Scripture: Ephesians 3.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NLT)

16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

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

I believe that if there ever was one hope that each of us would wish for ourselves, I bet it would be that we could feel complete – whole, loved, forgiven, and accepted. No doubt, like me, you often wonder how God could love us throughout the width, or breadth of our experiences, or to the length of our lives. Praise be to God, friend, that He loves us to the height of our celebrations and even to the depths of discouragement, despair and even death. Yes, when we feel shut out from the world and from those around us, let us be reminded that we could never be lost to God’s love for us. Remember that even while people hated Him, despised Him, rejected Him, spit on Him and crucified Him, yet He sacrificed His only Son so that we could witness the love of God that saves all men, yes even you and I, so that we may have eternal life and live with Him in glory someday. That’s the kind of God that loves you and I. That’s the One who makes my life complete and helps me to understand that no matter what may be going on around me, I have a Savior who loves me enough that He cares for me and makes me feel fully loved and totally complete. It is with the love of this Jesus, that we in turn can love others with that same sacrificial love whether we are loved in return or not. As Paul said in verse 19, this type love is too awesome for us to fully comprehend, but it gives us the comfort and assurance to feel complete and enveloped by the love that our Savior has for us. Praise God forever!

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

Thank You Father for that love shown for me at Calvary when You allowed Your precious, only Son to die so that I may live forever in glory with You. This example was such that I may be challenged to reflect on the small petty reasons that I become despondent when others ridicule, or show remorse to me. What I encounter is nothing compared to what You faced, yet You sacrificed it all just for me. Please help me dear God to love the unlovable, to encourage those that may otherwise upset me or use me in ways that may not seem right. To show Your love is to overcome these barriers and love them anyway. I can feel complete today because of Your amazing love for me. Thank You Father!

 

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: Ephesians 2.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Ephesians 2:1-10 (GW)

1 You were once dead because of your failures and sins.

2 You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God.

3 All of us once lived among these people, and followed the desires of our corrupt nature. We did what our corrupt desires and thoughts wanted us to do. So, because of our nature, we deserved God’s anger just like everyone else.

4 But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us.

5 We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ. (It is God’s kindness that saved you.)

6 God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him.

7 He did this through Christ Jesus out of his generosity to us in order to show his extremely rich kindness in the world to come.

8 God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God.

9 It’s not the result of anything you’ve done, so no one can brag about it.

10 God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.

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

This Scripture reminds me that it is on Christ, the Solid Rock that I stand because of His love and sacrifice for me. We hear a lot about people who look at others and call them Mr. or Mrs. ‘Goodie 2’Shoe’ because they stand before them with their chest protruded and boast about how good they are. Friends, we were born into a world of sin and it captured our very hearts. Had it not been for the grace of God – His unfailing love, His enormous sacrifice, His everlasting mercy and His saving grace, we would have still been living in our sinful nature. Unfortunately, many still are living this way because of their own choice to not accept God’s gift of eternal life. But I believe that God repeatedly deals with them and places a desire in their heart to surrender their lives over to Him before it is too late. You see, sin has such a grip on this world and the children of this world that it is only through the power of our wonderful Lord that this hold can be broken and lives humbled into submission to the only One that loves them unconditionally and gave His life for them so that, once surrendered to Him, they too can join us around the throne of grace and live eternally in heaven one day. Where are you at friend? Have you allowed Jesus to help you break the chords of sin and truly give it all up for Him? As one who has, let me assure you that you will lose nothing, but instead gain the love of One who has sacrificed himself for you and has prepared a place for you in heaven. So not only will you lose nothing of value in this world, but you gain access to the creator of this universe and gain the world to come – heaven itself! Why not join me and millions others who have accepted this gift of love and given Jesus rule, authority and dominion over our lives so that we may live a better and more acceptable life in Him.

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

Father, thank You for softening my heart some 37 years ago and leading me into a decision to accept You as Lord and Savior of my life. I am reminded that this occurred only because of Your love for me and your patience with me and Your constant prodding. Thank You for loving me that much, as many in this world had probably given up on me already. Please touch the hearts of my family and/or friends today, especially those that will read this devotional and reflect on its truth from Your Word. Please don’t give up on them, but whisper words of encouragement to them even today so that they may surrender unconditionally to the only One who loves them sacrificially. May this be a day that You will see results from Your Word being shared through this media and in Wednesday evening services around the world. Thank You for accepting this child into Your kingdom and for watching out for me each and every day!

 

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: Ephesians 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power

20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

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

Paul spent most of this first chapter of Ephesians reminding the church at Ephesus how great our God is, and how awesome He is, in that He saved us by choosing us and sacrificing His Son to die for us, so that we may truly live eternally with Him in glory. I believe that this is something that the people of God need to be reminded about today also. I bet that for those of you reading this today, you are probably very much like me, in that we become so caught up in our own little world of personal problems, family challenges and church weakenesses, that we lose sight of the awesome power of the God that we love and serve. I encourage you to consider and be reminded that the One who created this world, that brought us into existence, that saw us choosing to go our own way and lose sight of Him and could not follow His commands, but yet He sacrificed His One and only Son so that the way might be open for us to accept this gift as the means for forgiveness of our sins and a right relationship with Him, our Creator, Lord and Savior! Wow, what a Savior! Wow, how could we wallow in self-pity and weakness when we have a resource like this by our side, and in our hearts and lives? The keys to the kingdom are ours friends! The answers are in the Book to all of life’s challenges and are readily available to us through God’s Holy Spirit that dwells in each of our hearts that have been cleansed and surrendered to the Master. As Paul said in the above verses, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is available to us as children of God. Why not commit with me today to lean not on our own understanding, depend not only on our own strength, but on the power of this awesome God that dwells within us, through the presence of His Holy Spirit.

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

Lord Jesus, I must seek Your forgiveness today, for far too long have I tried to solve life’s problems on my own and tried to fix everything on my own. I am reminded today that I serve an all-powerful Savior who cares for me and for the things in my life, the lives of my family, the concerns of my church family and for those that I come into contact with each day. Please help me to always welcome and allow Your Son, Your powerful hand and Your awesome presence to fill my life and be such a part of my everyday decisions that I will always reflect back on Your mighty works and give You praise. I know that it is only through Your awesome power that many of the needs that concern me today will be met. Please have Your will and way in my life today.

 

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: Galatians 6.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Galatians 6:1-3 (NLT)

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

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

It is so easy to look down our glasses of indignation and put down a weaker brother or sister. It is almost as indignant to see a brother or sister struggling in sin and to sit back and praise God that we are better off than them and really hope that they would receive help soon. The Galatian church was reminded that it was not their responsibility to place that person before the pastor, although that may help, or before the church, although that may be needed at times, but friend we are encouraged to humbly help that person back onto the right path. I believe that when we humbly think of ways to help that person, we tend to pray intently that God would give us direction in how to help them – truly help them and not look for ways to punish them for their wrong doings. The latter part of verse one really brings the point home, because no matter how badly we think a brother may have done, we had best be very careful that we don’t fall into the same temptation ourselves. Had it not been for the grace of God, we could easily have been the one overcome by sin, rather than the one trying to help. It’s not until we share that brother or sister’s burden that we really feel the weight of what they are carrying, and see the need of help that they could badly use. Notice how Paul didn’t say anything about trying to fix their problem for them, let’s leave that to the Master. Share the burden so that you can feel the weight of their pain, then do all you can to help them back on the right path.

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

Father, I thank You for Your precious Word. So often I might find it easier to ridicule and put a brother or sister down, rather than stepping alongside them and helping them carry the burden that they bear. You do that for me on a frequent basis, please help me as I strive to be more like You, to learn to humble myself and help a brother, or pray for a sister that may be struggling in sin. Please show me how to help them get back on the right path, without preaching a sermon to them.

 

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: ^.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Galatians 5:19-25 (NLT)

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,

21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

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

Although Paul was preaching to the Galatian church when these words were penned, God authorized these words for His Holy Book because He knew that today we would need this direction and reminder in our churches. Now for those reading this devotional, I’m sure that you are throwing darts at me because this is not the case at your church. Praise be to God for blessing your church and separating it from this world!! Just being funny, because I can guarantee you that as long as humans make up the church body, that we will be plagued by the devices of Satan, and whenever we talk about our ‘sinful nature’, as Paul did in verse 19, we are talking about the negative impact that Satan has on God’s people today. Friends, I am reminded that we are to be so focused on the characteristics mentioned in verses 22 and 23 that anytime one of the characteristics in verses 19 – 21 sneaks in on us, we would automatically drop to our knees in prayer and ask God’s forgiveness – do as commanded in verse 24: decisively nail them to the cross. When we ignore these warning signs we reveal to God, and to the world, that we have not received the gift of the Spirit of God that leads us to a transformed life. Where are you today friend? Click on this hyperlink and meditate while surrendering yourself to God and allowing Him to show you if there be any wicked way in you. Let Him search your heart and know your thoughts and help you to overcome the attacks of Satan.

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

Father, You have made us to be like You: holy, righteous, and filled with the characteristics of which Paul spoke in verses 22 and 23. How it must hurt You to see our failures and deliberate choices in allowing the desires of our sinful nature to take control of our lives. Please touch my life and help me anew today to live my life pleasing to You. May Your character and example be so evident in me today that others may see Jesus at my workplace, in my home, on the roadways and everywhere I will be today. Although many will not open Your Word today, I pray that Your teachings will be so evident in my life that they will be encouraged and drawn to You. May this be a glorious day in which You are celebrated in multiple ways, especially by those who call You Lord!

 

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: Psalm 115.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 115:16-18 (NLT)

16 The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity.

17 The dead cannot sing praises to the LORD, for they have gone into the silence of the grave.

18
But we can praise the LORD both now and forever! Praise the LORD!

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

David has yet another reminder for us in this Psalm that no matter what comes our way, we have a lot for which we can Praise The Lord! I heard a story at one time of a man with just one arm being questioned about the reason he could find to praise the Lord, and his response was that He had one good arm and he was so thankful and needed to praise the Lord. I believe that so often we fall into the trap of needing or probably wanting to be lifted up ourselves that we act in self-pity hoping to gain that attention. Friends, we have a Savior that loves us unconditionally. We don’t need to act in any particular way to get His attention, for He watches over us day and night, and He cares for us like no other. Let’s learn to recognize that in the good health that we enjoy, yes even when we awake in pain on one side of our body. Stop and thank God for blessing you with a whole body, without any missing limbs and a whole side without pain. Let’s learn to praise Him for the beautiful weather that we enjoy, and please don’t complain about the rain, or the heat, or the cold, but know that our God is the maker of this universe and He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Look for the blessings in the rain when you look at the beautiful greenery or the tasty vegetables or quieted allergies because the dust and pollen has been settled. Look for the blessings in our jobs when we look at the challenges of families with unemployed moms and dads, or the hungry around us because there is no money for food. Friends, we must do a better job of praising our God for His many blessings on us, and stop whining about the things that we personally desire. Join me today in singing “Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings on Me“

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

I am reminded so much of the Thanksgiving holiday as I wrote this devotional this morning, but Lord I am convinced this was your handiwork, to remind me that You just shower me with blessings every day, even on those darkest days when it looks like everything is going wrong and the world seems totally against me. No matter what comes my way, I am reminded that while I am alive I must give You the praise and thanksgiving for ALL things. As One who loves me, Lord please help me to not complain but accept Your gifts as presented by You. Please help me to concentrate on the gifts/blessings and not the distractions of those things that I wish were different. Just thinking about my eternal home is enough to silence the distractions of this world and fade out the distractions of a little pain or discomfort. Thinking about sitting at Your feet and singing praise and glory to You truly overshadows anything that may not go my way today. Thank You Lord for loving even me and taking such good care of even me. I love You Lord Jesus, and thank You from the bottom of my heart for Your blessings on me!

 

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: Galatians 4.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Galatians 4:19-20 (NLT)

19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.

20 I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don’t know how else to help you.

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

One of the primary reasons that most churches exist is to win the lost for Christ. We (individual Christians) are the church. So I will repeat that first sentence in a more personal way: One of the primary reasons that I exist is to win the lost for Christ – to encourage, help them make a decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and possibly walk them through the commitment of accepting Jesus. Too often today, I believe that we concentrate too much on winning the lost, but not enough on helping those babes in Christ to gain nourishment (from the Word of God), begin walking and talking (a process of actually following what the Word teaches, and not the desires of their old sinful selves), and actually being healthy, usable citizens (Christians who will teach and share what they have learned from God so that their lost friends/contacts would also come to accept Jesus). As parents, we tend to be concerned about our children, no matter what age they have attained. Paul was the same way, he was so concerned about the Galatian church that he likened it to going through similar labor pains as he went through in trying to win them to the Lord. Oh that we (as a church) and I (individually) might have the desire to not just win the lost, but to see them grow into mature Christians that could them win more lost friends to the Lord. How much richer the church will be, and how much stronger the Christian army of God would be. Wow, there will be no force too great for us to tackle!

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

Lord please touch my heart and make me to follow Your ways. Please help me to not only be directed to win the lost, but to encourage and do all I can to strengthen those already won into rich, healthy relationships with You, so that they may grow in Your Word and go on to regenerate more new babies in Christ. As in the case of Paul, I pray that You will burden me and other Christians to have a deep pain and desire to see new Christians mature into usable vessels, all for Your glory.

 

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: Psalm 111.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 111:7-10 (NLT)

7 All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.

8 They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.

9 He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!

10
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

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

This chapter, although short, really spoke to me. I was reminded of the many ways that God blesses me, and the many ways things that He provides for me that I take for granted. Too often I assume that much of life’s dependencies are automatically available to me each and every day. I am reminded that I am way too ungrateful, and that I could find many, many reasons to offer thanksgiving to my Master and my Lord. Additionally, I bolded the last verse as it is so very powerful in reminding us that true wisdom is gained by those who first respect and worship the Lord, and follow His will by obeying His commands. While I believe that higher education is very important, I believe that it is worthless without God. After all, what good is years of head knowledge without the wisdom to truly use that gained knowledge in wise and meaningful ways. Let’s not forget that God is the Master of this universe – both initially, at present and ongoing. When we exclude Him from our lives, our decisions and our actions, then we are implying that we could handle certain aspects of our lives without Him. Friend, please allow me to remind you that without Christ, all that we do is in vain. Please listen to the song, Without Him, and be reminded of this, and then let’s get back on track with placing our knowledge, and our actions in the hands of the only One that can truly help us to align these with His perfect will for this world, and the part in it in which we could participate in a meaningful way.

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

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge today that it is only through Your powerful hand that anything was created. I acknowledge that it is only through Your wisdom, Your knowledge, and under the guidance of Your perfect will that anything that I do might have an impact on this world. So Father, I pray that I may always seek Your will in all that I do and all that I say, so that it will have purpose and meaning to all those that may benefit from it. I ask that You might fill me with Your holy presence today, so that decisions that I make may be under Your direction and will. May You find me as a worthy vessel that You may use today to accomplish Your will in the lives of those that I come into contact with.

 

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: Psalm 109.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 109:21-29 (GW)

21 O LORD Almighty, deal with me out of the goodness of your name. Rescue me because of your mercy.

22 I am oppressed and needy. I can feel the pain in my heart.

23 I fade away like a lengthening shadow. I have been shaken off like a grasshopper.

24 My knees give way because I have been fasting. My body has become lean, without any fat.

25 I have become the victim of my enemies’ insults. They look at me and shake their heads.

26 Help me, O LORD my God. Save me because of your mercy.

27 Then they will know that this is your doing, that you, O LORD, are the one who saved me.

28 They may curse, but you will bless. Let those who attack me be ashamed, but let me rejoice.

29 Let those who accuse me wear disgrace as though it were clothing. Let them be wrapped in their shame as though it were a robe.

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

Some of us will remember an old song that has lyrics along these lines “why is everyone picking on me”! It sounds like David was feeling like this when he penned the words to this Psalm. What’s even more ‘eye opening’ is that we feel like this from time to time. In fact, I believe that many times we beat up on ourselves pretty bad, and put ourselves down. What caught my attention is that in spite of our feeling like the world is against us and that everyone is creating a battle against us, we can say like David did in verse 27, that God is the One who saved us, not any of them who are condemning us, or finding fault with us, or ridiculing us, but God looked down on sinful man and yet loved us so much that He allowed His one and only son, Jesus, to die on Calvary so that we may enjoy life eternally with Him in heaven. So friends, if God loved us so much that He did all this for us, let us be reassured that His love only grows in us and matures in us, and is unaffected by the false accusations that may come against us by this world that is led by, inspired by, and encouraged by, the Evil One. As I bolded in verse 28, let those of us that truly love the Lord therefore rejoice in Him and allow Him to deal with those that are messing with His children. Let’s keep our eyes focused on the One who loves us, and not on the world that despises us and are jealous of our relationship with the Master. We have every reason to rejoice friend! As a child of the King – the King of all kings, what else could we possibly want or ask for? I would encourage anyone reading this devotional that may not have this assurance or feel loved in the ways expressed, that you talk with the Master, my Lord, my Savior and my King, and consider surrendering your life over to Him today. He loves you and wants to be your protector, friend and everlasting Savior, as He was for David and as He is for me. Please contact me if I could help or encourage you in any way.

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

Lord Jesus, what a reminder through this passage today! You are in control of everything around me, including those that may persecute me or plot evil against me. Thank You for giving me this assurance so that I may go on praising You and lifting up Your name, even when all this might be going on. Please encourage those that are really troubled by all this type of turmoil today. Please speak to the hearts of those that may not have given You control of their lives and are now trying to cope with all of this on their own, for these things are temporary compare to the time that we will spend with You. Help them to surrender their hearts over to You so that they may look at the big picture and the long term blessings of eternity in heaven with You. Thank You for loving me even in, and helping me through, my failures.

 

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: Galatians 2.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Galatians 2:20-21 (NLT)

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

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

In this chapter of Galatians, Paul shares something that he had just witnessed with Peter, his fellow worker, where he was trying to be a witness to the Galatians yet trying to get them to follow His old Jewish traditions. I believe that this is something we have to be so careful with in the church. While I realize that our efforts to serve Jesus and live for Him will mean using our sinful selves, yet I am convinced that everything we do as a body must be so filled with God’s love and His desires for a righteous church. We must model His example in such a way that non-Christians will want to accept Jesus and follow Him, because of us. Much too often we allow our old worldly actions in and we look for ways to bless others so that praise may come to us personally. When we example Paul, and our Master, we will want to do those things that bring praise to God, for it is He who lives in us, it is He who gives us the strength and ability to help others, it is He who died on Calvary that we might have life eternal and therefore minister to others about that life. Let us therefore be transparent in our ministry so that all the praise may go straight up to heaven, to our Creator and Savior of this world. It is then Lord Jesus, that we can truly release any sense of self involvement and truly let our praises be lifted to You in singing, To God Be the Glory, Great Things You have Done, and it is with that acknowledgment that we will see others come to know You as their Lord and Savior. Please grant this in my life Lord Jesus, and touch the lives of others that may read this devotional, so that our work here on earth will simply be a conduit through which Your will might be accomplished. Thank You Lord Jesus for using humble vessels such as us through which Your mighty works may be accomplished!

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

I am tempted to question why You would use servants, earthly vessels, such as myself and other Christians, to accomplish Your mighty works. But Lord, I would ask afresh this day that You cleanse me of all unworthiness, all sin, all selfish desires except that desire to serve You as my soon coming King. Then, through this cleansed and holy vessel I would humbly ask that You use me in ways that may bring You honor and glory, and in ministering to the needs of the unsaved, that others may be encouraged to accept You as Lord and personal Savior. I believe that the time of Your return is near when You will call all those that remain on this earth to meet You in the air. I praise You today for having spoken to my sinful heart, convincing me of my sin, and giving me the boldness to seek after, and accept You as my Lord and personal Savior. Use me Lord so that others may be similarly affected and consequently accept You as their personal Savior. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” May that be evident in my life, dear Lord.

 

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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