Give Thanks Always: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV).

As we approach Thanksgiving, we are reminded of all of our blessings.

It is a time to remember what God has provided for us and thank Him for His steadfast love for us. But thankfulness should not be saved for just this holiday. We should be in a mood of thankfulness every day.

Do you honestly give thanks in all circumstances? It is very difficult to do if you are in pain, lonely, sorrowful, or poor, but if you can honestly look at your life and see the good that also has happened your outlook can change remarkably.

I just read an article of a lady who had crippling arthritis. She was feeling sorry for herself and then decided that she would look at it in a more positive light. She thought that she was lucky to have two legs to walk on because some do not. She was determined to get better and her philosophy wrapped around the idea that there is a bright side to everything. She said her thinking more positive thoughts about it was more powerful than any steroid. You see it is all about perspective. Thankfulness is a thought changing and life changing act.

You must remember that no matter your circumstances God will never fail you or leave you. Jesus promised that, and He never breaks a promise. Start every prayer with thanking God for His steadfast love for you. Concentrate on the blessings and it will be difficult for you to stay in the miry pit of  “Woe is me”. 

I highly recommend that you keep a journal and write down a blessing in it every day, or start a blessing jar and write a blessing each day on a strip of paper and put it in it. Then when you are feeling down, just sit down and read those blessings. It will lift your spirit and help you to see that God has not abandoned you.

So remember that every day holds a blessing for you to be thankful about. Look for it and you will surely find it, and then be a blessing to someone else.

Dear Lord,

Some days it is very difficult to be thankful. Help us to see the blessing in every circumstance and be joyful always even when we don’t feel like it. There are so many ways you bless us. Help us to look for those instead of the negative things.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Serving God Together by Ann Broughton

“Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25 NIV).

    Do you attend church regularly? Is it important to you to worship the Lord one day a week and take that time to lay aside your thoughts about your work or home and just concentrate on God?  When God made the commandment “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”, He knew that everyone needs to rest and remember who God is.

    When I go to church I am there to worship my wonderful Savior, who loves me in spite of my weaknesses. I worship Him in song and think about the words as I lift up praises to God. The words of the praise songs are so powerful and meaningful. That part of the worship time is so very important to me. It makes me feel so very close to God.

   The sermon is from the Bible and helps me learn more about God and His love for me. Communion helps me remember the sacrifice Jesus made for me for my sins. I recall my sins from the past week and repent during this time. I pray that God will give me the strength to handle the challenges of life and not give in to temptation.

   I love to talk to my Christian friends and encourage them after the service. That is what is so very important about meeting every week. We all need encouragement and prayer just to get through the tough times in our lives. My Christian friends have never failed me when I needed them to pray with me over concerns. They are glad to pitch in and help out with any worthy cause to help out others in need also. You see people are the “church”, and it is those people who can show others what being a Christian really is about: serving others. It is all about service and loving others as you would want them to love you. I hope that you are a member of a loving congregation and that you attend every Sunday to worship God and encourage one another.

 Dear Lord,

Help me to be committed to you and take time each week to attend services and meet with my Christian family. I know that we all need to serve you together so that others will see our love for one another and want your love in their hearts also.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

 

Rejoice in the Lord by Ann Elaine Broughton

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

    When you wake up in the morning is the first words out of your mouth, “Thank you, Lord for this wonderful day that you have given me to serve you.”  I read somewhere that it is natural to feel a little sad in the morning and that you should have a picture by your bedside that makes you feel happy in the morning. I am thinking reciting the above verse will help you. You see every day is a gift given to you and what you do with this gift is up to you. If someone gives you a gift do you toss it in the garbage with a frown on your face? I doubt that.  

     When I get a present I am so very happy. I open it with happiness and cherish whatever it is because it was given to me in love. God has given you the gift of life, and it is up to you to look upon each day with happiness knowing that God loves you. So how do you think He feels when you wake up all grumpy and sad? Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV). God wants you to have life to the full in every way. The way you view each day is up to you. You control what you think. Try starting your day with praising God and a smile and see if your day won’t go better.

    You do know that joy is one of the fruits of the spirit and is available to you all the time. It is up to you to seek it. You can change your viewpoint if you try. This joy is available to you all the time. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV). Christians have a wonderful reason to be joyful because Christ dwells in us. “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27 NIV). Even the angels long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:12). 

    But you see so many times in our lives we let worries and problems overshadow the joy that is within us through the Lord. I urge you to give them to the Lord and ask Him to help you find the joy in each new day. During this week try reciting the first verse every morning, and pray that God will help you use this new day to bring joy to others.

 Dear Lord,

We know that our lives are precious to you and that we must view each day as a gift. Help us to be joyful each day knowing that your strength is inside us, and we can choose to be happy.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Praise The Lord, O My Soul by Ann Elaine 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, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle” (Psalm 103:2-5 NIV).


With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate to think about our blessings, not just our material blessings but our spiritual blessings. I believe we take our faith for granted. In this country we are so blessed to be able to worship God in any way we choose. In many countries Christians are persecuted and even murdered. We have Bibles, sometimes more than one in our households. In some countries, people are begging to have Bibles sent to them.
I will never forget reading God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew. I was totally amazed how the Lord helped them smuggle Bibles to communist countries. God performed miracles in order for Bibles to be delivered. Do you think those Bibles were precious to those who received them? You bet. Those people knew that Brother Andrew risked his life to get those Bibles across hostile borders.
This Thanksgiving, before you eat, open your Bible and read Psalm 100 to your whole family. This holiday is all about worshiping and praising God for His blessings. Let’s remember God this Thanksgiving and give Him praise for all He has done for us. He crowns us with love and compassion, and satisfies our desires with good things. We have much to praise God about.
Dear Lord,
This Thanksgiving let us praise you for all you have done for us. Thank you for forgiving us our sins, for your mercy, for restoring our spirits when we are down, and for your love and compassion.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Rejoice in Suffering by Ann Elaine Broughton

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…..” (Romans 5:3 NIV).

This winter I have had several health issues that are a result of my fibromyalgia. They aren't too serious, but causing enough pain to be irritating. I was feeling sorry for myself, because I don't handle pain that well. It is interesting how God has put several people in my path lately that have had much worse problems. One gal's older daughter fell into a bonfire and suffered third degree burns, got stung on her back by hornets, and is going to have some minor surgery. Well, I just stood there as she was telling me this and felt tremendously lucky that at least I didn't have to suffer like that. It also got my mind off myself and onto praying for her daughter who is suffering so much more than I am.

Persevering through the troubled times in our lives can be daunting, especially when they come in multiples. But centering ourselves on our own troubles only makes things worse. Reaching out to others helps us to stop dwelling on self-pity.

Paul says here that we are to praise the Lord when we have tribulations or sufferings. It is difficult to praise God through the tough times, but it is during those times that we really need to remember that the Lord loves us and is still with us. Persevere through your times of troubles, reach out to others, and praise God knowing He is there for you and will help you through whatever trial comes your way. When you have gone through your trial, then you can help others who are having difficulties. You can have true compassion for them because of what you have experienced. Since I know what it is like to be in pain, I have compassion for those who are suffering from fybromyalgia. Everyone needs compassion.

Dear Lord,

We know that troubled times will come to all of us. Help us to praise you for who you are, a mighty and awesome God, ready to give comfort to all who ask for it. Help us to persevere through our times of trouble knowing that after we have persevered we can help someone else.

In Jesus' name,

Amen