Be a Giver This Christmas by Ann Broughton

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42 NIV).

   So here we are in the heart of the Christmas shopping time. So I have decided to help you get a new perspective about giving for Christmas. Since my husband and I went to the missionary convention my perspective has changed so much because of the videos I saw of people in desperate need. I want to share with others in need this Christmas in a big way. One of the missions was a house that houses young women who have been saved from sex slavery. They showed young girls being found in a brothel and saved. It touched my heart so much. I went to their booth and bought something so that all the money would go to help the girls at the house. I was so convicted in my heart to help others and not want things for myself this Christmas. Let’s face it. We are adults and what we need, we can buy. Why not help someone else this Christmas instead. Ask others to contribute to a charity instead of buying you a gift, or buy a toy and clothes for a needy child instead. The gifts I give this year will be from sites that help feed the hungry and help support those who are helping others.

    Jesus’ whole ministry was one of helping others. He himself went around healing the sick and helping others. He told us to help others also. People, there are those who are suffering all around us, and we truly need to meet their needs. Jesus spoke about helping others. He said, “Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me” (Matthew 25:34-36 NIV). I truly challenge you to make others’ needs your first priority this Christmas, and that you think about others more than yourself. It truly is better to give than to receive.

Dear Lord,

There are needs all around us. Help us to help others and truly fulfill your mission here on earth. Give us the opportunity to bring happiness to those who do not know your love by giving them hope that someone cares about them. Let us be your hands and give to others with unconditional love.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

What a View by Ann Broughton

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44 NIV).

   The kingdom of heaven is waiting for all those who love the Lord and do according to His purposes. Chapter 13 of Matthew contains many parables spoken by Jesus on what the kingdom of heaven is like. Jesus knew it would be very difficult to explain this, so he told people stories to explain what heaven is like. I would urge you to read this chapter.

What does the kingdom of heaven mean to you? According to many of these parables it is so wonderful, you would sell everything you had to have it. Revelation speaks more about heaven. “It shone with the glory of God and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal” (Rev. 21:11 NIV). “The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass” (Rev. 21:18 NIV). Now won’t that be something to behold.  What a view!

   Once my husband and I went to Holmes County and decided to climb this huge hill to see the view. Well, let’s just say, I am out of shape and it was quite difficult for me to make it up that hill. I rested a lot and by the time I got up there I was bent over gasping for breath.

Then Rick told me to look around. Well, after I got my breath back, I looked all around at the beauty of hills surrounding me and was amazed at the breathtaking view. It was worth the struggle to get there.

   You see our journey in this life can be so difficult: full of pain, grief, betrayal, persecution, and struggle. But if we prevail, trust in God, do His will, and believe in His love for us, at the end of our lives we too will behold a view that is breathtaking; the view of heaven.  It definitely is worth the struggle. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witness” (1 Timothy 6:12 NIV). Heaven is for real and is at the end of the road for Christians.

Now that you know this, tell others so that they too will be able to witness this glorious view at the end of their lives.

 Dear Lord,

Sometimes life seems so difficult. Help us to remember what awaits us at the end of our lives. Heaven is worth waiting for and we know that you will always be with us along the way to help us be strong. Help us to keep our eyes on you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen                             

Jesus is Knocking at Your Door by Ann Broughton

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

(Revelation 3:20-21 NIV).

   Have you heard His knock on your door? Have you answered it or are you turning a deaf ear? One of my favorite pictures of Jesus is of Him knocking on this huge door. I went to church in North Baltimore at the Church of the Good Shepherd. I can remember being a little kid sitting by my mother in the pew with my hankie filled with coins clutched in my hand for the offering. Every Sunday I would stare at that picture hanging in the church. It made a big impact on my life. I noticed that there was no door knob and wondered how He would get in. My mother explained that we must ask Him into our hearts. We must open the door to let Him come in.

   So have you done that? Have you asked Him into your heart? I was fortunate to have a mother who took me to church so I could learn about my loving Father who doesn’t force Himself by bashing down locked doors, but gently knocks and whispers my name, wanting me to open the door of my life so that He can fill it with His love. I have watched others who haven’t let Him in, and how their lives are filled with things to make them happy. You know: it could be materialistic things, drugs, alcohol etc. It is interesting to watch how they really aren’t happy, but are trying to fill a place in their heart with something that only God can fill. It is the truth. I have seen lives ruined by searching for love in wrong places. It is so sad when it could be so different if they could just open the door to Jesus and let Him fill their lives with His love and purpose. He wants so much for them to know the peace that only He can give.

   If you know someone who is floundering and needs to open the door to the Lord, please share with them how the Lord has helped you. I know that when life has been tough for me, God has always been there to give me peace and His comfort.

Dear Lord,

Help us to open the door of our hearts to you. Help us then to lead others to you so that they too will find the peace and love that is waiting for all those who open the door to you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Serve the Lord and Follow Him by Ann Broughton

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me” (John 12:26 NIV).

  Jesus asked his apostles to follow Him. They left their jobs immediately when He asked them to come with Him. They didn’t just follow him for a day, they stayed with Him until He was crucified. They wanted to learn from Him, and in order to do that they offered everything they had to serve Him. So, since becoming a Christian, can you say the same? Do you follow Him every day and try to please Him?

   Have you ever had to follow someone to a place that you have never been before? We went to Hungary on Dec. 31, 1992 to visit our son and daughter-in-law because they had gone there as missionaries in September. We couldn’t wait to see them again. They met us at the airport at Budapest on New Year’s eve night. We hadn’t slept at all during the trip over and were exhausted, but our little gal who was our tour guide and interpreter wanted to show us some of Budapest. New Year’s Eve there is wild. All the people were in the streets with masks on. The little gal we were following was very short. My husband kept his eye on her stocking cap as we weaved in and out of the crowd. We would have been lost if we lost her. She was quick too and was far ahead of us. When we reached our destination we all sighed in relief.

She had lead us to the hostel and we were safe.

    Jesus urges us to follow Him too and keep our eyes on what He wants us to do for Him, but in order to do that we must know Him. In order to know Him we must read the Gospels of the Bible. We must do what He says and act the way He would act in every situation. It is not enough to say, “I believe in Jesus.” It is how you follow Him every day of your life that is the most important. He promises that God will honor you for serving Him. You must be committed enough to fulfill His plan for you every day and serve Him and others.

Dear Lord,

Help us to follow you in every way during each day. Help us to study the Gospels to really know you better, and then let us step out in faith to serve you in wonderful ways.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen