials, sickness, pain, and sorrow, but Jesus knew you would have trials and provided words of encouragement in the Bible to help you make it through those times of doubt and worry. When I feel overwhelmed by life’s troubles, I pray that God will help me to see that this is just a small part of the big picture of my life, and I trust Him that good can come out of each trial that comes my way. Because of my trials, my faith has grown tremendously. I have felt peace in times of great distress, that I know could only have come through the Holy Spirit working in my life.

When you are hit by life’s trials, please know that if you call upon Jesus to help you, he will be there for you. In the gospels you will find that Jesus was full of compassion and was constantly healing those who were sick. He cares about you and your needs. He hears your prayers. He knows your thoughts, worries, and fears. He alone can calm your spirit. It is very necessary that you surrender what is troubling you into the hands of Christ. If you cannot control the situation then you must give it to Christ, and trust him to take care of it. Remember this verse: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:13 NIV). Another verse I cling to when I am in the midst of trials is: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). In my own life, I have seen good come from serious trials. If you trust God he can make it happen. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Dear Lord,

I know trials will come, but I also know that you are with me during each trial and will give me the peace to get through it. I also know that you can bring about something good even in the worst situations. I trust you with my future and know you will never leave me.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Give Your Burdens to the Lord: a devotion by Ann Broughton

" Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (2 Peter 5:7 NIV).

Are you feeling anxiety or feeling burdened by stress? Life is filled with unpredictable events that can fill your soul with great stress and burden your heart. What do you do when your life is overwhelmed with anxiety? Do you wallow in the stress or do you give it to God and let Him handle it? It is very easy to let fear swallow you up so that you cannot even think straight. But if you are a Christian, there is another option that will give you peace.

One of my favorite verses is one that Jesus spoke to his followers: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV). I have learned when I am burdened due to things that are out of my control, the only way for me to find peace in my soul is to to give my burdens to God and leave them in his hands. I can honestly say that I have found true peace in my soul every time I do this. When I worry, stress, and beg God over and over to fix it, I do not have peace. Only when I completely surrender the things that I am anxious about is when I find total peace. Jesus promised that we would have peace through the Holy Spirit. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14: 26-27 NIV). This peace is available to you if you pray and ask God to help you.

Please trust me when I tell you that God’s peace will fill you up if you ask him to help you. Just pray and give him all your anxieties, fears, and burdens and then you will feel his peace fill your soul. I have felt this peace many times after surrendering my burdens to the Lord. I know you will find this peace also.

Dear Lord,

I cast all of my burdens, fears, and anxieties into your arms, knowing that you love me and that you do not want me to carry these on my own. Thank you for filling me with the peace that only you can give.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Be Still: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

It seems that there is little time to be still and worship God each day doesn’t it? Life is filled with so many responsibilities and work. A person can be in constant motion all day until bedtime. If you never take time to be still and commune with God you will become burned out quickly. Not only that you will find yourself having a problem with controlling your temper and emotions. Stress will build up and then you will have physical responses that will not be pleasant, such as headaches, stomach pains, stiff necks, to name a few.

Jesus took time to commune with his Father in Heaven during his ministry. He knew how important it was to be still. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16 NIV). Take this example and try to take time every day to be still, read the Bible, and pray. I can guarantee that your attitude will be changed for the better as you lift your worries to God and give them to Him. Let Him fill you with the peace that only He can give you in the midst of your crazy schedules. Early morning would be good, because then you could face your day knowing that God is with you and will help you with your daily concerns.

Personally, I like to read my Bible and then walk in the woods and pray to God. I just feel closer to him there. I can be really stressed when I start out, but as I go and pray it seems like my burdens are lifted. I always come home with a better outlook about my concerns.

You must find the time and place that is suitable for you. But I encourage you to take some time every day to be still, read the Bible, and pray. Then you will find peace in your soul.

Dear God,

Life gets very hectic sometimes. Help me to take time every day to be still and worship you. I know that it is during this time that you will fill me with your peace so I can be your ambassador in a world full of strife.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Forget Not All His Benefits: A Devotion by Ann Broughton

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with love and compassion….” (Psalm 103: 2-4 NIV).

Sometimes when you are in the midst of a trial it is easy to forget how the Lord helped you through other times of strife. The pain, illness, sorrow, grief, financial burdens etc. seem so overwhelming that it is easy to fall into despair. But, it is at these times of trials that your faith will be tested and remembering how the Lord helped you through other trials will help you get through any current issue that is looming before you.

The other day I reread one of my journals I had written since 2005. During the last 12 years I have had many bouts of fybromyalgia flares and other serious health issues. I was glad I wrote about them, because I also wrote how God helped me through the pain, provided a doctor who helped me tremendously, and just gave me peace when I called out for help. You see He never failed to give me strength to keep carrying on. There were many times I wondered if my pain would ever stop, but it did. If I was in agony I would cry out to God, and all of a sudden a peace would fill my soul that is just too hard to explain. It is there for you too, my friend. Just ask for it!

So you see now if I think a current problem is impossible, I remember how God helped me through all these other trials, and I know with His strength I can keep going. He has never failed me.

I hope this gives you some hope also. The Bible is filled with people who trusted God during very serious trials, and He was always full of compassion. Please keep pressing on, remembering that God will never fail to give you peace in the midst of your problems. My favorite verse is, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NIV). I can very honestly say I can. Remember God is only a prayer away.

Dear Lord,

I know that you have never failed to help me in past trials. Help me to keep trusting in you in whatever hardship I face in this life. Thank you for the peace that only you can give.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Time For An Attitude Check: A devotion by Ann Broughton

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NIV)

Can you honestly say this every day? You do have a choice as soon as you wake up as to what attitude you will have for your day. You can rejoice that God has allowed you another day on this earth and be glad it it. You have control of your thoughts and you can determine whether your outlook will be one of gloominess or happiness.

I read a book called, The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg. I highly recommend this book. In it he described a lady who was bed ridden, blind, nearly deaf, and had lived in a convalescent home for 25 years. Plus, she had a huge cancerous sore that distorted her face. Now you would think this woman would have been very depressed, but she wasn’t. Mr. Ortberg gave her a flower and she asked if she could give it to someone else since she could not see it. She handed it to another person and said that it was from Jesus. He visited her for three years and read the Bible to her. Then he asked her what she thought about all the long hours laying in that bed or in a wheelchair. She said she thought about Jesus. He asked what she thought about Jesus. She said that she thought about how good he had been to her. She said that she was mostly satisfied. She said that people might think she was old-fashioned, but she did not care because she would rather have Jesus because He was all the world to her. Then she sang that old hymn, Jesus Is All The World To Me.

Now I ask you again, hopefully with a new perspective. Can you say every morning, “This is the day the Lord has made, let ‘me’ rejoice and be glad”. After reading this in the book, I was totally humbled by this sweet lady’s attitude about Jesus. You see the power of the Holy Spirit can transform you on the inside so that even when you are in the most dire need of strength to face your day, you will find the strength that only Jesus can give to carry on. Think of this lady, when you feel like you cannot keep going. She pulled strength from her faith in Christ to keep living and witnessing about His love. Surely you can face each day with a smile, knowing that you have the love of Christ permeating your very soul. May you always rejoice that you are alive to show His love to others.

Dear Lord,

Help me to use each day to bring your love to others. May I be like this lady and rejoice that I have this day to worship you and to witness to others. Help me to have a positive attitude so I can be a blessing to others.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Do Not Be Afraid: by Ann Broughton

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

What are you afraid of? Is there something that you fear that you obsess over a lot? Fear can paralyze you and cause you to be in a fight or flight mode, which can be very unhealthy. This kind of stress can lead to many health issues in your body. To be afraid of something you have no control over is senseless. But it is easy to obsess over the “what ifs” of life and become scared and depressed. I urge you if you do this, to please stop and remember that you have a Savior who promised to give you peace. As soon as you start fearing something that may or may not happen, please immediately pray for the Lord to help you stop thinking these negative thoughts, and fill you with His peace. You are in control of your thoughts, and it is up to you to stop thoughts that can harm your health.

