What Are You Truly Worshipping: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3 NIV)

It is time as a Christian for you to take account of what you spend the most of your time thinking and doing. Is God still the one you are giving top priority to in all you do?

I am reading a wonderful book called “Gods At War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart by Kyle Idleman. It is a very convicting book. It makes you face what is first in your life and really take a look at how much time you spend doing things like: scrolling Facebook, playing video games, watching tv, checking the internet etc. Is something taking up so much of your time that you are neglecting serving the Lord in a way that He wants you to? Has something else taken first place in your thoughts other than the Lord? Are you obsessing over something that can be very harmful to you? Has something taken up so much of your time that you are neglecting reading the Bible and praying? These are all pretty difficult questions, but need to be asked so you can stop some pretty harmful behaviors. Moderation is the key, but sometimes for some people it is difficult to stop after they begin. If you think you cannot handle something in moderation than do not even start it. Ask God to give you strength and He will help you.

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37 NIV). God does not want you to have any idols in your life that you worship over Him. He wants to be number one in your life. So you need to decide what comes first in your life and if it isn’t God, you need to take some time praying about that.

Dear Lord,

It is very easy to get so busy that we forget to put you first in our lives. Help us to truly take stock of the time we spend on unnecessary things and commit ourselves to stop putting these things first instead of you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Think on These Things: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11: 28 NIV).

Are you craving rest for your soul? We have a camper on Indian Lake and that is where I like to go to get away and get closer to God. You might say it is my sanctuary. I find myself able to concentrate on the Lord better there among nature and quiet. But it is all about perspective also. I anticipate going there to unwind, pray, and get closer to God. That is my mindset when I set out to go to the camper and the lake.

Now I would like to discuss with you about perspectives and concentrating on thoughts that are restful. My camper has a large deck and we have very comfy chairs on it. Now I could sit and stare at the side of the neighbor’s camper and not exactly find peace, but if I move down about six feet I can sit and see a beautiful gazebo and think of Thomas Kincade pictures. 

This is a choice I can make and needless to say my choice is always to sit and gaze at the gazebo. There is a plaque about prayer in the gazebo so when I stare at the gazebo, I am immediately reminded of my Savior’s love for me.

We have choices in what we think about. We can sit and think about all the troubles, struggles, faults in others, and negative things in life or think on the many blessings that we have and praise God for them. You must be able to choose your thoughts just as easily as you choose a candy bar. Throw away the negative thoughts immediately and replace them with thoughts of God’s love for you, and His peace will fill your heart and soul. It is easy to dwell on the negative thoughts which will only serve to bring your spirit down to depression, but you may choose to say, no, and switch channels in your mind to how God has helped you in the past. One verse that helps me remember what to think upon is: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable----if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

So the next time you are tempted to slip into the darkness of negativity, remember that God loves you, and if you call upon His name, He will surely answer and give you rest.

Dear Lord,

It seems that it is very easy for us to think on negative things instead of praising you for the blessings you have given us. Help us to be thankful in all situations and learn that your peace is always there for us no matter what the circumstances. Help us to remember the words of Philippians 4:8 and think on those things.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Encourage One Another: A Devotion by Ann Broughton

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV).

Have you ever needed encouragement or do you need it now? We all go through times in our lives when we need someone to encourage us. You may be feeling that you need someone to encourage you right this moment. Problems, illnesses, money issues, and worries can totally overtake us so that we feel there is no hope. It is very likely that sometime in your life you will say, “Why is this happening to me?”.  Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16: 33-34 NIV). Yes, you will have trials, but Jesus will give you the peace you need to get through it.

How you handle your trial and the way you show others that your faith has not wavered and that peace is still in your heart is a great witness to others who are going through a trial themselves. This trial and how you handle it with faith can show to others how Jesus can help them and give them strength also.

The point I am making is that you need to reach out to others after you have gone through a trial and help them. It is very easy to say to someone, “I am so sorry”, but if you can tell them that you have gone through it too and that God helped you and strengthened your faith through it, you can really show compassion to that person in a special way. There are so many people who feel all alone in their distress. You are the one who can be the beacon of hope for them, and you can tell them how His peace was there for you in the middle of your storm. As the above verse says, “we are to encourage the fainthearted and help the weak”.

The Good Samaritan story comes to mind. Here was a man who was lying by the road all beaten up and half dead.  There were several men who just passed him by and did not help him at all. But one Samaritan stopped, bandaged his wounds and took him to an Inn. (Luke 10) We are to be like the Good Samaritan. We are to help others and encourage them when they are fainthearted. Please do not walk by or ignore someone who is having trouble. Be the one to encourage, listen, and show compassion.

Dear Lord,

Help us to encourage one another and tell them how you helped us overcome despair by giving us your peace. Help us to share how faith in you has helped us get through our tough times. Give us a heart that is full of compassion.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Sacrifice: a devotion by Ann Broughton

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present you bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1 NIV).

With Lent in progress, I know many Christians give something up as a sacrifice during this time before Easter. For some people it is sugar, chocolate, goodies, TV time, Facebook time, just to name a few. It seems like a minor thing to give up something like this compared to the sacrifice that Jesus did for us on the cross. I would like to propose to you that you give up something more important than food or time spent with social media etc. I propose that you give up your time to help others in some way every day during the Lenten season and even beyond that time.  Some ideas of service can be calling someone who is sick, visiting a shut-in, sending cards to those who need encouragement, knitting something to give away to the homeless shelter, smiling at people wherever you go, helping people get their groceries out of their cart or into their car, or taking food to someone who is ill or is alone. These are just a few things you could do for others. The list is enormous. Each day is a new opportunity for you to show others God’s love in a real act of sacrifice.

It is so easy in this world of “It’s all about me” to forget that there are others around you who are suffering. Jesus’ ministry was one of giving to others. He told us to “treat people the same way you want them to treat you” (Matthew 7:12 NIV). It is so important to remember that we are here to be a servant to others. It is through our giving to others and compassion that people can see Jesus working through us. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). By doing for others every day, you will be letting your light shine for the Lord.

There is another point to this: you are not to brag about what you have done for others. Jesus said, “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4 NIV).

My challenge to you is to look for ways to help others every day and then do it. Pray and ask God to show you some need and then act on it. Everywhere you are, there are people who need encouragement.

You need to be the one to step up and care.

Dear Lord,

Help us to be the living example of Christ and encourage others as we prepare for Easter. The sacrifice that Jesus did for us on the cross cannot be taken lightly. Help us to sacrifice some of our time to help others. Help us to be your light to those who need hope.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen