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

The Messiah by Ann Elaine Broughton

“The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he” (John 4:25-26 NIV).

Several years ago I sang in “The Messiah”, a musical oratorio written by Handel. “The Messiah” is a musical masterpiece that proclaims Jesus from birth until the resurrection using biblical references. As I sang I felt goose bumps run all over my body as the words declaring the Messiah’s birth resonated through the room. The long awaited Son of God is born. Then the music moved on to His death. He was bruised for our iniquities, chastised, and wounded for our transgressions. By his stripes we are healed. Then the Hallelujah chorus declares that Jesus will reign forever. When the king heard this chorus he was so moved by it that he stood to his feet and that is why everyone rises when it is sung today. And what a wonderful chorus it is. Hallelujah, our Savior reigns forever and ever. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. What a wonderful Messiah!
What can this Messiah or the Anointed One do for you? Messiah is a Hebrew word which when translated into Greek means Christ. Both words mean the Anointed One or one who is especially appointed by God for His plan and purpose. God had a plan for Jesus from the time He was born, just as He has a plan for you and I. Jesus fulfilled that plan when He was nailed to the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. Now this Messiah lives forever and offers that to you and me. What have you done with this Messiah? Have you given your life for His purpose? Do you live to do His will every moment of your Life? Life is so short and it is so important to realize that your Messiah is a prayer away and that to do His will is the most important life focus you can ever have.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the Messiah and all He did for us on this earth. We cannot repay all the pain and anguish He felt on the cross, but we can give our lives as living sacrifices to do His will. Help us to fulfill your purpose for us here on this earth.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

The Mighty God by Ann Elaine Broughton

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

Have you called upon the Mighty God to help you lately? Do you realize that nothing is impossible for Him? I believe we have a tendency to put Jesus in a box and as mere humans it is impossible for us to comprehend just what a Mighty God can do for us. But maybe it is time to open that box and explore and believe beyond our wildest dreams what we can do with the Mighty God that resides in all of us if we are Christians. We have within us power that is amazing. Have you tapped it lately or are you too busy to even ponder what Jesus can do through you? “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). I would suggest that you memorize this verse. It is so very important for you to realize that the power within you is the Mighty God capable of doing mighty things through you if you take time to pray and believe. The impossible is possible with God and you might be the very person He needs to show that to the world.
Let me give you an example of how the Holy Spirit changed a man in the Bible. Peter was an apostle who was impulsive. When they arrested Jesus it was Peter who cut the high priest’s servants ear off. Before Jesus was arrested He predicted that Peter would disown Him. Peter vowed that he would never disown him. After they arrested Jesus, Peter followed behind and when asked three times if he followed after Jesus, he denied it. He was behaving like a coward. But after the Holy Spirit came to the apostles something exciting happened. They were filled with great power. Peter stood up and preached a sermon that concluded with 3,000 people being baptized. His sermon was powerful and he certainly wasn’t the timid and scared person he portrayed at Jesus’ arrest.
The same Mighty God is in you in the form of the Holy Spirit if you are a Christian. It is up to you to decide either to push this power back and deny it or pray and watch what God can do through you. Take time this week to pray and mediate on how you can be used by the Mighty God that exists in your very being. Imagine what He can do through you if you believe.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be used by you in mighty ways that only you can perform. I am just a weak human being, but I know that through your power I can complete what your task is for me on this earth. Help me not to be afraid, but to step out in faith to accomplish your purpose.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

The Names of Jesus by Ann Elaine Broughton

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV).

There are 50 names for Jesus in the Bible and it is so very important for you to learn what those names are and what they mean to you.
Once I went to a women’s conference and heard a speaker who said all the names of Jesus from memory. She did not hesitate once and by the end we were all on our feet praising God and crying. It was so very powerful to hear all those wonderful names of Jesus out loud and I do mean loud. She was practically yelling at the end. It was awe-inspiring.
I will give you 10 of them to ponder. Over the next ten weeks I will be writing a devotion on each name and how it impacts your Christian life.
• Almighty
• Messiah
• Redeemer
• Resurrection and the Life
• Savior
• Shepherd
• Son of God
• The Way, the Truth, The Life
• Wonderful Counselor
• Bread of Life
• Prince of Peace
Jesus is all these names and more. Meditate on these names and what impact these names have on your life. He is available to you in all these forms and longs to bring you to a deeper more meaningful relationship with him. But you must take time to do this and really pursue quiet time with Him. You need this so very much in order to find peace in your hectic and busy life.
Dear Lord,
Help me to meditate and pray in quiet every day in order to find the peace only you can give. Help me to ponder what all these names mean to me personally and reveal to me what I need to do to show others who you really are.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen