May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

The Bible Reference: Judges 2:11-13; Philippians 1:12-14
The Bible Text: (Judges 2:11-13)     The People of Israel did evil in GOD’s sight: they served Baal-gods; they deserted GOD, the God of their parents who had led them out of Egypt; they took up with other gods, gods of the peoples around them. They actually worshiped them! And oh, how they angered GOD as they worshiped god Baal and goddess Astarte!

(Phil 1:12-14)      I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. 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.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: I was impacted by two passages of scripture, and both made me reflect on the types of individuals that my God made, and allowed to exist here on earth. In the first scripture we see where the Israelites thought they had everything figured out, so they lost sight of God and worshipped false gods instead. Now look at us – ever noticed how full our churches get after a disaster? For a few Sundays after the 9-11 disaster, our churches were filled. However as soon as folk felt like they were safe to return to their sinful lifestyles, church-going took an unimportant place in their lives. Friends, have you ever stopped to ponder why we hear so many concerns about what appears to be doom and gloom whenever we hear groups talking? Wouldn’t you think that just as God got upset at the Israelites for straying away from Him and worshipping other gods, that He is very likely to also get upset at us for turning our backs on Him? Especially when we really trusted Him to see us recover from the disasters, but soon afterwards wanted nothing to do with God or His body of believers? God declared war on the Israelites, and He even worked against them in their battles. Could He be doing the same thing in our country, our state, our cities, our churches and our families? But look at Paul’s testimony. He was thrown into prison for his beliefs and his bold testimony of what God had done in his life. Ordinarily we would consider that a write-off, for we would think that Paul, or any other Christian in a similar position today, would be silenced and unable to continue witnessing for the Lord. Paul shared in our second scripture that God was able to use him even more in the prison environment – praise the Lord. I have a good friend in a similar scenario, and God is actively using him in the prison system. Friends, I would challenge you today to never give up on God. Never turn your back on Him, for He can use you in every scenario of life, if only you will let Him. Remember, whether it’s through the times when you feel on top of the world and see God actively involved in your life, or times when you are calling on God, but feel alone in this world, God will prevail, and He could easily prevail in all circumstances of our life, if we will let Him. God WILL prevail! And we will also, if we allow God to rule, reign and operate in every circumstance of our lives. Try it friend! What do you have to lose, when you have eternity to gain?

Prayer: Father, please forgive us for so easily giving up on You and instead grabbing the reins ourselves to create such an awful mess for ourselves. Please forgive us for our littleness, and our attraction to the things of this world, rather than remaining faithful and strong to You. Please touch the lives of Your children who will read this devotional today. May they gain strength from Your Word, and may their eyes be opened to the awful effects of sinful and disobedient actions, as shown in Your Word today. Lord, You alone are worthy and so deserving of our praise, while we are so needy and so dependent on You in every aspect of our lives. Please hear our cries today as we seek Your face and desire Your precious hand upon our lives. I ask these things in faith and in recognition of who You are, in the strong and wonderful name of Jesus, my Lord, Savior and soon coming King, 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. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to 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, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! 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!

2016