“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV).
Don’t give up. Sometimes it seems like you are trying so very hard to do the very best job you can do, and nobody appreciates it or acknowledges it. It is difficult when it seems that nobody cares or maybe even notices your hard work, but God does see it. He knows your very thoughts and sees everything you do because Christ is in you. Our human nature wants to be noticed, but Jesus wants you to do everything for Him and not men. We are to totally humble ourselves and lay down at His feet all of our life’s work. Our will and God’s will must be one. It isn’t about you….it is what God can do through you.
Think about it…God used men and women of no great importance to do mighty things. David was a shepherd and became king. Gideon was hiding when God called him to lead an army and defeat the Midianites with just 300 men. Jeremiah was a boy when God called him to be a prophet. Esther was a young Jewish girl of no great importance who became queen and saved her nation from being destroyed. Joseph was a young man who was sold as a slave and later saved many people from famine because he trusted in God. Daniel was a hostage in Babylonia who interpreted the king’s dreams and rose in power. He showed the king that God was the only true God by taking a stand and not bowing down to an idol.
God has a purpose for you just as important as the men and woman listed. They did not do their deeds to be honored by men, but to show men that God was the only God to serve. You are God’s voice and His witness to others on this earth. You have a responsibility to do the work He has planned for you in spite of obstacles and stumbling blocks. There are people that need you to tell them of His great mercy and love. The people you work with or the people who surround you daily need to hear about the Lord’s love for them. Take this responsibility seriously. Don’t be discouraged. He will never leave you. Paul offers encouragement to those who are doing the Lord’s will. “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith” (11 Thess. 1:11 NIV).
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the job and the purpose you have provided for me. Give me strength and courage to do your will even when it is very difficult and nobody seems to notice. Help me to humble myself and believe that you can work through me when I feel I can’t do it. You are mighty and can accomplish anything. I am your humble servant.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Resist the Devil by Ann Elaine Broughton
Resist the Devil by Ann Elaine Broughton
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. “and will bring you back from captivity” (Jeremiah 29:29:13-14 NIV).
Did you know that you can become a captive? Paul gave some instructions to Timothy about helping people who have been taken captive by Satan. Paul advised Timothy about the people who would oppose him. “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (II Timothy 2:25-26 NIV). Scary thought isn’t it? Satan can take you captive to do his will. How can he do this? Satan is prowling around watching to find your weaknesses. It is tremendously important that you pray to God to ask Him to reveal to you any weakness that you have so that you can be aware of it and not give in to temptation. Satan is like a lion. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith….” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV).
Saul is an example of someone who had it all….he was a king and found favor with God. But you see he had a little weakness that in the end destroyed him. He was jealous of all the accolades David was receiving for killing the giant. The Bible says that God allowed an evil spirit to come upon him. Saul tried to kill David because he knew that the Lord was with David. Jealousy had destroyed Saul. So you see how a little weakness can totally take you captive by Satan.
Be of good cheer. You can overcome Satan’s attack. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:7-8 NIV).
Pray to God on a daily basis and trust Him to help you. Read the Bible daily and pray that God will guide you through his word to be a better person. None of us is perfect so we must be aware of our faults and give them to Jesus. Trust the Lord to help you and humble yourself before Him. He will lift you and protect you from the evil one.
Dear Lord,
We know in this life that Satan wants to take captive anyone who believes in you. Help us to search for you every day and take time every day to read your word so that we can be better Christians. Keep us from evil and help us to walk in your ways.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. “and will bring you back from captivity” (Jeremiah 29:29:13-14 NIV).
Did you know that you can become a captive? Paul gave some instructions to Timothy about helping people who have been taken captive by Satan. Paul advised Timothy about the people who would oppose him. “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (II Timothy 2:25-26 NIV). Scary thought isn’t it? Satan can take you captive to do his will. How can he do this? Satan is prowling around watching to find your weaknesses. It is tremendously important that you pray to God to ask Him to reveal to you any weakness that you have so that you can be aware of it and not give in to temptation. Satan is like a lion. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith….” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV).
Saul is an example of someone who had it all….he was a king and found favor with God. But you see he had a little weakness that in the end destroyed him. He was jealous of all the accolades David was receiving for killing the giant. The Bible says that God allowed an evil spirit to come upon him. Saul tried to kill David because he knew that the Lord was with David. Jealousy had destroyed Saul. So you see how a little weakness can totally take you captive by Satan.
Be of good cheer. You can overcome Satan’s attack. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:7-8 NIV).
Pray to God on a daily basis and trust Him to help you. Read the Bible daily and pray that God will guide you through his word to be a better person. None of us is perfect so we must be aware of our faults and give them to Jesus. Trust the Lord to help you and humble yourself before Him. He will lift you and protect you from the evil one.
Dear Lord,
We know in this life that Satan wants to take captive anyone who believes in you. Help us to search for you every day and take time every day to read your word so that we can be better Christians. Keep us from evil and help us to walk in your ways.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Take Up Your Cross By Ann Elaine Broughton
“And then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV).
Jesus had just predicted his death and persecution before he spoke the above words to the apostles. Jesus knew what he faced, but the apostles did not have a clue to the extent of the abuse Jesus would take in order for them to have eternal life.
Later as Jesus was praying in agony over His upcoming scourging and crucifixion, the apostles were laying sleeping. He had told them to pray so that they would not fall into temptation, but they slept instead. Amazing isn’t it? That these men who had followed Jesus for over three years didn’t notice that He was in anguish. Why didn’t they pray with Him? Later these men who were hand picked by the Lord, would all run away from Him when he was arrested.
Why did Jesus tell the men to pray that they wouldn’t fall into temptation? These men were about to be tested and they needed to pray that they would be strong and not give in, but when Jesus was taken away by the guards all of His disciples ran away. Peter denied Him three times. They failed the test, but learned a great lesson about temptation and prayer. It would have been wiser for these disciples to pray that they would not give in to temptation instead of sleeping in the garden.
We too must be on our guard at all times, praying that we don’t give into temptation. Our human selves desire things that aren’t always pleasing to God. As Christians we have a responsibility to our Savior to act and do what is pleasing to Him. Denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily is something we should be constantly praying about. The disciples let fear take over their thoughts and their loyalty to their teacher was forgotten when guards with swords came into the picture. We must not let fear stop us from witnessing to others. So many people are lost in darkness and need us to show them the Savior and how His love can free them from sin.
It isn’t easy to carry a cross but consider the agony Christ suffered for you and what you can do for Him, who gave His very life so that you can have life everlasting someday. Pray that you won’t fall into temptation and that you will not run away when Christ needs you the most to witness for Him where ever you may be.
Take up your cross daily and remember that Christ is in you enabling you carry it and will give you the strength to handle any temptation that comes your way.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we deny ourselves and take up our crosses every day. Give us your strength to do your will in our lives. We know that nothing is impossible with you. Thank you for helping us to be brave and not run away from the tasks you have set before us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Jesus had just predicted his death and persecution before he spoke the above words to the apostles. Jesus knew what he faced, but the apostles did not have a clue to the extent of the abuse Jesus would take in order for them to have eternal life.
Later as Jesus was praying in agony over His upcoming scourging and crucifixion, the apostles were laying sleeping. He had told them to pray so that they would not fall into temptation, but they slept instead. Amazing isn’t it? That these men who had followed Jesus for over three years didn’t notice that He was in anguish. Why didn’t they pray with Him? Later these men who were hand picked by the Lord, would all run away from Him when he was arrested.
Why did Jesus tell the men to pray that they wouldn’t fall into temptation? These men were about to be tested and they needed to pray that they would be strong and not give in, but when Jesus was taken away by the guards all of His disciples ran away. Peter denied Him three times. They failed the test, but learned a great lesson about temptation and prayer. It would have been wiser for these disciples to pray that they would not give in to temptation instead of sleeping in the garden.
We too must be on our guard at all times, praying that we don’t give into temptation. Our human selves desire things that aren’t always pleasing to God. As Christians we have a responsibility to our Savior to act and do what is pleasing to Him. Denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily is something we should be constantly praying about. The disciples let fear take over their thoughts and their loyalty to their teacher was forgotten when guards with swords came into the picture. We must not let fear stop us from witnessing to others. So many people are lost in darkness and need us to show them the Savior and how His love can free them from sin.
It isn’t easy to carry a cross but consider the agony Christ suffered for you and what you can do for Him, who gave His very life so that you can have life everlasting someday. Pray that you won’t fall into temptation and that you will not run away when Christ needs you the most to witness for Him where ever you may be.
Take up your cross daily and remember that Christ is in you enabling you carry it and will give you the strength to handle any temptation that comes your way.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we deny ourselves and take up our crosses every day. Give us your strength to do your will in our lives. We know that nothing is impossible with you. Thank you for helping us to be brave and not run away from the tasks you have set before us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Trust the Lord by Ann Elaine Broughton
“Trust in 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).
It is difficult to trust the Lord when our lives seem to be full of problems and it is very easy to dwell on our own worldly understanding. Wouldn’t we all like to be able to hit that EASY button and make all of our troubles disappear. But, let’s face it, life is not like that. Troubles will come and contentment will at times be very hard to find. At those times we can look to the Bible for reassurance that God is there for us.
Joseph had a ton of troubles, but according to the Bible his faith in God kept him from sinking into a quicksand of hopelessness. Let’s look at his life. (Genesis 37-47) Joseph was the favored son of Jacob. The brothers were jealous of this and sold him to a caravan heading for Egypt. He became the slave of one of the pharaoh’s officials. It is interesting to note that the Lord was with him and everything he did was a success. So even though he was a slave he knew that God was with him. He could have mourned his state and become disconsolate, but instead he worked at his job doing the best he could. Then something happened that sent him to prison. The official’s wife lied and said he had come to sleep with her. He was thrown into prison. But while he was in prison the Lord was with him and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison guard. Again, Joseph could have been sad and whined, but instead he trusted in his God. He remained in prison for two years until the Pharaoh had a dream that troubled him, and Joseph, who could interpret dreams, was asked to come before the pharaoh to interpret his dream. Joseph interpreted the dream that predicted a famine and was put in charge of the whole land of Egypt. So you see Joseph’s faith and trust in the Lord paid off. When his brothers came before him to get food, he could say to them in all earnestness, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Genesis 45:5 NIV).
The lesson in Joseph’s story involves trusting the Lord when we cannot understand why things are happening the way they are. Joseph had no idea that all of his problems would end up saving a lot of peoples’ lives. His faith in the Lord helped him be the perfect servant of the Lord. So no matter what you are facing in your life, trust the Lord, wait and see what He can do through you. Trust Him completely and you will be surprised at the outcome.
Dear Lord,
Help us to trust you when our lives seem tossed by problems or discontentment. We know that you are in charge and that all things can work for your good in our lives.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
It is difficult to trust the Lord when our lives seem to be full of problems and it is very easy to dwell on our own worldly understanding. Wouldn’t we all like to be able to hit that EASY button and make all of our troubles disappear. But, let’s face it, life is not like that. Troubles will come and contentment will at times be very hard to find. At those times we can look to the Bible for reassurance that God is there for us.
Joseph had a ton of troubles, but according to the Bible his faith in God kept him from sinking into a quicksand of hopelessness. Let’s look at his life. (Genesis 37-47) Joseph was the favored son of Jacob. The brothers were jealous of this and sold him to a caravan heading for Egypt. He became the slave of one of the pharaoh’s officials. It is interesting to note that the Lord was with him and everything he did was a success. So even though he was a slave he knew that God was with him. He could have mourned his state and become disconsolate, but instead he worked at his job doing the best he could. Then something happened that sent him to prison. The official’s wife lied and said he had come to sleep with her. He was thrown into prison. But while he was in prison the Lord was with him and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison guard. Again, Joseph could have been sad and whined, but instead he trusted in his God. He remained in prison for two years until the Pharaoh had a dream that troubled him, and Joseph, who could interpret dreams, was asked to come before the pharaoh to interpret his dream. Joseph interpreted the dream that predicted a famine and was put in charge of the whole land of Egypt. So you see Joseph’s faith and trust in the Lord paid off. When his brothers came before him to get food, he could say to them in all earnestness, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Genesis 45:5 NIV).
The lesson in Joseph’s story involves trusting the Lord when we cannot understand why things are happening the way they are. Joseph had no idea that all of his problems would end up saving a lot of peoples’ lives. His faith in the Lord helped him be the perfect servant of the Lord. So no matter what you are facing in your life, trust the Lord, wait and see what He can do through you. Trust Him completely and you will be surprised at the outcome.
Dear Lord,
Help us to trust you when our lives seem tossed by problems or discontentment. We know that you are in charge and that all things can work for your good in our lives.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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