“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34 NIV).
Can you say that is what you are doing for the Lord? Are you finishing the work that the Lord has laid out for you to do? Jesus came to the earth with a specific purpose: to die for our sins and to rise from the dead in order for us to receive eternal life. He came to fulfill many prophecies: to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Isaiah 61:1,2) He knew what pain and agony He would endure on the cross before it happened. When he prayed before He was arrested he was in anguish and prayed earnestly. The Bible says that his sweat was like drops of blood falling on the ground. (Luke 22:44) But even though He knew what horror was ahead of Him, He walked calmly to be the sacrifice for our sins. He did His father’s will.
You have been chosen to do something for the Lord also. It is so important that you fulfill what He wants you to do. You must earnestly pray, just like Jesus did, in order to do His will in your life. It might mean that you will have to step out in faith, or you might be required to give up something that hinders your witness. Maybe your desire for material things outweighs your love of Christ. Jesus was pretty blunt about not worshipping material wealth. Jesus told a rich man to sell everything and give it to the poor and follow him. The man couldn’t do it and Jesus told his disciples that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. It can be very easy to love your things more than God. The Lord must be the top priority in your life in order for you to find true happiness. When you are doing His will you notice that others’ needs become more important than your own needs. The Lord came to serve and so your goal must be to find what way God will use your talents to serve others too.
Dear Lord,
I want to do your will. Please guide me as I try to find what you want me to do in order to further your kingdom on this earth. I know there are others who need me to show them your love. Guide me and give me wisdom as I try to live a sacrificial life for you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Walking in the Wilderness by Ann Elaine Broughton
“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV).
I believe that there are times in our lives when we too can feel like we are wandering in the wilderness just like the Israelites. The Lord made them wander through the wilderness to humble them, and they also learned a lot about how God would help them if they called upon Him when they were in dire need. He provided them with water and food. Their clothes did not wear out. (Deut.8:4)
When we feel as if the world is tumbling down around us, we too must remember that God is with us. Our wildernesses may be illness, depression, lack of money to pay bills, work issues, or problems occurring with the family, too name a few. But even in all these problems, God is there to help us and encourage us. We can learn a lot about ourselves as we are going through our own wilderness walk.
If you feel like you are on that journey than take time to evaluate how closely you have been in touch with the Lord before you were forced to walk in the wilderness. According to this passage the Lord allows you to be in the wilderness to test you to know what is in your heart.
How are you handling your wilderness trip? Are you blaming God or asking Him to give you strength to handle whatever is around the corner? Are you trusting Him to take care of you? While the Israelites were wandering through the wilderness the Lord was with them every step of the way and when they were of the right heart He allowed them to enter the promised land.
On our journey through life there will be many walks in the wilderness, Keep your eyes on the Lord and He will lead you out of your wilderness and someday to your ultimate destination: Heaven.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we walk through our wildernesses. Give us strength to meet the tests and have our hearts tuned into your wisdom to get us through the times when we feel as if we can walk no further. We know that you will be with us and that you will never fail us if we call upon you.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
I believe that there are times in our lives when we too can feel like we are wandering in the wilderness just like the Israelites. The Lord made them wander through the wilderness to humble them, and they also learned a lot about how God would help them if they called upon Him when they were in dire need. He provided them with water and food. Their clothes did not wear out. (Deut.8:4)
When we feel as if the world is tumbling down around us, we too must remember that God is with us. Our wildernesses may be illness, depression, lack of money to pay bills, work issues, or problems occurring with the family, too name a few. But even in all these problems, God is there to help us and encourage us. We can learn a lot about ourselves as we are going through our own wilderness walk.
If you feel like you are on that journey than take time to evaluate how closely you have been in touch with the Lord before you were forced to walk in the wilderness. According to this passage the Lord allows you to be in the wilderness to test you to know what is in your heart.
How are you handling your wilderness trip? Are you blaming God or asking Him to give you strength to handle whatever is around the corner? Are you trusting Him to take care of you? While the Israelites were wandering through the wilderness the Lord was with them every step of the way and when they were of the right heart He allowed them to enter the promised land.
On our journey through life there will be many walks in the wilderness, Keep your eyes on the Lord and He will lead you out of your wilderness and someday to your ultimate destination: Heaven.
Dear Lord,
Help us as we walk through our wildernesses. Give us strength to meet the tests and have our hearts tuned into your wisdom to get us through the times when we feel as if we can walk no further. We know that you will be with us and that you will never fail us if we call upon you.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Seeing Others Through God's Eyes by Ann Elaine Broughton
“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).
Recently I watch the movie again called Bruce Almighty. At the end Bruce is in heaven and God asks him to pray. He prays that his girl friend will meet someone who will see her as he does now through God’s eyes. That made an impact on me because most of the time I believe we don’t see others through God’s eyes, but because we have Christ in us that is exactly what we are suppose to do. Sometimes it is difficult when the person is annoying, mean, nasty, and mouthy. But, the Lord loves that person, and if you are looking at that person through the Lord’s eyes you should have compassion and not judge.
That is very difficult, but it is expected of us.
Jesus chose to be around people who weren’t exactly the cream of the crop. He even asked a hated tax collector to be an apostle. You see He loved everyone, even the woman caught in adultery. He sat with a Samaritan woman at the well and lovingly told her that he was the living water. He could have dismissed her and ignored her, since the Samaritans were hated by the Jews. Jesus chose to sit and talk to her about the fact that you should worship God in spirit and in truth. Seeing others through the Lord’s eyes means that you must love them and believe that the Lord’s love can transform them. God wants everyone to come to repentance and go to heaven. We are His eyes on this earth and must view them as He does.
This week think about someone who you have problems with and see them through the Lord’s eyes. Pray for them and also ask for guidance to be a witness to them in some way. Genuinely love them and watch what God can do through you.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes it is difficult to be around people who are abrasive. Help me to look at them through your eyes. I know that you want everyone to go to heaven, so help me to show compassion and love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Recently I watch the movie again called Bruce Almighty. At the end Bruce is in heaven and God asks him to pray. He prays that his girl friend will meet someone who will see her as he does now through God’s eyes. That made an impact on me because most of the time I believe we don’t see others through God’s eyes, but because we have Christ in us that is exactly what we are suppose to do. Sometimes it is difficult when the person is annoying, mean, nasty, and mouthy. But, the Lord loves that person, and if you are looking at that person through the Lord’s eyes you should have compassion and not judge.
That is very difficult, but it is expected of us.
Jesus chose to be around people who weren’t exactly the cream of the crop. He even asked a hated tax collector to be an apostle. You see He loved everyone, even the woman caught in adultery. He sat with a Samaritan woman at the well and lovingly told her that he was the living water. He could have dismissed her and ignored her, since the Samaritans were hated by the Jews. Jesus chose to sit and talk to her about the fact that you should worship God in spirit and in truth. Seeing others through the Lord’s eyes means that you must love them and believe that the Lord’s love can transform them. God wants everyone to come to repentance and go to heaven. We are His eyes on this earth and must view them as He does.
This week think about someone who you have problems with and see them through the Lord’s eyes. Pray for them and also ask for guidance to be a witness to them in some way. Genuinely love them and watch what God can do through you.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes it is difficult to be around people who are abrasive. Help me to look at them through your eyes. I know that you want everyone to go to heaven, so help me to show compassion and love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Keep on the Christian Path by Ann Elaine Broughton
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:23-24 NIV).
I was always told not to swerve when driving, especially when an animal comes out in front of the car. I’m glad I remembered that lesson when a deer ran into the side of my car. I just kept driving straight. If I would have swerved I would have gone into a deep ditch.
When my son was learning how to drive it was snowing and a bunny ran out in front of the car. He swerved and the car slid scaring me half to death. That is when I said, “Do not swerve the car no matter what for an animal.” You could have a serious accident just swerving for a critter.
To live a Christian life, we should be sincerely trying not to swerve from the hope we profess. To leave the Christian path even for an instant makes us vulnerable to Satan’s enticing us to sin. The more we go off the path God has chosen for us, the more our faith weakens. It is so important to keep in constant touch with God through prayer. We must also encourage our Christian friends to show Christ’s love to others by choosing to do good deeds for those who are in need. This week take time to encourage a Christian friend to do the Lord’s will in their life and to do something to help another person who really needs to see God’s love in action.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes life gets so busy that we have a tendency to swerve away from what you want us to do. Help us to remember to encourage our Christian friends to help others in a special way. We know that you want us to show your love to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
I was always told not to swerve when driving, especially when an animal comes out in front of the car. I’m glad I remembered that lesson when a deer ran into the side of my car. I just kept driving straight. If I would have swerved I would have gone into a deep ditch.
When my son was learning how to drive it was snowing and a bunny ran out in front of the car. He swerved and the car slid scaring me half to death. That is when I said, “Do not swerve the car no matter what for an animal.” You could have a serious accident just swerving for a critter.
To live a Christian life, we should be sincerely trying not to swerve from the hope we profess. To leave the Christian path even for an instant makes us vulnerable to Satan’s enticing us to sin. The more we go off the path God has chosen for us, the more our faith weakens. It is so important to keep in constant touch with God through prayer. We must also encourage our Christian friends to show Christ’s love to others by choosing to do good deeds for those who are in need. This week take time to encourage a Christian friend to do the Lord’s will in their life and to do something to help another person who really needs to see God’s love in action.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes life gets so busy that we have a tendency to swerve away from what you want us to do. Help us to remember to encourage our Christian friends to help others in a special way. We know that you want us to show your love to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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