Before Christ vs After Christ (Worship God Exclusively)

On 2026-07-02 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Thursday, July 2, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Try to read these verses in your own Bible.

Deuteronomy 11:16-17 ~ “But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods. If you do, the Lord’s anger will burn against you…. (NLT)

Matthew 4:10-11 ~ “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away… (NLT)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

In today’s world, we rarely think about “idolatry” because we seldom see people bowing down before carved statues. Biblically speaking, however, an idol is anything or anyone that takes the place of God in your heart and life. It is anything that becomes more important than God, absorbs your prime attention, or promises what only God can truly provide.

It is easy to understand why someone who has never known the Almighty God personally might worship modern-day idols; we might simply say they don’t know any better, or have any fear or conscience about the love of God. But for the believer in Jesus Christ—or even the regular church attendee—modern idolatry is a heartbreaking reality. After experiencing the blessings, presence, and miracles that only God can deliver, turning away to serve other things is a profound offense to Him. That is exactly the warning Moses gave in Deuteronomy 11:16. Even believers must guard against allowing other “gods” to quietly replace the Lord as the center of their lives.

To understand what modern idolatry looks like, think of how a marriage slowly deteriorates. It starts with distraction. A spouse begins noticing someone else—a coworker or a neighbor—and starts giving them their time and attention. Slowly, they lose interest in their spouse at home. Before long, they are asking for space, which eventually leads to separation. (And let’s be honest, ladies and gentlemen alike, this isn’t a single-gender issue; it happens on both sides.)

Our relationship with Jesus suffers the exact same way. When we stop spending time with Him, other things rush in to fill the void.

When we stop praying, we start carrying our burdens to the world instead, making the excuse, “They just really understand what I’m going through.”
When we stop reading the Word, we lose touch with His voice and miss out on the daily challenge to live a noble life patterned after Him.

Modern idols are subtle, but they come in many forms. Consider these few:

Self: Placing your own desires, comfort, or personal identity above God’s will. This may appear as selfishness, pride, refusing to serve others, or believing that life should revolve around you.
Approval: Measuring your worth by the opinions of friends, family, coworkers, or society instead of finding your identity in Christ.
Strategy & Skill: Depending entirely on your own intelligence, experience, or abilities rather than seeking God’s wisdom and trusting His direction.
Technology & Entertainment: Allowing phones, social media, television, streaming services, games, or endless scrolling to consume the time that once belonged to prayer, worship, Bible study, and serving others.
Material Possessions: Making money, success, comfort, or possessions the driving force behind your decisions and your sense of security.

These are only a few examples. If your walk with God has grown distant, you can probably identify other things that have quietly become competitors for your heart.

A good place to begin is by honestly asking yourself what regularly keeps you from worshipping with God’s people, spending time in prayer, or opening His Word. Those reasons often seem reasonable in the moment, but one day we will answer to the Lord for every priority that consistently took His rightful place. These idols are quiet but powerful. They promise fulfillment, but they always leave you spiritually empty. As Jesus warns in Matthew 6:24, no one can serve two masters—you cannot serve God and money, or God and your own desires. Before Christ, we served whatever caught our eye. After Christ, our worship belongs to Him alone.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, for the times I have allowed subtle idols to creep into my heart and take Your place, please forgive my unfaithfulness. Too many times I have relied on my own strength, chased the approval of others, and allowed other priorities to replace my time with you, and I seek Your forgiveness. Please Lord, break the hold of these modern-day distractions. Tune my heart to Your voice again, and give me the grace to serve and worship You exclusively. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

Before Christ vs After Christ (Hypocrisy vs Sincerity)

On 2026-07-01 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Wednesday, July 01, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Feel free to read the following scriptures in your own personal Bible.

Matthew 7:5: ~ You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (AMP)

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ~ So you can see that we were not preaching with any false motives or evil purposes in mind; we were perfectly straightforward and sincere. For we speak as messengers from God, trusted by him to tell the truth; we change his message not one bit to suit the taste of those who hear it; for we serve God alone, who examines our hearts’ deepest thoughts. (TLB)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Looking back, we can remember how hard we often tried to impress a boyfriend, girlfriend, employer, or someone whose approval we desperately wanted. While this could certainly be accomplished through honesty, integrity, and hard work, the world often taught us something very different. It taught us that if we truly wanted to gain someone’s approval, we should do whatever it took—even if that meant putting someone else down in order to make ourselves look better. Sadly, this often led us to become less than honest and less than faithful to our friends as we pursued our own goals

Isn’t it interesting how, Before Christ, it was so easy to spot hypocrisy in our friends, neighbors and coworkers, while completely overlooking it in ourselves? It was easy to declare someone “guilty” before ever asking for an explanation or hearing the whole story. Jesus saw this exact flaw in human nature when He challenged us in Matthew 7:5. He essentially tells us to clear the deceit and evil out of our own lives before we dare point out the wrongs in others. Otherwise, we ourselves are hypocrites in every sense of the word.

But you may ask: How does someone actually make such a massive change in their life?

As we’ve discussed in previous devotionals, unbelievers have no ultimate authority to answer to. However, After Christ, we not only have a Master who loves us immeasurably, but He has also given us His Word to read, understand, and live by.

Because God knew how challenging this journey would be for us, He gave us an incredible gift: the Holy Spirit. The Spirit takes up residence inside of us to guide, encourage, uplift, remind, and coach us along the road to righteousness (being right with God).

Even more amazing is the love God demonstrated through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly endured rejection, false accusations, hatred, ridicule, and ultimately death on the cross for sinners like you and me. Through His sacrifice, we have forgiveness of sin and the opportunity to live lives that honor Him. Because of this, our joy is complete! We can be excited knowing that we are being transformed day by day, and that we will be with Him for all eternity.

A Challenge for Today

As I close today’s devotional, I want to challenge you to honestly examine your own heart. Ask God to show you where you stand in light of eternity. This is not a decision to postpone until next month or next year after you’ve made a few improvements in your life. In Luke 12, God told the rich fool, “Tonight your soul is required of you.” None of us knows what today may hold. Those words could apply to me—or perhaps to you.

May I ask you a personal question? Will we meet one day at the feet of Jesus? Is your life ready to meet Him?

If you are uncertain, I encourage you not to wait. Speak with your Bible-teaching pastor or with a believer whose life clearly reflects the living Christ. Allow them to open God’s Word with you and show you the hope, forgiveness, and eternal life that are found only in Jesus Christ.

Jesus loves you. His arms are open wide, and He is waiting to receive all who will come to Him by faith.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Forgive me for the times I have looked at the flaws in others while ignoring the areas in my own heart that need Your cleansing touch. Help me to stop seeking the temporary approval of the world and instead live to please You alone. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides and coaches me every single day. I ask that You put my life in perfect order, so that whenever my time comes, I am ready to meet you face-to-face. I ask these things in the loving and precious name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. AMEN!

Before Christ vs After Christ (The Shift from Deception to Truth)

On 2026-06-29 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Monday, June 29, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Feel free to read the following verses in your own Bible

Ephesians 4:24-25 ~ Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. (TLB)

Zechariah 8:16 ~ Here is your part: Tell the truth. Be fair. Live at peace with everyone. (TLB).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

As I meditated on these verses, I tried to recall who first taught me to lie. While I don’t remember any blatant, defining moment of dishonesty, a realization hit me: this is exactly like the other areas of transformation we’ve discussed. When we accept Jesus, our entire character changes because we are under new lordship. I encourage you to look at your own life and circumstances today as I share a piece of my journey.

Before Christ: The Legacy of Deception

From our earliest days, we absorb behavior from those around us—parents, siblings, and friends. During my career, we often had to carefully weigh whether to allow a seasoned employee to train a new hire. On one hand, they could share years of valuable experience. On the other hand, they might also pass along their shortcuts, showing the rookie how to bypass regulatory laws. They could easily teach the “bad stuff” alongside the legitimate and valuable skills necessary to help our employer stay in full compliance with applicable laws.

Outside of work, the world trains us similarly. We pick up “neat tricks” from culture that often edge into outright deception. Before Christ, this worldly influence was our guide. Even if we had Christian friends, the world whispered that they were just fanatics trying to please an unseen God. So, whenever we were backed into a corner, we chose the world’s way—even lying to our dearest Christian friends or pastors to protect ourselves.

However, in His amazing grace and filled with mercy, Jesus placed me in a spot where I heard the gospel one more time, and in a way that I knew it was directed straight at me. And on that precious night in 1976 I surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, inviting Him into my heart as my personal Savior.

After Christ: Walking under New Management

Having taken Ephesians 4:24 deeply to heart, I began the lifelong journey of setting aside the world’s ways—its sin, wickedness, and lies—to live according to my new Master.

You might ask me, “Did you completely stop lying after that night?”

The truth is, while we are saved by the precious blood of Jesus, we still live in a fallen world and face daily temptation. This isn’t an excuse, but a reality. However, I am eternally grateful that God placed the Holy Spirit inside of us to guide, protect, and reveal the Father’s heart. Because of His power, we truly can do all things through Christ.

