DATE POSTED
Sunday, December 1, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from The Living Bible (TLB) and found in Jeremiah 1:4-8

THE SCRIPTURE READS
⁴ The Lord said to me, ⁵ “I knew you before you were formed within your mother’s womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.”
⁶ “O Lord God,” I said, “I can’t do that! I’m far too young! I’m only a youth!”
⁷ “Don’t say that,” he replied, “for you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. ⁸ And don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.”

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
From a very early age, we learn how to give excuses when we don’t want to do something. But what about when God calls us to His service? I am convinced that whenever we feel the tug of God’s call on our life, we can rest assured that He has the ‘how’, ‘what’, and ‘where’ all worked out. Furthermore, let’s never forget what Jesus said in Mark 9:23 to the dad who asked Jesus to heal his child: ²³ Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!” Friends, it seems to me that our faith is truly tested when asked to do Kingdom work, and less you shrug this off as never being asked to do anything, let me remind you that it is important to listen closely as your pastor and church leaders ask for help in various ways when you meet together to worship. Some examples might be:
** Pray for a certain family who is struggling at this time – In James 5:16, the Bible says: ¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. Interesting that YOU would be healed as you pray for others!
** Give to this need, or that need – You may feel like you can hardly afford to meet your own budget needs, much less giving to the needs of others. But in Luke 6:38 Jesus said: ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”
** We could use your help in…. – For people who are already stretched to the limit with their time and energy in working hard and taking care of others, these words are normally ignored when church leaders plead their case. But read about how God implores us to labor with the right attitude until He returns. Colossians 3:23-24: ²³ Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
Let’s be careful about second guessing God. Often, God will test us with things that we could easily see others doing better than us, but what sort of blessing would we receive for that referral? Does God not see or understand who He wants to do the task He is asking us to do? At one point in my younger days, I led a choir and the congregational worship at my church. It was a God thing, as I had no musical training or talent. It was God using His instrument to lead His people into times of worship and singing praises to Him. Each of you are at the same level as I am on earth, and we all have the same access to our powerful God. Please open your heart, soul and mind for His work in and through you, so that others may be drawn close to Him while you are also being blessed beyond anything you can think or imagine. We serve an awesome and all-powerful God, dear friends. Submit to Him and be blown away by His miraculous works, even through you!

PRAYER
Jeremiah immediately found an excuse why he shouldn’t be challenged outside of his comfort zone. But God knew what Jeremiah needed, and He also knew that Jeremiah was the man he wanted to accomplish His work through. Lord God, You are still the same awesome and all-powerful God that we serve today, and I’m sure that the needs are probably even more acute and plentiful today than ever before. I am also sure that You are still using Your children who are called by Your name, and have humbled themselves before You, to stand in the middle of today’s storms and challenges and allow You to minister to unbelievers, and also believers needing a touch from their Master. Please Lord, impress upon us, just as You did to Isaiah, and recorded in Isaiah 6:8 – ⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will 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. 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 being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!