Month: January 2015

How To Live Innocent, Pure and Effective Lives

On By Ed AlgreenIn Commitment, LightLeave a comment

The Holy Bible (New Living Translation – Philippians 2:14-16a): 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life;

Thoughts: I don’t believe there is a person on earth that would not want to live their lives with purpose and in a way that would impact someone else in a positive way. I believe that some of the bestselling books are those written to show people how they might improve their lives to be more effective in their jobs and in their personal relationships. Perhaps most folk are unaware of Biblical teachings, such as the one highlighted today, that do exactly what they are looking for! So friends let’s dig in and examine what the Word is actually directing us to do in order to live innocent, pure and effective lives:

  • First, and of primary importance, do everything without complaining and arguing. – I believe it is obvious to see that not only does this interfere in our growth and effectiveness today, but that Paul addressed this with His church followers because of issues in the church back then. Think about this good friend, and I believe that you will quickly see that this type of behavior only serves to tear down and not build up. It is generally egged on by Satan to destroy the effectiveness of God’s work among His people. So anytime you find yourself participating in something like this, please quickly recognize that you are not promoting an innocent, pure and effective work that shows God at work in your life;
  • Secondly, when others cannot see any difference in the life you live versus those that do not claim Jesus as Lord, then I would dare say that you have lost touch with the One who makes a difference in your life. For when Jesus lights up your life, through living in You and showing you the way to righteousness, your life will be a stark contrast to the unsaved that you come into contact with. People might explain a stark difference in two things as “difference between day and night”. Similarly, you can also see from verse 15 above that God is expecting our lives to be in such contrast to the darkness of sin in an unbeliever’s life, as a shining light is to one in their dark world of sin and disregard for the things of Christ. And
  • Thirdly, our strength to be effective comes from the Lord. So hold firmly to the Word of God. This is not a paper book being referred to here. This means that we are to hold on to the truths taught by and through the Word of God. When we live by the Spirit, He will be more apt to affect the lives of others through us, but when we exclude Him, we are powerless.

For the Christian, I believe that your challenge is to live the life you have committed to live in Christ’s wisdom and power so that we might all be effective witnesses for our Master. For the non-Christian, there is a better way friend! To live life to its fullest and to enjoy the rewards of sharing light and hope to your lost friends, I would encourage you to first surrender your life to the Light of this world, Jesus Christ. Please read through the ‘Footnote’ below for help on how you might do this. Friend, I am always available and ready to help you in any way that I could, in order that you might achieve this eternal hope!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Light of the world, thank You for shining Your precious light on me some 39 years ago, and for lighting my path every day, enabling me to live in the light of Your will. Please continue to touch me with Your power each and every day so that I may stay away from complaining and arguing, and instead live a clean and innocent life that exemplifies You in every way so that I may be a ‘light’, Your light, to the dark and miserable world that I am surrounded by. Please touch the hearts of my readers today so that they too might commit to being more effective ‘lights’ in their world, or if You are not known as a source of light to one that might stumble upon this devotional, I pray that You might have an awesome and life changing impact upon them today. Lord, may Your powerful ‘Light’ shine though us today, is my humble and sincere prayer that I ask in the name of Jesus, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE:  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

The Inside Man Is Shown To The Outside World

On By Ed AlgreenIn WitnessingLeave a comment

The Holy Bible (New Living Translation- Philippians 2:12-13): Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Thoughts: I believe that way too often we, who have placed our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, confuse the idea of ‘works’ when it comes to our salvation. Let me explain. I am 100 percent in agreement that we cannot ‘work’ ourselves into heaven, and that it is only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ that we have a chance of seeing heaven. However, I am totally convinced that there should be lots of evidence of our salvation, and that this will often be revealed through our actions and/or our ‘works’ as a Christian. A life that has not been impacted by Jesus Christ, may not have Him as a vital part of their life. When I got married, anyone could tell I was a married man, not just because I had a ring on my finger, but through my talk, and my actions. Paul is teaching that we are to work hard at showing the unsaved world that we belong to Jesus. The results of our salvation is peace, love, joy, humbleness and forgiveness. I wonder if Jesus was to base your entrance into heaven based on the evidence shown to the world of your salvation, would He have enough evidence to let you in? This scripture is teaching us that God works in and through His children by not only giving them the desire to please Him, but also the power to accomplish the necessary actions. Friends, there was no shame or hesitant fear when Jesus was taken to Calvary to die for our sin. Why would you possibly find an excuse not to openly confess that He is your Lord and Master? Why would you restrain His mighty works through you? Please consider recommitting your life to Him today and giving Him complete control, so that His will might be accomplished through you? If all of this is pretty strange to a reader, let me encourage you to read the ‘Footnote’ below and take some first steps towards surrendering your life to Jesus Christ. All of which I have shared today comes after this initial, but vitally important step.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus my King, thank You for saving my soul, and thank You for all that You accomplish through me. I am somewhat ashamed at the lack of Christian evidence that others may always see in me, so I humbly ask Your forgiveness for the pride and fear of rejection that may often impede my witness. Thank You for the reassurance in vs 13 that You are constantly working in me and giving me power and the desire to always confess You as Lord, and to openly worship You and please You in every aspect of my life. Please don’t give up on me. Lord, I believe there will be readers meditating on this devotional today that are in various stages of life’s challenges. Please speak to their hearts and give them the peace and reassurance that You have blessed me with this morning. May we all be Your humble servants today, but ones that shine with the bright glory of our risen Christ, so that others will be encouraged to know You in a very personal and committed way. May we praise You today for who You are, and for all that You accomplish through us, for I ask all this in the name of my risen and everlasting Lord, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Have The Same Attitude As Christ Jesus

On By Ed AlgreenIn Commitment, ExampleLeave a comment

The Holy Bible (New Living Translation – Philippians 2:1-5): Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Thoughts: We are often compared to a parent or grandparent on our looks and in our demeanor. Wouldn’t it be praise worthy if, just from our actions and our attitude, someone could identify us with Jesus? You see, this could very well happen when a believer or non-believer identifies something different about us – something different to the rest of the world, or different to what they would expect for someone under our circumstances. I believe that we, children of God, are to be constantly in the Word of God. Therefore, just as we model our lives after our ancestors because of our time with them, we will also become acquainted with the ways of God and start acting like Him. The neat thing for Christians, is that when we commit/surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, He gives us His Helper (the Holy Spirit) as our Guide, our Strength, our Deliverer, our Protector and our Friend, to enable us to act like Jesus even under circumstances that would tend to throw the ordinary person into a tail spin. Paul teaches that this type of life will invoke: agreeing wholeheartedly with each other; loving one another; working together in peace and purpose; unselfishness; no need to impress others; humbleness; ability to think of others as better than yourself; and not always looking out for your own interest only. Friends, there’s an old song with lyrics that read “What the world need now, is love, sweet love….” For a moment can you think what our world would be like if everyone would live with the attitude of “What the world needs now, is Jesus as Lord”? Can’t you imagine us retiring most of our military, little need for an expansive law enforcement team or counselors or mediators! Think about it friend, if we are not living like God expects, then obviously we are living like Satan wants us to. There is no in between. This change can happen one life at a time. Will you consider being the first to make a change in your life and seek to live with the attitude of Christ Jesus? With God’s help you can, friend!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my Rock, my salvation, my Guide, my Deliverer, my Friend and yet my Master. You led a perfect life so that I may have a perfect example to follow. Please give me an ongoing desire to follow Your example each and every day, and may I practice Your example with everyone that I come into contact with, and under every circumstance in this life. May others see Jesus in every aspect of my life, and may You receive honor and praise from others as they detect Your love and example in me. Please speak to the hearts of my readers today, because I am convinced that what the world needs now is Jesus. They need to see You in action through the committed lives of Your children. May they not be disappointed as they look on us dear Lord. I ask all this, believing that You are the only one capable of helping us, and the only one worthy of our praise, and so it is in the name of Jesus that I plead my case, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Ambassadors For Jesus Christ

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ambassador, WorthyLeave a comment

The Holy Bible (New Living Translation – Philippians 1:27): 27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.

Thoughts: Almost 25 years ago I applied for citizenship to the United States of America. Part of the oath and promises I had to make involved total loyalty to this country, even if it went to war with my birth country. I believe that Paul is teaching us in this chapter that we are to consider it such a privilege and honor to become children of God – or ‘citizens of heaven’ that we are to leave behind the old life of our previous world of sin and hardships, and take hold of the promises of God and the kingdom of Heaven, under every circumstance. In fact, in the previous verses we are taught that in dying we gain the honor of being with Christ, however, there is such an awesome work that remains here on planet earth that we should strive to remain here as long as God permits, so that we may spread the joy of our heavenly citizenship. In other words, we are to be ambassadors for Heaven – for Jesus Christ! To do this, we must not faint in: doing the will of God; being His loyal representative; acting like Him; speaking like Him and imitating Him in every walk of life. When we do this friends, it is fairly obvious that others will see Jesus through us and gain a desire to know Him in a very personal way. So my challenge to you today, at this very early stage of the New Year, is to commit to living wholeheartedly for Jesus Christ, despite the audience, and especially while allowed to remain on this earth. To do this we are to follow the teaching of Paul in the captioned verse, “conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ“. I would dare say that with God’s help we can do this friend! Will you make this commitment to God and seek His powerful hand of wisdom and direction for your life?

Prayer: Lord, this challenge often seems impossible, especially when we consider it under our own strength and abilities. Therefore, I acknowledge that I can only do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I need You more today than ever before. Please teach me to submit myself to You daily, so that I might live in the power of Your might and in the center of Your will. Not for my sake, but so that the world might know that Jesus is alive and that You love them unconditionally. Please have Your will and way in my life, and please touch my friends who will seek You today. May we reflect on this day as one lived in a manner worthy of the Good News of Jesus Christ, is my sincere prayer that I ask in the matchless name of Jesus, my Lord, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE:If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

The Impact of Your Life on Others

On By Ed AlgreenIn Example, Imitator of ChristLeave a comment

The Holy Bible (The Message – Philippians 1:13-14) Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.

Thoughts: Ever looked at someone, particularly their actions, and commented to your spouse or friend about their demeanor, or their actions? They probably had either a very positive impact, or perhaps just the opposite effect on you. In fact, I have encountered individuals where I turned to my wife and said, “they must be a Christian”. I don’t believe that this is a result of putting people into a ‘box’, but in the case of a Christian’s attitude, we should see actions that reflect the One to whom they have surrendered their life. I would even dare say that if Christians are not imitating Christ, then we had best be on high alert in following them, as they are probably still following the same old worldly effects of Satan. Please don’t misunderstand friend, I am not suggesting that you judge people. Instead, I am urging you to be well learned in the things of Christ and His characteristics, then to be diligent and extremely discerning to associate with individuals who will strengthen your walk with the Lord, as Paul reflected even in prison. Anything else serves to destroy your witness, and minimize the name of the Lord. So the challenge that I believe that God has for us in this passage, is to examine ourselves and determine, with the help of the Almighty, to live the life that Christ has exampled for us, and not to live a fake. If we claim to belong to Jesus, then let’s determine to live like Him in every way. If you have a tendency to live otherwise, then I would challenge you to reexamine your commitment to Jesus. Do you truly know Him personally and have given Him full reign of your life? If not, may I encourage you to look to the ‘Footnote’ of this blog for direction on accepting Jesus as Lord? This ‘New Life’ in this New Year could be the beginning of great things to come, and a commitment that will ensure your eternal destination. No turning back friend, decide today to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Prayer: Lord, folk can actually look at me and see a reflection of my parents. They can also evaluate whether I’m a child of the King or a child in need of a Savior. Thank You for saving my soul almost 40 years ago, and I thank You for the daily relationship that I enjoy as I seek Your daily perfect will for my life. I do this for no personal gain, but rather to further Your kingdom through my expressions of Your character in all that I do and say. You will determine the fruitfulness of my life, and my prayer is that my life would not have been in vain. Please oh Lord, may Your church be the church, and may Your people be solid reflections of You so that the world might know that our God reigns, and that Your love and character is lived out in all that we do and say. I am thankful for Your love and direction, and therefore ask all this in Your precious and worthy name, oh Lord Jesus, AMEN!
FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Carry On With The Master’s Work

On By Ed AlgreenIn God's Work, WorkLeave a comment

The Holy Bible (Good News Translation – Philippians 1: 3-6): (3) I thank my God for you every time I think of you; (4) and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy (5) because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. (6) And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.

My Observations: I believe that it is true in every Christian based group, that you will find: A ‘Pastor’ or minister or priest or similar leader; A ‘Support Team’, such as elders, deacons or other such leadership group; and the ‘People’ (you and I). Although not scriptural, I am saddened that many of the ‘People’ see themselves as spectators and therefore, the work of the Lord is squarely on the shoulders of the ‘Pastor’ or the ‘Support Team’. You might wonder why this would sadden me. I don’t believe that you will find this thought supported anywhere in scripture, instead you will find many other references to the ‘People’ being cautioned, encouraged and led to take what they have learned in the church and to go and share/minister to others who are not at church. In our scripture this morning you will see where Paul is giving thanks to God for the good work accomplished by the ‘People’, and he quickly acknowledged that it was God who began, and continued, the work in them. Don’t you see that there might be obvious disobedience, if we choose to ignore the desire God places in us, and shows us through the need for ministry and the ongoing spiritual needs of others? Many might quickly respond that they feel so unprepared to minister to someone. May I remind you that it is only through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit that we are to move out in ministry on God’s behalf? Please don’t interfere with the work of the Holy Spirit by refusing to obey the opportunities He deliberately places in our path. Please don’t offer to take that friend to church next week so they can have their needs attended to. Yes, one of their deep needs might be to fellowship with other believers through church worship services, but the last thing I believe that any Christian would want to hear by our Savior, is the disappointment over the missed opportunities to minister to a friend who never lived to see the next worship service. I can easily understand how we all have different qualifications and gifts, but remember that God would never ask us to do the job of our ‘called’ pastor. All He would expect of us is to make ourselves open and available to be used by Him to minister to lost and/or hurting people who need a Savior. God will use our availability far greater than any earthly taught abilities. Let’s be open to allowing God to do His work in and through us friend!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please forgive me for feeling inadequate to minister to my friends and family, and for not allowing You to take control of my life, my words and my actions. I want to represent You and freely open the doors of my life so that my words might be yours and my actions controlled by You and used by You as appropriate. You spoke to my heart through a wonderful messenger of Yours, may others receive You, and/or be renewed in You because of what You might accomplish in and through me. Like Paul gave thanks for those who listened to You and were used by You, I pray that my readers would also acquire the desire to be used by You also. May Your name be praised and lifted high this day and throughout 2015 is my heart’s cry that I ask in the precious name of Jesus, AMEN!

Footnote: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Your Source of Help for 2015

On By Ed AlgreenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Holy Bible (The Voice – Ephesians 6:10-13): ….. Draw your strength and might from God. 11 Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. 12 We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places.13 And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground.

Thoughts: As we enter into this brand new year, I must begin with bragging on the awesome God that I serve. Against all odds, He kept me on track with intentionally and consistently reading His Word in 2014 and even providing me the thoughts to share with you in my blogs. While I pray that many of you were touched in some way by being drawn to the Word of God through my blogs, I can brag about the blessings I received each day in meditating on the Word, and in allowing God to orchestrate the thoughts and words for the blog through three surgeries, vacations out of the country and through very early risings each day to ensure that it was just God and I while I studied. Praise God for all He has done! To begin the praises for 2015, I believe that there is no better preparation for us than to face this year being reminded of where our strength and guidance will come from. God knew this long before I could have thought about this, so He predetermined that my scheduled readings would bring me exactly to the verses highlighted today! Wow! Friends, God is instructing us to be solely dependent on Him, to the extent that we should plant ourselves inside of Him and allow His sweet Holy Spirit to: protect us when we’re troubled; strengthen us when we feel weak from the stresses of this world; encourage us when we feel like we just can’t go on any longer; love us when we feel so alone and isolated from the worldly battles of Satan all around us; and to give us ongoing hope knowing that He’s still on the throne, and has a place prepared for us to be with Him, when life as we know it today, is over. But friends, this hope is of no value to us, and will not benefit us when we take our eyes off the prize, off the Master and instead allow the worldly pleasures of this world, driven by Satan, to take precedence in our lives. May I encourage you to start this brand new year with a brand new commitment to invite God into your life and allow Him to rule and reign in and through you? May I encourage you to do your part by committing to put on the armor of His Word every day – remember, that’s what draws you closer to God; helps you better understand what He wants you to do, and gives you the strength and guidance to be strong in the Lord and in His awesome might!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in glorifying You for all that You did for me in 2014, I am reassured, comforted and yet challenged to keep You in the forefront of my life in 2015, so that I might depend on You as my guide, my strength and my deliverer. Please teach me to better seek You in all decisions and in all things, and to have unwavering faith so that I might quickly and daily call on You with my health, job, marriage, parenting, church responsibilities and in my daily walk with You. You are my Rock, my Deliverer, my Salvation, my Guide and my Protector – thank You dear Jesus for such reassurance and peace! I ask all this in the name of, and place my faith believing in, You dear Jesus, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!