Scripture: Romans 10.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Romans 10:8-13 (NLT)

8 …. In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:

9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

If I saw a friend of mine walking towards a busy highway and it appeared like they would walk into the path of oncoming traffic, I would rush to stop them, I would shout to warn them of the danger, I may even grab them and shake them to their senses if I thought that they were aimlessly heading into danger without thought of the consequences. This is very much like what Paul is doing in this passage. He was very concerned about his fellow Jews, who should have known better than to walk aimlessly towards life eternal without Christ. So Paul shared with them what the prophets foretold about how to know that one could be assured of eternal life with Jesus, yes even after death here on this earth. This is important news for us today also friends, for we need to be assured that our lives are in order first of all. Secondly, let’s not sit idly by and see our friends heading into a fatal situation and do nothing. We must share this good news with everyone that we come into contact with. We have a vested interest in our friends, we want to see them enjoy the best God has to offer. Let’s make it our mission to share the Good News with our friends in 2012, for their own safety and security.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father God, I come before You this morning thanking You for providing a way for me, yes unworthy though I may be, yet You provided a means for me to be assured of life eternal with You in glory. Thank You! Just as You lovingly convinced me of my sin and redirected my path unto righteousness, I pray that You will guide me to encourage my friends, my contacts and all those that I have influence over, to surrender their lives to You – a path to safety and security in knowing that they will one day join You in heaven.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Job 12-13.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Job 13:20-24 (NLT)

20 “O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you. 21 Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence. 22 Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply.

23 Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin. 24 Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Job had been tested and tried. He had mumbled and moaned before God and overheard by his peers, who went on to try and give him advice. Job was convinced in his heart that he had done nothing wrong, but he knew that God was the only one that could give him answers to his dilemma. What touched me in this story this morning is that so often we feel like we have been left alone, or that God has pulled His hand away from us, yet there is so much we can learn from Job on how to best handle a situation like this. We don’t need to blame others for our situation, for there is nothing they have done to us, instead we need to get before the Father and ask for a Word directly from the only One who has all the answers. Secondly, I would hope that when any of us approach God like Job did, that we are ready to handle the answer that may be given to us! Job presented his case with an open heart and with open arms to receive anything that God may have thrown at him, and I believe that Job was ready to act on those things, if necessary. I believe that we could use this example at least once a month for a time of getting back on track, or to ensure that we are on track and not just following our own free will. Basically, realigning ourselves with God and His will for our lives. If we are not following the will of God, we are selfishly doing whatever we please, and that will not minister to anyone. Are you on track for all God can do through you in 2012?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, please help me to always humble myself before you and seek Your will and Your face, for I am convinced that only You have all the answers and only You hold the keys to tomorrow and all that You can accomplish through one humble servant willing to let You have Your way in my life. I am Yours dear God, use me for Your glory and to accomplish Your will in the lives of all those that I come into contact with and have influence over.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Roman 9.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Romans 9:30-33 (AMP)

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles who did not follow after righteousness [who did not seek salvation by right relationship to God] have attained it by faith [a righteousness imputed by God, based on and produced by faith],

31 Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law [for the securing] of righteousness (right standing with God), actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law.

32 For what reason? Because [they pursued it] not through faith, relying [instead] on the merit of their works [they did not depend on faith but on what they could do]. They have stumbled over the Stumbling Stone.

33 As it is written, Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble, a Rock that will make them fall; but he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

This passage, on first reading, appears very deep and complex, but sometimes we are like these people, trying to get right with God by keeping his laws. We may think that attending church, doing church work, giving offerings, and being nice will be enough. After all, we’ve played by the rules, haven’t we? But Paul’s words sting—this approach never succeeds. Paul explains that God’s plan is not for those who try to earn his favor by being good; it is for those who realize that they can never be good enough and so must depend on Christ. We can be saved only by putting our faith in what Jesus Christ has done. If we do that, we will never be disappointed. The Jews had a worthy goal—to honor God. But they tried to achieve it the wrong way—by rigid and painstaking obedience to the law. Thus, some of them became more dedicated to the law than to God. They thought that if they kept the law, God would have to accept them as his people. The Jews did not see that their Scriptures, the Old Testament, taught that salvation depended on faith, not on human effort. Friend, there is only one way to salvation, and that is through faith in the One who died for our sin, the One that we must humble ourselves before and beg His forgiveness for our sin. It would sure be great to know that all that might read this devotional have done this and will enter 2012 with a fresh assurance that their faith is in Jesus alone and that they are building a relationship with Him, and developing that relationship every day. Sending your gifts (tithes and/or offering) and even your wife and/or kids to church will not do it dads; we must personally seek that relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t let this old year exit with you still undecided and willing to wait, make the most decision of your life today brother. Please feel free to contact me by clicking on the email link below, or contact your Bible teaching/believing pastor today so that I/we may help walk you through this important step in your life.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I truly believe that this is decision time for many that may read this today, for I believe that many will want to enter 2012 with their spiritual lives cleaned up and in order. I pray that You will speak to the hearts of many today. Tender their hearts and prepare them for eternity with You by committing themselves to You today, while they still have breath to do so. I pray that You will always remind me that it’s not about church attendance, although I know the importance of assembling ourselves together as fellow Christians; and that it’s not about working myself silly around the church, although I know that Christians will strive to do their very best for their master and present their worship facility in the best form possible, but that everything hinges on my/our personal relationship with You. Thank You Father for bringing this to my attention today. May I find myself always before Your throne on my knees seeking Your will and Your way so that I may truly follow You all the days of my life.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Job 9.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Job 9:6-10 (NLT)

6 He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble. 7 If he commands it, the sun won’t rise and the stars won’t shine. 8 He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea. 9 He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky. 10 He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Job was being tested to the state that he now found himself in, where he is convinced that no matter what he does or says, it would be nothing that would convince God to change the course of his life. I believe that many today can identify with Job, as we become so frustrated with life itself, and often feel like there is nothing we could do that would turn life’s circumstances around. However, we must get our minds sorted out, because much like Job, we will realize that our problem is inward, and that there is nothing that we could do that would straighten God out. He is the plumb line and it is He that we must aim to please. It Is God that we must strive to follow each and every day. Yes, it will seem like we are constantly beating up on ourselves in order to get our lives in line with God’s ordeals, however, we as we humble ourselves before Him, He will open our eyes to His truths and guide us into the path of righteousness. I believe that blaming God only causes us to take our eyes off the real problem and what we might do to better align our lives with His. God humbled himself to have His Son – royalty in its truest form, born in a stable where the animals rested. What must we do to get a grip on our pride and follow God as He directs?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, only you know the answer to the above question and only You can humble my heart to see the real truth of what I must do to truly align my life with Your desire for my life. Please continue to work on me and guide me into the path of righteousness. As I study Your Word, may it speak volumes to me so that I may be open to the changes You would have me make, so that I may become more like You. Also, dear Savior, please touch the lives of my friends that may read this devotional today, and help them to be drawn to You like never before. As we approach a New Year, may we approach life itself in a new and renewed light of who You are, and all that we must do to align our lives with the perfect design You have in store for us. I believe that we all want to do better in our Christian walk, please help us to be humble enough to make the necessary adjustments to fulfill that wish.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Romans 8.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Romans 8:5-8 (NLT)

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.

6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.

8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

When I write these devotionals, I think of them as just little nuggets from God’s Word that overwhelmingly spoke to me as I meditated on His Word. In this chapter of Romans this morning there were so many ‘Nuggets’ that really spoke to me, that I had difficulty choosing which one to share in my devotional. None the less, these particular verses spoke volumes to me. So often I reflect on things that I did or said that I was not proud of, and almost always I tend to think that it happened because of my sin nature or because Satan was interfering with me, or having a field day with me. These verses tell me that if I am a child of God, that His Spirit dwells within me, and if I am truly controlled by the Spirit then I would truly think about the things that pleases God. Further it revealed to me that if I allow my sinful nature to control my mind, then I am not a child of the King and will never please God. I believe that I must really draw closer to God and really depend on His Holy Spirit that dwells within me a whole lot more than I do, for I want very badly to think only on those things that pleases God, for it is those things that I will subsequently act on.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I pray that Your will be so evident in my life today that not only will I feel Your awesome power, strength and guidance, but that others will see the love of Christ in everything that I do or say. Please help me to always be reminded of where my strength comes from, whose Spirit lives within me, and that the evil one has no power in my life, so I should never give him credit for anything going on in my life. Thank You for send Your Holy Spirit to reside within me, controlling me and guiding me through the challenges of this earth. I can only make it through with Your presence, Your strength, and Your guidance. Thank You Father for loving me this much!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Romans 7.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)

21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

22 I love God’s law with all my heart.

23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

25
Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I believe that sometimes we might question ourselves on whether our Christianity is real, especially at those times when we feel so drawn into sin that although we know it is wrong, it seems like we are almost under a spell and cannot control ourselves. I believe that Paul had similar experiences, because I believe that this is exactly what he is sharing with us in these key verses. However, I bolded a sentence/statement made by Paul that really impacted me this morning and that is: when all else appears to be failing, when we feel like we are at our weakest, when we give in follow a sinful attraction instead of our Holy Spirit led Godly instincts, let’s remember that the answer is Jesus Christ our Lord! Let’s place our faith and trust in Him alone and concentrate our thoughts on Him and depend on Him to see us through. Jesus is the only One that could overcome Satan and his attacks, so let’s place the situation in the hands of the only One that can handle it and direct us into overcoming!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, please forgive me for not calling on You soon enough many times when old Satan dips his ugly nose into my life and tries to control my circumstances. You are my King, my Lord and my Savior, and You have the answers, and power to overcome the adversary. Please help me to never take the reins thinking that I could handle this one, but help me to always place my faith and trust in You. Thank You for loving me this much!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Job 1-2.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Job 1:4-5 (NLT)

4 Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.

5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

This book starts off by saying that “Job was blameless – a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil”. What a testimony, and what an honor to be known as such! Wow! Of course, the verses above go hand-in-hand with the character of Job. For just as he was blameless, he wanted to make sure that should his kids have sinned through all of the previous night’s partying, that he would present them before the Lord for cleansing each morning. I can only imagine how this world would be if we had more dads that would be so committed to God and so determined to see his kids not only come to the Lord, but also committed to their ongoing spiritual wellbeing. I for one would be honored if I was blessed in such a way. In our own personal lives we tend to look more on what our children might do that would honor, or dishonor us before our peers. If our children honored God, we would automatically be honored before God and our peers! Oh for the faith, commitment and determination of Job to live for Christ in and through all of our circumstances.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father God, You have shown me a true man of God this morning in the life of Job. Please give me strength, wisdom and determination each day to be bold like Job in my life so that You may be honored in all that I do or say. Furthermore, please help me to be equally as concerned about my family in their relationship with You. You are my eternal King and I thank You for loving me so much that You gave, so that I may have life eternally with You. While here on this earth, may Your love be evident through me and in the lives of those that I influence and have charge of.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Romans 6.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Romans 6:12-14 (NLT)

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.

13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

This chapter has really been an eye-opening reminder that made me think of my physical body. If I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and placed on medication to improve it and told to adjust my diet so that I could resume a healthy lifestyle, chances are that I will make every effort to adjust my lifestyle. Yet in our Christian walk we surrender our hearts to the Lord and often return to sinning, or our old sinful character. Paul reminds us here in this chapter that we should not allow any part of our bodies to become an instrument to sin and that we are not to give in to the sinful desires, but rather we are to live in the freedom of God’s grace! With all the pressures of this world and everything around us, we might tend to say that this sounds good on paper, but really we could never be that perfect. Friends, let’s remember that ALL things are possible through God and with the strength, help and direction of the God who saved us. The big challenge for us today is to adjust our minds to believe that with God’s help we can accomplish His will, and we can live holy lives in the strength that He offers. I have given myself to God, and with the help of Jesus, His Son, I will live a life pleasing to Him and for His glory. I believe that this would be the greatest gift we all could ever give to Him this Christmas season, a total dedication to Him and His kingdom work. Won’t you join me in this commitment?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, thank You for drawing to my attention the source of my strength, and the worldly desires that so easily distract me from my walk with You. Please forgive me where I have failed You and give me strength this Christmas season to walk uprightly, and boldly representing You, the reason for this season, in everything that I do or say. Please touch the lives of my friends that may read this devotional today and grant them similar strength and/or direction as they come before you with similar commitments and requests. May we experience the joy that was first felt at Your birth!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Nehemiah 9.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Nehemiah 9:32 (GW)

32 And now, our God, you are the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God. You faithfully keep your promises. Do not consider all the hardships that we have been going through as unimportant. The hardships have come to our kings, leaders, priests, prophets, ancestors, and all your people from the time of the kings of Assyria until now.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I found this chapter very inspiring this morning. The Levites had just read the Word of God to the people and saw how blessed they were, to the extent of crying when they realized how far short they had fallen from God’s demands. They then wanted the people to stop and really consider how thankful they should be to God, so they led them into a time of thanksgiving and prayer. They reflected all the way back to creation and came all the way up to the present showing them that although the people were unworthy, yet God had been so faithful in all that He had done and in all that He is directing them to. Wow, what a reminder for us, because we need to reflect more on all that we have been blessed with ever since the book of Nehemiah ended, and all that God is blessing us with even today. It is so easy and overbearing to concentrate on our needs and, unfortunately many time we concentrate too much on our wants, that we spend little time on the blessings that God showers on us each and every day. There is so much that we take for granted and expect to see each day. Let’s stop to consider how many people in this world that don’t come close to seeing the wonderful things that we enjoy each day, and although our official celebration of ‘Thanksgiving Day’ has passed on for this year, yet we will recognize and be reminded of the great joy of thanksgiving that should flow from our hearts and our minds even today! God is good friends! Let’s tell Him that and express how thankful we are about that!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father God, You are awesome in every way! Thank You for allowing me a good, comfortable, warm, night’s rest, and to see another day where I can peacefully learn from Your Word and even share it and express my thoughts about it in such an open/public forum as the internet, where many can read this and hopefully be blessed like I was when I read the Scripture and learned from it. Please continue to bless me today, and help me to be a blessing to those that I come into contact with, so that Your name may be praised and honored.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Scripture: Romans 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Romans 1:2-6 (GW)

2 God had already promised this Good News through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. 3 This Good News is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. In his human nature he was a descendant of David. 4 In his spiritual, holy nature he was declared the Son of God. This was shown in a powerful way when he came back to life.

5 Through him we have received God’s kindness and the privilege of being apostles who bring people from every nation to the obedience that is associated with faith. This is for the honor of his name. 6 You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Unlike the daily newspapers, or the morning television news, Paul begins the book of Romans by pointing out the Good News of the gospel. The reason why the Christian faith exists, and the reason why Christians can rejoice each and every day. For those who may not be identified as ‘Christian’ because they have chosen to reject the King of kings and Lord of lords, I need to remind you that there can be purpose in why you walk this earth and why you would look forward to eternal life after your time here on this old earth. In the last sentence in the verses above we are reminded that ‘YOU’ are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. Friend, Jesus would prefer that none should perish, but that ALL His kids would come to accept Him and know Him in a very intimate and personal way. This means ‘YOU’, and what better time to consider a very positive change in your life than during this Christmas season when we celebrate His birth and began His journey of love and ministry of forgiveness? Won’t you accept the gift that was given on that very first Christmas? Imagine the joy that each future Christmas would have when You are convinced in your heart and assured in your spirit that you are in a personal relationship with the Master of this universe, the Creator of us and everything around us, the King of all the kings that ever lived, the One who was raised from the dead and went on to raise others from the dead, the One who showed love and compassion to those that were not very loving at all! This is the Lord that I know, love and adore, and I want you to know Him too. Won’t you invite Jesus to forgive you of your sin, take control of your life and be with you throughout the rest of your days? This will sure be a very Merry Christmas for you and all that you know!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father You are love! You are awesome in every way! Thank You for opening my eyes to the love that You have for me. Please now melt the hearts of those that may read this devotional who may not have opened their hearts and accepted You into their lives. I pray that this will be a very special Christmas for them as they surrender their lives to Your love, Your rule and Your direction. Thank You for loving us so much that that You gave, so that we may have eternal life with our Creator!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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