I have participated in many Bible studies that Beth Moore has written and can attest that she is a wonderful Christian women. Even Beth said that she at one time felt flooded with fears of all kinds. She wrote down every verse in the Bible regarding being strong and courageous. Every time she felt afraid, she would start reading those verses to remind herself that God was with her and would give her the strength to overcome her fears.

I do not know what fears you battle in life, but I know that God will never fail you or forsake you. He will give you the courage and peace to face each day with calm assurance. Do not fear. God is with you. “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” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).

Dear Lord,

Help me to not let fear occupy my thoughts so much that I do not have peace. I know you will never leave me and that you have promised me peace. Help me to give my fears to you and trust you to take care of me no matter what happens to me in this life.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

My Hope Is In The Lord: by Ann Broughton

“Behold the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 33:18 ESV).

Are you in need of hope? Maybe you are reading this and feeling as if there is no hope. You have reached the point that is at the bottom of a pit and you cannot see your way out whatsoever. The maker of Heaven and earth knows every tear you shed. “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? (Psalm 56:8 ESV) He sees your anguish and knows your despair. Please know, my friend, that you have a hope that will never fail you. If you are a Christian, you have the help of the Holy Spirit to lift you out of that pit and into the peace and joy of the Lord. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13 ESV). You see Satan loves it when you are in despair and feeling as if there is no hope. He relishes the fact that you are wallowing in self-pity, and he hopes that you will denounce the Lord in your sorrow. Please do not give in to your despair and blame God for what is happening to you. Life is full of trials, sickness, worry, and evil, but you have the Holy Spirit within you that is far greater in power than you can even imagine. It is this power that can fill you with hope. It is the power of Christ himself. “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27 ESV). Pray and believe in your Heavenly Father who is the one who can fill you with the peace and joy that only He can give. He can pull you out of that pit and help you stand in the light of His love.

Dear Lord,

Help me to call upon you when I feel as if I am at the bottom of a pit. Help me to have hope knowing that you will never leave me or forsake me. I know that your power is within me to overcome despair. Fill me with your peace and joy so that I can abound in hope.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Keep on Trusting God : a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Trust is the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Have you ever heard the saying; “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”? As Christians there will be times in our lives when indeed the going gets tough. We are not exempt from illness, misfortune, tragedy, or sorrow. But how we handle these situations can be a witness to others who do not have our hope. How do you get going when the going is tough? Let me give you some encouraging thoughts on this subject.

The first thing during a time of crisis is to pray and ask others to pray for you. Tell God about everything and pour out your heart to him. Jesus was in a crisis in the garden when He went to pray before his crucifixion. He asked his friends to pray also. He asked God to take the cup away from him, meaning his approaching death, but then He said to God, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39 NIV). We should always pray that God’s will be done in any situation just like Jesus did. Then we need to trust Him with the answer, knowing that His will is best.

Second, stay calm. I know that this is very difficult, because the very word crisis brings about terror in your soul. But staying calm can happen if you trust God to give you the strength you will need for this time of upheaval in your life. There have been times in my life that God’s peace filled me when otherwise I would have totally lost control of my emotions. I promise that in difficult situations if you trust God and pray, He will give you the strength and peace to meet your difficulty in a calm manner.

Finally, keep on trusting that God has this situation in His hands. He knows the outcome, and He can make everything good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). 

Dear Lord,

We know that life is filled with unpredictable circumstances that are out of our control. Help us to believe that you are with us and will give us the strength and peace to handle these situations in a way that is a good witness to others.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Think on These Things: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11: 28 NIV).

Are you craving rest for your soul? We have a camper on Indian Lake and that is where I like to go to get away and get closer to God. You might say it is my sanctuary. I find myself able to concentrate on the Lord better there among nature and quiet. But it is all about perspective also. I anticipate going there to unwind, pray, and get closer to God. That is my mindset when I set out to go to the camper and the lake.

Now I would like to discuss with you about perspectives and concentrating on thoughts that are restful. My camper has a large deck and we have very comfy chairs on it. Now I could sit and stare at the side of the neighbor’s camper and not exactly find peace, but if I move down about six feet I can sit and see a beautiful gazebo and think of Thomas Kincade pictures. 

This is a choice I can make and needless to say my choice is always to sit and gaze at the gazebo. There is a plaque about prayer in the gazebo so when I stare at the gazebo, I am immediately reminded of my Savior’s love for me.

We have choices in what we think about. We can sit and think about all the troubles, struggles, faults in others, and negative things in life or think on the many blessings that we have and praise God for them. You must be able to choose your thoughts just as easily as you choose a candy bar. Throw away the negative thoughts immediately and replace them with thoughts of God’s love for you, and His peace will fill your heart and soul. It is easy to dwell on the negative thoughts which will only serve to bring your spirit down to depression, but you may choose to say, no, and switch channels in your mind to how God has helped you in the past. One verse that helps me remember what to think upon is: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable----if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

So the next time you are tempted to slip into the darkness of negativity, remember that God loves you, and if you call upon His name, He will surely answer and give you rest.

Dear Lord,

It seems that it is very easy for us to think on negative things instead of praising you for the blessings you have given us. Help us to be thankful in all situations and learn that your peace is always there for us no matter what the circumstances. Help us to remember the words of Philippians 4:8 and think on those things.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Do Not Worry: A devotion by Ann Broughton

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

Have you ever found yourself in a wave of anxiety? It can be a very scary feeling. Long term anxiety can make you very ill. I went on-line and checked out the WebMD site about worrying. If you are in a constant state of worry or anxiety it can cause serious health issues such as:

• Suppression of the immune system
• Digestive disorders
• Muscle tension
• Short-term memory loss
• Premature coronary artery disease
• Heart attack

So you see worrying and being anxious can be a life threatening thing. I do not know about you, but I have a tendency to worry. I worry about other people too. I take on their burdens and have a tendency to worry about their problems. I worry about things that might happen in the future also, which is totally out of my control. So I did a search for the word worry in the Bible. I wanted to see what Jesus had to say on the subject. Jesus gave great advice about how to deal with worry.  “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27 NIV). “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NIV). The whole section is well worth reading: Matthew 6:25-34.

As I pondered the worrying dilemma, I remembered listening to Jill Briscoe, a Christian speaker and author, speak of worry. She said that there are plenty of things to worry about, but she has dedicated a portion of her morning to praying about her worries and giving them to God. Then she did not think about it for the rest of the day. She trusted God to help her and those people she was worried about. It is a good idea, especially when we have no control in the situation. I am doing this now, and have greater peace of mind. You see when you surrender all of your worries to the Lord, He gives you peace to fill your heart instead of anxiety. This is a promise from Jesus. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV). Peace is wonderful when you are in a panic mode because of worry and stress. All you have to do is give your worries to God and ask for Him to fill you with His peace. I have felt this peace and can tell you that it is real, but you must surrender your anxieties to Him.

Dear Lord,

It is very easy to get all caught up in worrying and anxiety, some of which that are totally out of our control. We know that you do not want us to worry, so we surrender our anxiety to you. We trust you and know that you will give us strength and peace to carry on.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Prince of Peace: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

Jesus came on earth to give us peace. His whole ministry was offering peace to those around him. He healed the sick, preached that people needed to love their neighbors and enemies, told the people not to worry, but trust God, and calmed a storm by just speaking, “Be still”.

These are just a few examples of how he displayed peace. If you read the account of his sentence and crucifixion, you will notice that he displayed peace in front of his accusers also.

This peace that Christ displayed is also available to you. Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27 NIV). In the Beatitudes Jesus spoke: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9 NIV). Jesus wants us to have peace and display it for others to see.

Since this peace is always there for us all the time. Do you feel it and portray it? Is there something in your life right now that is making peace difficult to find?  Is your peace being thwarted by your own personal problems? Sickness, death of loved ones, financial problems, and chronic pain are just a few things that can take away your peace. But you must realize that the peace Christ has to offer you is still there. Whenever I start fretting and worrying and complaining about my problems, I know that I can start spiraling downward into despair. I have learned to say to my self, “Stop it!” and then I pray in earnest for Christ to fill me with His peace. The most important thing for you to do when you are in a downward spiral of despair is to call upon the Lord to fill you with His peace, because it will happen. Trust me, because I have been in the miry pit of despair before, and He has filled me with a peace that I cannot even describe to you. He is definitely my Prince of Peace.

So the next time you feel as if the world is falling in all around you, remember that your Prince of Peace is only a prayer away and will give you the peace that you so desperately need.

Dear Lord,

There are many things in life that can threaten our peace. Help us to know that you will never abandon us in our time of need, and that your peace is available if we take time to calm down and pray.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

The Full Armor of God: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Put on the full armor in the Lord so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).

Are you prepared for the temptations of life? It is so important to put on the full armor of God. I love this reference to what the Roman soldiers wore during this time frame. It gave the Ephesians a visual on what they should do to be prepared to face the devil’s schemes. The most important thing to remember is that you just can’t have one of these, but you need all of them. Let’s see what a Christian should wear as armor.

First, Paul states that we should have the belt of truth buckled around our waist and a breastplate of righteousness in place. The belt of truth is centered around our belief that God is truth and never lies. (Isaiah 45:19) The breastplate protected the soldier’s heart, just as living in righteousness will help us to have faith during times of trials. When your heart is broken, God will heal it and give you strength to carry on without losing hope. Your feet need to be “fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15 NIV). We should be ready to bear up to trials and temptations with peace, knowing that God is with us and will fill us with His peace when we need it. “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16 NIV). It is so important to have faith that God will be there to protect you and give you courage to withstand the temptations that befall you. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NIV). Read the Bible to help you live the Christian life.

It is important to remember that you have to have on this full armor if you are to stand your ground against the evil one. You just can’t have one, because then you are vulnerable in the other areas. The devil knows your weakness and will hit you with a flaming arrow right at that weakness.  Let’s review what you need. You must have truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and knowledge of the Word of God. If you have all of these in place you will be successful in quenching those flaming arrows from the evil one. Take on this full armor and know that God is there to help you fight your battles in this life. Trust Him.

Dear Lord,

Help us to put on the full armor of a Christian each day, knowing that you will always be there for us when we are faithful. Help us to remember that you always need to be first in our lives.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Peace in a Crisis by Ann Broughton

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

If you were in a very scary and traumatic situation would you be filled with peace? I just read about a person who was in a very scary situation and relied on her faith in God to calm a man who was determined to kill a number of people at a school. The whole article can be read on this site:

 http://us.cnn.com/2014/02/22/us/tuff-survivor-gunman/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

You see Antoinette Tuff has a strong belief in God. Every morning she gets up at 5, listens to gospel songs, talks out loud to God and reads the Bible. Then she sits for 15 minutes and waits to hear from God.

