DATE POSTED: Tuesday, September 12, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Dowling Park, 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 Lamentations 3:21-24

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Then I remember something that fills me with hope. The Lord’s kindness never fails! If He had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed.
The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning.
Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on Him!”

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: On Sunday I joined with others as we sat in a sanctuary untouched by recent events, although our community all around it was severely impacted. This was a place of calm and reassuring peace where, in spite of the terror over the past 2 weeks from hurricane Idalia, we were personally unmarred by the danger and fury of the strong winds and tornadoes. God drew my attention to the fact that no matter what the storms of life may bring each day, there is a place of refuge for the Christian who place their trust in God over the wild and burdensome times we face. Perhaps as we meditate on this Scripture today, we will be reminded that our God is able, and that He is all we need in life here on earth.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: In the first part of this chapter from which our verses are taken, we can reaffirm that we are not ‘odd balls’ for being angry about our circumstances, or upset with the masses because of the appearance of them picking on us, because Jeremiah was also very upset with how his life was going. But when Jeremiah came to his senses, he showed us how, regardless of what goes on in this world, as children of the one, true, and living God, we have one encouraging fact to hold high – our God is faithful and we could rest assured that His loving kindness never fails! Friends, He can always be trusted to show us His mercies anew ever morning and we could depend on Him, no matter how many around us may fail or disappoint us. Therefore, HE IS ALL WE NEED! Child of God, when we bring this to mind each day, we walk around with a smile on our faces, because we know that in spite of any circumstances that will come our way that day, our God will never fail us, and He is always on our side. I recall walking by someone who opened the door for me at work on a Monday morning. As usual, I greeted them with a smile and gave them a kind and encouraging word. When questioned how I could sport a smile on a Monday morning, I was able to share how fortunate I was to be alive; report to a job and not the unemployment line; the promise of coworkers who would normally be kind to me; and a loving family who prays for me while away from them. It wasn’t a sermon, but I merely shared my heart in response to their question. Although I am far from perfect, I serve a God who is perfect in every way. Although I face challenges just like everyone else who heads out to a world filled with the evil ways of Satan, I have a choice to represent my loving and caring Lord or follow the crowd into monopolizing every misfortune that could possibly come my way when I do life on my own. As a child of the King of all kings, I am part of His royal family, protected by Almighty God; loved and encouraged by His Holy Spirit; and reminded of my worth by the extreme lengths Jesus went to, for me to have access to Heaven with my Lord and Savior forever and forever! You see, others are watching you and me. They will know to whom we belong by the calm assurance we reflect about our eternal home and our earthly master. A thought to ponder, based on your words and actions yesterday, what do you suppose they concluded? What is it that you suppose you need the help of God’s Son to overcome so that the world – your world, might see and believe that there is a God? Remember, they will see the evidence all over us? At one time I was in a gas station about 50 miles away from my home town. The attendant shouted out asking how was Cloide’s son today? To my surprise, the young man recognized my dad in my looks and my actions. I wonder how often in a day someone recognizes our heavenly Father in us? Dear friends, in every circumstance of life, let’s be reminded each day through our relationship with Him, that our God is all we need. He will be faithful throughout the ages, and we could count on Him to be our Guide, our Healer, our Savior, our Guide and our everlasting Father both now, and forevermore.

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: God’s loving kindness never fails! He is all we need in life, and He will love on us and care for us throughout all eternity!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for life here on earth, and life more abundant that I can look forward to in heaven with You. Seldom are we looked upon as royalty here on earth, yet I am reminded once again that I am a child of the King of all kings. I was also reminded that the world still needs Jesus, and often it’s the kind words of Your children that will convince them of the existence and availability of our awesome King. Please Lord, use us, Your royal line, to show who it is that lives and reigns inside of us, so that the unsaved might be reassured of the importance of knowing You personally. You are all we need Lord. Thank You for your faithfulness Lord, great and mighty is the Lord our God today and forevermore.. 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 nearby 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!