Month: December 2020

His Name

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christmas, Imitate Jesus, Imitating Christ, Imitator of ChristLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2020-12-19
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

Bible Reference: Matthew 1:21-23
Translation: Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: 21 She will give birth to a son. You will name him Jesus. Give him that name because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this happened to make clear the full meaning of what the Lord said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.” (Immanuel means “God with us.”)

OBSERVATION: It’s pretty miraculous how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. The prophets foretold; a virgin girl (Mary) was selected by God and approached by angels to conceive the baby; a simple, humble man who was engaged to Mary was approached to play the role of an earthly father to care for his espoused wife, Mary; The most humble of people, the shepherds, were selected to be the first to visit with baby Jesus. On and on the story goes, with one miracle after the other, all resulting in the Savior of the world being brought into the world as man’s eternal hope. This is what Christmas is all about, friends!

APPLICATION: As declared in my ‘Observation’, God went to great extents to bring His precious Son into the world, and throughout the Bible we read about all that He did while here on earth, and the whole purpose of His life here on earth. Of course we also know the ultimate reason that Jesus came, because we remember His death every year at Good Friday, and we remember His resurrection at Easter. The big question for each of us as we meditate on the extraordinary names of Jesus is: ’what are we known as?’ To our face, we may be called by our nickname. When our parents are upset with us, they may call us by our full legal name. Based on our habits and our character, we may be known as a thief, or a criminal, or a kind person, or a caring person, a hypocrite, or hopefully a man/woman after God’s own heart. Why all of these names? Because it identifies our character when someone is speaking to a friend and they make reference to us. Notice from the names, that while one name will drive that person away from you, one might interest them in knowing you, or at least speaking with you. Just from the name selected for you! Although folk will easily identify us based on the words we speak and with the tone used, but I pray that the actions they experience with you will convince them of whose you are. May the Jesus, born in a humble stable and lived on earth as the living Son of God, be evident in your character today and every day. Stay closely in tuned with Him through the Word of God and in daily communication (prayer) with Him, so that you may be ‘topped off’ each day with even more of Jesus. Keep it fresh and exciting friend!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I thank You for coming to earth as a baby, so that you would complete the purpose of the Father in providing everlasting hope for us. For there is no other way for us to see the gates of heaven without first accepting You as our Savior. You were introduced to us very early in the Bible, and many of us have accepted You as our Savior and Lord, so that we might celebrate with You one day in heaven! As we are reminded once again this Christmas of the hope that you bring, may we learn to truly celebrate even now, so that one day soon we will be comfortable in celebrating before our Father in heaven. Please touch the hearts of those who have not accepted You as Lord yet. May this be the first Christmas that they will truly be aware of the One whose birthday we celebrate! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

No Greater Gift

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

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2020-12-18
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: 1 Timothy 1:15-17
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 15 How true it is, and how I long that everyone should know it, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I was the greatest of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as an example to show everyone how patient he is with even the worst sinners, so that others will realize that they, too, can have everlasting life. 17 Glory and honor to God forever and ever. He is the King of the ages, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God, and full of wisdom. Amen.

OBSERVATION: As we near Christmas, we might question ourselves on whether we purchased the best gift possible for the one(s) that we love. But what if you were living away from town and all the stores, what might you give for Christmas? Perhaps, like Paul, we should stop and ponder what might be the greatest gift ever given to us! It might help us to stop the complaining about how little we have but instead about how much we are loved.

APPLICATION: We often think of gifts at Christmas time. Those given and those received over the years. There were some Christmases where we may have been disappointed, because we didn’t receive quite the gift that we expected. But were there years that you received an awesome gift, although you weren’t expecting anything at all? Imagine this for a moment today: Saul had murdered many Christians, and had done everything imaginable to disrupt the work of God through His church. What gift would you give him? No doubt some of the very men and women that Saul persecuted, were hard core workers in the church, and possibly local pastors trying their best to share the love of Jesus Christ with the unsaved. Yet when God was ready to promote the work of His church, He didn’t choose one of the local pastors, but instead, the man that terrorized them and their ministries. Why? Why? Why? I’m sure this must have been asked multiple times while Paul began his earthly ministry under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. But can you imagine how humbled Paul was, to have avoided the pit of Hell for all the evil he committed, and instead be promoted as one of God’s key ministers? It is easy to see that this kind of love came from a level never experienced before. This was a unique love that Paul would have felt; one that the local church would have possibly questioned, but yet marveled at; a love that only God was capable of giving to an opposer of the faith; a love that you and I could look back on and better understand how God also forgave us of our sin; a love that helps us better understand how God could have permitted His only Son to hang on a murderer’s cross and die for the salvation of sinners – those that mankind would have hated or put to death. This expression of love by our awesome God, to someone that seemed so undeserving, should open our hearts and minds this Christmas season and help us to remember that there is no gift that we could give to a loved one, that compares to the tremendous gift given for our salvation, and our ultimate security in knowing that heaven is our final home – with our Savior. So let’s learn from this that instead of being quick to criticize, find fault in, dislike or even hate someone for their actions, that we should be like God in giving the greatest, unexpected gift possible, by seeking ways to forgive them and love them better, and eternally. We may have never murdered, nor fought against Christians, but like Paul, we were steeped in sin and far from God, yet He allowed His Son to die a cruel death so that we may know Him and know about His love for us. Know that you are no better than Saul was – a sinner. Know that God is the same today as He was for Saul/Paul, He loves us enough that He would turn our lives completed around and place us on a track destined for Heaven. Now that’s a ‘GIFT’ my friend! Accept it this Christmas and meet my God!

PRAYER: I am most thankful for the greatest gift ever given, one that is out of this world, and one that will last eternally – thank You Jesus! Paul told us about this gift, and many other Bible scholars have also celebrated this precious gift. It is challenging to imagine that God loved even us so much that He gave His all so that we may live with Him in heaven for all eternity. Thank You Lord for recognizing the value in Paul, and I thank You for looking on us as Your precious sons and daughters, in spite of our ugliness in sin here on earth. I’m forgiven and I praise God for His wonderful mercies and grace towards me. Please Lord, speak again today to my family and friends, especially those who will read this devotional. Draw them unto Yourself and fill them with the eternal hope of being in heaven one day soon with You. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Here’s One Who Can Be Trusted

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

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-12-17
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Psalm 146:2-6
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: 2 I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praises to him as long as I live. 3 Don’t depend on your leaders for help. Don’t depend on people, because they cannot save you. 4 People die and are buried. Then all their plans to help are gone.
5 It is a great blessing for people to have the God of Jacob to help them. They depend on the Lord their God. 6 He made heaven and earth. He made the sea and everything in it.…..

OBSERVATION: I find it interesting that throughout our lives we actually place our trust in many individuals. But the older we grow, the more we tend to lose these great people – death, sickness and disappearance from our lives in various ways. However, God’s Word is extremely powerful and we can look to It for ALL aspects of life. I hope that we could think for a few minutes today about the reason we do, or do not, place our trust in the One that will never let us down.

APPLICATION: As a child we depended heavily on mom and dad, even though most kids would defy that claim! However, one day they died, or we got married and moved out, and we felt lost and without any guidance. For they were faithful to us and loved us unconditionally. In school we learned to respect our teachers, because again, they showed that they cared about the decisions we made and the direction in which we would go looking for success. But suddenly we graduated, and those teachers went on to care for a new set of kids. Then came our job(s), and our boss seemed to have cared, but yet we knew that we were just a tool in his toolbox to help him strive for more profits. But it worked for us, so we either retired or left for various reasons, and suddenly we were on our own again. But for the child of God, you might remember the day you were introduced to Jesus. For those who truly accepted His lordship of their lives, I’m sure you will join me in celebrating much like David did in verse 2, for we have seen the glory of God in our relationship with His Son. We have witnessed His mighty works and we have enjoyed His many blessings. His love for us has been evident in everything we have accomplished, everything we have touched and everything that we plan for our remaining time here on earth. BUT, we can also rejoice in the fact that not only will our Master be there for us while here on earth, but after death also. For then we could look forward to an even greater reward through endless praise and worship at His feet, around the throne of our God! I don’t know about you precious friend, but that’s enough to rejoice over! Fortunately the Scriptures also speak to those of you who have chosen to exclude Jesus from your life, for the Scriptures also apply to you, when it says that Satan has a place also prepared for you. We know the place as ‘Hell’, and we know what you might expect there. For we know that there will be eternal damnation, fire and brimstone, even more hatred and punishment than you ever encountered here on earth. It’s not good friends. But it doesn’t have to be the final answer, for as long as you are alive, my Savior will also listen to your cry for forgiveness. I have provided Scripture references in my Footnote (click on ‘To Know Jesus’) that will help you make this change, plus I will remain available to help you, if you simply ask. Please contact me about this, for all hope of a bright and eternal life lies in the One who created it all – life, this world, family, friends, spouse, children, and heaven itself. Jesus is the answer, my friend!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, thank You for loving me, accepting me as Your very own, and for providing an eternal home for me where I might worship You endlessly with Your Father! I believe there are many who will read this devotional who will recognize their shortcomings in finding someone in whom they could place their faith and trust for all times. Please speak to Your children today. Please soften hardened hearts so that they may stop, listen and accept Your invitation to take charge of their lives. Oh Lord, may today be an awesome day of decision making for many, because of Your involvement and You tenderly speaking to them. May You be glorified today, oh Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

A Safe Place

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Eternal Life, Gift, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2020-12-16
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Nahum 1:7-8
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: 7 The Lord is good. He is a safe place to go to in times of trouble. He takes care of those who trust him.
8 But he will completely destroy his enemies.….

OBSERVATION: I believe that few will need reminding that God is our ‘go-to’ in times of trouble, for we tend to feel helpless, and we know that we must refer the matter to One that can handle all matters considered impossible by us. This often forces the Christian and the unbeliever to call on God, for we know that He could do ALL things. But notice how Nahum made a distinction between how God might treat His own, vs those that distance themselves from Him. So I encourage all readers to take note of what you could expect from God, depending on your acceptance of our King.

APPLICATION: Wouldn’t it make sense that for those who refuse the gift of eternal life from God, and choose to try and prove to the world that they could make it without Him, that they would also refuse to call on Him when life seems to be totally out of control? I would think so, but we know that’s not the way that life works. When disaster strikes, Christians are often called on by unbelievers to pray for them, or their loved one, who may be hurt or dying from some rare disease. How exactly might we pray? Our Scripture reminds us that Nahum was addressing the residents of Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, and God revealed to him that there were some who would find it safe to anchor themselves in the shelter and protection of the Almighty, but there were some who would be totally destroyed because of their distant and hateful relationship with Him. Friends, we serve a God who is filled with love – more than we could ever imagine or understand, and while He will listen to the cry for salvation from those who despise Him, there will come a day when He would remove His hand a protection from them and allow death and destruction to take its course, unless they surrender their lives to Him. Do you think for a moment that in today’s society God will react in a different way? He has always hated sin, and I believe that He always will. I don’t know about you, but there are times that I must turn the television off, especially when I see reports of crime, vagrancy, and hatred against each other. Friends, sin abounds and individuals act in such evil ways, that God must wonder how could He possibly have been involved in their birth and upbringing. As you evaluate your life today, you should see where you will fit into one of two categories before God: 1). You’ve been washed by the blood of His precious Son and you are looked upon by God as being ’white as snow’. In fact, He sees Jesus’ perfect sinless life when He looks at you, and you are considered a son, or friend of the most High God; or 2). You have shown little concern about your sinful condition and have therefore rejected the invitation from Jesus Christ on many occasions. Because you have neglected God’s gift – His own precious Son, you have treated Him as your enemy. In verse 8 of today’s Scripture, you will note that God will destroy His enemies. To transition from group (2) over to group (1), you simply need to recognize the unconditional love that God has for His children – for you. Then accept His Son and begin celebrating the assurance of life eternally with the Master for ever! Nahum was merely reminding the Ninevehites of their plight. I feel like I have done just that for all who will read this devotional. May God grant you peace, wisdom and direction as you consider your eternity today, AMEN!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for making me whole. Thank You Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free! Words from an old song that remains as true today as when I first accepted You as Lord and Savior of my life! Now oh Lord, I come before You on behalf of many family members and friends who have taken You for granted. They’ve decided to make a go at this life, all alone. Please Lord, soften their hearts and help them see very clearly that their segregation for You makes it clear that they are rejecting Your free gift of eternal life. In our Scripture today, and throughout Your Word, You have declared that You will destroy Your enemies. It saddens me that they would reject the most precious gift available to them today and remain enemies of Yours. Lord, instead of Your plan for eternal damnation for Your enemies, may I beg You to speak softly to all who will read this devotional today and remind them once again about Your love, and Your gift. May today be the day of Salvation for many, please oh Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

God Knows Our Hearts

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

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2020-12-15
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Psalm 145:16-19
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 16 When you open your generous hand, it’s full of blessings,
satisfying the longings of every living thing.
17 You are fair and righteous in everything you do,
and your love is wrapped into all your works.
18 You draw near to those who call out to you,
listening closely, especially when their hearts are true.
19 Every one of your godly lovers receives
even more than what they ask for.
For you hear what their hearts really long for
and you bring them your saving strength.

OBSERVATION: Based on conversation with our children, we know what they like, and what they wish for. Imagine how much more God knows what we need and what we wish for! For adults, who have pretty much gotten over the idea of gifts on every occasion, hopefully we have a list of loved ones that we wish God would get a hold of and bring them to their senses. What, or perhaps who, is at the top of your wish list today? As you still your heart before Him, may you see God answering your deepest wishes.

APPLICATION: A heart that has been surrendered to God and steeped in the Word of God, will often long for and desire to see God also work in the life of a relative or loved one. We may often pray in deepest sincerity for the loved one, and we may even visit with them to encourage change in their life, but our hearts are burdened for them and we will often sigh in trying to express to our Heavenly Father our deepest desires for that loved one. We are reminded by David that we serve an awesome God, who is fair and righteous in all He does. Isn’t this encouraging to know that God’s decisions are not twisted by our selfish and evil desires at times? We tend to be so driven by vendettas and selfish desires that often we make decisions that are not always in the best interest of the other party. But God respects and loves the sincere hearts of His children, and will therefore listen closely to our cry for help, and for the desires of our humble and contrite hearts. How do we stay humbled for what God expects from His children? We stay in His Word and aim to be more like Jesus in every aspect of life. You see, He was the only perfect One. So there are no others that we may try to imitate who will help us to also lean towards perfection in our lives. Learn to share your heart with the Master dear friend. This will help you realize what God must be seeing in you.

PRAYER: Way too often we could be accused of seeking Your hand for all that You might give to us, instead of seeking Your face in recognition of the awesome God that You are. Thank You Lord Jesus for blessing us, even at times when we didn’t ask for it. You know our very hearts and our innermost thoughts, so You know our desires and our intimate wishes. Because David reminded us of Your fairness and Your awesome love for us, I humbly ask that You touch the hearts of all my readers and myself, so that You might not find selfish desires within us, but instead, always seeking to see our family and loved ones accept You as Lord and Savior of their lives. Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Please teach me to always seek to know You better and be concerned about the salvation of all those within my realm of influence, all for Your glory and honor. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Your Role In Helping Others Praise The Lord

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

DATE WRITTEN: Monday, 2020-12-14
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 5:13-16
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 13 “You are the world’s seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? And you yourselves will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. 15-16 Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

OBSERVATION: No doubt you have heard someone say ‘Now that will give them something to talk about!’, or perhaps ‘If they’re talking about me, then they’re leaving everyone else alone!’. We tend to use these phrases with a ’tongue and cheek’ attitude, because we really wish that trouble makers would not talk badly about about anyone. But let’s ponder the idea of letting our life so shine and acting in a way that others will be reminded of Jesus Christ! Perhaps they may even turn and give Him praise!

APPLICATION: Sometimes we must be reminded of why we’re here, otherwise we may tend to think that it’s just to keep our spouse happy, or to provide for our kids, or to be a slave for our employer! However, in our Scripture today God used Matthew to set out two illustrations for us to see how truly valuable we, Christians, are to the world. As a part of the world, we may just blend in with the crowd, because we may look like them, have kids just as they do, have to work just as they do, go to the same parties as they do and perhaps even live in the same neighborhoods. However for some, there may be certain changes that take place in their lives that causes them to be different. For example: they may make sufficient money that they may rise above the rest in riches; their son or daughter may become a professional athlete and a light is suddenly shone on the parents; a household member may be arrested and the press is suddenly always on the doorsteps of that family; etc. But for the one that accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, how does that impact their neighborhood, coworkers or others in their circle of influence? I believe our Scripture helps us with this, for Jesus said:
~ You are the salt, or seasoning, of the earth – Food without salt, or any other type of seasoning is very bland and it would be challenging to encourage anyone to eat it. Houses in a neighborhood that are all alike are often referred to as ‘cookie cutters’. Residents in a neighborhood who are all alike may be referred to as all ’peas in the same pod’! However, when one stands out from the rest in their mannerisms, their decisions on controversial items, lack of worry about trivial worldly things, or their love for life and people around them, their neighborhood might begin to notice and wonder what has impacted them. Seasoning impacts the taste of food – usually for the better! Jesus Christ impacts the character and mindset of a believer – always for the better!
~ You are the light of the world – Someone with even minimal Bible knowledge will quickly tell you that Jesus is the Light of the World and that mankind should not be so presumptuous to believe that they are also ‘light’. However, in the example given above about neighborhood families or individuals, don’t you know that a soul that has been totally cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and have vowed to live in close relationship with Him, they will begin living – acting, talking and giving, like the Light of the world? It’s just natural that this will occur. In fact, our Scripture is encouraging us to live a life where it is obvious to those around you that there is something, or someone impacting your life in such a way that they will not only desire to also have that thing/person, but they will also praise God daily because of your changed life and your natural changes that are evident in your life!
Dear friends, notice that these changes impact you and makes your life stand out, but there is little value in any of that unless Jesus Christ is recognized and permitted to draw others unto Himself through the changes in your life. Please don’t allow personal pride to interfere with that. Allow God only to be praised and lifted up.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Salt of the Earth and Light of the World, thank You for accepting a simple neighborhood guy who could have easily been recognized as one of the normal members of society. Your transformation in my life has been phenomenal, because You brought me from a child of worldly worth, to a prince of the Most High God. Thank You for reminding my friends and I through the Scriptures that our new life in You was not intended to promote self, other than the humbleness in giving up those things that the world may have attracted us to. Oh that through the grace of our Lord may our hardened hearts be melted, and may our attitudes be molded so that our character might allow the Light of the World to shine brightly through every aspect of our lives. Please Lord, use us for Your glory in drawing all those in our circle of influence unto Yourself so that they may praise You for ever and for ever. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Will God Identify You as His?

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

DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2020-12-13
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Micah 4:5
TRANSLATION: New American Standard Bible (NASB)

BIBLE TEXT: Though all the peoples walk,
Each in the name of his god,
As for us, we will walk
In the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

OBSERVATION: I love how the prophet Micah declared that Israel would stand firm for the living God, no matter how other countries around them may continue to trust in their own god. As we meditate today, I would like for us to personalize this thought. Will God identify you as a child of the Almighty God because of your daily lives here on earth? Will you declare today that Jesus is Lord and King of your life?

APPLICATION: My wife’s grandmother developed Alzheimers in her latter years. Like most people who realize someone has been impacted by this dreaded disease, we would normally ask multiple times during our visits ‘Do you know who I am?’. I always loved her response: ‘I can’t call your name, but I know you’re one of mine!’. We always chuckled when she responded like that, but I believe she recognized our facial expressions, our mannerisms and our love for her, for she came to recognize some of the traits that she taught her children and grandchildren over the years. Fortunately, God not only created us and placed us here on earth to develop whatever mannerisms we want, and to worship whatever gods or objects that comes natural to man, but He inspired His chosen prophets to write down His teachings, and He even gave some the gift of prophecy to foretell what will come to pass. Unlike parents who often wish that hospitals would give them a book of instructions when they hand them their newborn baby, God did exactly this for us! So as we grow up, we have a choice of either learning and following the instructions given to us by God, or whether we would just assimilate ourselves into our friendship and community groups that often tend to follow what feels best to them, or makes them look like the most elite in society. Based on the Word of God, I believe that God identifies His own by their commitments, their loyalties and their actions. For if we commit to the lordship of Jesus Christ, our loyalties, commitments and choices would look more like what is taught in God’s Word. If we make no changes in our lives, then we will naturally follow the desires of the flesh and try to please our fellow man. Our loyalties might then look more like one who is totally engrossed in our job, with no time for family, friends, God or the church. Or we may become so caught up in worldly fun and games, that we lose sight of the God who placed us here and continues to provide all the basics of life for us every day. Or we develop an attitude that we are untouchable by the world or its problems, and we couldn’t care less about the needs of others. Of course nothing of this is out of sight by God, for He knows our thoughts and our actions. So friends, I wonder what God might look at us and say when we stand before Him? Will congratulations be in order, and the red carpet laid out for the prince or princess to walk through to heaven? After all, as a child of the King of all kings, we would be considered a prince/princess! But for the one who had no need or time for God while here on earth, surely they wouldn’t want a part of Him on Judgment Day, right? Unfortunately there is a second place prepared for those not interested in Heaven, it is a place of eternal damnation and fire, one that is led by Satan and his demons. Sounds way too cruel? But friends, as I indicated in all that I’ve said already, you make this crucial decision while here on earth. Please be reminded that decisions could only be made by you with a sober mind while you are alive. How long will you be alive? God answered that in His Word, when He said that no one knows the day or the hour that the Master will come. This means that you are free to make a decision now, but there are no assurances that you you will be here in five minutes to make decisions then. Now is the accepted time of salvation my friend, and it is available to all that would ask! My prayer is that everyone that may read one of my devotionals will make the right decision about their eternity at the time of reading it, and immediately speak with God. Please contact me if I could be of help to you.

PRAYER: Thank You Heavenly Father for loving me enough to provide the means for my salvation. As the prophet Micah reminded us today, some may worship their respective idols today, and until You question them on Judgment Day, but Lord I promise to serve You faithfully today and every day until You return to take me home. Please touch hearts today who may read this devotional and may not have clarified their position with You yet. Remind them of the importance of making that decision today, before it is eternally too late. May Your Word, and this short devotional, not fall on deaf ears, but on hearts that are willing to establish today where they will spend eternity. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

God Does Change His Mind!

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

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2020-12-12
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Jonah 3:7-10
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT:  7 …… A command from the king and his great rulers:
For a short time no person or animal should eat anything. No herd or flock will be allowed in the fields. Nothing living in Nineveh will eat or drink water. 8 But every person and every animal must be covered with a special cloth to show they are sad. People must cry loudly to God. Everyone must change their life and stop doing bad things. 9 Who knows? Maybe God will stop being angry and change his mind, and we will not be punished.
10 God saw what the people did. He saw that they stopped doing evil. So God changed his mind and did not do what he planned. He did not punish the people.

OBSERVATION: It may surprise us that God changes His mind about certain verdicts that He proclaims, but as we meditate on this Scripture today, let’s try to keep in mind that we serve a forgiving God, and One who knows all about the children that He created, and their decisions. He is willing to forgive, if we ask in sincerity.

APPLICATION: God’s knowledge is far greater than any man can imagine, and His understanding is beyond anything we are capable of. He knew about all that was going on in Nineveh, so He prepared the heart of Jonah for action, and for ministry at just the right moment. Jonah was so upset at all that the people of Nineveh was doing that he saw no reason why God wouldn’t destroy the whole lot of them. However, God knew that if the people were reminded of their wrongs and given a choice to divert from those wrongs and follow a better way (God’s way), that they would do it. So God chose a man who had just been redeemed from his disobedience and sin, to hear, and then give the message of God’s forgiveness to the Ninevites. We see where God’s message impacted the people and they turned from their sin, while the man who was forgiven of his sin (Jonah) struggled with God’s decision to forgive His people. God changed His mind about destroying the Ninevites, because they listened to His Word and sought forgiveness. Jonah had received forgiveness for his blatant disobedience, but couldn’t stand to see God also forgive the Ninevites. Friends, we may be more like Jonah than we care to acknowledge. After all, have you looked at an ex-prisoner with doubt about their claim to Christianity while in prison? Have you voted against restoring a pastor, or an elder to their position of honor, after almost destroying your church through a sinful act? It may be even more challenging for us to forgive a family member who came to his senses, sought God’s forgiveness, and now asking for forgiveness from his earthly family. I believe it may behoove us to remember that anyone that is forgiven by God, is actually cleared for heaven. Anyone who refuses to forgive someone redeemed by God, is actually sinning against God, because He wants us to love and get along with all of His children. What then will you do dear friend? Can you honestly forgive those whom God has forgiven, or must you work out your own vendetta against them? I’m sure you know the right answer to this quandary, so I would merely ask that you speak with God and seek His direction in helping you love everyone He loves and forgive everyone He has already forgiven.

PRAYER: As Your humble servants, please Lord, teach us to love like You do and teach us to forgive everyone that You have forgiven. It’s not our place to hold grudges and to judge the heart condition of others, but instead make every effort to love and encourage others who are battling the same trials and troubles that we face every day. Please forgive us where we fail each and every day, Lord. May others see the love of Jesus outpoured through us in every interaction with us, so that You may be glorified precious Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

The Cause of Turning Your Back on God

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

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2020-12-11
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Jonah 2:7-9
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 7 “When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord. And my earnest prayer went to you in your holy Temple. 8 (Those who worship false gods have turned their backs on all the mercies waiting for them from the Lord!) 9 “I will never worship anyone but you! For how can I thank you enough for all you have done? I will surely fulfill my promises. For my deliverance comes from the Lord alone.”

OBSERVATION: One of the earliest Bible Stories someone might remember is about Jonah and the whale, yet I was intrigued as I read this book this morning! Perhaps because I was so easily reminded of how stubborn we Christians are about seeking, and following, the will of God in our respective lives and ministries. This obscure verse (8) spoke volumes to me. Stay with me as we meditate on this.

APPLICATION: It would probably be difficult for us to think about a time that God led us to do something, and of our own will we went in a totally opposite direction to do what we thought best. But I found it amazing that in spite of Jonah taking off in his own personal direction, yet God used him to save the sailors on the boat that transported Jonah. It is understood that Jonah headed to Joppa, a place way out of the way. While on the boat, Jonah slept in the hull of the boat – way out of the way. Perhaps Jonah thought that he could hide from God, and therefore help distract His concern from the disobedience of this messenger of His. Sounds like us, right? But what really caught my attention was the point at which Jonah came to his senses in the belly of the whale. What do we normally do at this point? Whether, a follower of Christ or not, we tend to seek God’s favor at the point of realizing that our situation is way beyond our control. Well, that’s exactly what Jonah did! At this point, Jonah’s eyes was opened to the fact that for those, like him, who turn their heads on God and choose any other god, they have actually just said ‘no’ to the mercies and power of the only One who could effect change in their situation – Almighty God. Jonah disobeyed God and chose his own god, and did what he pleased. In the pit of the whales belly, he needed God Almighty, but having turned his back on God he realized that God may now turn His back on him. Friends, have you thought about the possibility of needing God when you are off doing your own thing and feeling overly confident that nothing will go wrong? Has there been a time in your life yet where you returned to God, told Him how silly you were to think you could handle life on your own, and then ask His forgiveness because He is ALL you will really ever need? If you are still running, then obviously you are ignoring the mercies of the one true God. May I encourage you today to consider getting back in the loving graces of our all-powerful, all-forgiving, ever loving and merciful Father before it’s a day too late? The words of a popular old hymn echos in my mind ‘I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord’. If you are out of right relationship with Jesus Christ today, please accept Him, or return to Him, while there is still time. Remember, He will never turn His back on His faithful children!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, take my hand and lead me on. Thank You for promising to always be with us! I pray that You will speak boldly to us if You see us straying away or choosing to follow our own dangerous path. I praise You for being there for Jonah, even when He disobeyed You and went his own way. I thank You for bringing him to his senses. Something that I believe each of your children need on a regular basis. Please encourage us each day that You see us wandering off. Please don’t let us get too far off, but instead stay close to the cross. Oh that You would be so prominent in our lives that others will be reminded of Your grace, Your love and Your everlasting hope. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Are You Doing Your Part?

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

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-12-10
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Psalm 145:3-4
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 3 The Eternal is great and deserves endless praise;
    His greatness knows no limit, recognizes no boundary.
    No one can measure or comprehend His magnificence.
4 One generation after another will celebrate Your great works;
    they will pass on the story of Your powerful acts to their children.

OBSERVATION: Isn’t it easy to sit back and blame the parents next door for their rude kids, or sit at the back of the church so you could analyze every little twitch or movement of the kids in front of you? But, based on our Scripture today, I would beg of you to really look for reasons to praise your living God – yes, especially in the presence of the children, and then be diligent in sharing the awesome story of your salvation and the goodness of God with each and every one of them. Be thinking of the ways our younger generation could be impacted by you meditate with me!

APPLICATION: Common words heard from many adults range from: ‘What is wrong with the children today’ to ‘I know we were never that disrespectful in our day’! But since I consider myself a part of a generation, while other generations exists around me, then I can easily conclude that the Scripture is speaking directly to me today and encouraging me to take action. You see, our younger generation is constantly learning from us. Yes, I know, you keep your mouth shut and you try hard to not interfere in the business of others. However, you will teach a younger person several lessons, depending on your attitude, actions and words, such as: a). Let the person next to you assume the responsibility for what God has called you to do. They can teach the kids; b). No need to care about the welfare of others, for they have the government to lean on for that; c). You have made it this far in life, and those kids will somehow do the same. No need for your input; d). Church is unimportant, and God is there if you need Him. The pastor is only after your money. You learned your life-principles from your mom, and so will they. Friends, children will learn from us as they watch us in action and as they listen to us speak. Don’t blame them for what they are doing, they learnt it from us. I’m sitting on the edge of a beautiful lake, and as I look into the water I don’t see a blank slate. I see the reflection, or a mirror of the trees around the lake. In this case that’s a beautiful sight. But when you look at our younger generation and watch their actions and hear their speech, is it a beautiful reflection of what they are mirroring from you and I? Notice that I included verse 3 above. It shows a part of the praise that David was lifting up to his loving God. Some of us try to mirror that aspect of David’s life, hoping that as we worship God and sing of His wondrous works, others might mirror our worshipful attitudes and do the same. Ashamedly, I am also reminded that others are also mirroring those times that my attitude stinks, or my words were spoken in anger. We want others to reflect our best attitudes and actions. Shouldn’t we aim to always let our lives reflect the goodness of God and His loving attitude at all times, so that our younger generation will have great role models? Oh that God will work miraculously in our lives, for His glory, and for the benefit of those seeking to mirror a solid, worthy, forgiven believer in Christ.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, thank You for being such an awesome, righteous, loyal role model for us to follow. Please help us daily, as Your faithful followers, to seek Your grace and Your favor to help us live just like You. Others are watching, and they are looking for good role models. Oh that they will not be disappointed in following us, Your forgiven children who are seeking to follow You faithfully. May our younger generation be better than us, because they had good role models to follow – ones that imitated You in every aspect of life. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!