She has done this for a long time. Her life had not been easy. She had moved 14 times as a kid and was homeless for a time. She knew what it was like to be down and out and without hope. She used this background to show empathy to this man with a gun that burst into the school. She said she doesn’t remember being calm, but her voice was calm when she was talking to the man to give up. The police officers said she did everything right when she managed to convince the man to give himself up. The police officer said that you have to practice being calm in every day life in order to have it in an emergency. She said it was no accident that she was there that day. All of her life experiences helped her empathize with this man and save 800 elementary students from danger. Isn’t it something how God can use even our tough times to help others? 

This example shows us that self-discipline in regards to prayer, Bible study, and quiet time with God can provide in us with the calm we need to face our storms in our lives. Time spent every day reading the Bible, praying, and being still and quiet helps Christians develop peace that goes deep within the soul. Jesus oftentimes went by himself to talk to His Father and be still. That is how He managed to remain calm when He was condemned to die on the cross. This week take time every day to sit in silence before the Lord, read the Bible, and pray.

Dear Lord,

We know that storms will come in our lives. Help us to be prepared for them by gaining peace through prayer, reading the Bible, and being still before you. Thank you for never leaving us and for your peace.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

The Name of Jesus is Powerful by Ann Broughton

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13-14 NIV).

Do you believe in the power of Jesus’ name? My husband and I were at a missionary convention and heard a testimony from people who rescue young girls from sex slavery. They told us about a pair of girls who had heard about Jesus but didn’t know how to pray. The one girl told the other that if they just keep saying Jesus’ name over and over He would save them. So they proceeded to do that. Soon they heard a ruckus and men burst in their door and took them out of that horrible place. They had been rescued. Now do you think these girls believe in the power of Jesus’ name?  You bet they do. They saw what believing in His name really does. But more importantly was the fact that people acted on the prayers of these girls and saved them. They were being Jesus’ hands and feet and helping those in need.

Now I am going to ask you a very important question. Do you really believe in the name of Jesus and what He can do? I don’t know if you need to be rescued from something, but I do know that if you call on Jesus’ name, He will help you. It is easy to say, “Woe is me, my life is horrible”, but have you really asked Jesus to help you? He is there for everyone. “He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him” (Psalm 22:8 NIV). The peace of the Lord that fills a person who calls upon His name is very real. I have experienced it in the midst of tremendous grief. You will never know unless you call upon Him. It is a peace that fills your entire soul, and it frustrates me that I cannot really put into words how wonderful it feels. Trust me and believe me, that it is very real.

I pray that if you need help, you will call on Jesus’ name and ask Him to help you. He will not fail you. These are Jesus’ words: “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you” (John 14:27 NIV). I can tell you by experience that this peace is very real.  Trust Jesus.

Dear Lord,

I know there are those who are reading this who need to call upon your name. Please help them to do this so that they will feel your peace that only you can give.

In Jesus’ most powerful name,

Amen

Why Lord? By Ann Broughton

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

    “Why Lord?”  Have you ever asked that question? Sometimes our lives can be filled with trouble and sorrow, and it is easy to lose hope and wonder where God is in the midst of our despair. Jesus spoke these words to his disciples before he was to be crucified. He knew his disciples were going to grieve and he gave them a lecture on having hope. (John 16: 19-33) He knew that they would undergo much tribulation as His followers in the days ahead and wanted them to know that He would never forsake them. The verse that really gives me hope is: “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy” (John 26:22 NIV)

Because we have Christ in us, we have His joy inside of us even when we face our trials. He is with us through the storms of our lives.

     There are many people in the Bible that could have asked the question “Why Lord?”  Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace. Joseph was thrown into prison on false charges. David had to hide in a cave so that he wouldn’t be killed by Saul. Esther risked death in order to save the Jews from being killed. This is just to name a few who had tremendous problems. But the great thing that binds all these people together is the fact that they trusted in God, and He came to their aid.

     You have a Savior who loves you very much and nothing can separate you from that love. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?.....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35,37). You may not have the answer to “Why Lord?” given to you, but please know that God is with you through it and there are people watching you to see if your faith is real. This is when you can impact others and show them that having faith in God can give you the peace to face anything. This is a time you can witness to others that you love the Lord and trust Him.

Dear Lord,

Help us to always love you and trust you even when our lives are filled with trouble and fear. We know that nothing can separate us from your love, and you are with us in the midst of our trials. Help us to be a good witness for you in the midst of our tribulation.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Perfect Peace by Ann Broughton

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV).

    Trusting in the Lord and having peace can be very difficult if you are facing something that is uncertain. But this is when the Lord can truly show you that His love is there for you in the midst of your crisis. But the key words here are “whose mind is steadfast”. Steadfast means that you absolutely know that God loves you and no matter what happens, you will always trust Him. We cannot see the future, but God does know it. He wants you to be in peace and know that His love will never fail you.

    I love the story of the woman who Jesus healed. She had been very ill for twelve years and had tried many different things to get well. None of these things helped her. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed”. (Matthew 9:21 NIV). There was a big crowd and Jesus was jostled, but as soon as she touched his cloak, she was healed. Jesus knew because He said power had gone from him. He asked who it was. The woman came to Him trembling and told Him it was her and that she was healed. He said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace”. (Luke 8:47 NIV).

    The woman believed with a steadfast heart that she would be healed by just touching his cloak. She had faith and put it into action. It was that faith that healed her. Do you think she trusted in the Lord from then on to satisfy her needs and give her peace? She knew what it was like to step out in faith and believe and not doubt.

    Maybe you are in a position right now that you need to trust in the Lord with all your heart. He is there for you. Pray and believe that He loves you and wants to supply you with the peace that only He can give. 

Dear Lord,

Sometimes it is very hard to trust you, when the future is uncertain, but I know you love me and that you will never leave me. Help me to have the same faith as the woman who was healed. Give me peace.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

God is With You During Change by Ann Broughton

“If you love me, you will do what I command. And I will ask the Father and he will send you another Counselor to be with you ---- the Spirit of truth” (John 14:15-16 NIV).

    Change can be very scary, but in life it is inevitable. From the time we are born, we are constantly changing. But, most people have difficulty dealing with it in life. We want everything to go along the same as always. When change does occur, we have tendency to fight it.

    I have to admit, that as I get older, change is tougher. The grocery store that I shop at has decided to change all of their stock around. They moved everything to different aisles. Now when I go to a grocery store, which I consider no fun at all, I want to get in there and out as fast as possible. Needless to say, I wasn’t too happy to see what they were doing. I am thinking it is just not me who felt this way, because I heard many people grumbling about it, and many of them were wandering around the store with a glazed look in their eyes like a deer in headlights. Luckily, they had stationed their help out in the middle aisle to direct people. That was a smart move. I don’t know why stores do this. At least they should have warned us a week in advance that it was happening.

  Before Jesus was crucified, He gave his disciples a pep talk because He knew the change that was coming for them would be earth shaking. He knew it would be difficult for them to watch Him suffer and die. He also knew that they would need extra help to accomplish what God expected them to do after His leaving. So Jesus tried to comfort them and told them that He would send the Holy Spirit to them to teach them. (John 14:26) He wanted them to know that He wasn’t leaving them without assistance.

    You see we too have the Holy Spirit within us to help us through any change that comes our way in life. He will give us peace when we feel peace is impossible to find. God knew that we would need the Holy Spirit to aid us in times of stress. That is why He provided the Counselor to all those who believe in Him.  “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23 NIV). You see you have Christ in you, and He will help you handle the changes in your life.

Dear Lord,

We know that change is difficult, but it happens all the time. Help us to rely on the Holy Spirit to gain strength to handle it and accept it knowing you will be with us.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

God's Promises by Ann Broughton

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21 NIV).

    Has anyone ever broken a promise made to you? It is an awful feeling isn’t it? God will never break a promise He has made in the Bible. It is this fact that we must cling to and believe. In our busy hectic lives it is very easy to concentrate on the negative things instead of the wonderful promises that are spoken of in the Bible. In this devotion I want to help you remember some of those promises so that you will have faith and believe that your Father in Heaven loves you very much and will give you peace.

