Month: September 2019

Nothing Is Impossible With God

On By Ed AlgreenIn All-powerful, Miraculous, Possibilities, Righteousness, StrengthLeave a comment

Thursday, 2019-09-05

Bible Reference: Genesis 15:4-6
Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

Bible Text:  4 Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” 6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.

OBSERVATION: I’m sure that like me, you are challenged daily with things you don’t know; things you have no power over; and circumstance you simply don’t understand. But imagine being told that a childless couple just received word from God that they would have enough children to start up another nation? I believe that as you meditate with me today, you will be reminded that we serve a great big, limitless God. Don’t you feel like you need Him every day?

APPLICATION:  In spite of all the special skills given to man, there are still times that we throw our hands up and surrender to the fact that a problem is beyond our God-given abilities, or out of our reach. Yet very early in the pages of this awesome book that God has inspired to be our guide through life, we have already learned that God took a mass of darkness and formed this world – earth, water, stars, etc.; He created man, followed by a help mate – woman; He took a couple who was childless, and promised to make a great nation from their offspring. In this passage today I was also encouraged to note that no matter how much power is revealed to us by God, yet He is always still so very mindful of us, and desiring our sincerity and obedience so that we may draw close to Him. In fact, Abram believed that God would do what appeared impossible to him, and this resulted in God considering him ‘righteous’ (right with God). To gain what I believe is the best meaning of a phrase, I like to consider its impact if the opposite were true. So in this case, if Abram would have laughed at God or showed doubt about what God would do, then perhaps God would have considered Abram ‘unrighteous’? How often would God consider us ‘unrighteous’ because of our unbelief and doubt? Friends, unbelievers may laugh at our faith, because they simply have not been around this awesome God of ours, to build faith in His abilities and to understand His unlimited and awesome love for us. But for those of you that know Jesus, what’s your excuse? Can God consider you ‘righteous’ because of your overwhelming faith in Him? Do you truly believe in Him? If not, may I introduce you to this Savior that I know, love and adore? Remember, only those who are right with God (righteous) will be allowed into heaven. May I count on seeing you there friend? I have provided a guide for you in my ‘Footnote’, and would be thrilled to personally help guide you towards meeting my Lord in a very personal and intimate way. Please make this choice a priority today, it truly is that important!

PRAYER: Father God, Your ways are so much greater than our ways, yet You have sacrificially provided the means for us to overcome sin and one day join You in heaven. Please forgive us when we doubt, and use those incidences as stepping stones to lead us into a deeper faith that will draw us even closer to You. Lord You are good and Your mercies endureth forever and forever. Please keep our ‘faith’ tank filled and energized to trust in You in all circumstances of our lives. You have proven that things that seem impossible to us are handled with just a spoken word by You. Again today I am reminded that Nothing is Impossible when I place my faith and trust in You. Please touch the heart and life of each one that will meditate on this devotional today. May we all draw strength from being reminded of the awesomeness of our mighty God again today, and may we use this to help us confidently spread the joy of our salvation with all those we come into contact with. I ask in the wonderful, powerful and loving name of my King, the King of all kings, Jesus the Christ, AMEN!

When God’s Power Takes Over

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2019-09-04

Bible Reference: Judges 6:34
Translation: Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

Bible Text: 34 But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with Himself and took possession of him, and he blew a trumpet, and [the clan of] Abiezer was gathered to him.

OBSERVATION: God sent an angel to meet with Gideon and give him instruction. Like us, Gideon needed proof that the messenger was sent from God. Later as the angel gave further instruction, Gideon asked for further identification or proof from the angel. However, in our focal verse we can see that when the angel was really ready to have Gideon move into action, we are told that God took special action. I believe that God has to take extra action with us many times, so let us meditate on this for a few moments today.

APPLICATION: I found it fascinating to see at the beginning of this encounter with Gideon, the call on his life for a great work by God. Isn’t it interesting to see that he was a man filled with doubts just like us, and that he needed reassurance, just like us? I was also fascinated at the contrasting difference in the Gideon that the angel first spoke to, and the Gideon that was totally enveloped by the awesome power of the Holy Spirit. The angel first ordered Gideon to simply pull down the idol of Baal and erect in its place an altar for God. I know, that wasn’t a totally simple thing, because Gideon was really setting himself up to be killed for such an act. However, in the next action we could see that the Abiezers went from a group that was about to mob Gideon, and probably kill him, to a group ready to follow him and listen to his commands. How did this happen? Notice in our focal verse that the Spirit of the living God enveloped Gideon! He clothed Gideon with a robe of righteousness and power that prepared him for the enormous work of the Almighty God. The Spirit took charge, or possession of Gideon! Imagine that Brothers and Sisters, can anything penetrate that shield that was erected around Gideon at that point? I can see clearly that it was no longer Gideon who was making the moves and blowing the trumpet, but God Almighty! Can you see that this is not only the awesome God that we serve, but this is the God that we could place our faith and trust in to see us through our challenges, and our ministry opportunities. Friends, there is no God like our God, and there is nothing that we should be overwhelmed with, when we allow the Holy Spirit to envelope us and protect us from the evil darts and attacks of Satan. So please allow me to encourage us to always seek God and welcome Him to protect us, lead us, and fight for us. For it is only then that we can win the daily attacks of Satan and his many cohorts here on planet earth. The One in whom we place our faith and trust today, is the One that we will spend eternity with. There is no intermediary. You will either spend eternity with God, because you trusted in His Son while you tarried here on earth, or you will spend eternity in Hell with the evil one, because you rejected Christ. I trust that you will read through my Footnote and the associated links, to help you decide today where your final destination will be. It’s your choice my friend.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You were gracious to Your servant Gideon, and used Him in miraculous ways. Our world seems like it is way more evil than the days of Gideon, so I humbly ask that You would fill my readers and I, that know You as Lord, in a very special ministry to the lost and unconcerned people that we come into contact with on an almost daily basis. I believe that people today need the Lord more than any generation before us, and I believe that You have placed us where we’re at for a time such as this. Please envelope us with Your Holy Spirit and empower us to ‘blow the trumpet of God’ as we lift up Your name and be Your witnesses in our battle against the evil one. Oh that You may be honored and praised in all that we do and say today, is my humble pray oh God. AMEN!

To Praise God In All Circumstances of Life

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

Tuesday, 2019-09-03

Bible Reference: Psalm 56:9-11
Translation: The Passion Translation (TPT)

Bible Text: …This one thing I know: God is on my side!
10 I trust in the Lord. And I praise him!
I trust in the Word of God. And I praise him!
11 What harm could man do to me?
With God on my side I will not be afraid of what comes.
My heart overflows with praise to God and for his promises.
I will always trust in him.

OBSERVATION: David, the Psalmist, was able to praise His Lord in spite of the circumstances that he was under at the time, for he had been seized by the Philistines. I wonder, what I might do under similar circumstances? Looking at video footage from the Bahamas and all that they endured from hurricane Dorian over the past two days, I wonder if I could stand in waist deep water and praise the Lord? Let us stop and meditate on what might be stopping us from praising the Lord in every circumstance of life.

APPLICATION: So often we face challenges that we would rather not have touched our lives, for we may have been impacted in life altering ways. I have family and friends who were just hit by a very powerful hurricane and endured hours and hours of suffering. Can I even imagine them raising their hands in praise and thanksgiving to our Lord? I have friends who have lost a child, a spouse, a mom, etc, but can I even imagine them standing in praise to the Master? Perhaps you know of friends who have suffered loss of jobs, or perhaps going through a divorce, or some other life-changing event. What would you do or say if they asked you to join them in praise to our King? Wouldn’t that amaze you? I believe that God wants to remind us today that regardless of our circumstances, He’s still God! I believe that He wants us to know that whether we are celebrating a mountain top experience, or whether we are going through the deepest ‘waters’ of our lives, He’s still God. We tend to fret and moan over the loss of material gain, but dear friends, let us always be reminded that the One who gives life; the One who guides us through every circumstance of life; the One who comforts us like no other, Our God – Our One and Only God – He’s still our very best friend; He’s still our Deliverer; He still loves us in spite of our failures or circumstances. Let us always remember that He has gone to prepare a place for us, where we will dwell eternally with Him in glory! That’s our God my friend! We have nothing to fear or fret about with knowing whose we are, and where we will be after this wicked and challenging life here on earth is over! Yes, He’s still God – our God!

PRAYER: Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all thy hands have made! It’s all Yours Lord. Thank You for allowing us to occupy a small part of this old earth. Thank You for surrounding us with family and friends who love us. Please dear Lord, take hold of our hearts today and remind us that we are enjoying temporary quarters here on earth, so until we unite with You, many things will come our way that tend to dissapoint and perhaps even sadden us, but we have a hope! We have a promise! We have a Savior that awaits our departure from this earth, so that we could live eternally with Him. Oh Lord, I stand in awe of You and patiently await Your return! Please speak to those who might meditate on this blog and struggle with the things of this world. Only what’s done for Jesus will last! May we be found busy about Your work oh Lord, until You take us home to be with You! AMEN!