Serving the Lord by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galations 6:9 NIV).

This is Labor Day, a day set aside to honor those who work. As Christians, we are to labor for the Lord every day. Jesus spent every waking moment doing His Father’s work, and He also wants us to do the work that He calls us to do. “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me” (John 9:4 NIV). Think about Jesus’ ministry.
From morning until night, He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, and preached the good news to the poor. His ministry was selfless. He served in complete humility and loved everyone. The way Jesus worked is the way we are to work. We are to be His hands and use them to serve others. We are to be His lips, and tell others about God’s wonderful love for them. Please don’t stop at just reading the Bible and praying. It is so important to put your faith into service.
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17 NIV). This statement from James is so true. It is not enough just to believe in God. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder” (James 2:19 NIV). You see even the demons believe in God, so you have to do more than just believe. You must display in your life the character of a Christian: you must serve Him and live a life that is pleasing in the Lord’s eyes.
This Labor Day consider how you are working for the Lord. Examine yourself and see if your life portrays the virtues of a Christian. Do the words you speak demonstrate to others that you love the Lord? Are you helping others in complete humility? Are you not complaining about your service for him?
Dear Lord,
Help me to work for you every day in complete humility. Help me to speak words that you would be proud of. Help me to witness to others who are in need of the Father’s love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Peace Be With You by Ann Elaine Broughton

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 NIV).

Are you at peace? Do you take time every day just to be calm and be at peace, not thinking about anything? I believe this is so important because otherwise a person can just be busy from morning until night and eventually become so exhausted. We have a tendency to think, worry, and obsess and not consider that the peace of Christ is available to us if we just take time to be still.
My favorite Bible story is when Jesus was in the boat sleeping in the midst of a huge storm. “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. Then the disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:37-41 NIV). Every time I am in a situation where I truly need peace I imagine Jesus standing up in front of me and shouting, “Quiet! Be still!” And I imagine all the stress leaving me just like when the waves got all calm. I let His peace rush over me.
When my mother was dying of cancer, I felt like I was battling a fierce storm within myself. My mother was my best friend and watching her slowly leave me was so very difficult. When I went to visit her I would pray that God would give me strength so that I would not cry and sob in front of her. Every time I went to see her I found peace within me and didn’t cry. Believe me, that wasn’t due to my own strength. It was God’s peace working inside of me.
This peace is available to you too. Just be still, pray, and have faith that He is with you and will give you His peace. Trust me, it will happen.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be still every day to feel your peace in the midst of life’s storms and stresses. Help me to remember that you are the only one who can give me the peace that passes all understanding.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Be At Peace With Everyone by Ann Elaine Broughton

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NIV).

So how are you doing with this? Living at peace with everyone is a tall order, but if we all did it what a wonderful world this would be. Paul also says; “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:10 NIV). A good friend of mine gave me some wonderful advice. I was told to view people with love, compassion, and forgiveness. After all, this is Jesus’ teachings in a nutshell. Since then I have really tried hard to do this. I have a tendency to judge people rather harshly. So now when someone gets on my nerves, I remember that I am supposed to view them with compassion and love. It has helped me to remember how Jesus treated other people also. He was constantly surrounded by people pushing, shoving, and wanting his attention. He never got angry with them, but showed his compassion with them on every occasion even after a long day.
For example: Matthew 14:13-14 tells how Jesus had compassion even when he was mourning his cousin, John the Baptist’s death. He had withdrawn in a boat to a private place, but the crowd had followed Him on land. When he needed some time to be alone and mourn, he was surrounded by 5,000 men, besides the women and children when his boat landed. Instead of yelling at them to leave him alone, scripture says he had compassion on them and healed the sick. What a wonderful role model for all of us. He put others’ needs above His own. That is what we are to do.
So this week when someone is perturbing you or getting on your nerves, view them with compassion and love just like Jesus’ did.
You will feel better mentally and you just might bless someone else by your positive attitude.
Dear Lord,
Help me to follow your example and treat everyone with love, compassion, and forgiveness. Help me to try to be at peace with everyone so that my lifestyle will be the Christian witness it should be.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Step Out In Faith by Ann Elaine Broughton

“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NiV).

Are you questioning your purpose in life right now? Do you wonder if you are doing what God wants you to do? Has the Lord put something in your heart and you are afraid to step out in faith and try to do it? God has a special purpose for you and wants you to pray and follow His lead for your life. Sometimes that is difficult because it might take you out of your comfort zone, but if you truly feel led by God to do something, then He will surely open up opportunities to bless you. If it isn’t the Lord’s will then there will be blocks put in place so that you won’t get hurt. Heed them, because God is telling you to stop.
When we moved to McComb I had several interviews for teaching positions. One was a resource room in a small town near McComb. I called and called them until I’m sure the principal was totally annoyed at me. I tried to literally beg the guy to hire me. It didn’t work. Then there was another job opening and I was worried because it was too far to drive. Then a position opened up in the town I was raised in. Everything went fine in the interview and I have been there for 17 years. It has been such a blessing working there where I can pray with my Christian friends before school. I have learned so much about literacy because of working there and feel so privileged to work at a school that puts kids first. You see God knew what was best for me. I just had to wait for the right position to open up and everything fell into place. That is what happens when you trust God and walk in His will.
God has a special place for you too. He needs you to work for Him in special ways that only you can do. Trust Him to show you what that is, pray about it, and watch for the open doors. Once you feel positive that you have found what He wants you to do, then step out in faith and never look back. The above verse was spoken by Jesus. Don’t look back. Keep your hand in His and trust Him totally to help you. God will bless you as He has done me in my job.
Dear Lord,
Help me to believe that you have a special purpose for me. Help me to trust you to open up the door that you would have me walk through to serve you in a special way. Once I step out in faith give me the wisdom and courage to stay on this path and not turn back.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen