Scripture: Luke 11.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 11:9-10 (NLT)

9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

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

Sometimes the simplicity of the Word of God is unbelievable! I believe that today we complicate Christianity with so many denominational and traditional church doctrines that people may feel like it takes a pastor/priest/rabbi to get through to God. Jesus told a simple story about a man knocking on a neighbor’s door after the neighbor had gone to bed. Because of the urgency of the situation, the man kept knocking because he really wanted help. Because of his persistence the neighbor got up and helped the man. In verse 9 above, Jesus tells us that it is that simple when it comes to prayer. If we are serious about that which we are praying, then we need to keep on asking. I spoke to a young waiter at a respected local restaurant and asked how he got the job, the young man was convinced that it was because of his persistence in calling and visiting the establishment that the manager realized how serious he was about the job. There are times that we mention a need in prayer, and there are times that we beg and plead to Jesus about a need. I believe that Jesus knows the seriousness and true earnest desires of our heart. What are you really praying about today? Is it a priority, or just a passing fancy? Keep on asking about that which is serious to you, and expect an answer, in God’s time!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Thank You Jesus for the simplicity of Your Word. Thank You that even simple lay persons like me could figure out what it takes to surrender my life to You, stay close to You and communicate with You on a regular basis. You made us, and I believe that You enjoy communion with us, and this could only be possible it this could be obtained in its simplest forms. Thank You for loving the educated religious leaders that bless us every week, but also thank You for being available to even those of us that depend on a simple, earnest relationship with You. May You receive honor and glory each and every day from all Your saints, especially from me Oh Lord.

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Joshua 7.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Joshua 7:12 (NLT)

12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.

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

The result of one man’s sin is very evident in this chapter. Joshua had been a very obedient leader and done everything that God had ordered him to do. However, in spite of the instructions he gave to his men, one man allowed the sin of greed to overcome him, causing destruction – death in the Israelite camp. In fact, it caused God to remove His hand of protection from the Israelites. Friends, this made me stop and ponder how often this affects our personal lives, our families and even our churches. Disobedience to God can lead to disaster, or disruption in the church, in our families and definitely in our personal lives, for God will not reside nor rule in the middle of disobedience/sin. When God removes Himself from our midst, disastrous things happen. I believe that all too often we fail to think beyond our personal life, feeling like we don’t mind bearing the brunt of God’s punishment for our sin. But friends, we must realize that this also affects our family and could also affect our church. We could see innocent people lose their lives because of our selfishness. We could see God withhold His hand from the work of His church because of our disobedience. I know that we often feel like we are just one little speck in the whole congregation, but God will not accomplish His work where sin abounds. Let’s examine ourselves before God today friend. Let’s ‘come clean’ before Him today. Remember, He already knows about our sin, we just need to be honest and seek His face and ask His forgiveness, so that He could resume His work in our church and in our family.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, the impact of sin is enormous. You have designed the path for us to walk, and You have given us the guidelines that will keep us on that path. As unfaithful and disobedient children, we have allowed sin to take us off track, and in doing so we have brought condemnation on our families and our churches. Please forgive me for allowing sin to enter and take me off track from the path You have laid out before me. Your work is way too important for me to disrupt, so please actively work on me and point out my sin, Please guide me so that I will not be a stumbling block to Your work in my family and in my church. Please help me instead to offer a hand up to help my brother and my sister to see the way, and to follow in Your pathway. Lord, may You rule and reign in my life today, is my humble prayer.

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Luke 10:21.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 10:21 (NLT)

21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

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

How many times have you been surprised by the preaching or teaching of a man that never went to seminary? How many times have you listened to a man share the Word of God and you had a real sense that he must have been at the feet of Jesus learning from Him, because You felt like God was really speaking though the man? Friends, I believe what we are being taught here is that we go to God for the real truth of His Word. Yes, I know there are commentaries that help us a lot in our understanding of the Word, but when we ask God to reveal His Word to us and to open our eyes to what He would have us learn, I believe that the Word becomes a lot more personal and really stand out on the page to get our undivided attention. I couldn’t tell you how many times I may have read over a passage, then in another reading of it I find brand new meaning to it. I believe that the reason Jesus rejoiced in this revelation to the 72 disciples that He called, is that they probably learnt how to independently go to God for understanding and not wait for it to be explained in the synagogue. In a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we can expect to speak with Him in prayer, and hear from Him in our understanding of His Word. Before reading the Word of God, let us therefore ask Him to direct our understanding and let us clearly see how it applies to us. Personal encounters such as this will open our hearts to share in a personal way with others. And for this, Jesus will again rejoice that even we can share with the unsaved and hurting around us.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Thank You Jesus for opening my heart and my understanding to Your Word. I pray that as I am filled with this understanding, that I may have the opportunities to share it with others and especially with those that need a word from You. Your Word is powerful and filled with Your love and direction for our daily path. Please humble my heart to depend on You as I read Your Word so that it may be absorbed into my daily life and witness. Bless those of us that find it difficult to read and understand so that we too may be filled, just as Your disciples were led to understanding.

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Joshua 3-4.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Joshua 3:13 (NLT)

13 The priests will carry the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.”

Joshua 4:18 (NLT)

18 As soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant came up out of the riverbed and their feet were on high ground, the water of the Jordan returned and overflowed its banks as before.

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

I want to draw a parallel between what the Israelites faced at the bank of the Jordan River, and what we sometimes face in life, for I was very much made aware of this as I read this passage this morning. The Israelites marched to the edge of the river, which was flooded over its banks and, with the Ark of the Covenant, they must have wondered OK, now what? I don’t know about you friend, but I sometime face obstacles, where I stop and ponder how will I possibly handle this situation, or overcome this evil act against me, or deal with this giant in front of me. You know, the kind where we throw our hands up and say Lord, without the necessary finances, or the necessary health, or healthcare insurance, or family and friends’ help, I cannot go another mile? But friends, I encourage you to read the above verses again, for in the first verse we see where as soon as the priests acted in faith and made the first step, God took care of the rest. Imagine the miracle of the river waters backing up, and staying backed up to allow 40,000 people to cross on the dry river bed. Imagine the look on the faces of the Israelites when they saw the last man walk out of the river, and the waters resumed their normal flow? Friends, this message spoke very loudly to me this morning, as God opened my eyes to the fact that He loves me so much that He will cause even the river waters to dry up so that I may cross over my mind-blowing obstacles and land safely on the other side. Wow, what an awesome God that we serve! He made us and He could take care of us! Oh for the faith of the Israelites, that we may make the first step in faith believing that our obstacles in life are very minor to God and He could provide a safe passage for us, if only we ask Him to, and if we have the faith to believe in what He directs us to do. I know the Lord will make a way for me! How about you, friend?

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Like the Israelites, I believe that Your power is more than sufficient to help me overcome all of life’s challenges, dear Lord. Thank You for passages such as this one today that assures us and reminds us of Your power and Your love that shows us that You will hold back the very power of nature to protect Your children. Thank You for loving me this much. Thank You for accepting me as Your child, among Your chosen ones! Oh, how I look forward to the day when I will see You face to face in glory! Praise be the name of the Lord!

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Joshua 1.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Joshua 1:5-9 (NLT)

5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.

7
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

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

A quick read in this first chapter of Joshua the reader may quickly presume that Joshua may have had some self-confidence problems. However, let me remind you that Joshua had just seen Moses die as a result of his failure to follow instruction. He had witnessed the many years of disobedience by the Israelites and how Moses had such a rough time leading them through the wilderness. Now Joshua was face with this awesome task, to lead over 2 million people into the final leg of their journey. God knew the challenge that Joshua was facing and the nerves that were affecting Joshua, so in addition to giving him advice, God also gave him assurances that He would be with him throughout all phases of the remaining journey. God assured Joshua several times that he must be strong and courageous. In verse 18 after the people had given their allegiance to their new leader, they too assured Joshua that he must be strong and courageous. In verse 8 Joshua was told that his time in the Word of God would assure him of success and prosperity. I believe that Jesus is assuring His believers, His saints, His children today that to face todays challenges, and to lead many into the promised home for believers, we must bathe our day with the Word of God, and we must be strong in the faith and our unwavering trust in Him, and to be courageous in knowing that no matter how many might oppose our witness and our message, our God is able. Be encouraged today Brother! Stand firm today Sister! God has a home prepared for us and He wants us to bring as many with us as would believe in Him. Be strong and courageous to carry out the work He has set for us to do!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, it is so easy to just crawl up in a shell and withdraw ourselves from the awesome task that You have assigned to us – “Go ye into all the world and make disciples ……” But in this passage today You are encouraging me to ‘stand strong and be courageous’ because the God of this universe stands with me. In sharing this with my virtual friends, I believe that Christians everywhere will be reminded of the words in Joshua 1 and that they too will be encouraged, to move forward in the battle with You as our ultimate leader, and to be strong and courageous in facing the challenge. Thank You Father for entrusting us to help in Your kingdom work.

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Luke 9.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 9:18-20 (NLT)

18 One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

19 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”

20 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”

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

Who is Jesus? This may be the question asked of a Christian today, and I don’t believe that we will have the option of taking out our Bible to quote a response from the Word. In fact, I believe that when this question is asked of us today it would throw the unbeliever if we responded with a Bible verse, or perhaps according to something our pastor may have said, or anyone other than ourselves may have said. For what the unbeliever is really asking is, “who is this Jesus of which you speak, who is He to you?” You see, some refer to Jesus as “the Man upstairs” – in other words, they can’t make themselves mention the precious name of ‘Jesus’ or our eternal home, ‘Heaven’, in a public place. Friends, we have to realize that when questions like this are asked of us, God has just opened the door wide open for a public witness! Another scripture says that if we are ashamed of Him before men, He will be ashamed of us before the Father. Our personal witness is more meaningful to an inquirer than any amount of scripture that we could quote, for it is undeniable. It is a personal experience and a personal relationship of which we speak. We wouldn’t dare be that evasive about responding to a question about the special person God has blessed us with – our spouse. So when questioned about the most important relationship in our life, let’s be prepared to take a stand and share. God could very easily use that to speak to the heart of the unbeliever. Let’s take a stand today!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my personal Savior and for having that personal relationship with me. Praise God, that I can call on You at any time. Thank You for dying on Calvary’s cross as a sacrifice for me, so that I may have a means of coming to the Father. Thank You for the home You have prepared for me to spend eternity with You. Please give me boldness to respond personally to every door You may open for a non-Christian to ask questions of me. Use the simple words that I may respond with, to draw the unsaved to Yourself today, is my humble prayer.

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 32:46-47 (NLT)

46 Moses added: “Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions.

47 These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.”

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

Because of circumstances leading up to this point in Moses’ life, he knew that because of his disobedience he would soon die and not get to celebrate the entrance into the Promised Land. Yet Moses was a man of God and willingly allowed God to speak through him to the people of Israel. Being at the crossroads of his death, I would imagine that Moses’s speech was filled with passion, as he really wanted to see his people succeed in their mission for God. In these particular verses, Moses urged the people to think about God’s word and teach it to their children. Friends, the Bible can sit on our bookshelf and gather dust, or we can make it a vital part of our life by regularly setting aside time to study it. When we personally discover the wisdom of God’s message, we will want to apply it to your life and passionately pass it on to our family and others we love. The Bible is not merely good reading—it’s real help for real life.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Dear Lord, as reminded by this old saint in this passage of scripture, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. As I am nurtured by its many truths, may I become passionate about teaching it and exampling it before my child so that she may see its importance to me and, in turn, make it her guide in life. Please speak to the heart of those that may meditate on this devotional today so that they too may become attached to Your Word and look to it for all of life’s answers.

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 30:6 (NLT)

6 “The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!

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

God’s mercy is unbelievable. It goes far beyond what we can imagine. Even if the Jews deliberately walked away from him and ruined their lives, God would still take them back. God would give them inward spiritual renewal. I found this chapter very rewarding and encouraging as I was reminded about how awesome my God is. God wants to forgive us and bring us back to himself, too. It is so unfortunate that some of us will not learn this until our world has crashed in around us. Then the sorrow and pain seem to open our eyes to what God has been saying all along. How is it with you friend, are you separated from God by sin? No matter how far you have wandered, God promises a fresh beginning if only you will turn to Him. The Israelites had done some pretty awful things, even under circumstances when God was providing for their every need. Yet He told them that He would change their hearts so that they would love Him with every fiber of their being. Friends that is unconditional love that only a Savior could provide. For those that can join me in celebration today, I believe that you will agree that this is the kind of love that our Savior showed us on the cross, and that He continues to show us, who are oh so unworthy, every day. Perhaps some may read this that have never met my Lord, but would like to know more about this unconditional love, please write to me at the email listed below and allow me to introduce you.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You gave. Thank You for demonstrating your love for me in so many ways. Thank You for showing me in this passage of Scripture today that You would continue tugging on my heart and reminding me of Your love so that I might stay close to You. Please remind me often of this so that I may never lose hope when life may otherwise tend to feel empty. You are my Rock and my Inspiration. Please guide me to someone who needs to know You today.

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Luke 8.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 8:18 (NLT)

18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”

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

Applying God’s Word helps us grow. This is a principle of growth in physical, mental, and spiritual life. For example, a muscle, when exercised, will grow stronger, but an unused muscle will grow weak and flabby. Spiritually, if we are not growing stronger, we are growing weaker; it is impossible for us to stand still. How are you using what God has taught you?

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, thank You for speaking to Your children through Your Word. Please sharpen our minds and our understanding. Please clear our minds so that we might concentrate on all that You have to say to us. May we be careful to be Your obedient servants and act on all that You teach us and in all that You provide guidance to us in. I love You Lord and lift my voice to worship You for all that You are to me! Thank You Jesus!

 

**Words 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
**

Scripture: Luke 7.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 7:44-47 (NLT)

44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.

46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

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

Did you ever have someone visit with you, and after spending a fair amount of time with you, a question was asked about a mark on the person’s face or something very obvious, and you couldn’t answer the question? Ever found yourself so busy preparing a meal and cleaning up after the meal, that when your friends or family left you wished to yourself that instead you would have devoted more time listening to them and talking with them? I believe that this happens all too often, and unfortunately I believe that it happens all too often in our churches. We are so busy serving, or so busy teaching, or so preoccupied in our own little world filled with so many problems, that we completely tune out that a person may be looking for a wise word from us or a loving, caring thought from us. In fact, we are so busy trying to impress others, that we don’t take time to spend specifically and personally with Jesus – the whole purpose for us attending church in the first place. In the captioned verses we see where Simon was so busy trying to be a good host and attending to the matters he thought important, that Jesus quickly brought to his attention the important customary things that had been overlooked. Compare that to the lady who came for the specific purpose of blessing the Savior, worshipping Him and anointing Him. She had no interest in bringing something to help with the meal or something to impress others in the room. She came with an intended purpose, and she carried it out. We can learn so much from this story! If we went to church with the main purpose being to meet with Jesus, to worship Him, to spend time with Him, to express our love for Him, and to Him – imagine how dim and unimportant the other things that we concentrate on today would become? Becoming one with Jesus is all about relationship, not what we could do for Him.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, I am ashamed to come before You today in prayer, because of guilt in all this lesson has taught me. For I have become so engrossed in trying to do things for You, when You are more than capable of doing for yourself. I am so busy trying to do for others so that they might see an act of Jesus, when all they are really looking for is evidence of my love for You so they could be assured of my true relationship with You. Please forgive me and help me to overcome these weaknesses. Please help me instead to concentrate on my relationship with You, and that I might express my love for You. Please touch the lives of all readers of this devotional so that they may recognize Your love and their need for a closer relationship with You, not the busyness of their Christian lives.

 

**Words 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
**