Whenever I am tempted to fall back into old patterns of deception, the Holy Spirit quickly reminds me that Jesus died to free me from that old nature. God defends and honors us when we stay true to His Word and obey His commands.

Let’s commit to making Zechariah 8:16 a daily standard: Tell the truth. Be fair. Live at peace with everyone. With God as our Helper, remember that you are no longer weak or defenseless against sin. The Holy Spirit is your Advocate and Guide. Listen to His still, small voice—He will never lead you astray.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for rescuing me from the old ways of this world and bringing me under the gracious Lordship of Your Son. Forgive me for the times I may have lied or relied on worldly shortcuts or dishonesty to get by. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to live inside me, serving as my Guide and my Defender. Give me the courage today to speak the truth, act fairly, and pursue peace with everyone I meet. As Truth seekers, may we speak the truth in love and reflect the new nature You have clothed us in. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Before Christ vs After Christ (Easily Irritated vs Not Easily Provoked)

On 2026-06-28 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Sunday, June 28, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Feel free to read the following scripture verses in your own Bible.

1 Corinthians 13:5 ~ It (love) does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. (NLT)

Proverbs 19:11 ~ Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, and it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment]. (AMP)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Isn’t it fascinating how the right thing to do is rarely the easiest thing to do? That is exactly why we cannot rely on our own strength to live out our faith. We desperately need God’s power and wisdom to protect our hearts and mirror His character.

What surprises many of us, though, is how the exact same flaws we struggled with before knowing Jesus can still rear their ugly heads after we cross the line of faith. Irritability, impatience, and a quick temper don’t automatically vanish; they require daily surrender. Let’s look a little deeper at what changes when Jesus enters the picture.

Before Christ: Pleasing “Me, Myself, and I”

Before we were accountable to God, most of us lived by the world’s standards. Our words and actions were shaped by culture, peer pressure, and the constant pursuit of attention. In that mindset, looking out for “number one” was the priority. We didn’t always care if our sharp words hurt someone else’s character or standing, as long as we got ahead. It was a life built entirely around pleasing ourselves.

After Christ: Aligning with the Plumbline

Think of a construction worker who constantly uses a plumbline – a simple weighted string – to make sure a wall is perfectly straight, level, and secure. In Christ, we finally found our ultimate Plumbline. Jesus told us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When we walk in His ways, our lives naturally begin to align with His perfect standard.

But let’s be honest: as long as we are living in this messy world, we will be tested. We will feel pulled between our old habits and God’s expectations. The beautiful advantage for the believer is that we don’t just follow a rulebook; we know the Plumbline personally. Every single day, we can draw strength from a relationship with Jesus to help us align with His heart. Living like a child of the King isn’t about trying harder in our own strength; it’s about leaning heavier on His strength. Through His power, His wisdom, and by quietly listening to the Holy Spirit, we can overcome the petty things that used to instantly irritate us. We can stand firmly in His peace, choosing to overlook offenses rather than letting them drag us back into our old ways. Remember, in Christ, you are a brand-new creation. Even in the most frustrating situations, your life can be a powerful reflection of His grace.

PRAYER
Father, thank You for being the anchor and the plumbline of my life. Forgive me for the moments when I let my old nature take the driver’s seat and allow irritability to rule my heart. Lord, I cannot stay calm or overlook offenses in my own strength. I need Your Holy Spirit to fill me today. Give me the discretion to be slow to anger and the grace to let go of slights. Let my reactions to challenging situations reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Before Christ vs After Christ (Overcoming the Green-Eyed Monster)

On 2026-06-27 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Saturday, June 27, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Feel free to read the following scripture verses in your own Bible.

Galatians 5:25-26 ~ If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Then we won’t need to look for honors and popularity, which lead to jealousy and hard feelings. (TLB)

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 ~ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (NIV)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

When most of us reflect on the times we felt most consumed by jealousy, our minds quickly drift back to our dating years. We might recall being unkind to a partner out of insecurity, leaving wounds that took a long time to heal. Yet, if we are honest, jealousy and the hurt it causes don’t magically vanish in adulthood; we can easily think of moments later in life where those same ugly feelings reared their heads.

These memories sadly remind us of how our lives were Before Christ. But for those who believe in Jesus, we can gratefully look back and see how He has dealt with the pride in our lives. In its place, He has created a clean, humble heart that concentrates on love rather than envy. Often, fellow believers will pour out love on us simply because the Holy Spirit within them provokes them to love others just as Jesus first loved us.

While it is painful to recall and share those seasons of jealousy, I truly cannot restrain myself from praising God for the countless occasions where others have shown the love of Christ to my family and me. It prompts me to thank Him for His utter goodness. In those moments, I can only step back and remark, “It has to be God. Only God.”

When I consider my own life Before Christ, a specific memory immediately comes to mind. Years ago, my girlfriend’s (now wife’s) church was hosting a Gospel Sing after their evening service. Wanting to surprise her, I drove over after my own church service ended, excited to enjoy the music with her. However, her ex-boyfriend saw me walking toward the building. Much to my girlfriend’s surprise, he quickly went and sat right next to her.

Seeing the situation as I walked in, I decided to do the “gentlemanly” thing and give her space—while internally assuming that maybe I cared more about our relationship than she did. Driven by a teenage, immature, and jealous attitude, I could hardly wait for the service to end so I could bolt toward the front door and clear out, to give her space. Looking back, jealousy completely shrouded the actions of both that ex-boyfriend and me! But fortunately, I won the prized angel of my life, and we celebrated 50 years of marriage late last year!

Each of us can likely think of multiple times when we were either bitter with jealousy or deliberately made someone else jealous by our actions. Satan smiles at this because it gives him a perfect opportunity to dig in and cause us to sin in our fits of rage or envy.

But thank God for life After Christ.

After my encounter with the Lord Jesus – where I believed in Him with all my heart and surrendered my life to His Lordship – I adopted Philippians 3:13 as my anthem: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” I am convinced, and I highly recommend, that we never give Satan a foothold by allowing the unfortunate experiences of our past to impact our lives today.

As believers, we have a perfect life example set before us by the Lord Jesus, and His Words imprinted on our hearts, provoking us to keep our eyes fixed on Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Because we are still walking this earth, God even prepared in advance for the temptations that would come our way. He placed the Holy Spirit inside of us to guide and encourage us to live this new life in the fear and honor of our Master.

Please allow me to remind you today: stay in the Word, and have a little talk with Jesus as often as you can, showing Him just how much of a priority He is to you. Think about it: one part of the Trinity (Jesus) died for the forgiveness of our sins, one part (The Holy Spirit) lives inside us to guide our daily paths, and one part (God the Father) stands ready to receive us into His wonderful kingdom for all eternity. Is there anything that can separate us from the love of our God?

I pray that you have secured your trust in Jesus today. I hope the excitement is building in your heart every single day for the moment we will finally see Him and worship around the throne of our Father forever.

It just don’t get any better than that, dear ones.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, create in me a clean and humble heart that chooses love over comparison and envy. Forgive me for the times I let jealousy dictate my actions, and thank You for the grace that covers my past. Holy Spirit, guide my path today, keep my eyes fixed firmly on Jesus, and remind me never to give the enemy a foothold in my life. Thank You for Your overwhelming goodness and a love that will never let me go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Before Christ vs After Christ (Trading Pride for True Peace)

On 2026-06-25 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Thursday, June 25, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Feel free to read the following scriptures in your personal Bible.

Proverbs 13:10 ~ Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife, But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel. (AMP)

James 3:17 ~ But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. (AMP)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Although it seems like we are living in very stressful times, perhaps every generation has felt the same way. After all, when we were young, our parents carried much of life’s burdens while working hard to provide us with a firm foundation for the future. Yet one thing remains true across all generations—people long for peace. We desire it, we search for it, and we need it in our daily lives. Therefore, it seems fitting to see what God has to say about it.

Before Christ

One might think that before Christ, life would actually have less stress. After all, there was no biblical instruction or obligation to live according to God’s laws, right?

But that thought is just not right.

Before Christ, when life got hard, we had no one of true higher power to call on for help. Sure, we could call on a friend or a relative. But when they are sitting in the exact same boat as us, what real comfort or wisdom can they actually offer?

In Proverbs 13:10, God tells us through His servant Solomon the true source of all our strife and contention: it comes from pride and presumption. When we live without Christ, our sinful and prideful state makes it feel almost natural to assume: “I can handle this myself,” “I don’t need advice,” or “I know better.” We wander into life so mistakenly confident that our way is the right way.

Let’s look at a couple of biblical examples where this played out:

Moses (Numbers 20:7-12): You might remember when Moses presumed that God needed a little help. Instead of simply speaking to the rock as God commanded, Moses decided to add his own piece by angrily striking it. Because God loved the people and knew what they needed, He miraculously produced water anyway. However, because of Moses’ pride and presumption, he faced severe discipline and was prohibited from entering the Promised Land—the very land he had led the people toward for forty years in the wilderness.
Simon Peter (Matthew 26): Peter confidently declared that he would never deny Christ, even if everyone else did. Presumption always overestimates our own strength and underestimates our deep need for God’s grace. We all remember what happened before the rooster crowed. It is a very real, sobering eye-opener of pride in action.

After Christ

In spite of our prideful past, a beautiful character change happens the moment we receive Christ as Savior and Lord: we finally learn who is really in charge. Realizing this allows us to relax into a state of true humility, fully willing to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.

Look again at James 3:17. The wisdom we gain from our Master and Lord is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of compassion, and unwavering. With joy, I dare say that when Christ is at the wheel of our decisions and directing our path, we gain the beautiful confidence Paul shared in Philippians 3:13-14: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…”

In that verse, I detect a certain, supernatural peace that the world utterly struggles to know, understand, or accept. It sounds a lot like that familiar phrase: “Just let go and let God!” ### The Takeaway ###

The contrast between “Before Christ” and “After Christ” captures a profound transformation from self-confidence to God-confidence. It is a theme that runs throughout the entire tapestry of Scripture.

Surrender to Him in all humility, dear ones, and stand amazed at what He can do! I pray that you will be reminded today to make God-confidence your daily guide. Your New Life in Jesus Christ is superior to anything this world has to offer!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for the times I allow pride and presumption to steer my life. Forgive me for thinking I can handle things on my own, only to end up in strife and stress. Thank You for the gift of my ‘After Christ’ life. I surrender the wheel of my life to You today. Grant me the wisdom that comes from above—wisdom that is pure, peace-loving, and gentle. Help me to let go of my past mistakes and strain forward into the beautiful peace and purpose You have for me. I place my total confidence in You, Lord.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Before Christ vs After Christ (The Sanctity of Marriage)

On 2026-06-24 By Ed AlgreenIn God’s Word, All have sinned, God Cares For Us, Acknowledge God, Awesome God, Accept Jesus NOWLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read the following scriptures in your own Bible.

Matthew 5:27:28 ~ ²⁷ “The laws of Moses said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say: Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (TLB)

Proverbs 5:15-19 ~ ¹⁵ Drink from your own well, my son—be faithful and true to your wife. ¹⁶ Why should you beget children with women of the street? ¹⁷ Why share your children with those outside your home? ¹⁸ Be happy, yes, rejoice in the wife of your youth. ¹⁹ Let her breasts and tender embrace satisfy you. Let her love alone fill you with delight. (TLB)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

It seems like a vicious cycle when we look at family life today. We hear of marriages, only to hear later of infidelity, separation, or divorce. Since marriage was God’s idea and His sacred institution, I thought it would be appropriate for us to look into this subject today and ask God to use His Word to speak to the hearts of those who may not be fully tuned in to Him or to their marriage.

God created us, both man and woman, and I believe His intent was that together we would procreate, provide company for one another, and care for each other. This union is formed when we find the right person of the opposite sex that we want to spend the rest of our lives with. As believers, we trust that God points us to the right one to marry. In Christian-based marriages, we invite God to be an intrinsic part of our union because, as in all walks of life, we want Him to bless us, guide us, protect us from the evil one, and permit us to raise up a generation like us through any children He might bless us with.

Before Christ – Before marriage, we tend to befriend, cut up with, and enjoy the company of the opposite sex – because that’s exactly how God made us. When those hormones are at their premium, we tend to envision a lot of things when we see someone we are truly attracted to. In fact, God declares in His Word that we can downright lust after the opposite sex, as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:27-28. Many refer to this season as our time of “playing the field”!

Eventually, however, there comes a time when we find the right one, and we want to settle down to life with just that person. If this happened before Christ, we may or may not have followed what the Bible teaches, but in saying “I do,” we were still saying: “Forgetting about all others, I now choose you to spend the rest of my life with.”

After Christ – As a believer in Jesus Christ—whether we find Him before or after marriage—we always want to do things that are pleasing to and approved by Him. If we are searching for a spouse, we petition the throne of God to please direct us to the one who will not only love and care for us, but also help us draw closer to the Lord and do His good work. In our marriage ceremony, we invite God to partner with us, helping us make decisions that please Him and ultimately bring Him praise.

Now, as part of this union, we must know how God feels about our earthly relationships. Our verse today from Proverbs teaches us to find pleasure in our marriage partner alone—the one we committed to in our tri-union marriage. This means that even if there is something we want to keep hidden from our spouse regarding an extramarital affair or lustful thoughts, our third-party marriage partner (God) is well aware of it. He sees it all, and He will hold us accountable for that sin.

Application

Whether you are married or remaining celibate, God makes it abundantly clear in His Word that before our Christian walk, we did what we wanted and couldn’t care less who was impacted. After all, that’s the way the world does things. That is Satan’s whole drive: to keep the world in a state of chaos, devoid of genuine care for one another, stripped of deep emotional love where one is totally committed to another, and left with no direction for what tomorrow may bring.

But with Christ, we live life at a higher level—not superior to others, but a life that is pleasing to the God of this universe. If we marry, we hold our spouse in the highest regard, treating them truly as a son or daughter of the Most High God.

Accountability

How is it with you today? Do you feel like you are living aligned with the Word of God, especially in your marriage? Do you suppose God is pleased with your relationship? Since He knows our every thought, word, and action, remember that He is well aware of where we stand. If there is hidden sin, today is the day to make it right. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please don’t disappoint Him through your sin. Turn back to Him and let Him restore your heart and your home.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the beautiful gift of marriage and for being the anchor of our covenant. Lord, I ask that You search my heart today. Forgive me for the times my eyes, my thoughts, or my actions may have wandered from the vows I made. Cleanse me from any hidden sin, and help me to see my wife through Your eyes—as Your cherished daughter. Protect our home from the traps of the enemy. Give us the grace to find complete satisfaction, delight, and joy in one another alone. May our tri-union marriage be a reflection of Your love and faithfulness to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Before Christ vs After Christ (The Difference Patience Makes)

On 2026-06-23 By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s WordLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Feel free to read the following scriptures in your Bible.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 ~ It is better to finish something than to start it. It is better to be gentle and patient than to be proud and impatient. (ERV)

Hebrews 10:36 ~ You must be patient. After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you. (ERV)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Most of us can recall unfortunate moments in our lives when we became quickly angered, frustrated, or filled with rage. In those moments, we may have said or done things that harmed ourselves, hurt others, or damaged property around us. More often than not, those actions were fueled by impatience. We felt circumstances were beyond our control or moving in a direction that did not fit our plans.

What is interesting is that we can see traces of this behavior even in infants. They quickly learn how to get our attention, and when that no longer works, they often respond with a temper tantrum. As we grow older, those same tendencies remain. The difference is that we gradually learn that we cannot always have our own way.

The Struggle of Unbelievers

As I studied today’s lesson, I found it fascinating that Solomon connects impatience with pride. Before Christ, many of us believed we were capable of handling life on our own. We had our plans, our goals, and our timelines. When someone or something stood in our way, it disrupted everything we had envisioned and often caused great frustration. Those old “tantrums” would resurface, taking control of our words, actions, and emotions, often leaving us disappointed in ourselves afterward.

The Believer’s Struggle

However, as I reflected on this lesson, I couldn’t help but think about believers who still struggle with impatience. What happens in this case?

Let me quickly remind you that followers of Jesus Christ still sin. As long as we live on this earth, Satan will do everything he can to discourage, distract, and pull-down God’s children. Yet there is something wonderfully different about the believer.

Look again at Hebrews 10:36. What an encouragement! We are reminded that our greater reward awaits us. No matter what hardships we face here on earth, those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and accepted Him as Lord and Savior have something the world does not possess—we have hope.

The Difference

The Bible assures believers of an eternal hope. Praise God!

For the Christian, joy truly comes in the morning—the day we will stand face to face with our King. Our trials are temporary. Our reward is eternal.

For those who have chosen to ignore the precious blood shed by Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin, things only get worse. Instead of joy in the morning, their just reward from their master will be even more intense pain, suffering, and eternal damnation in Hell with Satan.

Now What?

I believe God’s Word is clear.

For the believer in Jesus Christ, we are called to patiently endure until He comes again or calls us home. While we wait, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in encouraging one another toward love and good works. We must be especially mindful of those we love and care for who have chosen to live without Christ. We must stand ready and willing to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in helping them across the finish line. We want them in heaven with us, but how will they know or get there if we don’t tell them about Jesus?

For those who are content with living apart from Christ, I lovingly encourage you to remember that there are only two eternal destinations. the only alternative to heaven is eternity with the Evil One in Hell, with he and his demons.

The wonderful news is that this does not have to be your future. Jesus made a way through His death, burial, and resurrection. The decision to receive Him must be made while you still have breath.

The purpose of these devotionals is not to condemn, but to encourage. Life is not promised beyond this very moment. If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, I encourage you to make that decision today.

Patiently waiting for Christ is far better than impatiently chasing the things of this world. One leads to temporary satisfaction; the other leads to eternal joy!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience with me. So many times I have wanted things my way and according to my timetable. Forgive me for the moments when impatience, pride, and frustration have controlled my thoughts, words, and actions.

Help me to trust Your plans, Your timing, and Your purpose for my life. Teach me to patiently endure the challenges of this world while keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus and the eternal hope that awaits me.

Lord, place upon my heart those who do not yet know You. Give me courage, wisdom, and compassion to share the Good News with them. May my life reflect Your love and point others toward the salvation found only in Christ.

Until the day You call me home, help me to faithfully wait, faithfully serve, and faithfully trust. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Before Christ vs After Christ (Disobedience vs Obedience)

On 2026-06-22 By Ed AlgreenIn God’s Word, All have sinned, God Cares For Us, Acknowledge God, Awesome God, Accept Jesus NOWLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Monday, June 22, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Feel free to read the following Scripture in your Bible:

“…if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.” — 1 Samuel 12:15 (NIV)

“…today I am letting you choose a blessing or a curse. You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God…” — Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NCV)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

This may be a subject that many feel goes without saying. However, I believe the Holy Spirit wants to remind us why some areas of our lives may not be going as well as we had hoped.

The Bible is God’s love letter to us. Within its pages are His commands, His guidance, and His wisdom for living. As we obey our Master, we make ourselves available for His wonderful and endless blessings. Conversely, when we struggle through life and wonder why our faithful Father is not leading us as He promised, perhaps we should first examine our own hearts. Could it be that we have become unfaithful or even disobedient to the commands of our Heavenly Father?

In our Scripture from 1 Samuel, Samuel was speaking to the Israelites about their rejection of God’s authority and their continued disobedience. As God’s spokesman, he reminded them that there are consequences for rebellion against the Lord. We must be careful not to assume that God views our disobedience differently today. While we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s desire for obedience has never changed.

The verse tells us that if His people rebel against His commands, His hand will be against them, or He would curse them. I don’t know about you, but I cannot imagine anything worse. I dislike it when a friend is upset with me, but the thought of living outside of God’s favor and guidance is heartbreaking. As His child, I want to be as much like my Lord as possible. The thought of losing the joy of His fellowship or the blessing of His direction is something I never want to experience.

Now, in Deuteronomy, God spoke through Moses and presented His people with a choice: blessing or curse, obedience or disobedience. What strikes me is that God did not force their decision. He allowed them to choose.

The same choice stands before us today.

For those who belong to Christ, obedience did not earn you salvation, but it does reflect a heart that loves and honors God. The Lord promises blessing to those who walk in His ways. We often overlook just how blessed we already are. If we would take the time to count our blessings each day, we might find ourselves echoing the words of that old hymn: “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

Yet God also warned of the consequences of disobedience. When we become careless with His commands or begin picking and choosing which parts of His Word we will obey, we place ourselves in a dangerous position. Consider how devastating it would be if God removed some of the blessings we take for granted every day—our health, our provision, the sunshine, the rain, or even the ability to communicate with those we love. We are surrounded by God’s goodness, often without even noticing it.

Before Christ, many of us paid little attention to these warnings or promises. We simply expected our blessings and rarely considered the One from whom they came.

Then, through the miraculous work of God, we were drawn to Jesus Christ. We experienced His love, His forgiveness, and His saving power. We surrendered our lives to Him and discovered a joy and peace that can only come through a personal relationship with the Son of God.

However, I realize that some reading this devotional may have never truly surrendered their lives to Jesus. You may know about Him, attend church, or even believe in Him, but you have never given Him complete lordship over your life. It seems clear to me that the door to God’s richest blessings opens wide when we are fully surrendered to Christ.

Today, if you find where you fit into that last paragraph as it honestly describes you, please consider giving your life completely to Jesus. Turn from sin, trust Him as your Savior, and allow Him to lead your daily path. I am convinced that a life surrendered to Christ is a life transformed by His grace, guided by His wisdom, and overflowing with blessings that point others to Him.

The choice remains before us today, just as it did for Israel long ago: obedience or disobedience, blessing or curse. May we choose to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving us enough to give us Your Word, Your guidance, and Your commands. Forgive us for the times we have ignored Your voice, chosen our own way, or taken Your blessings for granted.

Help us to walk in obedience, not out of fear, but out of love for You. Search our hearts and reveal any area where we have become careless or rebellious. Give us the courage to surrender those things to You and the strength to follow wherever You lead.

For those who have never fully trusted in Jesus, draw them to Yourself today. Open their eyes to Your love, Your grace, and the abundant life found only in Christ.

May our lives bring honor to You and may our obedience point others to the goodness of our Savior.

In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Before Christ vs After Christ (Laying Down the Spirit of Rebellion)

On 2026-06-21 By Ed AlgreenIn God’s Word, All have sinned, God Cares For Us, Acknowledge God, Awesome God, Accept Jesus NOWLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Sunday, June 21, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read below in the Easy to Read Version (ERV) or in your Bible.

1Samuel 15:23 (ERV) ~ Refusing to obey is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Being stubborn and doing what you want is like the sin of worshiping idols. You refused to obey the Lord’s command, so he now refuses to accept you as king.”Hebrews 13:17 (ERV) ~ Obey your leaders. Be willing to do what they say. They are responsible for your spiritual welfare, so they are always watching to protect you. Obey them so that their work will give them joy, not grief. It won’t help you to make it hard for them.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

A rebellious child is one who challenges the authority of their parents from a very early age. Some will say that this is a sign of future leadership because they tend to think outside the box and are willing to stand their ground. Yet, when we are honest with ourselves, many of us will recognize that we once fit into that category. We had our own ideas, our own plans, and often resisted the authority placed over us.

However, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to something very different. We must seek His help in leaving behind our former ways and fully submit ourselves to the Lordship of our Savior. Jesus proved His love for us at Calvary, and He has prepared an eternal home for all who believe in and accept Him. When we recognize that someone truly has our best interests at heart, we naturally desire to please them. How much more should that be true of our relationship with Jesus? He has our best interests in mind every day and continually demonstrates His love, care, and faithfulness just as He did throughout Scripture.

These days, we hear a lot of talk about “Spiritual Advisors” or accountability partners. Having these people in our lives is crucial as believers, because they genuinely care about our spiritual well-being. But look at the heavy example set by the prophet Samuel in his response to King Saul’s dilemma. Most of us naturally want to please our friends by standing with them in their decisions and supporting them. But the best, most effective spiritual advisor or accountability partner is the one who is willing to call out our shortcomings so that our eyes are opened to our sin and our rebellious spirit. If they are truly sent by God, they will always do this in love.

Saul often focused on his accomplishments and saw himself through the lens of his own success. The child of God must learn a different perspective. We should regularly acknowledge what God has done through us, for it is His power that saves, sustains, and strengthens us. Without Him, we would be powerless against the attacks of Satan and the pressures of this world.

Yesterday’s devotional reminded us that God places leaders in positions of authority and accomplishes His purposes through them. Hebrews reminds us again today that leaders are most effective when we pray for them and support them, rather than allowing our old rebellious nature to rise up once again. Every day we decide who is truly in charge of our lives and where our allegiance belongs.

Every single day, it becomes clear that we must choose who is in charge and to whom we owe our allegiance. If we truly trust God and are confident that He works all things together for our good, then it seems elementary that we would permit Him to do whatever He feels is necessary to bring us safely to His side one day in glory. As the last sentence of our verse from Hebrews warns us: don’t make it hard for them. Don’t interfere with the work God has determined to do. Just support His work and pray for the individuals He has chosen to accomplish His will.

I love that current TV commercial that pokes fun at how often we try to copy or re-live the lives of our parents. But isn’t that exactly what we do in our Christian walk sometimes? Despite the awesome love and power of our Father in heaven, we still find ourselves letting parts of our old, former life of sin kick in and manifest all over again. Hebrews 13 reminds us plainly that this sort of thing will not help us.

A life fully surrendered to God through the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ must seek to leave behind former thoughts, habits, attitudes, and sins. Instead, we are called to focus on living under the Lordship of our Savior and King. Before Christ, rebellion often defined us. After Christ, surrender should define us. Are you there yet? If not, why not? God is at work every single day. We must just decide to step out of the way and allow Him to work out His perfect will in us, for His ultimate glory!

PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You today thanking You for Your immense love—a love so deep that You proved it at Calvary and went ahead to prepare an eternal home for me. Lord, forgive me for the times my old, rebellious nature tries to make a comeback. Forgive me for the times I resist the leaders You have placed over me and lookout for my best interest, and those who watch out for my soul. Father, I want to leave my past habits, thoughts, and stubborn ways behind for good. I want to be fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus. Help me to support Your work, to pray faithfully for my leaders, and to get out of the way so that Your perfect will can be accomplished in my life. May everything I do bring glory to Your name. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.