Is God Number One in Your Life? A devotion by Ann Broughton

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30 NASV).

The Lord wants to be number one in your life. Now I ask you, is He? It is very easy with busy schedules, work, family, and recreation to not have the Lord as number one in your life. But it is so important that you love Him more than anything, even your family. You see your family will not be blessed if you are not in tune with God and His peace.

Now I would like to be up front and personal. What do you spend the most time thinking about? What do you spend the most money on? Do you tithe? Do you read your Bible every day? Do you pray often? Has anything in your life become more important to you than the presence of God in your life?

These are tough questions, but the answers just might reveal to you if something else has taken precedence over your love of the Lord.

You see God is pretty much a jealous God and does not want you to have idols in your life that you love more than Him. God said, “Thou shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3 NASV). He punished the Israelites every time they started worshiping other gods. He wanted to be number one and the only one they worshiped. He still wants that today. It is all about surrendering to God what you are worshiping more than Him and making the Lord number one in your life in every way. We are to offer ourselves as a sacrifice to God. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1 NASV). 

This week reflect on what is number one in your life. Make sure your priorities revolve around the Lord and His purpose for you life. He will bless you, and your life will have new meaning.

Dear Lord,

Please help me to always love you more than anyone or anything in my life. May you always be number one in my life.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Sacrifice: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present you bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1 NIV).

With Lent in progress, I know many Christians give something up as a sacrifice during this time before Easter. For some people it is sugar, chocolate, goodies, TV time, Facebook time, just to name a few. It seems like a minor thing to give up something like this compared to the sacrifice that Jesus did for us on the cross. I would like to propose to you that you give up something more important than food or time spent with social media etc. I propose that you give up your time to help others in some way every day during the Lenten season and even beyond that time.  Some ideas of service can be calling someone who is sick, visiting a shut-in, sending cards to those who need encouragement, knitting something to give away to the homeless shelter, smiling at people wherever you go, helping people get their groceries out of their cart or into their car, or taking food to someone who is ill or is alone. These are just a few things you could do for others. The list is enormous. Each day is a new opportunity for you to show others God’s love in a real act of sacrifice.

It is so easy in this world of “It’s all about me” to forget that there are others around you who are suffering. Jesus’ ministry was one of giving to others. He told us to “treat people the same way you want them to treat you” (Matthew 7:12 NIV). It is so important to remember that we are here to be a servant to others. It is through our giving to others and compassion that people can see Jesus working through us. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). By doing for others every day, you will be letting your light shine for the Lord.

There is another point to this: you are not to brag about what you have done for others. Jesus said, “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4 NIV).

My challenge to you is to look for ways to help others every day and then do it. Pray and ask God to show you some need and then act on it. Everywhere you are, there are people who need encouragement.

You need to be the one to step up and care.

Dear Lord,

Help us to be the living example of Christ and encourage others as we prepare for Easter. The sacrifice that Jesus did for us on the cross cannot be taken lightly. Help us to sacrifice some of our time to help others. Help us to be your light to those who need hope.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Give to Others by Ann Broughton

“Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a remembrance before God” (Acts 10:4 NIV).

Have you ever heard of Make A Difference Day? On a special day, this year October 26, all over the nation groups of people gather in their community to make a difference. Some of them make a community garden, mentor, improve low income housing, clean up a park, and many other wonderful things. This is sponsored by USA Weekend Magazine and Points of Light. It is a good cause. 

  I believe as Christians every day should be Make a Difference Day. We are to be the ones to make a difference in other people’s lives by helping them in some way.  Jesus walked this earth as a servant of God, and did not ask anything for himself. He owned no home when he traveled from town to town healing the sick, preaching, and casting out demons.  His ministry was all about serving others and not about gaining wealth for himself.  He even told his apostles when he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God, “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic” (Luke  9:3 NIV).  They were to stay in a house in a city and preach and heal.

 Jesus was constantly preaching about not gathering riches for yourself. He told the young ruler to go and sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor and then he would have treasure in heaven. The young ruler couldn’t do that. Then Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 19:21-23).

Interesting isn’t it? It is the opposite of what we are taught today. I am afraid that too many people want more and more things. But you see all those things aren’t ever going to be enough. There will always be something else that looks better. You will never be satisfied if you set out to acquire things to make you happy. And you will never be able to take it with you when you die.

Jesus knew that the most important thing in life is to love the Father and to show that love by giving to others. This can be through financial help and also by doing something nice for someone. But we are all called to help others who are less fortunate than we are.

I read a book called Crazy Love, Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Fancis Chan. It is a challenging book. In it there is a chapter all about people who have done amazing things for God. One person used all her money that she earned from her books to help charities. She drives a 1980 Volkswagon bug and says it helps her focus on prayer and better identify with people who are in need. Rich Mullins, a songwriter and performer gave all the money from his concerts and albums to his church. He accepted a small salary and gave the rest away. You see these are examples of what being a true Christian is. Are you doing what you can to make a difference in someone’s life? I hope you will now.

Dear Lord,

Help us look to Jesus’ ministry as a guide to do what may not be so comfortable for us, but something that will make a difference in someone else’s life forever. Help us to reach out and give aid to others and not want so much for ourselves.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

In Remembrance by Ann Broughton

“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19 NIV).

    Today is Memorial Day and a time to remember those who died while serving in the armed forces. We are humbled by their sacrifice for us. When we went to visit Washington D.C. we witnessed the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier. It was one of the most moving experiences of my life. The precision of what they did was amazing. All of the tombstones marking those who fell during war was sobering. I came away from there feeling such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for those who gave their lives so unselfishly for me.

   In this same manner, I approach communion. I feel sadness and gratitude that my Savior would give of his life for me. Every time I take it, I bow my head in prayer in remembrance of His love for me. That is exactly what He meant when He said the above words in this verse. We are to take communion to remember His body, broken and wounded beyond description. He took upon Himself all of our sins so that we might be forgiven and receive eternal life. He died for you and me. It is a solemn occasion and a time for sober reflection and prayer.

   Next time you take communion, remember that it is a very sacred memorial set in place by Jesus. Always remember that God loved you so much He gave His only begotten son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Dear Lord,

 We are humbled by the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for our country. We also are humbled by the fact that you gave your only Son to die for our sins so that we can have eternal life. May we never forget His sacrifice and how much you love us.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

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

Communion and Jesus' Sacrifice by Ann Elaine Broughton

“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19 NIV).
Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those who gave their lives serving our country. In the church our memorial is communion. It is a time to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. He gave His life willingly as the ultimate sacrifice. This is something we should remember with a solemn heart.
Our church has communion every Sunday. Some say that it is too often, but I don’t think so. For me it is a very important part of the worship and a very good reason to go to church every Sunday. When I take communion I reflect on what I saw in “The Passion” movie. I see Jesus being beaten with a whip until his back was in shreds. I see the people spitting on him. I hear the nails being pounded into his flesh on the cross. I hear the jeering of the crowd telling him to come off of the cross. Then I am humbled beyond what I can describe to you. He did all that for you and me. He suffered beyond what I could ever endure so that my sins could be forgiven. Then as I meditate on these things, I feel a love fill my soul for such a Savior who would choose to suffer for me. It is a time for me to forget about the cares of this world, and sit and reflect on my Savior’s love for everyone. It is so very meaningful.
But if you take communion in a flippant manner, then you will be guilty of sin. “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:27-28 NIV). You see it is a time of self-reflection. For me it is a time to reflect on the past week and think about if I have behaved in a manner not worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. I repent if something comes to my mind that I need to confess. Then I pray that God will help me during the coming week to not do that particular sin again. We are all human and we make mistakes. Communion for me is a time to confess those sins and then to try to be more like Christ during the coming week.
So as you celebrate Memorial Day, also reflect on Jesus’ great sacrifice for you.
Dear Lord,
Help us when we take communion to take it in a serious manner knowing that the sacrifice of Jesus’ life for our sins was the ultimate sacrifice. Help us to reflect on our lives and how we can strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Our Redeemer by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 NIV).

Jesus is our Redeemer. What does being redeemed mean? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary among the definitions of redeemed is to free from what distresses or harms: as to free from captivity by payment of ransom or to free from the consequences of sin. Jesus came to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He gave His life so that we could some day have eternal life with Him. Before He came the Jews had to make sacrifices all the time for their sins. It was a continuous process. Jesus came to be the sacrifice to end all of the other sacrifices. We owed a debt because of our sins and Jesus paid it for us. He went to the cross willingly knowing what was ahead of him; the agony, the beatings, and the humiliation. He did that because He loved you and I so much that He wanted us to have a part in the Heavenly kingdom. Being redeemed is so wonderful because it is a gift that God has given us with no strings attached. We are to accept it and then live for Him.
When I was a kid my mom saved S&H green stamps. She would get them from purchases and save them up to get items from the S&H catalogue. We would look at the catalog and pick out something that we could save the stamps for. Then after we filled up a bunch of books we would redeem them for our wonderful gift. It was exciting to finally get it because it usually took a bunch of stamps to get it. But in the end it was so worth it. Our wonderful gift that we get from Christ’s redemption is eternal life which is the one gift that is better than all the riches in the world.
What have you done with your Redeemer? Have you thanked Him lately for the sacrifice He gave for you? Are you living a life that is pleasing to Him?
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for redeeming us from our sins. We know that we aren’t worthy, but that it was a gift to us. Help us to remember that sacrifice and live a life that pleases you every day.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen