Strive for Perfection by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48 NIV).

 

    So how are you doing on your way to perfection? Jesus said the above words during His famous Sermon on the Mount. The point that Jesus was making is that we must strive to be perfect as God is in our daily life. The Sermon on the Mount goes into great detail on how we are to live. It is a very important passage to read as you strive to live a Christian life. Jesus put the bar very high in regards to living a life that is pleasing to God. But the thing is, you must read it in order for you to live it. It is in Matthew Chapters 5 through 8.

    An illustration about raising the bar to aim for perfection can be made in regards to pole vaulting. A pole vaulter is continually raising the bar in order to try to break a record. A pole vaulter practices every day and trains hard in order to get over the bar at the highest point possible. It takes stamina, courage, strength, precision, and perfection in order to get across the highest bar without touching it.

    Just like the pole vaulter, we too are to continue each day to read the Bible, pray, and learn how to live a Godly life so that we can try to be perfect just like Jesus said. The pole vaulter fails many times too. But gets back up and tries again. We too will fail, but we must then repent and try to do better the next time. We can count on God’s strength to help us reach for that high bar and find success. This never ends, because we will always have weaknesses in our lives that needs worked on.

    Ask God to show you where you can improve in your Christian walk.

He will reveal it to you so that you can grow in faith. Then thank Him for helping you. As long as you live, there will be ways that you can change and grow as a Christian. But you must continue to ask God to help you.

Dear Lord,

Help me as I strive to do your perfect will. I know that you can help me grow as a Christian. I want to keep raising the bar to be the person you want me to be.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

   

Wait for the Lord by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14 NIV).

    Have you ever wanted to push ahead with your own plans instead of praying and asking God for guidance? Or maybe you got an answer from God and you decided your way was far better. My husband and I pushed through closed doors once and found ourselves in a bad situation. We then learned that when God closes doors you don’t pound them down yourself. Anything you do in life needs to be preceded by prayer asking God to show you what His will is in this situation. Then be open to what happens and accept it if the answer is no. That is when it is so important to wait for God’s perfect timing.

    I once went to a Twila Paris concert and was impressed by her testimony. She said that she sensed that she should tell her story about trying to have a baby. She told all of us that it was so important to wait for God’s timing in your life. It could take years before you see results, but you need to keep the faith and believe that God is in control. She said it took them 12 years before they were able to have their first baby. It seemed like forever but God knew when the right time was for them to have it.

   You see in our human ways we want everything right now, but God knows when the exact right time is for something to happen for you. You must trust Him. You must believe that He knows what is best for your future and give it all into His hands. It could take awhile, but waiting will help you develop patience and perseverance.

    You know in this life it seems like we are always waiting for something. But instead, maybe we should be living in the right now, and believing that God has control in whatever happens in our future. With His strength and love we can face anything. So remember to: “be strong and take heart” God is always with you.

Dear Lord,

Help me as I wait and believe that you know what is best for me. Give me peace in my heart to know that you will always be there for me as I strive to do your will.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

God's Power is Available to You by Ann Elaine Broughton

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV).

   Do you realize that every day you have the divine power within you to make right choices? Are you calling upon that power to help you make decisions that affect other people? You see it is very easy to forget that we as Christians have within us the power of the Holy Spirit which gives us wisdom to make the right decisions in life. Have you ever wished you could have a “do over”?

    At my grandson’s birthday party the boys and my two sons went outside to launch some water balloons. This balloon launcher is held by to adults while the little boys put the balloon in and stretch the launcher as far back as they can. The balloon can fly over 200 yards if it is done right. Well, my one grandson tried to launch it and it just fell a few feet ahead of him. My son said, “That’s a do over, Nat.”  So he got another water balloon and shot it way over the fence. Yep, that “do over” worked out well.

    Have there been times in your life when you wanted a “do over”? Were words spoken that hurt someone? Did you do something that hurt someone deeply? Did you lie? Did you choose the wrong job? I am sure you could add more to this list. I have a recommendation for you that will help you so that you won’t have to worry about “do overs”. It is praying each morning and during the day for guidance from the Holy Spirit. God has given you divine power but you must hook up to it in order for you do make right choices and say the right words. You must believe that this power can be tapped at any time. I guarantee you that if you live this kind of life, one that is grounded in faith, you will have few desires for a “do over”. God wants you to live a life that is pleasing to him. You must be the one to put forth the effort in order to make it happen. Pray that the words that come out of your mouth are beneficial to others. Pray that the choices you make will please God in everything you do. This is available to you. Now do it.

Dear Lord,

I know that your divine power is available to me. Help me to make sure that all I say and do is pleasing to you so that I won’t regret words spoken in haste that hurt others. Help me to always pray for your guidance every day of my life.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

The Faith Hall of Fame by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).

   Memorial Day is a time for us to remember and honor soldiers who have given their lives for their country. As Christians, I believe we should remember the people of faith who served the Lord and are mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 11.This is called the faith chapter because it relates the way the people in the Old Testament lived by faith and trusted God. We are to remember their self-sacrifice and be encouraged by their lives. That is why we are to read the whole Bible. Many of these people were told to completely step out in faith, not knowing what the future would hold, and when God told them to do something, they did it. They were blessed by trusting God to do what He said He would do.

   I would like to relate to you how some of these people served the Lord, even in dire circumstances and believed in Him through many trials. These are written for you so that you might realize that these Biblical heroes suffered much, but still trusted in God. “Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goat-skins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated” (Hebrews 11:36-37 NIV). They were all admired for their faith.

    It is so important that we remember what these people of faith did so that we too can step out in faith when God puts a challenge in our lives. He expects us to do it with His strength, just as all these people of faith did. Remember that God is with you and believe that His presence will guide you always.

    Dear Lord,

We thank you so much for the Bible and how it tells us of the many people of faith who trusted in you to guide them. They did remarkable things through your strength. We know that you are with us now, and will help us do whatever you have planned for us. Help us to step out in faith and change our world.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen