“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:1-2 NIV).
Have you ever felt like you were in the bottom of a pit? Has life ever seemed just too tough because of problems that just seemed to keep lambasting you? It is during our times of deepest distress that our faith must come into action and when we must turn our hearts to the Lord. Daniel had this problem when he was thrown into the lion’s den. (Daniel 6: 1-28) Daniel was a man of great integrity. The king had given him great responsibility and was planning to set him over the whole kingdom. Well, as you can imagine there were those who were jealous and tried to find something bad about him to discredit him. They only found out that he was trustworthy, not corrupt, or negligent. They knew he was a Jew so they asked the king to issue an edict that anyone who bows to any god or man other than the king would be thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel was faithful to the Lord and was found praying to Him. The king threw him into the lions’ den, which was a deep pit. Daniel was in that pit all night and the king was very distressed. In the morning the king rushed to the pit and yelled for Daniel asking him if his Lord had saved him. Daniel said that an angel of the Lord had come and shut the lions’ mouths because he had been innocent in the Lord’s sight. No wound was found on him because he trusted in God.
What a wonderful story for us!!! If we too trust in God He will lift us out of our pit of despair and bring us joy. Daniel had complete trust and followed the Lord in every way and the Lord did not forsake him.
Do you believe that nothing is impossible with God? Trust him in your time of need and he will not fail you. Just as he came to Daniel, He will come to you and lift you up, set your feet on the rock, and give you hope.
Dear Lord,
Just as Daniel trusted you in his dire need, so enable us to trust you knowing that you hear our prayers and cries for aid and will give us the strength we need to meet whatever problems that we face today. Thank you for your unfailing love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
A Resolution to God by Ann E. Broughton
“When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said” (Numbers 30:2 NIV).
In the Old Testament there were many times that God made a covenant (promise) to people. God never broke this covenant. For example: God made a covenant to never again flood the earth and kill everything. He promised Abraham that from him would come a great nation, and the nation of Israel still exists today because of that promise.
Now I would like to have you think about a covenant that you can make with God. As we start a new year it is common for people to make resolutions, usually it is about losing weight, exercising, spending more time with family etc. But I would like to challenge you to make a promise to God to do something for Him this year. This should not be taken lightly. As the above verse says, a vow to the Lord is serious business and must not be broken so when you make your promise to God you really must keep it. Pray to God and ask Him what you can do for Him during this year and then write down what thoughts come into your mind concerning ways that you can serve Him. Make a covenant to Him, write it down and keep it where you can see it every day. The Lord has a purpose for you and this year you can grow in amazing ways if you surrender your will to Him. May God bless you as you search for a way to grow closer to Him by serving Him in whatever way you are led.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we search for a way we can serve you and make a promise to you to do it. Let us not take lightly this promise. Lead us to do what you want us to do, and give us the strength and courage even when we feel it is impossible. We know that nothing is impossible with God.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
In the Old Testament there were many times that God made a covenant (promise) to people. God never broke this covenant. For example: God made a covenant to never again flood the earth and kill everything. He promised Abraham that from him would come a great nation, and the nation of Israel still exists today because of that promise.
Now I would like to have you think about a covenant that you can make with God. As we start a new year it is common for people to make resolutions, usually it is about losing weight, exercising, spending more time with family etc. But I would like to challenge you to make a promise to God to do something for Him this year. This should not be taken lightly. As the above verse says, a vow to the Lord is serious business and must not be broken so when you make your promise to God you really must keep it. Pray to God and ask Him what you can do for Him during this year and then write down what thoughts come into your mind concerning ways that you can serve Him. Make a covenant to Him, write it down and keep it where you can see it every day. The Lord has a purpose for you and this year you can grow in amazing ways if you surrender your will to Him. May God bless you as you search for a way to grow closer to Him by serving Him in whatever way you are led.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we search for a way we can serve you and make a promise to you to do it. Let us not take lightly this promise. Lead us to do what you want us to do, and give us the strength and courage even when we feel it is impossible. We know that nothing is impossible with God.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Gift of Salvation by Ann E. Broughton
“For it is by grace you are saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
God has given everyone such a wonderful gift in salvation. It is up to us to accept this wonderful gift and live for Him. Some people believe that if they do a lot of wonderful things for people, they will go to Heaven. But if their hearts aren’t surrendered to the Lord, then all the works they do won’t mean anything in the Lord’s eyes because God can see their hearts. After we have been saved then our lives need to portray His love to others as a result of His grace given to us.
After we have received God’s gift of salvation, striving to please the Lord in every area of our lives is so important. Then the works done for others will be God inspired. Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians of what benefits service to others can bring. “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Cor. 9:12-13 NIV). People who are touched by our kindness may be compelled to ask us why we are helping them. It is an opportunity to tell them about God’s wonderful grace and His love for them. This service for others should not stop at Christmas, but we should be helping others every opportunity we get all through the year.
Dear Lord,
Help us to serve others without having selfish motives. We know that the Christmas season gives us many opportunities to serve others, but help us also to serve you by giving to others all through the year. As we do this let us be a witness of Christ’s love to everyone we have contact with so that they will see Christ in us and be blessed by our unselfish service.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
God has given everyone such a wonderful gift in salvation. It is up to us to accept this wonderful gift and live for Him. Some people believe that if they do a lot of wonderful things for people, they will go to Heaven. But if their hearts aren’t surrendered to the Lord, then all the works they do won’t mean anything in the Lord’s eyes because God can see their hearts. After we have been saved then our lives need to portray His love to others as a result of His grace given to us.
After we have received God’s gift of salvation, striving to please the Lord in every area of our lives is so important. Then the works done for others will be God inspired. Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians of what benefits service to others can bring. “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Cor. 9:12-13 NIV). People who are touched by our kindness may be compelled to ask us why we are helping them. It is an opportunity to tell them about God’s wonderful grace and His love for them. This service for others should not stop at Christmas, but we should be helping others every opportunity we get all through the year.
Dear Lord,
Help us to serve others without having selfish motives. We know that the Christmas season gives us many opportunities to serve others, but help us also to serve you by giving to others all through the year. As we do this let us be a witness of Christ’s love to everyone we have contact with so that they will see Christ in us and be blessed by our unselfish service.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Prince of Peace by Ann E. 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, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).
Peace. During this hectic season, that word seems far removed from what we see at stores. People are hustling around trying to find that perfect gift and waiting in long lines to check-out. I think the peace that Jesus proclaimed isn't on many peoples' minds during the Christmas season. But the child that was born for us in Bethlehem, was the Prince of Peace. This Christmas I would like for you to have peace in your hearts. During Jesus' ministry he often spoke about peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27 NIV). Peace won’t come from buying that perfect gift for someone or receiving the gift you always wanted. The world wants to convince you that having these material gifts will make you happy, but the only true peace and happiness is found through Jesus Christ. The baby born in the manger is a symbol of the perfect gift given to us. It is He that can give you the peace in your soul that surpasses anything the world could give you. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV). This peace is available to everyone who surrenders their life to Christ. This Christmas season may you be filled with the peace only Christ can give. Let that peace permeate everything you do during this busy time of the year.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for giving us the Prince of Peace. May we take time to remember that we have Christ in us and that His peace is available to us all the time. May His peace be shone through us wherever we are.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Peace. During this hectic season, that word seems far removed from what we see at stores. People are hustling around trying to find that perfect gift and waiting in long lines to check-out. I think the peace that Jesus proclaimed isn't on many peoples' minds during the Christmas season. But the child that was born for us in Bethlehem, was the Prince of Peace. This Christmas I would like for you to have peace in your hearts. During Jesus' ministry he often spoke about peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27 NIV). Peace won’t come from buying that perfect gift for someone or receiving the gift you always wanted. The world wants to convince you that having these material gifts will make you happy, but the only true peace and happiness is found through Jesus Christ. The baby born in the manger is a symbol of the perfect gift given to us. It is He that can give you the peace in your soul that surpasses anything the world could give you. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV). This peace is available to everyone who surrenders their life to Christ. This Christmas season may you be filled with the peace only Christ can give. Let that peace permeate everything you do during this busy time of the year.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for giving us the Prince of Peace. May we take time to remember that we have Christ in us and that His peace is available to us all the time. May His peace be shone through us wherever we are.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)