    I am going to list some of His promises for you to look back on this week to give you hope when you feel stressed or when the weight of the world seems to be on your shoulders.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40 NIV).

“For I know my plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

“Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24 NIV).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29 NIV).

 I hope that these verses will give you comfort this week. Believe in God’s promises and let them fill your soul with hope.

Dear Lord,

Thank you so much for all your promises. Help us to fix our thoughts on them and believe them with all of our hearts. We know you always keep your promises.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Jesus is Knocking at Your Door by Ann Broughton

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

(Revelation 3:20-21 NIV).

   Have you heard His knock on your door? Have you answered it or are you turning a deaf ear? One of my favorite pictures of Jesus is of Him knocking on this huge door. I went to church in North Baltimore at the Church of the Good Shepherd. I can remember being a little kid sitting by my mother in the pew with my hankie filled with coins clutched in my hand for the offering. Every Sunday I would stare at that picture hanging in the church. It made a big impact on my life. I noticed that there was no door knob and wondered how He would get in. My mother explained that we must ask Him into our hearts. We must open the door to let Him come in.

   So have you done that? Have you asked Him into your heart? I was fortunate to have a mother who took me to church so I could learn about my loving Father who doesn’t force Himself by bashing down locked doors, but gently knocks and whispers my name, wanting me to open the door of my life so that He can fill it with His love. I have watched others who haven’t let Him in, and how their lives are filled with things to make them happy. You know: it could be materialistic things, drugs, alcohol etc. It is interesting to watch how they really aren’t happy, but are trying to fill a place in their heart with something that only God can fill. It is the truth. I have seen lives ruined by searching for love in wrong places. It is so sad when it could be so different if they could just open the door to Jesus and let Him fill their lives with His love and purpose. He wants so much for them to know the peace that only He can give.

   If you know someone who is floundering and needs to open the door to the Lord, please share with them how the Lord has helped you. I know that when life has been tough for me, God has always been there to give me peace and His comfort.

Dear Lord,

Help us to open the door of our hearts to you. Help us then to lead others to you so that they too will find the peace and love that is waiting for all those who open the door to you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Find Rest for Your Soul by Ann Broughton

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5 NIV).

   Do you need rest? I am not just talking about physical rest, but rest for your soul. Here are some signs that I have noticed when I have felt unrest in my soul: anxiety, insomnia, being irritable, having stomachaches, panic attacks to name a few. When these occur I know that I need to take time to be still, pray, and be quiet. I believe there are many of you reading this who are having problems with a restless soul. It is so easy to get your priorities so messed up that time spent in quiet, alone with God, becomes an issue. In order to have a calm spirit you must take time to pray, quiet your mind, and then be still for at least 15 minutes in your day, preferably 30 minutes. If you do this you will find out that peace and rest for your soul is very real.

   I have gone to bed being so very weary with the problems that surround me in people’s lives that it seems as if I am totally weighed down with the burdens. But then I lie in bed and calm my mind and recite the 23^rd Psalm. I concentrate on the Lord being my shepherd and how he is leading me by the still waters. After I recite this I am already feeling calmer. Then I pray and lay my burdens down at Jesus’ feet and ask Him to give me the peace I so desire. When I awake I feel refreshed and am able to greet the day with a smile. I promise you this works.

   God alone can give you the rest you need because your hope comes from him. You must be the one to take the steps to change your restless soul. You must be quiet, pray, and believe that He will restore your soul in ways that nobody else could.

Dear Lord,

Help me to take time each day to quiet my soul and pray to you. I know that my body yearns for peace. Help me to remember to follow Jesus’ example because He always took time in his busy schedule to talk to His Father in Heaven in solitude. Thank you giving me peace in my soul.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen