Pressing on Towards the Goal by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:13-14 NIV).

Sometimes do you feel like you are in a race and the finish line doesn’t seem to be anywhere in sight? Running a race can be exhausting unless you have trained thoroughly with a good coach. I wouldn’t call myself athletic and the only reason I would run really hard is if chocolate was at the finish line. I was so pathetic in gym that I even failed relaxation. Our teacher was trying to teach us how to do it.  I couldn’t do it. My legs were stiff when she checked them. I wasn’t good at any sports. I was always picked last for softball because I could never hit the ball. I don’t think I could even hit a beach ball if it was thrown at me. I couldn’t make a basket even if the hoop was two feet high. On volleyball day, I would duck whenever the ball came my way. So I wasn’t ever voted most valuable player to say the least. Now running wasn’t exactly my thing either. I have short chubby legs that don’t move well. My mom always told me I was like a bull in a china shop, in other words, not very graceful. There is one thing I learned though in running class, and that was to never to look back. If you look back you lose your pace and it is easy to focus on something else besides the goal in front of you. So even if I came in dead last, at least I crossed the finish line without looking back. I kept my eye on the goal.
As Christians we too must keep our eyes on the goal ahead of us, which is eternal life. It is very easy to look back on past sins and wallow in self-pity or shame instead of thinking of how our lives have been changed for the better since we have become Christians. Pressing on and not looking back is difficult, but must be done in order to fulfill our purpose for the Lord. Our coach is the Lord and the Bible has all we need in it to keep us on track in our Christian walk. I envision Christ waiting for me at the end of that finish line with his arms open wide. Just like a mother who tells her toddler to take her first steps towards her and then throws her arms around her when she actually makes it. That is what I envision Jesus doing for me. So as we press on we must remember who is at the finish line and what wonderful prize is waiting for us.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we run toward your prize. It is easy sometimes to get all caught up with past sins and wallow in self-pity instead of keeping our focus on you. Help us not to do this, but to continually read the bible and put into practice what it says everyday.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

God's Perfect Will for You by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV).

Have you ever asked for guidance from God in regards to purchasing a car, house, finding your soul mate, or getting a job? What did you do when you didn’t get the loan, someone else got the job you thought was perfect, or the soul mate you thought was the right one rejected you?

Let me give you a visual circumstance that is minor compared to these things but I think you will be able to relate to it on how our human nature can take over when things don’t go our way. Instead of doing what God would be pleased with, I believe we all have a tendency to let our emotions take over, sometimes with disastrous results. My husband and I went to a hotel for a getaway. Now you all know that a trip to the hotel isn’t complete unless you raid the candy machine and pop machine. I grabbed all the quarters I could find and headed for the machine that was filled with my favorite chocolate, M&M’s. I am an official chocolate freak and very proud of it.  I gleefully put the correct change in the slot. I gazed at the selection and froze. There was my precious M&M’s snuggled away in the dreaded spiral thing. Now all chocolate freaks know that M&M’s do not drop from a spiral thing easily. It gets stuck and will not come down. I just had to have it so I gingerly pressed E4 and held my breath. The spiral thing turned. “Oh, no,” I yelled. There was my wonderful M&M’s dangling there. This is when I took action. I thumped on the glass, shook the machine, and gave it a hip whammy. But it would not drop down at all. I pressed my hands and face onto the glass. “Please come down,” I pleaded. That was when I looked up and noticed the security camera. Oh brother, it was all on tape. I imagine the security people were dying laughing at my crazed behavior. So I slunk away with a forlorn glance back at my delicious M&M’s just dangling there.

Now what did you do when the Lord’s will wasn’t your will? Did you shake your fist at God and say, “Why didn’t it happen the way I wanted?” Or did you say, “I know that your will is more important than my will, and you know what is best for me. Help me to have patience to wait for your perfect will for my life.” The security camera that was on me is similar to what God sees all the time in our lives. He will put you in situations constantly to see if you trust Him or not. Don’t be like me and bang on the closed door like a maniac. It doesn’t work. You must trust Him and believe that something better is in store for you.

There are some steps you can take in order to find out God’s will.
First, read the Bible. Second, pray about it. Third, use common sense gained from the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Fourth, watch for circumstances that open up to you. Fifth, seek Godly counsel from Christian friends. All of these things will help you as you strive to do the Lord’s will in your life. Trust God and don’t lose hope.

Dear Lord,
Help me as I look for your will in my life. Help me not to get discouraged when what I think is right turns out not to happen. I know you know what’s best for me. Your perfect will for me is more important than my will. Thank you for your guidance.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

All Things Work For Good by Ann Elaine Broughton

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).

There are times in life when it is very hard to see what good God is doing especially when unexpected difficulties arise. How as a Christian can you find a way to handle it? It is kind of like when you go to the grocery store and grab a cart expecting to zoom through the aisles in record time, but then you realize that you have the one with the wobbly wheel. It is frustrating isn’t it? When it happens to me I’m too stubborn to take it back and get a new one.  Then I go through the whole store fighting the wheel that’s going the wrong way and making a squeaking noise that all can hear. It is difficult to keep a joyful spirit also, since it is so annoying and you feel like everyone in the store is staring at you. I have to admit I end up talking to myself, “Wouldn’t you know it, I’m stuck with this noisy dumb cart that has a wobbly wheel. I can’t believe it. How unlucky can I be?” Does any of this sound familiar to you? It is very easy when you are thrown a wobbly wheel to complain and be irritated, and definitely not look for the good in all of it. But God expects us to behave differently when life throws us into problems.

In life our wobbly wheel could be an unexpected illness, death, foreclosure, losing a job, or any number of bad things. God has not promised us that our lives will always be rosy. So how as a Christian do you handle the problems that come into your life? God has promised that all things will work out together for good to those who love the Lord. It is a promise you must grab hold of when you feel that the rug has been pulled out from underneath you. You need to know that it is not about you, but how your faith in God during tough times can be a witness to those who do not believe.

God will work good through your problem, but you must trust Him and believe that He loves you and wants you to show others how faithful you can be in the midst of your difficulty. Believe Him and He will not fail you, and who knows how many other people might come to the Lord because of the way you handled your problem.

Dear Lord,
We know that life is full of difficulties and that you can work good through all of them. Help us to have faith in you during those times. Let us be a good witness to others even when it is hard for us to do.
Help us to continue to do your purpose always.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

God's Powerful Words by Ann Elaine Broughton

The Lord says, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV).

The word of God is powerful and this promise is one that is given to you as well. The words you speak to others about the Lord will not return empty either. They will accomplish for the Lord what seems to you is impossible. Words are powerful and can change lives.

I would like to relate to you an example of how words even spoken casually are remembered. When I was in college I stayed over night with a friend at her dorm. I commuted to BGSU and there were times when I stayed with a friend over night when I had an early class. I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth and had let the water run while I was brushing. One of the girls said that I had better turn off the water to save the water for the environment. That was the beginning of the ecology movement. I laughed and told her that my not turning off the water wouldn’t cause the water to dry up on the earth. But to this day every time I brush my teeth her words ring in my head and I turn off the water, even after all these years. If just those few words spoken to me casually could change a habit, can you imagine what a change you can make in a person’s life if you tell them about the Lord and His love for them?

There are people all around you suffering because of problems, worries, illness, and sin. You are the one who could change their lives forever if you just mention that you will pray for them. You see God can even work through your prayers to change their lives. It is possible. Try it this week. When someone tells you about their troubles, tell them that you will pray for them and then do it. God can work in mighty ways and change lives. His word never returns empty.

Dear Lord,
Help us this week to tell those who are in need of prayer that we will be lifting them up in prayer. Help us to be faithful with this, as we know that the words we speak in your name will not return empty.
There are so many people who need your love. Help us to be brave and speak up for you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen