Life or Death? Your Choice

On 2022-04-202022-04-20 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Choices, Death, Eternal Life, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-04-19
WRITTEN AT: Citra, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Deuteronomy 30:19-20
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁹“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! ²⁰You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long…..

APPLICATION: I remember the warnings given by my dad when I left home for high school in another city. There wasn’t much room for negotiation, for my dad gave me more of an ultimatum. If you get in any kind of trouble, you’re coming back home son! For those who are curious, I succeeded in graduating High School!! I’m of the impression that Moses also gave the Israelites an ultimatum, for he clearly gave them the conditions necessary for a life filled with God’s blessing, vs a life destined for Hell and destruction. I have no doubt that no one would chose the latter, for we all want the very best out of life, and we want to leave a legacy for those who will follow in our footsteps. I believe that God continues to care for us in the same way, and under the same conditions that He did with the Israelites. In vs 16 God said through His servant Moses: if you love the Lord your God and keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways, then His people would live a great life. I believe that means that God would love, protect, guide and keep us as long as we remain on earth but, since He has also prepared a place for us to spend eternity, then I believe that we can live expecting heaven on earth, and for all eternity! But God didn’t just leave it up to the unsaved to assume what might happen to them, for He told the Israelites in vs 17 that if their heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life. Friends, I believe that God is similarly saying to the one who has chosen to live their life without the Savior, that you can’t live like the devil and expect to be treated like a child of God. It just don’t work that way! So to all my readers and listeners, I believe that you are faced with the same decision as the Israelites – heaven, or hell? What’s your choice? If you refuse the call of God on your life, then you are destined for a life of hell here on earth, and eternal damnation after life here below. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, so may I encourage you to please choose ‘life’, my friend? To my Christian Brothers and Sisters, let me implore you to be steadfast in prayer for, and encouragement to, your unsaved family and friends, for I believe that Jesus will return at any time now to take His bride home to glory, and we all want to be ready for that day!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: We’ve been given a present – today! So let’s ready ourselves, and encourage our friends, for that great Judgment Day. A final verdict will be announced on that day – heaven, or hell. Oh that we all will be prepared and ready for eternity with Jesus and His Father.

PRAYER: Through Your servant Moses, You made it clear to Your people the benefits of following Your commands and obeying Your Word. You also warned them of the dire consequences if they failed to obey You. I am convinced that You had this particular warning placed in Your Word to also get our attention today, for the same logic applies to us. Lord, I pray that we’ll all be ready. That we’ll all choose ‘life’ over eternal death and damnation. Please encourage many to read this devotional today, Lord, and open their hearts and minds to fully comprehend the consequences of the decisions they make today. May they commit fully to Your saving grace, and may they follow through in accepting You as Lord of their life – 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!

Lives Acceptable To God

On 2022-04-182022-04-20 By Ed AlgreenIn Acceptance, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Surrender, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2022-04-17
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Romans 14:12-13; 17-19;
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹²So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ¹³Then let us not criticize one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block or a source of temptation in another believer’s way.
¹⁷for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸For the one who serves Christ in this way [recognizing that food choice is secondary] is acceptable to God and is approved by men. ¹⁹So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].

APPLICATION: Some may not be aware, but in certain occupations, an employer will demand that employees be on their best behavior in, and outside of, the business, as the public judges the business through its employees. In reading today’s Scripture, I am reminded of those employment expectations. For no matter how awful we may feel like we were before surrendering to the lordship of Jesus Christ, anything we do or say after that awesome day reflects on His image to those we come into contact with. In the working world, we may receive extra monetary incentives for representing the company outside in the public. As a child of God, He offers us a lot more than the incentive of heavenly rewards, for He has also given us the Holy Spirit to help guide us and direct us in the ways of Christ while living in the world, and facing the temptations of the evil one. I believe that many of the challenges we face in trying to be an obedient child of God in our working years, is that seldom will we find an employer who will send us off into the mission field while representing the company well. It just doesn’t seem to work that way. Perhaps join a non-profit organization where we could try to win the membership elites over to our company, yes. Perhaps attend the parties of major customers, so our company will show our support, yes. Perhaps volunteer in our communities, so that our company name may be shown as being a part of the local community, yes. But how often are we asked to spread the name of Jesus wherever we go? Unfortunately, that’s where the line is drawn between Christ and the workplace. However, for the Christian who pays close attention to today’s Scripture, we must aim to always represent the only One who sacrificed His very life for us, so that we may accept Him; seek His forgiveness; lift Him up high above the world in our praise and adoration; and represent Him – through living out His teachings and commands. When we act like Jesus would among our business associates and friends, only then will many of them see Jesus in His splendor. I believe that when we stand before our Lord, He will cause us to reflect on the times that we were strong and determined to reflect Him, even when everyone else around us were indulging in the pleasures of this world. Dear friends, for those who raise up kids to be responsible and successful adults. We teach them to live out their upbringing in the presence of everyone they come into contact with. Not just the pastor, or family friends, but also while at work and in every other aspect of life. So it is with our representation of Jesus Christ. We might never know how many are impacted for the Kingdom through our contact with them, or the compassion we show in dealing with them, or through the Biblical truths that we live out in every circumstance of life, BUT I am convinced that when Jesus saved us, He intended for us to always be His representative, not just at times when we don’t feel intimidated. The world will never be challenged to make a change in their lives, if they see no difference in ours. With Jesus in control of our lives, His love, His teachings, and His eternal hope for mankind, will shine through us and convince a lost and dying world of their need to also know our Lord. How are you doing with that my friend? Are you ready for your day of accountability before God?

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Although Jesus has the power and will to touch a man’s heart, I believe that He also wants to touch people through proper representation by His children. Our actions and our words will reflect the One we serve.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, it is mind boggling to think that the Son of the most High God would sacrifice His life on a cruel cross, so that we could enjoy the benefits of heaven. This is more marvelous than anything we could ever imagine, because we find it impossible to duplicate that kind of sacrifice. Thank You for blessing us so much more than we could ever imagine or ask for. Please continue to impress upon us the importance of always imitating Your characteristics in everything we do and say, for we never know how You might use us to impact the life of an unbeliever. Oh lord, may we surrender ourselves fully to Your will and Your desire for us, so that the world might see Jesus, accept Jesus and know Jesus in a miraculous way. AMEN!

Placing A Loved One At The Feet Of Jesus

On 2022-04-162022-04-18 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Love others, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, The Father's Love, The love of God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-04-17
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 2:2-5
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ²….While he was preaching God’s word to them, ³four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. ⁴They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. ⁵Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

APPLICATION: I wonder if the men were disappointed in seeing Jesus’ concern, vs their intentions? After all, they went through a lot to see Jesus heal their friend, yet when Jesus saw the young man He didn’t immediately address the issue of paralysis, but rather attended a more urgent matter – the condition of the paralyzed man’s heart – to ensure his readiness to meet God. I wonder how much this story parallels our earnest prayers to God, where we are so concerned for our family and friends’ welfare or health, but seldom show deep concern for the salvation and the readiness of their soul for eternity? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about their salvation than we are about the other things in life that might impact their normal, everyday living here on earth? How often do we forget that the things of this earth are temporal and could very easily be gone today or tomorrow? Yet the condition of their soul will determine their destiny for eternity. Should we be concerned for the physical, financial and personal welfare of our friends? If we didn’t then one would question if they are truly our friends, but I believe Jesus showed the Pharisees, and is showing us, that there is one concern that trumps all other concerns in life, and that is the spiritual condition of the individual. When you know that your friend is ready to meet their Savior and Lord, and that they are living daily to be more like Him here on earth, then all other needs will fall into place, for God cares intimately for His children and He will not bring anything on us beyond what we can bear, nor will He burden us with anything that will not bring glory to Himself. So friends, let me encourage you this Easter weekend, to look just a little differently at those you love and will spend time with this weekend. Look beyond their physical and material needs and pray with them about their spiritual needs, should there be a need to do that. Our greatest need in life is to be the individual that God designed us to be – the one that will worship Him and bring glory to Him, in everything we do, until Jesus returns to take us all home to heaven to spend eternity with He and His Father. I’m ready for that awesome day dear friends, and I want each of you, and all of my family and friends to also be ready to join me for that meeting at the foot of the cross! Oh ‘What a Day That will Be’!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Our soul’s condition is of more importance to God than any physical, health, or financial challenge we might have. God sees us and asks ‘Is your heart ready to meet your God?’

PRAYER: Thank You Jesus for all that You willingly did that very first ‘Good Friday’ and the glory of that first ‘Easter’ morning! As we meditate on those events again this weekend, I pray that although we will be touched by the drama of all that You went through, yet we will never lose sight of the fact that You did it all for us. Thank You Lord Jesus! I am eternally grateful Heavenly Father! In much the same way that You were willing to do whatever it took to save Your children from the awful stain of sin and damnation, I pray that each of us will commit to being as concerned about our family and friends. Oh that we would recommit to sharing Your love with them and allowing them to see the meaning of the cross and the possibilities of their eternity with You. There was nothing more important to You Lord Jesus. I pray that we would be very much the same in our concern for others. May You be glorified and lifted up this weekend, for I ask these things in the precious name of the crucified, yet risen Lord Jesus, AMEN!

One Thing I Ask, And Seek After

On 2022-04-152022-04-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Friday, 2022-04-15
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 27:4
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁴One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

APPLICATION: Many things that we pray for each day, that may change the circumstances of the day, should God decide to bless us with it. For example, heaviest on your heart might be the well being of a family member, or friend, about to have surgery. Joy overflows when you follow up with a family member and you hear that they are now recuperating at home! But what about your own personal relationship with the Lord, what might be that one thing that can only be attended to supernaturally, and may improve your walk with the King of all kings? What might that one thing that you are desperately praying to God for, and that you are willing to diligently seek after? By way of suggestion, you may want to consider the one thing that you feel stands in the way of your total surrender to the Lord; or it might be that one person that you become so agitated with, as that volatile relationship could stand between you and your perfect God; it might be a habit that you feel convicted about, but have found it impossible to give up – perhaps this one bad habit is standing in the way of a friend or family member truly seeing who it is that you serve. Friends, let’s be totally open to the fact that our God knows all things, so there is nothing that you might ask Him about that He is not already aware of. So the onus is on us in wanting to have a right relationship with God that is free from constraints. Seek Him while He may be found and surrender your life completely to Him – for His full and complete control. To make yourself moldable by God, He needs your full surrender. So may I encourage you today to ‘let go and let God’ have His way in your life my friend? Imagine what He could do through you when your life is totally surrendered to Him!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Oh to be in God’s presence – here on earth through our worship and adoration, and in heaven when He calls us home! ‘Oh that will be glory, be glory for me’ as the words of an old hymn goes!

PRAYER: Father in heaven, You formed us and created us, yet we try to hold back on portions of our lives that should totally belong to You. Please forgive us for our selfishness, and our self-consuming desire to have our own way. Lord, we acknowledge that we are powerless without You, so we humbly ask that You melt our hardened hearts; renew a right spirit within us; make us more like You in every way; and then use us in ways that only You can – for Your purposes alone. AMEN!

Don’t Be A Stumbling Block

On 2022-04-142022-04-14 By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Salvation, Stumbling block, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE FROM: Romans 11:25-26; 33-34 (TLB)

TEXT: ²⁵I want you to know about this truth from God, dear brothers, so that you will not feel proud and start bragging. Yes, it is true that some of the Jews have set themselves against the Gospel now, but this will last only until all of you Gentiles have come to Christ—those of you who will. ²⁶And then all Israel will be saved…..

³³Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his wisdom and knowledge and riches! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! ³⁴For who among us can know the mind of the Lord? ……

APPLICATION: As I meditated on the Word of God, I was reminded, in awe, of His great wisdom, and His awesome power to fulfill His Godly purpose. This particular Scripture reminded me of a sad story, but one that brought awesome results. Many years ago, my cousin, a young man about 35 years old, was electrocuted and fell to his death from a roadside electric pole. The mourning of that mother, my aunt, could be heard over most of the small town. However, before the sun set the following day, my dad (brother to the grieving mother) had surrendered his heart to Jesus! He then became a Godly influence to his five children until the day he died. What happened in this Scripture today, also reminds me an awful lot of our churches today, for it almost seems like the movement of Christ has been slowed down and possibly even dwindled some, and I wonder if it is not God dealing more intensely in the hearts of so many that are totally lost. This may not make total sense to everyone, but I wonder if God is not saying to our churches: ‘put away selfish desires, prejudices and pride. Remember, your wisdom is nothing compared to the wisdom of our awesome God. For people to gain wisdom from and in you will teach them very little however, to know Christ will gain them all eternity’. The Bible reminds us that God’s ways and thoughts are way beyond our own, so that tells me that I can’t possibly understand all that He’s up to. However, I know from the Word that God made us all to worship and adore Him, so shouldn’t our every effort be in seeking ways to know Him better, accept Him more fully and worship Him in total surrender to self and this wicked world? It just seems like we are currently facing the same dilemma that Jesus spoke of in our Scripture verses today. For we hate to look at the evening news because of all the crime, violence and acts of hatred that fills our news portals, while churches are closing their doors in record numbers because of non-attendance, lack of giving and leadership. We hear excuses such as COVID, or the effects of war, but friends, we must remember that Jesus is coming back soon to collect His church. Can you even fathom how few will be taken up to glory with Him, compared to the huge population of earth? To the church, I would say with great urgency that people need the Lord. The Gentile population has grown, and unless we who are Christian, stand firm in our faith, lift up the banner of God so that the lost may recognize God in His greatness and accept Him as Lord, then there will be a massive divide on the day that Christ returns to take His bride away with Him. It would hurt my heart to think that God may have to push Christians aside, so that the unsaved may find Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, I have family and friends that I believe will be left behind if they remain unchanged. Assuming that many of you are in a similar position, I would encourage you to join me in praying to the God of this universe for a great movement upon our land. Oh that Jesus may rule and reign in our personal lives, our families, our churches, our communities and in our nations around the world, so that the people will know and believe in the sacrificial lamb of God – Jesus Christ. May the God of this universe become known as Everlasting King of this universe!

PRAYER: Lord You are good and Your mercies endureth forever! In our Scripture today, we are reminded that although You created us to worship You, many refuse to do so. You created us in Your likeness hoping that we would live in similar fashion to Your example while here on earth, yet there are many who mock and scorn You and Your children, much like what occurred in times past. The warning signs of Your return are evident Lord, and we thank You for promising us that You will return for Your children! Heavenly Father, please soften the hearts of Your children, so that Your churches may be filled to capacity with worshipers longing to draw close to their Creator, our Everlasting God, and may this impact the unsaved like never before. 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 could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are are not already connected in a local Bible teaching church, let me encourage you to find one so that you may grow in the love and stature of the King of all kings. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

God Gives The Power to Rule

On 2022-04-132022-04-14 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Power, Power of God, Praise, Recognize God, Ruler, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2022-04-13
WRITTEN AT: Astatula, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Romans 13:1-4
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. ²So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves. ³Those who do right do not have to fear the rulers; only those who do wrong fear them. Do you want to be unafraid of the rulers? Then do what is right, and they will praise you. ⁴The ruler is God’s servant to help you. But if you do wrong, then be afraid. He has the power to punish; he is God’s servant to punish those who do wrong.

APPLICATION: In our everyday circle of life, we can hardly place much faith in someone’s opinion about our government leaders, or leaders of another country, because they have their opinions and I’m sure they will stick to them. I have no intention of turning my blog into a political forum, but today I want us to see what God’s Word has to say, and I will try to lead you into how we might understand and obey God’s commands, leadership and will for us, even through our government leaders. I believe you might find this little story amusing, but this particular Scripture came up for study one Sunday when I was teaching Sunday School, and it just happened that it was the day after our presidential elections here in the US. A new president was elected who was not favored by most of the class members! At the very least I can tell you that we had a very interesting Sunday School lesson that day!! It seems like we really struggle with overcoming our own preferences, like and dislikes, even if presented with Scripture such as this! So today, I feel like we should stop and think carefully about who it is that we seek to serve while here on earth. We know that our gracious God loves us; He cares for us; He protects us; He hears our cry for help; He heals our diseases and He is there for us when we seek His all-knowing guidance. But what about when He opens our eyes to the truth of His Word? Doesn’t it seem like we need a convincing touch, or an explanation, to help us do something with the truth that we learn about God, and from Him? In the case of our government leaders, we can easily see the corruption, although we receive information about that through our newscasters and other politicians, who are probably involved in more corruption than the accused! But yet it is challenging for us to take God at His word that He is directing ‘the ship’ that the accused leader is captain of! Why is that? It seems like we get more satisfaction from our own opinions, even though they are tainted by the world and its leader. We can say with our mouth that ‘God is good’; ’His mercies are new every morning’; ‘He restoreth my soul’; ‘His love endures all earthly trials and temptations’; ‘He has a place prepared for me’; BUT I know I am right about that government leader, and I cannot be convinced that God is involved in anything that he does, says or enacts? Under his leadership our country is headed for doom and gloom! In other words, God falls short when it comes to His promises about guiding and using earthly government leaders? So who needs the most help from God for mistrust; lack of faith; disobedience; and belief in God, especially when He does things and directs our leaders in paths that don’t meet with our agenda or personal feelings? Dear friends, after many years of meeting with God on a daily basis, I can assuredly tell you that our ways and thoughts are not God’s ways and thoughts. In no way does God need to convince us about His truth, but I am convinced that we need Him every day to soften our hearts, and increase our faith and obedience to believe in Him; trust Him; and obediently follow His commands and His guidance, so that we might become the people of God in a world who badly need visible proof that He exists and is still alive in and through His people. Government leaders are temporarily in power, and they battle many forces that impact their decisions. Instead of becoming totally engrossed in them and their attributes, let’s learn to trust God and believe in HIM, because His Word IS true, and His intent is for all to accept His Son as Savior and Lord, so that one day soon we will all rejoice around his throne in heaven for all eternity. I believe our tasks is to pray for our leaders as God does His thing in guiding them, for our good! God can do that without our help, so let’s stick to our personal assignments!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God is on His throne and very much in control of everything we encounter in this life. May we learn to accept that each and every day, so that we don’t place our faith in mankind, especially our politicians.

PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing grace and for salvation that became possible through the blood You shed on Calvary. Please help Your children to believe fully in You, and not just those parts of Your Word that sound possible, or aligned with our likes and wants. In Your Word today You have convinced us that You have a purpose even in our government leaders, and way too often we tend to think that could never happen with such an unlikely bunch. Some may look on us in the same way, how could a holy and righteous God accept such sinners as us? Why would He love any of us, after the sin and disobedience that filled our lives before Christ. You loved us anyways, and today we are reminded that You have used, and will use, even our politicians – ones that we think are so corrupt, disobedient, greedy and undeserving of love by a righteous God. Praise God these leaders are answerable to You, and not to those of us who consider ourselves ‘better than the rest’. I am convinced that You will return soon to take away Your beloved children. While we still remain here for the time being, please melt our hearts and convince our minds to humble ourselves before You and to love others unconditionally, just like You demonstrated for us. AMEN!

Guidance For Living The Christian Life

On 2022-04-122022-04-14 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Guidance, Guide me, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-04-12
WRITTEN AT: Astatula, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Romans 12:9-13
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁹Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. ¹⁰Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.¹²Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always. ¹³When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.

APPLICATION: Saying that you love me may impress the world, but showing that you love me will probably impress God and the world. Saying that you love me will probably come just from the mouth, however showing that you love me will obviously come from every fiber of your being. To love someone you will want to know them intimately. It is extremely challenging to love someone when there are unknowns about them. But I have discovered that there is a really neat attraction to children of the same Father, our heavenly Father! For we tend to love the same things, like praying for each other, and talking about the one thing that is central for all Christians – our Lord Jesus. We respond to people and circumstances in similar ways, for we seek out the good that God has placed in each others’ lives. We celebrate and praise God for His answers to each others’ prayers and for the extra, and unexpected blessings that He bestows on us each and every day. Children of the same earthly father are linked through a blood relationship to each other. Children of the same heavenly Father are much the same, for we linked by the blood of Jesus that washed away our sin! We have a lot in common. Therefore when we see a wall rising up between another sister or brother and ourselves, we should seek the face of Jesus for the reason we feel that way. If we can find nothing that stands in the way between us and God, then we should approach our Christian Brother or Sister in love and ask them to have a similar search in their heart. I believe it is an ongoing goal of Satan to destroy relationships between us and our Christian Brothers and Sisters, but we know from the Bible that God is bigger than Satan, and more powerful than any vice Satan may try to bring between God’s children. Perhaps if we live according to verse 12, a demonstration of a beautiful garden of growth, with the three sweet peas of praise, patience, and prayer. And if we plant these seeds in your heart, we will do well throughout our earthly walk. Friends, God not only guides us and gives us the strength and guidance to be His representative here on earth, but He is the all-time designer and ultimate guide to living that will help us every day in our walk. Seek Him while He may be found, and live a life pleasing and acceptable to Him.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: With God’s help, we can be more than conquerors and live full and abundant lives while loving our neighbor!

PRAYER: Thank You merciful Father for reaching down and loving even me! Thank You for blessing me with strength and determination to live and love just like You even when the storms of life seem overwhelming and in such opposition to all that You have taught us. People all around me need the Lord , and my desire is that they will see enough of You in my life that they will be encouraged to call on You for forgiveness of their sin and make heaven their goal. Please have Your will and way in my life, and in the lives of all my readers, listeners, family and friends, so that the world will know that You live and love everyday in us and through us. AMEN!

Sacrificial Love

On 2022-04-112022-04-11 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Love, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Sacrifice, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Monday, 2022-04-11
WRITTEN AT: Astatula, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Romans 12:1-2
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way.²Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

APPLICATION: It seems like mankind is designed to try and return a favor when they feel like someone went out of their way to bless them in some way. In our Scripture, Paul reminds us that Jesus did something for us on Calvary that cost Him His life. God had demanded animal and other sacrifices from our ancestors for the forgiveness of their sin, but He later decided to send His very own Son so that He might not only live among us, but: Showed us how to love unconditionally; He not only taught us everything that God had given Him to share with us, but also demonstrated being a mouthpiece for His Father, and showing us how to live in a way that would be pleasing to the Father. Over the years, our forefathers decided to set aside certain days for us to celebrate: the birth of Jesus – Christmas; a day to remember what Jesus did on Calvary for us – a true sacrifice, because He could have called ten thousand angels to protect Him from the evil men that sought to kill Him – Good Friday; the day that we would celebrate the resurrected Jesus – Easter; and a day each week that we would set aside to worship our resurrected Lord! I wonder, what might we sacrifice, in return for the sacrifices of Jesus our Lord, by actively participating in the above days set aside for us? Jesus desired that the cup of punishment, that occurred that first Good Friday, be taken away from Him. But He quickly snapped out of that thought by submitting to the will of His Father, even if it meant a deep embarrassment as He was arrested, charged, beaten, marched through the city streets and hung on a cross in a public display that led everyone to believe that He was helpless. Jesus knew that His commitment to the Father, and His sacrifice in surrender to the wicked men of His day, was for the eternal benefit of all mankind. ‘Not my will, but thine be done,’ were the words Jesus uttered to His Father. When you fail to sacrifice of yourself daily, weekly or on the above mentioned special days, what do you suppose Jesus might be seeing or thinking of your commitment to Him? Whose will are you submitting to, yours or that of the Father? Remember, without a second thought, you will submit to the will of someone you love and are committed to!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Jesus loved us so much that He gave up everything and was crucified on a cruel, rugged, cross for our sin. Although we could never repay the debt He paid, our willingness to sacrifice the desires of this world would go a long ways in showing our appreciation for what Jesus did at Calvary.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, we could never adequately say thanks, nor offer to repay You for what You did for us at Calvary. Because Your love was pure, You never demanded repayment, but Lord I pray that my readers, listeners, family and Christian friends, would never consider our opportunities to worship, or serve, You as a ’sacrifice’ of our time, fun, activities, etc. Father, You sacrificially gave us Your very best – Your precious Son. Please help us to examine our hardened hearts the next time we find excuses that would cause us to miss opportunities to return thanks to You. In not sacrificing our time, efforts and money to spend time with You, and/or Your people who gather to worship You, might be an indication that You are not as valuable in our lives, and we are to You. Please forgive us for our lack of commitment, and help us to rededicate ourselves to sacrifice everything this world has to offer, so that we may spend time dedicated to You. Help us to seek Your will for our lives, and not our own selfish and prideful will. AMEN!

God’s Faithfulness is Irrevocable

On 2022-04-102022-04-10 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Faithful, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2022-04-10
WRITTEN AT: Astatula, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Romans 11:29; 2 Timothy 2:13
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: ²⁹For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].
¹³If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself.

APPLICATION: I’ve heard people say it before, and perhaps you may have thought this also: ‘She’s just like her mother’, or ‘He’s just like his father’! In other words, often people will predict what we will say, or what we will do, based on their knowledge of our parents! Could you possibly use that theory with God? Consider what He did for the Israelites, and just imagine what He still does for His children today! Think about the disappointment God must feel when His minister of the Gospel allows sin to enter his life and causes many to stop attending church altogether, and possibly even wander away from the Lord. Think about any of us who claim to know Jesus Christ as Savior, yet we attend places; uses words; or acts in ways; that are no different to those who never met Jesus Christ. As God’s representative, Moses was dealing with a crowd who were blessed beyond words or imagination, but yet they often returned to their old way of life in worshipping idols and complaining about the goodness of God. But here they were, about to occupy a land, that we would critically say, they didn’t deserve. However God promised the land of milk and honey, and He promised that He would clear the way for them to occupy the land already prepared by citizens who were much bigger than them and had more means to whip them in battle. Sounds like more than they deserved, right? Well, try to remember that God had promised all this to their oldest ancestors, and as our Scripture reminds us today, God would never retract on His promise. He would never change His mind. Dear friends, if you are reading this devotional today and have drifted away from a relationship you once committed to Jesus Christ, please use this as a reminder that He is a God of love, and One that would never change His mind about you, even if you let Satan distract you from the presence of Jesus Christ. So please don’t allow Satan to give you an excuse to wonder; a reason to reject God’s plan for you; a distraction from entering into the presence, and wonderful grace of our awesome Savior, who will never turn His back on you. Let’s try to always remember God’s faithfulness, and therefore aim, with His help, to always be faithful to Him.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God remains faithful! Oh that we would learn to do teh same!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You have been faithful through every generation and through every circumstance of life, even when things don’t seem to go our way. Thank You for showing us the right way, and thank You for always being faithful, even if we are faithless. Please encourage the Christian who feels like they are ashamed to return to You, because of their straying away from You. May they be reminded that nothing has changed with You, for You will always remain faithful to Your own. Unbelievers will be encouraged by this today, so I plead with You to melt their hearts of stone and draw them to Yourself. AMEN!

Your Will Be Done, Lord

On 2022-04-092022-04-09 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, God's Will, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Surrender, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-04-09
WRITTEN AT: Astatula, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 26:39-42
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: ³⁹After walking a little farther away from them, Jesus fell to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, do not give me this cup^[c] of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.” ⁴⁰Then Jesus went back to his followers and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “You men could not stay awake with me for one hour? ⁴¹Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak.”
⁴²Then Jesus went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this painful thing to be taken from me, and if I must do it, I pray that what you want will be done.”

APPLICATION: Peter was one to quickly agree on doing something for the Lord. When the disciples were told by Jesus that he expected everyone of them to turn their backs on Him in His time of capture, trial and crucifixion, Peter was the first to step forward and tell Jesus that would never happen with him. Yet it happened just like Jesus told the disciples. Notice in the Garden, Jesus looked to Peter and shared His disappointment that he and his Brothers could not stay alert with Him during this very difficult time. I can’t speak for you, but I am also quick to volunteer in doing my part for the Master. I wonder how often our Lord must shake His head, knowing that my heart is willing, but my follow-thru is not a great as it should be.
I believe this Scripture also shows us the lack of empathy that we might have for others. For if Peter was feeling the pain in his heart that Jesus felt at this crucial time, don’t you know that Peter would have been looking for every tear that fell, every groan that he heard, and every unhappy, worrisome moment that Jesus may have shared with he and his fellow disciples? What about you and I? Has our hearts become hardened to the pain that others bear, or do we truly feel their pain and pray diligently for their survival of the issues they face? This meeting in the garden occurred right before what we recognize in today’s world as Good Friday. In some countries, this is a sacred day of recalling the events that our Lord suffered. It refreshes the emotions that it was for our sin that Jesus was beaten, hung on a cross and died, even though He is God and could have called down thousands of angels to defend Him. Does it tear into your heart to think of the pain and agony He went through – for us? I would dare say that if this ordeal has no impact on us, then we are probably also numb to the pain our pastors feel when they are accused and picked on by church members, or that fellow Brothers and Sisters endure when they stand tall for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Have we arrived at the stage where, like Jesus, we can say ‘your will be done oh Lord’, even if we see the handwriting on the wall that it will mean pain and punishment for us? Sometimes standing firm on our claim to Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Savior, might result in criticism, or accusations, or attacks. Are you strong enough in your faith and relationship with Jesus, to withstand the attacks of Satan?

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Not my will, but thine oh God! Be willing to let go and let God have His way in our lives!

PRAYER: Knowing that the Father loves me so, reminds me that I can freely let go and let God have His way in my life, and that everything will be OK! Thank You Lord Jesus for surrendering to the call on Your life, and thank You for placing it all on the line for my readers, listeners and myself. Please humble us to trust You with our lives, knowing that there is no greater love than that offered at Calvary for our sin and eternity in heaven. Oh that we could extend that kind of love to others, because You first loved us. Perhaps they will then get the connection and also look to You for life everlasting that is only offered through Jesus Christ. Please touch the lives of those who may happen across this devotional, but don’t know You in a personal and relational way. May this be the day of salvation for them today, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. AMEN!

Nuggets From God's Word

Month: April 2022