Month: May 2024

By 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, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Thursday, May 30, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, 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 New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 11:24-27; 29;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.
It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I find it interesting that attorneys will cite the outcome of previous cases similar to the one they are an active part of. It’s like saying to the jury, see, this is not the first time this same thing has happened, and there’s no need to reinvent the outcome of this, just follow suit with what a jury and judge already took days to reach a decision on, and follow through with sentencing. So how exactly is this different to the child of God who is facing a brand new challenge in their life? Hopefully, they could see from Biblical accounts that their situation was satisfactorily resolved by our ancestors when God became actively involved in their life and situation? Friends, I’m afraid that many today look at faith as a tool in their toolbox, that they could pull out and use when major events, beyond their control, occurs. Interestingly, those who have been to church at one time in their life, or have heard about the miracles of God, will attempt to use this tool as a quick fix for their problem, whether they know Jesus personally or whether they have a relationship with Him or not. However, let’s look at today’s Scripture and remind ourselves how was used by Moses. Remember that it was an encounter with God that brought Moses to his senses and helped him to realize that even he could be a toll used of God to fulfill His will and purpose. Yes, as a young man, Moses quickly acknowledged that he was no one special, nor did he even dream of being a leader of a few, much less a multitude of very challenging people that needed to be returned to their home country. After all, there’s military leaders especially trained for that type challenge. But God opened the mind and eyes of Moses to help him see how He (God) had been actively involved in his (Moses) life right from the very beginning of his life. Through the burning bush, God reminded Moses of how miraculous He was and how this would transcend down to every order given to Moses for the task ahead of him. Friends, God still uses similar tactics in our lives today to open our eyes of faith. We should always be opened to the mighty works of God in the lives of His children. We must be careful to no longer attribute the miracles happening in our life to ‘good luck’ or ‘happen chance’. If we are a child of the King and have a daily, active relationship with Jesus Christ, then let’s be reminded that if God sent His very own Son to save us from our sin, there is nothing that He wouldn’t do to save us from the wrath of this wicked world, if we ask Him to? If He used unusual circumstances to get through to us and cause us to surrender to Him, is there any reason He wouldn’t use even us to minister to those that we come into contact with? Please take some time and meditate on the miracles God performed through Moses for the benefit of His people. Try going to church for more than just checking off that box on your weekly To-Do list, but instead, anticipate encountering saints who have been touched by God, listen to their faith stories and hear the excitement of what God has done in their life. God will use these things to energize your faith. He did great and mighty things through the humility and willingness of Moses, there is no reason that He couldn’t, or wouldn’t, do the same thing through you, if you surrender your life to Him, and in faith, trust Him to use even you to complete His mission in your part of His world. Moses obediently lifted his rod and the waters of the Red Sea parted so his people could cross over without drowning; he struck a rock with that rod and water gushed forth in the desert to ease the thirst of his thirsty people. Perhaps there’s a ‘Red Sea’ that is challenging you today and blocking the progress of those looking up to you, listen closely as God tells you how He will part the waters to let your people through safely. God is all-powerful and mighty in every way. I believe He wants to come alongside of you and help you overcome your life’s challenges today. In faith, let Him do it, my friend!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Thank You Lord Jesus for seeing the faith that existed in Moses, and thank You for also recognizing the lack of faith in Peter when he looked away from You. I am convinced that there’s a mixed bag of faith in my audience today also as they read this devotional. I pray that You will once again show forth Your power, so that Your children will be strengthened in their relationship with You. Each day we need a renewed and refreshed look at our Master so that our faith will reach new heights and allow You to fulfill Your mission through us, Your humble servants. Please forgive us when we doubt and faulter, Lord. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth, even through us, today and every day. 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!

To Be Like Joseph of Arimathea

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: Tuesday, May 28, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, 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 New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Luke 23:50-52

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Having read, heard, and learned about the man who took Jesus down from the cross, I never stopped to ponder who this man really was. Would I have been bold enough to do what Joseph did? Although we live in a free country where worshipping God is uninterrupted by our government, yet many Christians will only go so far in their public association with Jesus Christ. Some will attend a church service occasionally, as long as that service is held in a traditional church building. Don’t expect them to show up at a public meeting held at the courthouse grounds, or in a public square. It’s the preacher’s job to evangelize, so you may never see some ‘Christians’ telling others about their faith. But let us examine what the Bible says about this man who chose to take Jesus down from the cross:
> He was a ‘good’ and ‘righteous’ man – Many men we know might be ‘good’ in our eyes, but we know that term is used differently by some, so they might describe those same men using totally different adjectives. However, when you include the word ‘righteous’, like most Bible translations do, it adds a different dimension in describing a man, for you then claim that the man is ‘right with God’. Ever heard your friends refer to someone you know as a ‘righteous’ person?
>> He was a member of the Jewish high council – Even more astonishing than the above, have you ever heard anyone refer to a member of government, or a member of a committee/council elected by a government office, as ‘righteous’? Yet this was a description given to Joseph.
>>> Guilty by association, but… – As a member of the council that voted to present Jesus guilty of claiming to be the ‘king of the Jews’, it would be easy for everyone to claim that you are guilty of condemning Jesus. As such, you may hide yourself from the public eye, and especially avoid going anywhere near Jesus. But Joseph was more concerned about his Lord that he served, than he was about what government leaders, or Pilate would say. Imagine how you would feel if someone accused you and your church for protesting around the courthouse over some case that was brought against your pastor, even though you opted not to be a part of the protest? I’m sure Joseph was ashamed of the decision made by the popular vote of the Council on which he served, but it didn’t hinder him from responding to the cry of his Master, crucified for no actual crimes committed.
>>>> He lived in expectation of the Kingdom of God – This means that Joseph believed in what Jesus taught, and he lived in expectation of the trumpet call. Hopefully you are hearing the gospel at least every week, so you are constantly hearing about the soon coming return of Jesus to take His bride, the church, home to glory. Are you looking up in expectation? Are you warning your neighbors, like you would do if certain danger was approaching? Does everyone know what you are looking for every day? Anyone ever asked you to help them prepare for that expectation?
Friends, if you and I live our lives with the above qualities foremost in our minds, don’t you think that we too might be willing and ready to overcome all odds of arrest, cries of protests against us, or the mockery that some will impose upon us, to do everything within the power and will of the Holy Spirit to live a life that may force others to see what Jesus sees – a good and righteous man or woman, living with the daily expectation of the return of Jesus, our Savior, to take us home to be with the Father for all eternity? I heard an excellent phrase from my pastor yesterday – the Gospel is true. May others see enough of it lived out in us that they will come to believe the Gospel!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Parents are often proud of what their children achieve in life, because it often reflects on their upbringing. Daily You touch the lives of Your children, dear Lord, and we will occasionally see men and women with similar qualities to that of Joseph, who volunteered to take charge of removing Your body from the cross and prepare it for burial. The world is still looking for people, especially Christians, with qualities similar to those You showed and taught, and also like those demonstrated by Joseph of Arimathea. Please continue to work in us so that we may never look at what we may have achieved in life and allow that to hinder our commitment to You, or place ourselves at a level where we feel someone less important should do the ‘dirty’ work. You showed us on the cross that You were the perfect one to make such a sacrifice. Help us Lord to always be willing to obey You and serve You without ever questioning, or looking down on a task that, we feel, is below us. Please let ‘service’ be our motto that we strive for, and may Your holy, yet humble example always be our guide. 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!

Reminded of Where Our Strength Comes From

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: Friday, May 24, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, 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 Good News Translation (GNT) IS FOUND IN Isaiah 50:4-8

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: ….Every morning He makes Me eager to hear what He is going to teach Me. The Lord has given Me understanding, and I have not rebelled or turned away from Him. I bared My back to those who beat Me. I did not stop them when they insulted Me, when they pulled out the hairs of My beard and spit in My face. But their insults cannot hurt Me because the Sovereign Lord gives Me help. I brace Myself to endure them. I know that I will not be disgraced, for God is near, and He will prove Me innocent….

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: For the child, or adult, who devotes their time to watching television, they will learn the words and habits of those acting in the shows they watch. What is absorbed by the heart, will be revealed in their words and actions as they face the world. Why? Because that’s the prominent thing in their heart, and therefore the only thing that will trigger their response to life events. However, God created us and placed us here on earth so that we might honor Him and be like Him in every way. Isn’t it obvious that one will become irritable and miserable if they were made for one thing, but because of their intake of other other worldly ideas and practices, they act and respond in a totally opposite manner to what what God intended? Is there any wonder why some turn to crime and acting out worldly hatred towards others? In today’s Scripture, Isaiah is teaching us way before the birth of Jesus Christ what God has in store for the world centuries later when He will produce a Son, equal to Himself, to reinforce what He wants us to learn and how He wants us to be His witness. Notice that Jesus credited His Father for alerting Him each morning to what He wants Him to learn that day, and how to be best prepared for any eventuality that day. How are we doing with this dear friends? The news channel will not teach us the truth of our God. The children’s animated channel will not teach our children God’s way in preparation for their day. Many will respond that they have no time in the morning for opening the Word of God to hear what He might teach them. Please try to use the words ‘It was not a priority for me to open God’s Word this morning’. It is the sole reason why you left no time to open the Good Book, so go ahead and tell God what He already knows. But now let us examine what challenges we face in following the next steps mentioned by Jesus – Obedience: I believe that way too often we care more about what we might look like in the eyes of our coworkers, or peers, than in what we might say to God why we didn’t follow His teachings. On the cross, Jesus obeyed His Father, rather than following in His own strength and endless power to recuse Himself from the whippings, hair plucking, verbal abuse, shame and disgrace of that awful day on that cross at Calvary. Why? Because He had one goal in life – to honor the will of His Father. Are we there yet, or do we have way too much of the world in us that our souls are conflicted and determined to please our friends over our Savior and Lord? I love the very first part of verse 8: ‘I know that I will not be disgraced, for God is near, and He will prove Me innocent!’ Praise the Lord for His love, teachings, and His promises to be with us through all the ages, until He calls us home to glory.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord, there is no comparison to anything we know here on earth, versus what we find in You, so we thank You Lord for who You are and especially for all that You are to us, Your children. Our concept of all things are totally flipped when we read about Your characteristics and Your unconditional love for us. Please forgive us for saying that we believe, yet we struggle to accept, obey and live like You want us to do. This is yet another reminder of where we must turn to for our daily strength. Please continue to work on us and give us boldness and determination to stay true to our commitment as a born-again child of the King. Others need to see and experience You. Oh Lord, please let us be that example for them and may their hearts be warmed to know that You are alive, indeed alive in and working through us. 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!

How Will They Know?

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: Saturday, May 18, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, 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 New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Isaiah 49:25-26

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: But the Lord says …. For I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children. I will feed your enemies with their own flesh. They will be drunk with rivers of their own blood. All the world will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.”

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Have you ever stood by in amazement while someone you just met for the first time tries to figure out if the lady walking around with you is actually your wife? Or perhaps the boy that you are explaining everything to, is your son? What if everyone tried to size you up on whether you’re a Christian, or not? Would they have a hard time figuring that out? In this intriguing chapter of Isaiah, God had started introducing His Son that would come to save the world. His audience were only used to their one-on-one battles where one of the armies would be decimated, or turned away in defeat, while the other stood victorious. But in verse 25 we are seeing where God said He would fight their battles for them. Think about it, God ordered that His people, the Israelites, should be rescued from slavery in Egypt and return to their homeland. Although immense in numbers, these people were hardworking and used to manual labor, but they were slaves of Herod, the king of Egypt. They were no match for the power and might of the Egyptians, so of course they questioned how they could possibly get away from the Egyptians, survive in a harsh desert for many years, and then find a place to call home again, even though it was a land that they left many years ago. But unlike what they saw as possible in their human minds, God had a plan that only He could complete. Miracle after miracle in providing food, water, protection and direction, should have been more than enough to prove His omniscience and His power, but this was a stubborn and hard bunch to reach. We still have people like this today that we come into contact with. Perhaps neighbors, or church attenders, or coworkers, or students. But do they see enough of Jesus in ‘Christians’ today to conclude in their minds about His existence, His power, His willingness to help us through our struggles, and His plan for us after this challenging world has completed it’s pick on us? Dear friends, I have no doubt that God says the same thing to us today as He did in assuring the Israelites of His character and power: I will fight those who fight you; I will protect your children; I will attend to your enemies by repaying them harshly for what they have done to you; THEN you, and all those who know you, will know that I indeed am the God of this universe; your Savior; your Lord; your Redeemer; your everlasting Father, who has prepared an eternal home for you where you will live forever with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But child of God, do those around you know and see all this based on your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do they see it lived out in your home? Is it obvious in your character; your work ethics; your relationship with others and in your church? Many will meet Jesus because of what they see in, and experience with you. Oh that they will see Jesus, high and lifted up!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Nothing on earth compares with You Lord, so I thank You for setting such high standards for us. We could never be You, but I pray that You will give us boldness and a deep desire to learn as much as we could about Your character, that we will reflect You, and reflect You in every aspect of our lives. We have nothing to brag about in our self-worth, but when we invite You to live inside of us, You are everything that the world needs. Please bless us oh Lord, so that we may be a blessing to others and Your name glorified in every aspect of our lives. 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!

When Others Are Impacted By Our Lives

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: Monday, May 6, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, 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 The Voice (VOICE) IS FOUND IN Proverbs 27:17

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: In the same way that iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his friend.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: After her husband’s death, I recall telling a new widow how her husband impacted my life while living under their roof for a short while, and she acknowledged being warmly touched by that testimony. That husband’s life was not in vain, because his life had impacted at least one person, and I strongly believe many others were also touched by him. I feel like this is similar to what the Scripture teaches through this proverb today. Whether we care to acknowledge it or not, life consists of daily encounters with others who help to shape our lives – our eternal destiny, character, mannerisms, compassion and possibly even our speech. This may not always be in a positive manner, but with the help of God, the Holy Spirit can direct us to the right folk, and away from those who will tear down our testimony. Because of the relationships we develop with others, our lives change, and we become either: more likable to others, despised, or possibly even envied. As a child, we tend to live our lives trying to please our parents. As teenagers, we tend to try and please our peers. As adults we try to please our spouse, while also trying to set an example for our children. In our workplace, in our social activities, and in community activities, we tend to earn the respect of others, if we reflect characteristics that positively impact them, and show them that our upbringing and our relationship with Jesus Christ has affected our life, even through the challenges of this wicked world. Find a good, dedicated pastor or Christian friend, and you will see that others are drawing close to them because they want some of what they see in them. Read the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and direct your path to a life of obedience to the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. However, this Scripture clearly teaches that the character of another person will impact us. Should we hang out with the wrong crowd, we could easily see that their ungodly character is rubbing off on us and our own character is suffering, and deteriorating from ungodly habits and speech. For the child of God, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us to guide, protect and teach us the ways of our Savior and Lord. Let’s learn to not fight those nudges and redirects that tend to move us along to other friends. I believe the intent of this Proverb, is to teach us to not only protect our godly character against the ills of the evil one, but to consciously pulling alongside those who need encouragement, strength for another day, and drawing closer to their Master so that they could walk and talk like Him. For you see, they too want to go on to sharpen the character of their family and friends looking for Truth among the lies of Satan; Love others among the hatred expressed in so many ways by the world; Hope among the despair many of the unsaved tend to feel with Christ; and expectations of a brighter day coming when we will no longer deal with this world, but rather kneel at the feet of the Holy of Holy’s and offer up endless praise and worship for all eternity. Dear friends, seek the Lord while He may be found and allow Him to direct your path, even in a lost and cruel world. Seek to impact the lives of others for the better. Good friends work to rub off dull edges and make each other better. That’s why we need ministries and churches that are full of men and women talking about more than work, the weather, and sports. Oh that others will see, hear and experience Christ in us through each encounter with them!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Precious Lord, it is because of the work of Your Holy Spirit working through a prayer warrior and giving him boldness, that I walked the isle of my church in Nassau, Bahamas. That gentleman wanted me to be better than I was, he wanted to introduce me to his Master and Lord, so that my character my be developed into one of Christ-likeness, and my destiny become one that would be secure in the glories of Heaven. Thank You Lord Jesus for using that friend and at just the right time. Over the years I have had opportunity to come alongside many who needed You, and until I stand beside You, I may never know how many made decisions to accept Your lordship. Please Lord, continue to place each reader of this devotional into a place of opportunity to enhance the spiritual lives of others so that they may be drawn to You. May we become enhancers of the faith, and one who will shape others into becoming better men and women who would accept and serve You until you call us home. 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!

How To Measure Your 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, Worship1 Comment

DATE POSTED: Friday, May 3, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, 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 Message (MSG) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 11:6

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: It might be interesting for you to try and write down what you believe about ‘faith’. Do you have faith? Is it a strong faith? In whom do you have faith – doctors, pastors, bankers, investment strategists, your spouse, God…?? Which of these do you turn to when you feel like you have reached the end of your efforts on a desperate issue, or perhaps before you make a major, life-impacting decision? Although I found the whole chapter of Hebrews 11 extremely interesting, the Holy Spirit seemed to have really caught my attention in the words of our focal verse today. You see, some may struggle to complete the exercise I asked you to place in writing, for they feel like they have no faith at all. Yet, when they seem to be over their heads in debt and challenged by the circumstances of life, many who will not entertain the idea of God, or church, or even Christians, yet they will run to Social Media and request prayers, or they will call a trusted friend to pray for their need. Why is that? Could they have a touch of faith? Could it be that they really do believe in the power of God, especially when desperate about circumstances such as what they are currently facing? This Bible verse today seems to clarify that very question: If they believe that God exists, and surely they must, since they are asking for prayer from the Creator of the world. AND because they think that God cares enough about them to understand their concern and answer their prayer, then obviously they are exercising their faith in God by asking friends and loved ones to pray for them. So why are they not bowing before our holy God to make personal petitions before Him? Well, remember the curtain in the temples of old, where the priests were on one side and allowed direct access to speak with God, while the people occupied the other side of the veil and had to ask the priests to petition God on their behalf? Yes, you and I know that the temple veil/curtain was eliminated at the time Jesus was crucified, giving direct access to the Master by those seeking an audience with Him. However, I feel like our friends and loved ones mentioned above may be challenged to stand before God and pray for anything other than their sin that separates them from the holiness of God. At times, this refusal to approach God directly may be because individuals are so caught up in their earthly obligations to a loved one lying on a hospital bed of affliction, or perhaps too close to a very bad situation, that they just can’t pull themselves together to pray, so they ask us who are prayer warriors and thinking straight, to pray for their situation. I’m not God, but I am convinced that God knows us better than we know ourselves, so He knows if something is separating us from His unconditional love and His powerful and all-sufficient power. Suffice it to say, dear friends, no one will come boldly before a God that they have no relationship with, just like you wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and assume a loving and caring concern for you and your needs. So let me encourage you today, know God and know that peace that passes all human understanding. Know God and know the power that He posses and the love that He has for all mankind – yes even you in your state of sin and unforgiveness. He desires relationship with you – His precious creation. Just as walking up to your daddy and asking for provisions to help you through a day, it is just as easy to ‘clear the air’ (ask forgiveness of your sin) between you and God – your heavenly Father. It is only then that you will be comfortable in kneeling before Him and asking for the many other needs that will come your way each day. Let no one, or no thing, separate you from the love of God!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord, we believe. Please help us see and understand the areas of our life where our faith is not strong enough, or our conscience clear enough to approach Your throne and have open communication with You. We are a needy people Lord, and we need You ever hour. Please speak to us continually so that we may see those obstacles that often separate us. Help us Lord to always be at ease in approaching Your throne for every concern, every day that You allow us to remain here on earth. For Yours is the kingdom and the glory, for ever and for 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 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!