Month: July 2023

Discover ‘Life’ – Obey God’s Law

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Obedience, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Thursday, July 27, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Orlando, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Nehemiah 9:29-31

THE BIBLE TEXT IS:  “You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen. In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn’t listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them. But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: I believe it will be important to explain ‘Life’, for those who read or listen to this devotional will all be alive and wonder what might the Bible be referring to. Many might go to church, so they may wonder what else they need to obey, as instructed in our Scripture today. This Scripture is taken from an extended prayer by Nehemiah for his people, and I pray that this may encourage us into dedicated prayer for our respective nation and people.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Think about the last time you prayed longer than a few seconds. Now before you get insulted by that, try timing your prayer tomorrow! Ever tried praying deliberately for 5 minutes? It feels like an eternity, doesn’t it? Well Nehemiah got with the leaders and after standing on their feet for a 3 hour sermon, they entered into a time of prayer for another 3 hours. Although you may quickly retort that you can say things a whole lot quicker than this group did, I believe it might help you if you read this chapter and see what all they prayed about. It seems natural for us to sit and ridicule our government leaders for the decisions they make, but for the child of God who believes the Word and what Jesus said about Him being responsible for placing leaders in their place, wouldn’t it seem natural that we converse with God about things we may not fully understand that may be happening at the time? Why is He allowing that thing and what should you know in order to be a part of His will surrounding those decisions? Notice that Nehemiah was not questioning God about what He may have permitted in the life of the Israelites, but in reflecting on their past, Nehemiah was able to see the handiwork of God evident through the attacks of the enemy and in God revealing His mighty power through saving the Israelites. As earthly beings, we are excellent at referring back to the ‘good old days’! Wouldn’t that be an excellent time to also reflect on, and give thanks for, all that God did in the lives of your ancestors and previous national leaders? Without this type of reflection and thanksgiving, don’t you suppose that our children might be looking at us and wondering if we will be as much of a failure as our ancestors were? Friends, there is always a positive and negative outlook on life experiences. For those of us that love God, have surrendered to His lordship, and communicate with Him about all of life’s decisions, then we will be mindful of all that He has done, and faith to believe all that He will do. Let’s not give Satan the pleasure of sucking us into the evil and wicked plans that he has in store for his people. We’re a child of the King, and it’s to Him that we owe our allegiance. When we said ‘yes’ to Jesus, we said ‘no’ to Satan, so we follow God’s commands, seeing that we owe nothing to our old master. Many may think that because the church teaches that if we walk the isle on Sunday morning and accept Jesus as Lord, then we are a changed person. But you must place every effort and determination to implement that change in your life. When decisions arise, remember that your King/Lord/Savior must always win! The way to keep in tuned with His decisions, is to make it a daily habit to read what He says – read the Bible. As you practice this, you will find yourself searching for God’s response to make sure that you never decide in a conflicting way. According to Scripture, when you live like this, you are assured of ‘life’ – that’s life eternally in heaven with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: God took care of the Israelites, especially in getting them out of Egypt and into the land He had prepared for them. Filled with doubt, fear and disbelief, they wavered in many ways, but God was faithful to His chosen people. To those who follow Christ, I am convinced that God is still faithful, if only we will obey His commands, as confirmed by God Himself in His Word!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: I believe we can safely say like Nehemiah, in spite of who I’ve been, and who I am, yet You have been faithful, full of grace and merciful dear Lord! Thank You for Your goodness towards me. Please teach us to stay strong in our faith, dedicated to You and obedient to Your Word. Please help us to always insure that our Master wins in every decision, for it is much too easy for us to fail on our own. Lord, we want others to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and not be misled by us in any way, so help us to insure that You are in charge and we are obedient to You. Please draw us to the cross and help us to be faithful in all walks of life and in all that we say. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to 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!

In The Last Days

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Last Days, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Wednesday, July 26, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Orlando, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN 2 Timothy 3:1-2; 5;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: ….. in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: Much like Paul issued a warning to his ‘son’ in the ministry, Timothy, I was reminded of the warnings given to us when a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, is approaching. Many heed the warnings, but some decide that they know better than the authorities and stay put. God felt like Paul’s warning was important to help His children after Timothy to also be on guard, and ready for the return of Christ. Since that includes all my readers, listeners and myself, I believe that it is important that we remind ourselves of this warning once again today.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Throughout our lifetime there are numerous warnings that come our way, and most of them come with repercussions if we choose to disregard the warning. But the warnings from God seem to go unheeded, or so it seems, by many in our world today. Our Scripture refers to ‘the last days’ so we should know what that means. Paul is writing to Timothy who is ministering to many of the churches that Paul started, and Paul wants Timothy to know that in the days just before the return of Christ, this is what he could expect. Since Timothy was setting out to minister to the church, this means that he could expect church people to be acting this way. Now, after you close your jaw from the shock of what I just said, I believe that this may cause you to consider the church today, and whether the behaviors indicated by Paul in all the first 5 verses of this chapter continues. Unfortunately, the answer to that last thought is ‘yes, this behavior is still prevalent’. So, why do you suppose that Paul’s warnings, that were inspired by God Himself, are still disrupting life in the church, destroying the witness of ‘Christians’ to an unsaved world, and causing closed doors for those who honestly want to share the love of Christ? Paul helps us with that dilemma in verses 2 thru 4:, and I will quote that from the Amplified Version, since it goes a little deeper “They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.” Of course this is in addition to the clues given in the verses included above. Although I trust that everyone reading or listening, constantly seek the face of Jesus asking for deliverance from these worldly attitudes and sinful actions, I believe that there are many still bound by Satan that walk through our church doors, and/or challenge us each day in areas of our life that we find most challenging to surrender or align with the perfect will of God. But friends, be on guard and constantly aware that, unfortunately, Satan is alive and well in our world, and the Bible reminds us that he is roaming about seeking whom he may capture and devour. But I pray that for the child of God, that you will daily remind yourself that greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. There is no temptation greater than that which God can help you overcome. We are more than victors when we stand bold in the victory of Jesus Christ! Paul was afraid of Timothy walking into a den of thieves and lions. We still do that each day, but all the more reason why we need not go single handed, but instead go with Jesus by our side and His guardian angel going before us. Unless we do this, our human strength is usually unwilling and unable to overcome the evil one. If you have invited Jesus to be Lord of your life, let me encourage you to approach His throne each morning and ask Him to be Lord throughout that day – your stronghold; your deliverer; your Lord of all lords and King of all kings. Yours is the victory when you stand under the Lordship of Jesus our Lord! To the unsaved, please invite Jesus into your heart and allow Him to be Lord. You will not be able to deal with Him, if you have no relation with Him. He is a God of relationship, not of convenience or a Santa Claus to your every wish or whim.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: Ours is the victory for those who place their faith and trust in the holy Son of God, Jesus Christ!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, thank You for the cross, and for the assurance of salvation given to those who surrender their lives to You as Lord and Savior. Each and every day we walk into a world that is much like Timothy found himself in ministry. I can only imagine how Your heart aches for us, much like Paul, especially if we enter our day on our own and with no concern for allowing You to be our guide and our stay. Lord, for those who try to do life without You, may they be reminded of reasons to do otherwise through this devotional today. For those who claim You as Lord, may each one be reminded of seeking Your guidance, protection and comfort each day while seeking Your strength to witness to and encourage at least one lost soul that day. Please Lord, may we be conscious of whose we are and may we always represent You perfectly each day so that You may continue to touch souls much like You did with me. Be glorified through us today oh Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to 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!

Persistent in Prayer and Faith

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, Worship2 Comments

DATE POSTED: Monday, July 24, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Orlando, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Contemporary English Version (CEV) IS FOUND IN Luke 18:5-8

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: I will help this widow because she keeps on bothering me. If I don’t help her, she will wear me out.” The Lord said: Think about what that crooked judge said. Won’t God protect his chosen ones who pray to him day and night? Won’t he be concerned for them? He will surely hurry and help them….

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: In this devotional, I believe we may be prompted to consider the difference between persistence and nagging, or faith versus vainly begging for something. Stay tuned and ask God to reveal Himself through His Word as you join me in meditating on today’s Scripture.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Every so often we need reminding about our awesome, forgiving, loving Lord who cares so much for us. This story reminded me of a young waiter who served my wife and I at an upscale local restaurant. At a time when our daughter was looking for a job, I asked the young man how did he land a job at a nice restaurant like the one we were at. He responded that his persistence paid off. After submitting his application, he visited the restaurant to ask if they received it, then every day or two he would revisit the restaurant to see if they had made a hiring decision yet. He attributed his success in landing the job to more than his limited qualifications, but in showing the restaurant management how serious he was about wanting to work for them. Sounds similar to the story of the judge mentioned by Jesus, right? But how persistent are we in praying without ceasing for the concerns of our life, and that of the ones we love? Are you negligent in the importance of prayer? Do you lack in the faith to believe that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same God you are asking to heal a broken heart, or restore strength to a concerned heart over daily issues in your family or at work? But how is your relationship with the God to whom you need to ask? Is it one where you communicate daily with Him to celebrate the times of answered prayer and share with Him the concerns you are anticipating that day? Do you always remember that the same one who brought sight to the blind in John 9:6, and made the lame to walk again in Mark 2:11, and restored life to the likes of a dead man as in John 11:38, is the one to whom you are asking to do miraculous things for you today? Friends, we serve an awesome God, and He is eager and ready to accept you into His Kingdom if you surrender your life of sin to His will and purpose today. Remember, Jesus knows our thoughts and therefore knows the desires of our heart. I believe that He stands ready and willing to hear our prayer, or cry, for help, surrender, and in sharing our heart’s cry for help and direction in all walks of our life. I believe He desires to be magnified in us and glorified in all that is achieved in and through us, but we must make the first move. Is it ‘life as usual’ for you, or are you ready to partner with the King of all kings and Lord of all lords today, and for all eternity?

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: I often feel guilty of asking God repeatedly for things. But it seems like Jesus is encouraging us to pray frequently, and ask without ceasing. I’m so happy that God loves us unconditionally and He knows the innermost parts of our heart. Bombarding Him with our prayers will serve to show that we trust Him with our innermost thoughts and concerns over and over again.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Precious Lord, You created us and You know our innermost thoughts. Only You can mend a broken heart, and only You can satisfy our desires and solve our concerns. Please teach us to be faithful in offering up our sacrifices of praise, plus the deepest desires of our heart. Things that seem impossible to us are all minor to You, for nothing is impossible with You. Humanly, we tend to cave in to constant bombardment of those in need, but with You Lord, I believe You knot only know our thoughts words and deeds, but You are constantly preparing the way for us to represent You in every aspect of our lives. May others see Jesus today, Lord! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to 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 Worthwhile Mission

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Evangelize, Missions, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Saturday, July 22, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Orlando, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all devotionals that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE The Voice (VOICE) IS FOUND IN 2 Timothy 2:15

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: …. do everything you can to present yourself to God as a man who is fully genuine, a worker unashamed of your mission, a guide capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the word of truth.

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: In a world filled with wickedness and evil, it doesn’t come natural for us to live a saintly life that might always be pleasing to God. Paul knew that his ambassador, Timothy, would face challenging times as he tried to fulfill his missionary efforts, so he offered words such as found in this Scripture today to coach him into practicing life each day in a way pleasing to God. But God did better than that, for He knew that His followers who would follow after Paul’s death would need these words of coaching and encouragement also. Let’s pursue this today!

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: First of all, let me say how badly I wish that we had more ‘Pauls’ in today’s churches. Imagine, Paul sitting in prison seeking every opportunity to share Christ with prison guards and prisoners alike, yet his mind is still wrapped around all that his co-laborers/trainees/fellow ministers might come across while continuing the work of Christ on their own. Doesn’t it seem like church leaders today are more after filling positions in their church, rather than equipping, praying for, and encouraging those who try to apply themselves in ministry under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? God got my attention in this Scripture when one version of the Bible started this verse off by commanding that we work hard to present ourselves to God in a pleasing manner. Many evangelicals will quickly jump all over the words ‘work hard’ in any sentence that involves our relationship with God. And while I could understand and appreciate their efforts to never lose sight of the grace of God in saving us, yet I discovered more meaning into what Paul may have been saying to us. Generally, if a man is raise in a wealthy home, they have no issue in wanting to be wealthy themselves. In the world of Christianity, we leave the sacred and safe doors of our churches to enter a world where we rub shoulders with sinners, criminals and ungodly people with not desire for knowing Christ. I am convinced that what goes into our minds will saturate our hearts and it will impact what we say and do. This makes it tough to live like Jesus while living each day around such pressure where Satan tries desperately to attract our attention and drive us toward sinning. With this in mind, I believe Paul was coaching Timothy, and us, into being conscious of this evil pull by the enemy, so that we might work hard at being dependent on God every minute, of every hour, of every day, so that we might be unashamed of messing up, but determined to live a holy life that would be pleasing to God. But notice how Paul also emphasized like importance in passing along what we learn from God, His Word, and through His messengers. When at work, we are required to train our employees in the beliefs and principles of our employer, not our personal feelings that might seem easier for the employee. So it is in our Christian walk, we must learn to share what Jesus has taught and exampled before us. In doing this, we will stay true to the Word of God and stop pushing our own agenda and personal beliefs. So how do we do this? Well, let me encourage you to read the surrounding verses of this chapter, for Paul goes on to tell us how we are to stay away from gossip or just plain babbling that only tend to lead one into a more sinful life; arguing or bickering over useless things that only bring division; youthful desires and lust; conversations that lead to arguments or strong opposition; and instead strive to direct our passion to chasing after righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord with pure hearts. Friends, I’m sure that you have noticed how challenging it is to thrive in the world of those prone to negativity, destruction, revenge, etc. May our hearts be so filled with the love of Christ that others will know and feel the presence of Christ when we’re in their midst. Jesus is coming back soon to collect His church – the saved, the redeemed, those who strive daily to know Him better and live more like Him and are not fraid to teach and/or share His truth unashamedly with others. I pray that includes you, dear friend!

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: One of the things that people hate, is to encounter a hypercritical person. Let’s strive to know Jesus, learn and understand His Word, so that we might share truth with those we come into contact with. Knowing Christ and living like the devil is, unfortunately, bad for everyone.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Dear Lord, You are so merciful and filled with grace! Who am I that a King would die and live for? Praise God, I am blessed with the promise of eternity in heaven with You and the Father? Thank You Lord for using Your servant Paul to coach and encourage Timothy, and those of us determined to live like You, and present a true witness of You to others that we come into contact with. Lord, I ask that You please lead many of the millions that will go online today, to this devotional and that my words are clear enough that they would be encouraged to live out the truths of Your Word as explained, or desired by You. Others, such as a pastor or Bible teacher, can’t create relationship with You, for us; we must determine in our own heart to know You better every day and fill our hearts with so much of Your teachings, that others will see Jesus and believe in the sacrifice You made for us on Calvary. Lord, I believe. Help my areas of doubt and unbelief so that I might become stronger in the faith and better able to share that with someone who needs you today. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to 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 Righteous vs The Wicked

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, Righteous, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Monday, July 17, 2023, and I was blessed to be at O’Brien, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Amplified Bible (AMP) IS FOUND IN Proverbs 11:18-20

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying]. He who is steadfast in righteousness attains life, but he who pursues evil attains his own death. The perverse in heart are repulsive and shamefully vile to the Lord, but those who are blameless and above reproach in their walk are His delight!

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: If you are anything like me, you might tend to dig deeply for the blessings of the righteous, and that is admirable, I believe. However, I have found that being reminded of the ways of the wicked tend to help me identify any unfavorable traits that may have crept in on me. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to open our minds to what He would have us learn from today’s Scripture.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: It is so challenging to see and accept our own failures and mistakes, so I thank God for His Word, where He presents such Scriptures to us as the one spoken through His servant Solomon in the Proverbs. On the surface I see a message in this Scripture for the child of God, and also for those who have chosen to ignore the Almighty God and do life on their own and as they wish. However, in each case these groups of people can look at the opposing alternative and either choose to work towards achieving a holiness that would please God, or a wickedness that they strongly detest and will do everything to avoid. I don’t know that you will find anything new in today’s Scripture, for we all know that the just, or the righteous, the saved, or the child of God will endeavor to live by faith and strive towards obedience to God and a lifetime of righteousness until their Master calls us home to Glory. Our reward for this will be eternity with our Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. For those who choose to ignore the wonderful love of God and live life in whatever form they choose, they too will face eternity, but with their master – the evil one, Satan, the devil – in Hell. Our Scripture today is a reminder of this, and it adds some indicators that will serve to open our eyes to which eternal destination we are choosing for ourselves. The choice seems way too obvious and amazingly clear to anyone who has a clear and understanding mind about themselves, yet in spite of God’s daily reminders, many choose to follow the wicked way of the evil one. I started this blog, and continue to minister through it each week, so that I might share the impact of the Gospel on my life as I open the pages of the Bible each day. The reason I do this, is because I would rather tell you – my family, friends, coworkers, church attenders and/or those who have deliberately chosen to continue a life of sin, how important it is that you choose life eternal with God, versus the only other alternative. You see, this decision is something that you can change only when you’re alive. I can’t jog your memory after your life comes to a screeching halt here on earth, nor can you decide at that time that you would not like to remain in Hell. Perhaps this one more reminder will impact you in such a way, that may confirm the nagging and persistent words your pastor shared the last time you attended church. Most of us live to achieve more success, more happiness, and more joy in the life we are blessed with. Be reminded dear friend that this desire of yours will be ultimately achieved when you see the face of Jesus and you are welcomed into your eternal home of rest and peace with your Master and Lord. Whatever you do, don’t let the grip of Satan continue in your life, make a decision today to allow Jesus control, so that your future will be secure in the glories of heaven forevermore.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: A life surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ brings joy and happiness to the believer on earth and assures them of a future that is ‘out of this world’!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Thank You Lord Jesus for loving us enough to provide an alternate life to the one we seem to be satisfied in allowing the enemy to control. Lord, we are sick and tired of the actions of the evil one and his cohorts, and we are ready and waiting anxiously for the sweet aromas of heaven and the blessed hope of worshipping you throughout all eternity. For those who can’t be bothered to bring about change in their walk here on earth, please Lord, soften their stubborn hearts once again today, and send a messenger to witness to them so they may be challenged with the ultimate eternity – with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Please touch Your children anew today and help us to love, respect, honor and represent You like we should, even amidst a world filled with the stench of Satan. Lord, we are desperate to see our family and friends reach for the same ending as we are promised in being Your child. Please help us to do a better job in witnessing and acting like You, so that they would see Jesus through Your saints, and then have a growing desire to adopt the same change in their own life. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to 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!

Pass Along What You Have Learned

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Thursday, July 13, 2023, and I was blessed to be at O’Brien, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN 2 Timothy 2:2; 9;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS:  2 For you must teach others those things you and many others have heard me speak about. Teach these great truths to trustworthy men who will, in turn, pass them on to others.
9 It is because I have preached these great truths that I am in trouble here and have been put in jail like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained, even though I am.

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: We may feel useless if we feel like our teaching or preaching is falling on deaf ears. But some may abuse the knowledge graced to them if they look down on others who may feel not as fortunate. We must not become like the Dead Sea, where its rich waters are not passed on through other tributaries. No matter what may happen to great teachers and preachers, the Word of God remains as strong as when it originated. Join me as we look closer at this humble teaching by an awesome messenger of Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I wonder what crosses our mind first when we think about attending church and listening to a pastor’s sermon! I’ve heard some say that they felt ‘shouted at’ by the pastor and that they would never return to that church. Some feel like a pastor does pretty much like Jesus and preaches in riddles, for they can’t seem to apply his words to their lives. Personally, I’ve heard teachers who explain the Word of God so well, that I become anxious to return and hear another teaching as soon as possible. But let’s try and catch a glimpse of what Paul was passing on to his ‘son’ in the ministry, Timothy. Although I didn’t include verse 1 of this chapter, Paul reminded Timothy that God graced him with the knowledge, opportunity and willingness to minister in His name. Does this help you who may feel inadequate to teach or preach because you didn’t attend seminary, or because you have no line of Bible scholars in your family tree? Friends, I believe that some of the best sermons that have truly touched my heart, came from Godly laypersons who accepted the call to share a few words from a church pulpit. I believe that they got in touch with Jesus and asked Him to open their eyes of understanding and to give them the boldness that they needed to proclaim the Word under the inspiration and power of the One who wrote those sacred words. Friends, I am a firm believer that a man who stands in a pulpit on Sunday and tries to deliver a word that he gained from other scholars, or that he knows must be directed to certain parishioners who went astray during the past week, or to unleash the anger and frustration that has bound that preacher during the week, will ultimately hurt the gospel of Jesus Christ. For it is much like Paul shared in verse 9 above, God, nor His Word has changed because of the circumstances of the week, or because that preacher is bombarded by the works of Satan for whatever reason. When we allow the power of God to envelope us, renew us and give us the wisdom and boldness to pass along what He has graced us with through His Word, and through other teachers that have touched our lives, then Jesus Christ will be magnified and lifted up. And when this happens, the glory of God will fill that place where you are sharing, and others will be touched and empowered to go out from that place and share all that has filled their hearts in that service. Parents pound in their knowledge, habits and wisdom into their kids, so that they might leave home one day and become an example of those parents. So it is with church, let’s plan to attend this week with minds like sponges that will soak up the wisdom of all that God speaks and teaches through His servant in our church pulpit. Others are depending on us and we want them to know and love this Jesus of ours in much the same way that we do. When Jesus fills us, that’s what we can expect to leak out from us in our daily encounters with others. Pastors – preach it and teach it in a way that you would want other good men and women to pass it along to others they come into contact with. Fellow Christians – Unless we know Jesus personally, and fill ourselves totally with Him and His principles, then our witness, our teaching and/or our preaching will be in vain. Don’t be lazy today, get into the Word of God and let it saturate your mind and your person. Don’t be absent, nor distracted on Sunday, listen carefully to what God has ordained for your pastor to share with you, because others are waiting to be blessed by you as they watch your life and listen to your words in great anticipation.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: Oh that we would listen to our pastors preach the Word Of God knowing that we are equipping ourselves to go out and share all that we have learned.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Thank You for Your Word oh Lord, and for those whom You have graced with the knowledge, power and boldness to share the Word with us. As we are blessed and as we are fed, may we then go on to bless and feed others. Please teach us to stop criticizing our teachers and pastors, but to pray for their boldness in sharing the wisdom You have blessed them with. As we benefit from that wisdom, may we be open to sharing all that we have learned, so that others may be blessed to do the same. May our witness be fruitful, and may we live out our witness, as evidence that You live and reign within us, oh Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to 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!

Attributes of Ten Lepers

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Healing, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, Worship1 Comment

DATE POSTED: Thursday, July 6, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Chiefland, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN Luke 17:12-18

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: ….. ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, sir, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go to the Jewish priest and show him that you are healed!” And as they were going, their leprosy disappeared. One of them came back to Jesus, shouting, “Glory to God, I’m healed!” 16 He fell flat on the ground in front of Jesus, face downward in the dust, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a despised Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?”

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: How often do we run like a dog with its tail between its legs when we feel like we are unwanted, rejected, or frowned upon? Yet these ten lepers deliberately placed themselves in the path of Jesus, knowing that He is the only One that could heal them, and/or restore their self-respect to help them feel accepted by society once more. Today, I believe that we have a few lessons to learn from this encounter!

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: What are some things that might make you feel guilty of being rejected by those you come into contact with? Perhaps dirty, even though no one else but you know that the dirt is on you? Perhaps smelly, even though you alone are conscious about not having a bath as frequently as you normally would? Perhaps guilty, even though most people don’t know the activities you were involved in the night before? But what if you had to stay outside the city gates, or in our case today, perhaps you are ordered to live segregated in a community of persons with known communicable diseases? What if you were ordered to identify your disease anytime a well person came within, say 25′ of you? And what if you heard that the one person in the world who could help restore your health, would be passing near enough that you could place yourself in his presence, would you do it? Friends, as you think about these things, I pray that God will remind you of the times that you found petty excuses why you couldn’t, or wouldn’t, force yourself to worship together with other believers, or be concerned enough about others that you would join together with other believers in praying for their needs, or celebrating their victories. Or perhaps you are not giving priority to meditating on God’s Word and conversing with Him on a daily basis. I sometimes ponder what our plight might be if God allowed Jesus to make the excuses that we often make. Another interesting point in this story lies with the fact that these men didn’t send a message to the leading priests of their day asking for prayer, but they were bold enough to place themselves before the only One who could possibly heal them of their disease. But oh dear friend of God, notice that when Jesus saw these suffering lepers, He didn’t choose to turn away, or feel superior to them in any way. In spite of obvious objections by those who accompanied Him, yet Jesus wanted to help these men, and He did. Isn’t it sad that our church leaders. relatives or friends today easily find excuses why they can’t visit us at home, or even in the hospital, even though we are seldom ever burdened with a communicable disease like leprosy? Please also stop and consider that Jesus healed all ten lepers – Jew and Gentile. We must be careful to never find ourselves locked in the four walls of our church, and think that God is only interested in me, my two, and no more. God created us all, and He sent His Son that whosoever believes in Him, would have eternal life and live with Him forever in heaven. There is no way that we should try to filter that to include only a certain few. On the matter of saying thank you, I have been in prayer meetings where the needs requiring prayer were at least as serious as the need of the lepers, and we prayed our hearts out for those needs. Wouldn’t you think that the praise and thanksgiving part of our service should almost raise the roof when we hear the reports of how Jesus healed and restored people? One leper, a Gentile, the unlikely one, returned to thank Jesus for healing him. Do you suppose we have learned to do any better over all the years of celebrating the truths of God’s Word and the victories won in so many instances? Jesus had a story to tell, and as we’ve had yet another opportunity to remind ourselves of His miraculous works in the lives of what appears to be the most unlikely of His kids, I pray that lessons would be learned that would prompt us to search for the heart of Jesus every day, so that we might respond to life’s situations in His likeness, and not that of this wicked world.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: Only one leper returned to give thanks to the Lord for his healing. Hopefully we will follow the example of that one, and not the other nine that went on, ungrateful to their Healer and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, it seems so true that many of us will not look up to you until we are laid on our backs of affliction with no other choice but to look up. This same principle seems normal for some who attend church only when things are not going well, or there is a desperate need in their life. Oh, Lord Jesus, please help every reader and listener to join me in desiring relationship with You, and not just look to You as a Santa Clause or sugar daddy to fill our needs when they occur and/or when we ask for Your help. Although the ten were instructed to show themselves to the priest for their official clearance back into their community, there was one who chose to do nothing more until having thanked his Healer. Every day we are blessed by You in many ways. Please help us to not be a people willing to beg, but not offer up our praise and thanksgiving to the One responsible for our blessings. Thank You Lord for Your unselfish sacrifice on the cross, and for all that You do for all Your children that far exceeds anything we deserve. Please draw us into relationship where we might not only seek Your healing touch, but also discuss our highs and lows of each day and always thank You for the part we are convinced that You played in our day. Many that we know need You Lord, may they see such awesome reflection in our lives of the One who saved us, that they will know first-hand what that new relationship will be like. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to 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!