DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2021-04-04
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 25:45-46
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁴⁵ I tell you this: whenever you saw a brother hungry or cold, when you saw a sister weak and without friends, when you saw the least of these and ignored their suffering, so you ignored Me.
⁴⁶ So these, the goats, will go off to everlasting punishment. But the beloved, the sheep (the righteous), will go into everlasting life.

OBSERVATION: As you ponder the above Scripture today, perhaps you will be forced to think of the attributes one might possess to be helpful to, and considerate of, those less fortunate than ourselves. Hopefully you will quickly conclude that not everyone that gives money, or donates food, or give in any other material way is doing that because of their love for God. When our hearts are molded by God and led by His Holy Spirit, we do things out of love and compassion. Remember, Jesus knows our ‘heart’!

APPLICATION: Not every man who shows lust after a woman, nor every woman that gives in to a man, are necessarily married. So it is with those who give to the needy. Some do it for public recognition; some for savings on their tax bill; while some will give of material goods out of excess. Are they a child of the King because they do this? God is their judge and He will deal with that one-on-one with them. In the Bible we are told about a woman who gave of her last few pennies. Jesus said that she had given more than the richest man ever gave, because she had a heart filled with the love and compassion of God. Jesus recognized His children, and the manner and heart in which they gave. He called them His beloved and considered them as His sheep. He shared with His disciples that these individuals will go on into everlasting life, for they saw like Him and acted just as He would have. From deep inside their hearts, they saw needs, and they did something about that. Imagine as a father, you saw your kids responding to needs – just as you had hoped that they were watching and learning from your actions in life? Wouldn’t you heart swell with pride and cause you to praise the Father above? Jesus was not afraid to also tell the naked truth about pride, arrogance and selfishness to those who act like they are the reason for their success in life while here on earth. Jesus was probably hurt as He witnessed them ignore the needs, even though they had plenty to share. He could tell that they not only ignored Him and His unconditional love for them, but they had none to share with those in desperate need of their help. Jesus had something to give these folk as well, but it was not a heavenly reward, but instead it was eternal punishment by the evil one. Friends, although I am convinced that our Lord is generous in blessing His children today, let me be quick to say that I believe Jesus still hates sin, the mean hearted, and those who have ignored what He sacrificed on Calvary. In fact, so much so that Jesus said in verse 46 that they will go off the everlasting punishment. Many of us will say after a very difficult day here on earth, that we had a day from Hell, but I don’t believe that we have heard or seen anything yet that compares to what Satan has in store for those who have given him full reign of their lives. I know, you have not committed ‘I do’ to Satan. But my dear friends, the Word of God says that unless you surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, then you have given full authority to Satan, because you are headed for a sinner’s domain – Hell. There is no such thing as Satan’s domain, God’s domain and your domain. You either make a firm commitment to accept and follow Jesus, or you continue on your path to Hell. There’s no better time than this Easter Sunday for you to surrender to our Risen Lord! Do it today precious one, and prepare for His gift of eternal life.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that we are able to celebrate our Risen Savior today! Thank You for Your Word, and the reminder given to us in the Scripture today. Because I know that You are alive, and especially alive in my heart, I am looking forward to being included among the righteous that will go on into everlasting life in glory, with You and the Father. But Lord, I hurt for so many who have yet to accept You as Lord, including many of my family and friends. Please melt the hearts of my readers today, and make Your gift very visible in their eyes. Lord I am so anxious to be at Your feet in Heaven one day, and I want so bad to have all of my family and friends kneeling next to me as we celebrate our Risen Lord. Use me Lord as an instrument of Your grace to encourage the lost. and those who are discouraged, so that they may seek Your face. Oh that You may be glorified today because of the number of people who will accept Your Gift – Your precious Gift – Jesus. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog 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 this devotional, please click on 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. Words underlined in my blog might 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 Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. 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!