Month: February 2022

Your Assignment From God

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

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2022-02-27
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Acts 20:24; 26-28
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. 28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.

APPLICATION: I remember the days when performance reviews were completed on me by my supervisors. Completing a self appraisal before the interview to discuss my annual performance was always eye-opening and extremely challenging. You see, there were many things that I thought my boss never knew about me, and therefore may not have been considered as they rated my performance. However, God had me think deeply and honestly about my actual performance – the way that He saw it. Generally, I was always pleased with the rating given by my supervisor, compared to the one I honestly gave myself. However, I’m not so sure that I will be as fortunate when I meet with God, and He challenges me on the assignment He gave for me to do as His representative here on earth. Perhaps my readers will take time to meditate on what that meeting might look like for each of you as well. I believe that way too much emphasis has been placed on the popular phrase that a Christian might expect to receive from God ‘Well done good and faithful servant’, especially when we have stayed so distant to the things of God and the commands given through His teachings to us. To our pastors and church leaders, I believe that Paul is deliberately telling you about his experience so that you might evaluate how you might be doing with the work and responsibility God has assigned to you. What an awesome and overwhelming thought to imagine that the God of this universe has assigned you the job of making sure His children are fed, warned and taught about His wonderful grace and His awesome power to save them from their sin. I hope that each of you will follow Paul’s example in vowing to give it all you have, until the day that God calls you home to glory. Aim for being able to say like Paul ‘my conscience is clear in knowing that I have given you the truth of God’s Word and taught you all about His wonderful grace’. If, however, you are guilty of not telling the people in your care about Jesus, I’m sure that the misery you will feel as you wait for your meeting with God, is more than you could stand. My desire today is that every reader will join hearts and voices with me in singing that old chorus ‘We’ll work til Jesus comes’ as you finish off your meditation today.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: We are told in God’s Word that a crown awaits those whom Jesus is pleased with, and those who have given their all in completing the assignment given to them by their King! Oh, what a day that will be!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for providing the means for us to be purified, cleansed and made holy. The Word says that this is only possible because of Jesus, so I thank You Lord. Thank You also for Paul and his passion and commitment to serve You through sharing Your Word everywhere that he went. As Your representatives here on earth, I am convinced that You would have us continue that pattern established for us by Paul. We thrive on receiving a pat on the back, so we can’t wait to hear Your affirmation about our work while here on earth. Please encourage us with Your boldness and reassure us each day of Your presence with us in every way. For we desperately want our ministry to be all about You, Lord. Speak loudly through our witness so that the lost might be saved. 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!

The Power of Our Awesome God

On By Ed AlgreenIn All-powerful, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Power of God, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-02-26
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 33:6-9
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.
7 He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.

APPLICATION: Don’t we hear it all the time? Haven’t we been there at one time or another in our life? Where we sour in the thought of our problems and we see no hope for anything, or anyone who could help us overcome the pain that we are facing? We are resigned to accepting death as our only victor. But isn’t that how David must have felt? He moved into the shelter and isolation of the mountains, and he could hardly sleep because his ears were so attuned to every little sound – which caused him to automatically assume that one more enemy member was closing in on him. Would life ever return to normal? Will there ever be a safe place for him to live again among family and friends? For us it might be that awful disease that we never want to hear the doctors pronounce on us – cancer. But then, many have died from Covid and from other ‘less talked about’ ailments. Dear friends, I am convinced that the same God who spoke this world, and each of us, into existence, is the same God that got David’s attention and caused him to stop and think outside of his own issues, and find the One who is greater than all of his problems. I also believe that this same God is still very much alive, well, and ready to work with His other sons and daughters today, whom He loves just as much as He cared for David! Be reminded my friend that this is not just another doctor, whose qualifications are limited to a specific area of our body. Be reminded that this is not just another priest or pastor, whose powers are limited to earnest prayer before their Creator on our behalf. Be reminded that this is the King of all kings; the Lord of all lords; the One who healed the sick, restored sight, hearing and mobility to those who traveled many miles by foot, but were convinced that if only they could touch the hem of His garment! It’s the same God who David acknowledged in our Scripture today. The same One who turned waterways into roads for a million of His chosen children to walk safely through as they faced the barrier of water in the Red Sea! Please tell me again, what is it that you think He is incapable of doing?!! We have reason for complete faith in this God of ours, just follow David’s example and stop to think on His many miracles. Of course He can!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: We have the answers to our problems right at our fingertips! Our God – the One who created everything from nothing at all, He’s available to us to still perform miracle after miracle for the one who places their faith and trust in Him! What a mighty God is this God – our God!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, You did it before, and I believe You can do it again! Unfortunately we look at our problems, particularly our many ailments, and we give up to the fear of our end quickly approaching. As Your precious children, may we be as bold as David and give You permission to help us outside of our box – the one filled with doubt, fear and limitations. May we look fully into the face of our awesome God who had the power to create everything around us, and may we be reminded that You still have that same power to manage, heal and overcome every limitation that Your created ones face today. Praise God, I serve a God who can do all things! May my faith be increased to believe and trust in You to allow that to include every issues I face each day as well! 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!

Build A Sanctuary Where God Abides

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

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-02-24
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Exodus 25:8-9
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 8 “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. 9 You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.

APPLICATION: The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness, and even after seeing God’s mighty hand at work in protecting them, feeding them, and guiding them, yet they just could not accept the fact that He deserved their undivided devotion, honor, worship and praise. So God called Moses and his support leaders to a meeting and He relayed how everything will be, going forward. As I meditated on the instructions given to Moses, I was struck, and went into deep thought about what God might say to our leaders today regarding the Sanctuary of the Lord. Will His instructions today be more applicable to our times, or might He demand similar instructions to those that He gave to Moses? Here are some thoughts:
-o- Gold, Silver and Jewels – God demanded that the people build something extremely unique, expensive and something that required their very best and most precious belongings. Many parts of the Ark, and the sanctuary were to be lavished in gold. Can you imagine the security we would have to provide for a building adorned in gold today? But what are our concept of gold in a church environment today? Is it too much for the God of this universe? I remember visiting a Christian-based park, and the bathroom fixtures were gold (or at least gold plated). My first thoughts went on how much the owners must have ripped off from its visitors and followers. Isn’t that sad? Shouldn’t I have given glory to God for these owners who wanted to show the world that God deserves our very best? But don’t we sometimes tend to think that anything will do for our church buildings?
-o- A place for God to live – When leaders evaluate options for their church buildings, I wonder how much consideration is given to the building being the place where God resides, or where we meet with God, versus how lavish the offices should be, or the refreshment area, or the children’s play areas. Let me be quick to say that in ministering to the whole family, all of these things are undoubtably important, but we must always remember that they are secondary to us having a place conducive to meeting with God. Notice that God attributed no value to who else will make use of the sanctuary, for its sole purpose was for the Israelites to meet with God.
Notice that God called the leaders aside and gave the instructions about the sanctuary they should build for His glory. Is that the way it happens today, or do we become over zealous in have the biggest, greatest and most expensive buildings in town. Some leaders are finding the need to add a Bowling Alley to their church facilities. Do you imagine that God gave those instructions? Perhaps instead of gold ornaments and fixtures, they thought to spend that money on something to attract young men and women off the streets, right? I pray that God will not see me in a judgmental way in this blog today. I merely wanted to share my thoughts – perhaps God’s whisperings to me as I read this account today. I believe that God will speak to us individually through His Word, including today’s Scripture, if we welcome Him in. Perhaps He wants each believer to be intimate with Him about every need or concern, even our respective church facilities. There may be some that merely attend church for an hour on Sunday mornings, and they feel content that they have met this ‘religious’ tradition, or commitment for the week. God may be saying to you that He needs you involved in every aspect of His work, even down to His sanctuary – whether existing or in the process of upgrading to meet the needs of His people that want to have a closer walk with Him. God’s Word is one of the primary ways of you hearing His voice as he directs your path. It’s important to listen, and obey, dear friends!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God speaks to us through His Word! May our hearts be open to His direction and His leading today – even if that includes His Sanctuary.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are all-powerful and all-mighty in every way. You created us in Your image so that we might be like You, and that we might have a desire to please You in all walks of life. Thank You for opening our eyes today to the simple, but extravagant building of Your sanctuary. Please continue to remind us of the importance of meeting with You each day, and especially when we visit with You in Your sanctuary. Bless us O Lord as we seek to honor, serve and obey Your commands. 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!

Your Appointment WILL Result in a Decision

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

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-02-22
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 13:40-43
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin], 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. 43 Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

APPLICATION: Although God is working on each of us every day, and working in us as we permit Him to guide our steps, yet there will come a day for every person when we will leave, or die to, this world and we will stand before the Judge of all judges, who will determine our final destination. The Bible is very clear, and particularly in today’s Scripture, we are reminded that each of us will face the God who created us. The Bible is also clear that it will not be an embarrassing moment for your pastor, or your parents, or your spouse, for we will each stand before God individually. Today’s Scripture is very clear on how that meeting will go, so I encourage you to read it carefully and soberly so that God’s intentions will be clear to you individually. I hope that some will read this devotional who never before saw the need, or had the desire to enter a church, much less worship the God who created them. For each of us must be reminded that regardless of what our life is like here on earth, we WILL face God one day. For some, this will be a joyous time of finally getting to see the King that they adored, worshipped and served here on earth. For I believe that God will acknowledge their righteousness and welcome them to their eternal home in glory with He, and His Son (Jesus) for all eternity! For some, God will say somethings very similar to what they said to Him while here on earth – away from me, for I never knew you. I believe they will be tagged as the ‘unrighteous’, and they will finally be assigned their eternal home with Satan – a place of fire, brimstone, and agony – a place Satan has prepared for all those who lived here on earth without ever recognizing the Creator, nor His beloved Son, Jesus, but lived life like it was theirs to destroy. But I believe the saddest time will be for those who love God, for they will see the disappointment on the face of their Master, and the sadness that will come over Him as He is forced to send a child that He carefully and wonderfully made, a child that He sent His Son to save, from their attraction to sin, and rejection of Him. They deliberately chose to continue their selfish desires that brought them anything but happiness. Friends, today each of us are traveling one of the paths that I described above. In the Word of God, He is clear on the outcome for the righteous and the unrighteous, and they are totally opposite. I have family and friends who are dying at an alarming rate, so let me remind you, dear friend, that you moment for making the decision to ask God for His righteousness is not assured beyond the very moment that you are reading this text. I have included information in my Footnote that can help you change the trajectory of your life right now. I would invite you to email me so that I might pray for you as you seek God’s face. Otherwise, let me encourage you to get with a local Bible teaching pastor or Christian leader to pray with you in person. God created you; He loves you; and He will welcome your decision to change the direction of your sin-sick life. Speak to Him while imagining how much He loves you and wants you by His side. No worries about being in a specific place with a specific person while saying specific words. Just talk to God, right now, dear one.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: My decision to serve the King of all kings was affirmed in early 1975. Praise God, I am filled with anticipation as I am reminded of His ‘Welcome Home’ greeting some day soon! While I wait for that, my desire is to encourage others to give up on sin, and accept my Lord as their Savior.

PRAYER: It won’t be long now! I believe those are the words You are declaring to my readers and I today as we study this Scripture from the book of Matthew. Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for awesome family and friends. Please remind them of Your love for them once again today, and how Your invitation is still open to them. Oh that they will be sobered into reality and know that their time here on earth may very well end today. May they make the necessary steps to accept You today, is my humble prayer, even though they may be convinced of the joy this old world offers that leads them deeper into unrighteousness. You alone are God, so I am encouraged that You have the power to soften even the hardest and most stubborn hearts. They’re Your children Lord – designed and created by only You. Please draw them back to Yourself today. 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!

A Jealous God

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

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-02-19
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Exodus 20:4-6
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 4 You are not to make any idol or image of other gods. In fact, you are not to make an image of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. 5 You are not to bow down and serve any image, for I, the Eternal your God, am a jealous God. As for those who are not loyal to Me, their children will endure the consequences of their sins for three or four generations. 6 But for those who love Me and keep My directives, their children will experience My loyal love for a thousand generations.

APPLICATION: Our women flirt and husbands, or boyfriends become so jealous that they are only left to kill the enemy that is stepping in on their relationships. So is it any wonder why God said that being a jealous God, He would bring damnation on the individuals, who worship their own manmade idols, plus their children for several generations that follow? Let’s remember that God had just freed these people from slavery, and He was faithful in providing for their good, each and every day while traveling. But before the Israelites left Egypt, God demanded that they go and ask for the gold jewelry of their slave masters, whose hearts He would soften and prepare to freely give up their precious gold. This sounded like God was providing awesome gifts to His people, however nce the Israelites were up against decisions God made that were not in line with their desires, they took this gold and melted it down to form little gold images that they felt they could worship. In today’s world, we look in awe at the story of the Israelites while shaking our heads in surprise that our ancestors could be so ungrateful to turn their backs on the One True God who freed them and provided for their every need. It seems so ridiculous that they would worship images, and so hopeless to imagine that they could expect golden images to take the place of the Creator of the Universe. But what have we done that’s so much better, or that would impress our Creator? Our people are filled with excuses why they will not join us in worship to our God; Why they will not allow us to pray with their loved ones on beds of affliction; Why they are too busy with work, football games; hunting; boating; beaches; parties, and any number of things that are truly much higher on their priority list than simply worshiping God. Remember, our God is the One who walked on water; parted the Red Sea; Raised Lazarus from death; Opened the eyes of the blind; Provided food for our parents when there was no hope of feeding their families at night; etc, etc. Friends, might God look at many of the things that take His place in our lives as our ‘gods’ that are much like the golden images the Israelites worshipped? Are we willing for the same consequences that God said would fall on the Israelites – that our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and more would suffer because of our selfish and careless attitudes towards the Great I Am? Our God loves us so much precious friends, that He is jealous about seeing us choose any other path besides His offer of salvation. Carefully examine your path dear friends, and your decisions. Be sure that your plans are filled with the worship, and plans, of the Father, to whom we owe our very lives, and who has presented His eternal offer for life everlasting.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: What a promise to know that God will bless our generations because of our faithfulness. For the faithful, this is outstanding news that will help us live out our lifetime here on earth in peace and reassurance of tomorrow.

PRAYER: Dear God, please continue to remind us that there is no God like our God. You have not promised us tomorrow, so may we be ready at any given moment to be taken up to glory to be with You. Please forgive us when we turn the other way and acknowledge our little ‘gods’. You have been so good to us that our minds should be fixed on You and our worship stayed on You. Please help us to be encouragers of the weak and may we always be willing and ready to share the Gospel with those who have chosen to ignore Your goodness and worship their earthly gods instead. You alone deserves our praise and our worship, so we acknowledge our allegiance to You oh God, our Rock and our Redeemer.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!

Your Complaints Against God

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

DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-02-17
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Exodus 16:6-8
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “By evening you will realize it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?” 8 Then Moses added, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.”

APPLICATION: So often we complain about the heat outside, without thinking that we are really complaining to God about sending too many sun rays our way. Other days we whine and complain about the cold, without thinking that we are really complaining about God sending such misery on us without any good reason. Perhaps the meals at home were not as good as we expected, or the bed wasn’t made just right, so we complain about the woman we married, without considering that she is a daughter of the King, and God wanted to bless us beyond measure with the best He could give to us. What do we think He did wrong?? At church, we get upset because the sermon was too long and pointed at us instead of all the other sinners who needed it much worse than us! Furthermore, where are the elders? Don’t they ever do anything worthwhile for the church? Friends, God went to great lengths to provide just the right pastor, and only those elders who He felt were worthy to manage the affairs of His ministry, so why again are we complaining to God about what He did?? I believe that by now you may have been reminded about how similar you are to the Israelites. We normally think that we are making the Pastor, Elders and household members accountable, and we really don’t want them to treat others without care and concern, after all you helped to approve the church budget and want the leaders to be accountable for their actions. Friends, I am reminded that God is not only our Provider of all things, but He also answers our prayers when we petition Him for the leaders we need. When we complain, we are really telling Him that He messed up and is still uncommitted to caring for our needs through them. Let us learn to be a thankful people, consistently praising God for all His goodness and for how carefully He watches over us and cares for us. Just because God decides to handle things differently to what we expect, doesn’t mean that He’s wrong or uncaring about us. God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth. We are blessed to be recipients of His blessings, so let’s accept His goodness, His ways, His direction and His constant love.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: We serve such a forgiving and loving God that He hears our cry for forgiveness even if we find ourselves as guilty as the Israelites in complaining.

PRAYER: Ashamedly I must acknowledge that I have been guilty of complaining about things that could ultimately be attributed to the works of my Master. Please forgive me Lord, and give me the strength to overcome such a degrading practice in the future. Please Lord, help my readers, listeners and myself always seek to honor You in every aspect of life. You placed us here to make a difference so that the world might see You more clearly and come to accept You as Lord. May we look, sound and represent You more fully every day, and may we live a life of love, forgiveness and thankfulness for all that You bountifully provide for us. 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!

You Speak From The Content of Your Heart

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Know God's Heart, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Reflect Jesus, Reflecting Christ, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2022-02-16
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 12:33-35
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. A tree from a select variety produces good fruit; poor varieties don’t. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For a man’s heart determines his speech. 35 A good man’s speech reveals the rich treasures within him. An evil-hearted man is filled with venom, and his speech reveals it.

APPLICATION: So what is your heart filled with, and how did it get that way? I believe the people we hang around will have an impact on our attitude and our heart. I believe that greed and generosity each have an impact on our heart. I believe that hatred and love has a deep impact on our heart and on how we respond to life’s circumstances. So how might we improve the content of our heart and how might we respond more in line with what Jesus expects of us? I believe it might do us well to recall a popular computer saying ‘garbage in, garbage out’. For so it is with the heart. We find that whatever we fill it with, we will also respond from. Anyone hanging around Christian folk for very long would have heard that we should read God’s Word daily. In doing so, we will fill our heart with the character and qualities of the God that we read about. Jesus Himself said that we will respond from the treasures within us. Logically this makes a whole lot of sense also. As we keep telling ourselves that our God is the image and original explanation of love and He wants us to be just like Him, then we will also ask for His guidance to help us love others just as He loved us. As we learn about His healing power, we will console ourselves, and regenerate peace and contentment in the fact that we serve a God who can heal our diseases and restore our health. As we learn about the great sacrifice God made for us by giving up His very own Son for the forgiveness of our sin, we will reinforce the principle of sacrifice and giving of everything we have for the benefit of others who need reassuring. Friends, if we fill ourselves with the miserable, selfish principles of this world, then we will respond to circumstances just like we see the world doing. When the love, wisdom and words of Jesus fills our heart, then we will respond in much the same way that Jesus did throughout the Bible. I don’t know about you dear friend, but I believe that it never benefits the world to see more of itself and its evil works. The world needs Jesus, and my prayer is that they will see Him in and through everything we do and say. When they see Jesus mirrored in us, they will know that He’s not just another fictional character that they read about. May our hearts be so filled with Jesus, that the overflow will overwhelm others with the love of Jesus as they encounter us.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Our speech and our actions are a reflection of what we have allowed to enter our heart. I pray that Jesus will be the overwhelming factor effecting our output each day!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, please fill us with so much of Yourself, that You will spill out of us through our attitudes, our character, our words and our actions. May our circle of friends see so much of You in us that they will be convinced of Your existence and Your impact on Your kids still today. May they want to know You in a very personal and intimate way. 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!

Listen, Understand & Accept

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

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-02-15
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Acts 17:2-4
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

APPLICATION: Paul ‘reasoned’ with the people! Isn’t that an interesting translation? Some Sunday School, or Small Group teachers will slow down and reason with their students, but seldom do we see a preacher or pastor do that! What I like about this word, versus ‘preaching’ is that the teacher is trying to make sure that their students have all their questions answered about the Scriptures. I believe that most ‘preaching’ is delivered from the speakers understanding and belief system, and generally from a very dictatorial perspective. Getting down to the level of understanding by the audience is so important, I feel. For if we fail to help them grow in their understanding and in their relationship with Jesus, what good has it been for them to hear you speak? I love, love, love interactive teaching, for students will sometimes lend a personal perspective of what God has done in their life regarding the Scripture being studied. I know, the good teacher will know when to nip a conversation in the bud when an individual is merely showing off their own personality and/or value, but I believe it helps everyone to stay awake and alert to the teaching as they try to apply it to their own lives. I believe that to understand the heart of the congregation is to know that each one comes to church for their own reason, and expectation. Mom, dad or a spouse might force one to attend church out of traditional beliefs that it’s the place for all good people to be at least for one hour per week. Some may want to satisfy an obligation made to the pastor, or a friend, who invited them to church. But I believe that Paul was especially addressing the needs of the ones who knew about God, and His Son, but still had a lot of questions. In fact, most Jews tend to struggle with the idea of Jesus being the Messiah, and/or being equal with God. In reasoning with them from the Scriptures, Paul was using the inspired words of God Himself to spell out the truth of the Messiah and that Jesus was indeed that Messiah. Just as we walk away from church sometimes, and feel the need to rush home and study the Scriptures more, to make sure that we could believe what the preacher said that morning, the Jews also made some very critical decisions about Paul’s teachings. For some believed, and followed Paul and Silas, while some got all heated and wanted no further discussion, but instead they wanted to continue their fight of getting rid of these evangelists. Each week we have the same sort of crowds, for: some will stay at home unconcerned about hearing anything more about Jesus, because all is well in their family and they have no immediate need for Jesus; some will reluctantly go to church, because they feel obligated to their parents, spouse, friends or even the pastor; some will be at church in bodily form, but their minds are on the fishing, hunting or play grounds; but some might be interested in understanding the Word of God better, for they have seen over and over again how God has delivered, directed and comforted them through His Word. Friends, those that love you are already praying and encouraging you to go to church with them next weekend. In helping you decide, let me encourage you to go with the intent of better understanding the Word of God and applying it to your life in a way that He will personally speak to you about. If you do this, I am convinced that you will see such value in the teachings of God’s Word that you will be ready to lead the way for your family to learn from God’s Word every week going forward.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God’s Word is invaluable for the one who desires to grow closer to Him, and to the one who needs more in life that worldly belongings. Listen to the teachings for God, and as you understand them, be obedient to what He is calling you to do.

PRAYER: Please help us Lord to keep our minds and desires fixed on You as our Lord and Mediator. May our desire to grow in knowledge of You become more intense each week. Help us to strive towards righteousness instead of finding fault with our pastor/preacher/teacher. May we, like the Jews who accepted the teaching of Paul and Silas, decide to follow You whole heartedly. 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!

Personal Preference – Heaven or Earth?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Evangelism, Evangelize, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Worship2 Comments

DATE POSTED Monday, 2022-02-14
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Philippians 1:20-24
TRANSLATION: The Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 20 For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that will cause me to be ashamed of myself but that I will always be ready to speak out boldly for Christ while I am going through all these trials here, just as I have in the past; and that I will always be an honor to Christ, whether I live or whether I must die. 21 For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying—well, that’s better yet! 22 But if living will give me more opportunities to win people to Christ, then I really don’t know which is better, to live or die! 23 Sometimes I want to live, and at other times I don’t, for I long to go and be with Christ. How much happier for me than being here! 24 But the fact is that I can be of more help to you by staying!

APPLICATION: Of special note regarding this scripture: Paul is in prison at the time of this writing! So if Paul has the fortitude and determination to live so that He could do more of the Master’s work, even from within four prison walls, how much more those who are ‘free’ should be striving to do the Master’s work? Friends, we whine and we complain about so much, but do we should really have the heart of Jesus, or of Paul, in wanting to see as many won to the Lord as possible? In the above scripture, I bolded a few sentences that, I believe, is worthy of note:
* Living means opportunities for Christ – it is only while we have breath in our bodies that we can be witnesses for the Lord, or care about sinners. Let’s not wait any longer friends, we’re on the winning side and it is our privilege, our honor, and our responsibility to share the Good News of our Savior and Lord;
* Living will give more opportunities to win people to Christ – Often we will find that it’s the threat of impending death that gives us incentive to share the love of Christ that lives inside of us. Please allow me to awaken  you to the fact that we have no assurances about the next minute. The moment of opportunity is the present. Please share the love of Christ, who lives inside of you, with all that you care about and/or come into contact with today!
* I can be of more help to you by staying – Jesus Christ has a plan for each of us. He is allowing us to remain here on earth so that we can glorify Him and spread the Good News about the Savior who loved us enough to die for us. In a nutshell friend, this is our mission!
Friends, we remain on this earth to be shining examples of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s not about politics, gossip, sports, the lotto or any other purpose, so use every opportunity with everyone you know, to let them know that the reason you live is to represent Jesus, while evangelizing the lost, before it is eternally too late for them.

PRAYER: The reason that I live is …….. Lord, as we complete that sentence today in humility and prayer before You. I ask that You will take those completed sentences and correct any misgivings about our mission, compared to the one You have assigned to us. I am pretty convinced that our mission is similar in nature to what Paul shared with the Philippians, because throughout Your Word we are told the importance of surrendering our lives to You, so that we, in turn, may be a blessing to others and convince them of their need for our Savior. Please work on us today and guide us to do Your perfect will, for this is my sincere and humble plea. It’s in Your beautiful and bountiful name that I ask all this, dear 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!

Troubled About The Sin Around You?

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

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2022-02-13
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Acts 17:15-16
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: 15 The people leading Paul went with him to Athens. Then they carried a message from Paul back to Silas and Timothy for them to come to him as soon as they could.
16 While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was troubled because he saw that the city was full of idols.

APPLICATION: Do you run to God for his direction about the sin that you see all around you? Do you often show your opposition to the sin, or do you support those committing the sin? Do you seek God’s help and direction in showing those affected by these things that there is a better way – a way that leads to eternity with Jesus? Paul was convicted that Jesus was the only way, and that sin was sin. So he kept facing opposition from the world, yet in vs 2 we read that Paul went into the synagogue and taught about Jesus; again in vs 10 and yet again in vs 17 we read where he did the same thing after being relocated for his own safety. Would you agree with me that Paul saw a lot going on in these cities that, based on his understanding of God’s Word, he disagreed with? Would you also agree that it is evident that he was not prepared to ‘pass the buck’, but instead willing to put his neck on the line over and over again for what he knew was wrong, and to teach what he knew was right? What about you, my friend, are you willing to follow in Paul’s example? There is no question about whether things are bad around us, for daily we hear about the evil going on. We may not see idols everywhere, but when we see our friends not interested in worshiping with other believers because of other ‘idols’ in their life, should we not be concerned? ‘Idols’ is something that takes the place of God in our lives. Whenever something else takes priority over our time with God, especially on a continual basis, then I dare say that ‘something’ has become an idol in your life. God has not called us to be judge and jury, but friends it is obvious to see where ‘idols’ pop up in our own lives, and in the lives of our family and friends. It should make us question where our priority is. Like Paul, we must constantly be looking inward to see where our hearts and priorities are, and we must be willing to preach the principles of God to our friends and neighbors, regardless of where we see their priorities. We must not let Satan be the victor in our world, especially when we are so aware of our loving Savior and all that He sacrificed for such undeserving sinners as ourselves. I would dare say that not many of us could be found guilty of openly spreading the gospel today, especially in areas where we know that the state has forbidden it, and unfortunately these areas are becoming way too numerous today. Jesus is coming soon friends, we must not let our friends die and go to Hell. We must live our lives in the light of eternity, and witness/teach/preach with the same intensity as Paul did. Where’s your heart dear friend? Trying to please everyone around you, or determined to carry as many as possible to heaven with you. When Jesus comes to take us home with Him, only one thing will matter – ‘is your heart right with God?’. Do you know Him friend? Do all those that you rub shoulders with, know Him? If not, work diligently till Jesus returns to help them find the way.

PRAYER: In the name of Jesus, and for Your glory, I humbly ask that You forgive me of my laxity in being a bold witness of the One who went to the cross to prove His love for me. No other love can compare to the love that You displayed in so many ways just for me, Heavenly Father, and I thank You sincerely for that. Please instill in me the urgency of the hour in which I live, so that I may consecrate my heart, my mind and my witness to the things that really matter – You and Your kingdom. Please touch the hearts of the folk that might meditate on this devotional today, and penetrate their hearts with the same urgency of that which I have pleaded of You. May we devote ourselves to winning this world for You, is my humble prayer, all for Your sake and Your glory, 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!