How Did You Respond?

On 2016-08-192016-08-19 By Ed AlgreenIn Disciple, Follow Christ, Follow Jesus, Follower of Christ, ObedienceLeave a comment

Friday, 2016-08-19

Scripture

Bible Reference: Mark 1:16–20

Bible Text: 16 As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were fishermen and were casting their nets into the lake. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.” 18 Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him. 19 Jesus walked on and soon saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat, mending their nets. 20 At once Jesus asked them to come with him. They left their father in the boat with the hired workers and went with him.

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

There are three calls by Jesus that I want to share with you, and the response I believe God expects from each. In the above scripture there are two examples highlighted in purple where Jesus called out to fishermen to follow Him. Their responses are almost identical. They are highlighted in green and to summarize, they both say that the fishermen saw no greater priority than to drop what they were doing – things they were familiar with, and coworkers that they knew and respected. And they did this to follow this Jesus who was passing along on the shoreline. Perhaps they had heard of Jesus before, and perhaps they had not, but they responded obediently to His call. Now the third call is probably the most important one for you to ponder today, for I am convinced that Jesus still calls His children today – that’s you and I friend. How you might ask? We are told in scripture that our experience with Jesus is ‘Good News’, in fact I might add that it’s the BEST news that one could hear in any given day. So may I help answer the ‘How’ question, by asking you:

When last have you been so determined to keep ‘Good News’ bottled up inside?
How can you say that Jesus hasn’t called you to follow Him into service, when you have already turned down so many opportunities to serve Him through your local church?
What do you mean that you are incapable, when we see that Jesus used uneducated fishermen to start off the whole Christian movement?
Why would you refer a family member or friend to your pastor, when Jesus placed the person and their situation right into your lap, expecting you to merely share your story with them, and the Good News of the One who rescued you from a life of sin?

Friends, I believe that Jesus is just as anxious about using you and I to spread the gospel as he was with the first disciples He called. They immediately responded by following His commands. Perhaps you should consider doing the same!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we have been blessed with the greatest gift ever, and our blessings continue as we worship, adore, praise and serve You. Please help us to be as liberal in sharing this good news with others as we do with even the smallest successes in life. Lord, You know how blessed we are with the friends and family You have placed in our life. Please help us to show our deepest appreciation by sharing the Good News of our Savior, who actually sacrificed His life to provide our means of getting into Heaven. This is the greatest news ever, so let us be bold in sharing it with everyone we come into contact with. 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!

The Faithfulness of God

On 2016-08-18 By Ed AlgreenIn Committed, Faithful, FaithfulnessLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-08-18

Scripture

Bible Reference: 2 Thessalonians 3:3,5

Bible Text: 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

Throughout the books written by Paul, it is very obvious of his love and concern for the people that he ministered to. At the end of each book, during Paul’s parting thoughts with each of the churches, he often shared his thoughts on what bothered him most about leaving a town. Unfortunately, Paul’s concerns, are still areas of concern today for most ministries, for the people do well while the heat and excitement of revival continues, but the sincerity of the people become evident when the evangelist leaves town and they are left on their own. I believe that these parting thoughts and prayers were not just for the benefit of the people, but represented the deepest concerns that Paul had for their spiritual self preservation. These thoughts could also serve to benefit us today friends. For when we feel like we are getting sucked into the temptations of this world, or that the evil one is working overtime in our lives, I believe it is important that we remind ourselves of what Paul shared in verse 3: our Lord is faithful, and we can depend on Him to strengthen us and protect us from the evil one. Let us therefore look to God for all things, especially when we feel like we are being pulled away, or distracted in our relationship with God. In Paul’s prayer, he is also reminding us that the same God who expressed His love for us by sacrificing His very own – His one and only Son, so that we might live eternally with Him, this is the same God who we can depend on to lead our hearts into a full understanding of His mercy and grace. I also love the conclusion, for in Paul’s prayer, we are reminded that we are to continue depending on the faithfulness of God until the time His Son returns to take us home to glory, so be patient as you wait! My encouragement to each reader today, is that we remain faithful to our Lord in every way, each and every day, for He’s coming back again real soon, and this time it will be for those of us who know Him and have been faithful to Him. How are you doing with that friend?

Prayer

In all aspects of life, may You find us faithful dear Lord. Thank You for this reminder today Heavenly Father. May we always remember the source of life itself, and may we always be faithful to the Sustainer of all life, until the day we are called home to be with You, our eternal Father, AMEN!

Footnote

Represent God In Total Honesty

On 2016-08-17 By Ed AlgreenIn Honest, HonestyLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-08-17

Scripture

Bible Reference: Job 42:7

Bible Text: 7 After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I believe that too often we are like Job’s friends, where we tell folk what we believe they want to hear, hoping that will help them to feel better. However friends, there’s a great danger in that, because when we do that we often sacrifice the Word of God for the will, or wish of man. Friends, we must always remember that the wishes of mankind are carnal (not spiritual), and the desire of their heart is very selfish. The will and design of our God is very well defined and will speak to the heart of man in ways that only God can. So when we visit with someone and share what we want with them, or reinforce the things that we believe they want to hear, we are totally wasting our time, and as in the case of Job’s two friends, we are totally upsetting God with us. Don’t you suppose that the reason our friends are in such deep depression, like Job was, is because they have looked inside for so long that they see no hope for anything or anyone brighter? Friends, what we have available to those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, is the ‘GOOD NEWS’ of God’s Word. It’s something that the world is lacking, and that they deeply yearn for. Imagine how your friends feel when you have nothing better to share with them, than more of the same misery and bad news that brought them to the place where they are at already? Imagine how much better they would feel when they know that there is a better way; and a God who who loves them and can’t wait to show His love for them? Friends, many times we will find that what God says in His Word may be totally opposite to what our friends believe. Many times, they are well aware of that fact and they are miserably trying to turn their life around. When you speak with them by phone, or visit them in person and you try to make them feel better outside of the scope of God’s Word, they immediately recognize that you are a phony and not giving them straight answers. So at that point, not only is God disappointed at you, but your friend is also. It pays to just be very honest in representing God in whatever you say or do friends!

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being so honest with us. You have declared Your Word for all mankind, no matter who we are, or what our circumstance might be. Your Word is about the only constant we can think of, for it never changes based on our emotional state, or softened for those of us who are struggling with everyday life. We need that Lord, and we thank You from the very depths of our heart for being totally honest with us. Lord, may we work at, and depend heavily on You to help us not only be totally true to You in all things, but may we learn to be true to those that we come into contact with. May we be loving in every way, but totally honest in what the Word of God says, at all times. To be effective disciples of Yous, we must please You, and not the world. In deepest respect and honor, I ask these things of a holy and righteous God, through His only Son, Jesus, AMEN!

Footnote

What To Expect When Jesus Returns

On 2016-08-16 By Ed AlgreenIn Christ's Return, Eternal Life, Eternity, Return to Christ, The Return of JesusLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2016-08-16

Scripture

Bible Reference: 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10

Bible Text: 7 …… He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe…..

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

Notice how careful I was in choosing the word ‘when’, instead of the shorter word ‘if’ in the title of today’s blog? I believe you should also notice how careful Paul was in the choice of words he used in verses 7 and 10. Friends, I believe that most worthy of note in these verses today is the following:

Jesus is coming back again, and there is a purpose in His coming. For He will:
- Bring judgment on those who chose not to accept Jesus as Lord of their life. Now you might quickly retort that you never made such a choice. May I just clarify that the opportunities given to you over your lifetime to accept Jesus, and you opted not to accept Him – those are the times that you actually opted to continue life without Jesus. Those were the times that you elected to spend eternity in a burning, miserable, Hell with Satan for eternity. However, there is a second purpose for Jesus returning,
- Throughout His Word, God made it clear how we might be reconciled with Him. How we might be sure that our eternal home will be in heaven with the triune God and His angels. For those of us who obeyed His call on our life, and accepted His gift of salvation, then we can look forward to the greatest praise and worship service yet! For verse 10 says that when Jesus returns He will glory in the praise and worship of those who know Him personally! I look forward to that day with such great enthusiasm. How about you?

So friends, rest assured knowing that Jesus will return. This could very well be the day of His return, and one of the above points describes your condition, and the action that Jesus will take when He comes to you. Are you satisfied with what His action will be towards you? Please read over the advice I am offering in my Footnote and rest assured of the best direction for your life through all eternity. I believe you would very easily buy life insurance to make sure that your loved ones are secure after your passing. Won’t you also make sure that everything is in order for your own life eternally?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, what a glorious thought to know that there is purpose in our life that leads to our destination choice even after we pass from this world. Thank You for opening our eyes to the requirements that can be worked on even now, so that our eternal destination will be determined and secure. I believe that there are many who will read this who may not have fully secured their position and therefore may be hoping for a bright future with you instead of knowing without a doubt where they will spend eternity. Open their eyes Lord, and allow them to see the glories of heaven and the Savior that awaits us with open, loving arms. Lord we are so looking forward to see You and singing Your praises. Please rule in our lives today in every way, AMEN!

Footnote

Characteristics That Exemplify Christ

On 2016-08-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Imitate Jesus, Imitator of Christ, Our CharacterLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-08-15

Scripture

Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:14–22

Bible Text: 14 My friends, we beg you to warn anyone who isn’t living right. Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Don’t be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else. 16 Always be joyful 17 and never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. 19 Don’t turn away God’s Spirit 20 or ignore prophecies. 21 Put everything to the test. Accept what is good 22 and don’t have anything to do with evil.

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

Paul in the conclusion of his letter to the church at Thessalonica, shared some parting words that ring out as being very timely advice for Christians even today. Meditate on these things friends, and ask God to give you wisdom and strength to apply them in your life each day. Here are the highlights:

Warn those are not living right – this shows love, friends. If you love them you will care enough to warn them in love. You never stop to consider how they might respond if you warned them of a natural disaster heading our way, so warning them about their ultimate, eternal destination is far more critical;
Encourage those who feel forsaken – remind them of the love of Jesus for all, not just the rich, or just those important to society, but for all;
Help the weak – some are just unable to help themselves, and one day that might be your position in life. Be willing and ready to help those who are unable to help themselves;
Be patient with everyone – of course everyone may not be the perfectionist that you are. Of course they may not be able, or willing, to do everything you do. Just as God is not finished with every detail of your life, He may still be working on the one you are impatient with. Furthermore, God may be using that particular scenario to deepen this particular characteristic – patience!
Don’t be hateful to people because they may have been hateful to you. Instead, be good to others;
Always be joyful;
Never stop praying;
Because of what Jesus did for you, always be thankful;
Don’t try to escape the Holy Spirit or the prophecies, but try to prove them;

Friends, I could find something to share on each item, but I believe you will agree with me that it would benefit us to pin this list up somewhere handy so that we might be constantly reminded of the way we should strive to live. As we do this, I believe we will grow more and more to be like Jesus. We need this, and the world needs to see this so that they might know that we are, who we say we are.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we are so weak and so susceptible to the attraction of this world, that we are often misrepresented as children of the world rather than children of God. Please forgive us for our failure to honor You and Your Holy Word. Through Your servant Paul, You have taught us about characteristics that would help us to imitate the qualities of the true and living God. Lord, we want to be just like You, and we want the world to see enough in our character that they might see a ‘better way’ the way to the cross – the way to Jesus. Please touch, and empower Your children once again today Lord. Please fix our eyes on You and give us the will to lay aside the desires of this world for the overwhelming joy of being more like You so that we may serve You better and more effectively. I ask these things in the awesome and powerful name of Jesus, Son of the living God, AMEN!

Footnote

When We Come To Our Senses

On 2016-08-13 By Ed AlgreenIn Control, SurrenderLeave a comment

Saturday, 2016-08-13

Scripture

Bible Reference: Daniel 4:36–37

Bible Text: 36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before. 37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

As I read about this awakening by king Nebuchadnezzar, I was reminded of the awakening by the Prodigal Son in the New Testament. In both cases they had to follow the advice given to addicts, who have to acknowledge that there is a problem, and that self must step aside to receive the help necessary to overcome the problem. Reading in earlier verses one can understand that the verdict given to the king was ultimate disaster, and would have led to great shame, embarrassment, pain and anguish. However, we can see how God’s grace, although so unmerited, or something we could never be good enough for, yet God pours it on us beyond measure. In this case, He graced Nebuchadnezzar with a heart of humbleness, that although he was king and could demand anything he wanted from his subjects, yet it would have no effect on his impending danger and ultimate verdict given by God through a vision.Once recognized that he had no control over the events foretold for himself, the king surrendered, or came to his senses, and realized that he needed the God of this universe to intercede in his life and help him. Friends, does it ever feel like each day presents yet one more ‘brick wall’ that you can’t seem to break through, or get over? Does it ever seem like you absolutely have no control over what happens, even though your are a hard worker, care for your family and love your friends? I pray that we will learn to humble ourselves, listen to God (through reading His Word); be obedient to His commands, and surrender our will to the perfect will of God. Until we do that friends, we are trying to run this complex ‘show’ that we call life, all by ourselves, and we do that without all the facts about what will happen tomorrow. Let’s be diligent about seeking the face of God. Let’s glorify our Lord and Savior! Let’s turn the ‘reign’s of our life over to the One who really knows what is going on right now, and in all of our tomorrows. Our Father is ready to lead His children, if we allow Him to. Won’t you consider doing this today friend?

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for being patient with us each day as we press on to live this life on our own. Thank You for reminding us through this scripture today that there is a better way; that there is One who can handle all of life’s circumstances; and One who actually knows what’s best for us today, so that our tomorrows will be filled with the joy of Your salvation. Lord, we look forward to being with You in heaven one day. Please continue to lead us in the right path while we live on this old earth. Please use us for Your glorification; the encouragement of the saints; and to challenge those not yet surrendered to You. I ask these things in faith and of the only begotten Son of God, AMEN!

Footnote

Confident Faith In God

On 2016-08-12 By Ed AlgreenIn Confidence, Faith, Faith in Action, Genuine FaithLeave a comment

Friday, 2016-08-12

Scripture

Bible Reference: Daniel 2:19–23

Bible Text: 19 That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. 20 He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

At many workplaces there is a bonus given for referring prospective employees to the company. However, the bonus is only paid after the individual is hired and after they have passed their probationary period. Kind of making sure that this is a ‘sure thing’ with this new employee! Also, consider this: if someone told us something that they believe about a person, and then asked us to take action on that ‘belief’, we would probably be very hesitant to take any action until we could verify the facts, right? Well, in our scripture today, we read about how the lives of Daniel and his friends, plus many more, were threatened by an order from King Nebuchadnezzar, where they would be thrown into a fire pit if they couldn’t tell him what his dream was or what it meant. We read about the sincere prayer of these men, asking God for a revelation and the wisdom to understand the meaning of the dream. What I found most interesting is that after Daniel’s vision from God, there was no anxiousness for Daniel to run to the king and see if he got it right, but rather, Daniel had a time or praising the Lord for answered prayer! There was no doubt! There was just plain confidence, that God had given him THE answer! This was again evident as Daniel went before the king, for he TOLD him what his dream was, and what it meant. It was not presented as a question, or with any sense of doubt. I encourage you to read the rest of this chapter, because this had an enormous impact on the king. So how can this be applied to our lives? Friends, if we truly have faith in God and if we truly believe in the awesome power of our God, then I believe that we will trust Him to lead us aright. Our God has proven Himself over and over again! There is no reason to doubt! Have faith in God! Lets work at developing such a prayer life that our confidence in our God will be maximized, and that He will receive all the glory from every prayer that is answered for us!

Prayer

Father, I would imagine that You must look at us sometimes and wonder why do we bother to pray, since we are such sceptics. We have been reminded of Your awesome power again today in the scriptures, but we have also been reminded of the great confidence of Your faithful servant, Daniel. Lord, may we be faithful in our prayers, and also faithful to believe in the responses from You, the One to whom we are praying. I believe that You are still alive, and I believe that You still answer our prayers. Please help us to remove all doubt and to place our faith and trust in the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords – the Creator of this universe and the Sustainer of all life! You are my God and I praise You for all things, and for all You do for me every day – especially in Your answered prayers! AMEN!

Footnote

God Readies Us For The Moment

On 2016-08-11 By Ed AlgreenIn Chosen by God, God's Chosen People, SurrenderLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-08-11

Scripture

Bible Reference: Daniel 1:9, 17

Bible Text: 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.
17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I find it extremely interesting how, as humans, we try so hard to change certain aspects of what God has already perfectly made. For example: the color of our hair perfectly designed by God vs the color we feel we need, to be prettier or successful in life; if our hair is curly, then often we want it straight, or vice versa; numerous surgeries that are performed to transform us into the person we envision, vs what God has perfectly made in His perfect design; etc. Friends, I believe it is obvious from our scripture today, that God aligned everything for His servant Daniel so that lives would be impacted along the way. Think about this: Daniel was intricatly made with the looks and necessary smarts that would be later used in this scenario; Out of all the young men that could have been chosen in obedience to the king’s command, God designed it so that Daniel would be among the chosen, even with his peculiar eating habits; God gave the chief of staff respect and affection for Daniel (vs 9), therefore he worked with Daniel to provide the foods matching his diet; God gave Daniel and his three friends unusual, or extraordinary, smarts and understanding for literature and wisdom; God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret visions and dreams, and guess what? The king had a dream that none of his normal magicians could handle, and this opened the door for interaction between Daniel and the king. Can you see how God’s plan came together? However friends, the story doesn’t end there, for God showed Himself worthy in many other scenarios in the Bible, and even to me in my short lifespan, I have seen Him work miraculously to align His perfect will, so that lives would be impacted – in at least two cases I saw where the lives of two family members were physically saved, and in another where one was rescued and given the opportunity for an extended life. I believe that God is also working in many of Your lives to accomplish His will, and I believe that He desperately wants to work in the rest of you, who have not totally surrendered to God. Are you being humble, obedient and willing to totally surrender your life to His calling? May I encourage you to submit to God and let Him work out His will for your life? It will surprise you what our awesome God can do through a humble servant willing to be used by Him in His awesome plan!

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for providing for Daniel and all those who were touched by his life, because He was obedient to You. You have reminded us today that we too are Your special design, Your chosen children, and that there is much to be done and many to be reached for Your ultimate glory. I immediately thought of that contemporary song ‘I’m Yours Lord, everything I am, everything I have‘. Lord, may Your children recommit themselves to be totally Yours today, so that You may enact Your plan to reach our lost loved ones and friends, even through us. You used others we know to reach our hardened hearts, and I have every reason to believe that You can use us also – all for Your ultimate glory. I ask these things in faith, and for the enrichment of Your kingdom oh Lord, AMEN!

Footnote

How Would One Describe You?

On 2016-08-102016-08-11 By Ed AlgreenIn Evangelize, Fruit of the SpiritLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2016-08-10

Scripture

Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1:8–10

Bible Text: 8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

I’ve heard people referred to as: ‘That grumpy old man’; ‘That such a sweet old lady’; ‘He is a no-nonsense man’; ‘She has the sweetest smile’; ‘He is a true man of God’; and lots of other such phrases. I’ve heard churches referred to as: ‘All they’re after is your money’; ‘They’re all noise, but no action’; ‘They are the holier-than-thou crowd’; ‘They just can’t identify with the people who live all around them’; etc. I’m sure you can add many other things that you have heard also, but I believe that I have made my point. When last have you heard someone, especially an unsaved person without a vested interest in the person or the church, describe them using similar terms as Paul heard in his contacts about his friends at Thessalonica? When last have you been able to describe a person or a church as being in the very likeness of Jesus Christ, and anxious for His return? What would we need to change in our own lives to make sure that the world sees Jesus in our words and in our actions? The ‘church’ is an accumulation of ‘us’ friends, so anytime we can’t refer to the church in very positive, Godly terms, then we are acknowledging that we need the hand of God more actively involved in our lives. Are you there yet friends? Are you ready to lay aside the pride; greed; prejudice and selfish desires; so that God might truly begin a good work in you? I am convinced that when we humble ourselves and let God be God, then He will work in the lives that we touch, and He may even feel at home doing this through His servants like you and I. Wouldn’t that be glorious to see God take full control of our lives and full control of our churches! Wouldn’t that be something like a small coal that burns so intensely that it heats up and ignites a fire in everything around it! Perhaps then our communities and our cities and our state might recognize the church as being an extension of the hand of God! I really want to see that happen, and I want to be a part of it! How about you friend?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for working a miracle in my life by helping me to look beyond the appeal of this world, to the greater appeal of eternity in heaven with my Creator and Lord. Many reading this blog today have also accepted Your gift of salvation and are in the same boat as I am. After reading these verses today, I am not totally convinced that our lives are a true, honest reflection of You though, so I want to plead with You to continue working on us until You see total dedication to the ways of God, so that we might be beacons in our community of the greatest and brightest Light, the Light of the world, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, I want the unsaved to look on us and see nothing but Jesus. May they see it so brightly that their hearts will be stirred towards accepting You as their Lord also. May You be honored through us today, and known because of our interaction with someone today. For I ask these things all for Your glory, honor and praise, AMEN!

Footnote

The Ultimate Rewards Program

On 2016-08-092016-08-09 By Ed AlgreenIn RewardsLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2016-08-09

Scripture

Bible Reference: Revelation 22:12–13

Bible Text: 12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

It’s really amazing all that we will do in order to build up rewards on our credit card. Recently I overheard a person excited about saving 36 cents per gallon at the gas pump, because of rewards dollars accumulated on their rewards card. Well guess what, I bet they will now shop all the more at that business, whose retail prices seem much higher than the competition, just to earn the rewards! Others will travel an extra 10 miles to shop at the store, or gas station, that pays 4 center for every dollar spent at their gas pumps and charged to their credit card. If you pump 10 gallons, you saved 40 cents in rewards dollars. How much did you burn in gas to travel the extra distance??!!!! Friends, we are probably reading about the very first ‘rewards’ program when we read these two verses, and they work very much the same way. To benefit from these rewards, you must firstly, be acceptable in God’s sight (having accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior), in other words, you belong there; and secondly, the Word says that we will be rewarded for our deeds. Friends throughout the Bible we are taught about what our deeds should look like. Can our deeds easily be taken for deeds of the Holy Spirit, or God-led deeds? If so, you probably stand to benefit from the ‘rewards’ Jesus is promising to bring with Him. If you do not meet either of the above qualifications, then you will be rewarded like I was at the gas pump near to the above referenced person, for I received zero dollars in rewards seeing that I didn’t meet the qualifications of the program. Where do you stand friend? Are you confident of the ‘rewards’ you will receive? Do you qualify? If you are unsure, please go on to read the Footnote below, for it will provide you with help to qualify!

Prayer

What an awesome thought, that our rewards are out of this world!! Although a slogan used here on earth, yet it is loaded with the truth of all that You have in store for us, as promised in Your Word. Thank You Jesus! Thank You Father! Please use this reminder today to also touch the hearts of my unsaved family and friends, and those who You might ultimately cause to stumble across this blog. Lord, Your Word is powerful and effective. Just as You have touched me with Your Word, I pray now that You might also speak to Your children today who should know You or be drawn closer to You. Please have Your perfect will and way today, and may we not only be found eligible for Your rewards, but may we be more consistently obedient to Your Word in every way, all for Your ultimate glory, AMEN!