Tips To Help You Avoid Trouble in Your Lives

On 2020-08-24 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Monday, 2020-08-24
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹¹Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. ¹²We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. ¹³As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

OBSERVATION: It is often said that when we find instructions repeated in the Bible, that we should pay close attention to the instructions. In Galatians 6:9 Paul warned that fellow Christians should not tire of doing good. As you can see in verse 13 above, he repeated these instructions for the Thessalonian church. Let’s carefully examine what prompted Paul to give the above instructions, and try to understand why God would have us apply these instructions today.

APPLICATION: I’m not sure how many of you walk into your churches and assume that everything is ‘honkey dorey’ (I hope that others use that terminology at times also!!!), meaning that trouble may exist in the church down the road, but you are very sure that everyone adores your pastor and leadership, and they love their brothers and sisters in your church just as if you were already in heaven! Friends, I would encourage you to pray hard that you are correct in your wishful thinking, and I would suggest that you warn your friends to stay away, because you surely don’t want anyone else coming there to disrupt that love and good order! Unfortunately I have seen disharmony in my family at times; among my friends frequently; backbiting against the pastor and also his leadership team; and members walking away from the church because of being hurt by another member. No, I have not looked for such churches, but this occurs in most places where people, like you and I, work, worship, socialize, or just hang out. And this is not new, for these verses we are studying is just a clip of the letter Paul wrote to his membership who were dealing with trouble in their midst. It is very unfortunate that after all these years we have still not learned from these things that Paul taught under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for churches are still splitting, arguing over trivial things, and even dying because of internal challenges. Paul and his missionary teams always sought to support themselves financially while working with the churches he helped to start and maintain. So his first piece of advice in these verses is that brothers and sisters should keep themselves busy in supporting themselves, as this will give them a reason to arise each morning and keep their minds busy, instead of finding it their job to meddle in the affairs of others. I believe this also goes a long ways in helping to prevent them from criticizing others for their efforts, as they will see for themselves that they can’t do the same job as well as the incumbent, so there’s no need to criticize them. I’ve heard others say repeatedly ‘I don’t envy that person for the job they are trying to do, because I’ve been there and tried to do it myself’. Furthermore, Jesus Christ demonstrated love for us even while we were unlovable and full of sin, because He was crucified so that we might seek forgiveness of our sin and live eternally in heaven. If Jesus Christ has such love for us, why don’t we, as His representatives here on earth, seek to love others and pray for the job they are trying to do for the Kingdom? I believe they will improve their on-the-job performance knowing that God is pouring out His blessings because of our prayers! But as we look at ‘doing good’ – let us pray for one another; love one another, even if the other person is unlovable; lift up one another; volunteer to help each other, for that shows your love in tangible ways. As Paul said ‘NEVER TIRE OF DOING GOOD’ my Brother and Sister in the Lord, for this will help eliminate a ton of trouble in your lives, and help you demonstrate what it is like to be a child of the King!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for ‘setting the bar’ in doing good for each of your children here on earth, in spite of whether we deserved it or not. Our aim while here is to be more like You, and to represent You well among fellow Christians, and especially when trying to show unbelievers that we care, and love them. May we always be busy about Your work, and may our lives be influenced in every way by all that You taught us personally, and through your servant, Paul. May we allow You to help us build the mindset of helping and loving others, and never tire of doing good, so that You may be glorified through Your precious children! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Enjoying Evil vs Believing Truth?

On 2020-08-23 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Evil, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Truth, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2020-08-22
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁹This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. ¹⁰He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. ¹¹So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. ¹²Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

OBSERVATION: Tell me who would say no to a good party? Is that not a common theme when one is planning a party? Of course it is, because we all love to have fun – both Christians and non-Christians. So we must be careful how we interpret what Paul is telling the Thessalonian church today through our above Scripture. Please examine Paul’s words closely, because we can’t afford to miss the point. I believe that today we must have more ‘evil’ going on than anytime in past history. Stick with me as we consider God’s Word for the hour!

APPLICATION: I could bore you with examples of what I consider ‘evil’, but I believe the best place for you to see first hand what Paul might be referencing, is to Sit and listen to the evening news. Like me, I’m sure that you will stop and wonder ‘what could possibly be next’, for it is sad to hear of the evil occurring in each reader’s country that you would never have thought possible. Now, let’s hone in closer to what Paul was dealing with, for your see, he wrote this letter to the church. Yes, God’s people – those who are called by His name. I am convinced that God wanted this included in His Word for the church of today, because He was sure that this same type of behavior would still be prevalent in your church and mine. I know you might be shocked, but please recognize that everyone that walks through our church doors are not Truth followers. Therefore, their minds are not fixed on Jesus and their hearts are not filled with the Word of God. However, I believe that instead of pointing fingers, it would be best that we devote our time to recognizing our own strengths and weaknesses, and to acknowledge if we might be considered by God as loving His Word, accepting His Word, and obedient to His Word. If we are unable to affirm a definite ‘yes’ to each of these things, then I would dare say that we are probably easily swayed by the things of this world, and therefore respond to challenges based on what we have learned from the world. Paul referred to these folk as: being fooled into the way of destruction (the way of Hell); easily deceived; believe lies and will be condemned, because they are ignoring the Truth/the Word/the Bible. It is easy to see dear friends, that God gave us His Book of Instruction to be our guide through life. It teaches us the wonderful laws of life that He has set out just for us, so that we might be like Him and show Him off to a lost world. If we ignore that Book, then we are saying ‘yes’ to Satan and following his evil practices. Also, without the Truth embedded deep into our souls, we will listen to, and be swayed by, any false teachers that find their way into our churches. And friends, this is where church struggles really take root. Let’s do our part child of God! If you know Jesus Christ as Lord, then follow Him, obey His Word, and practice the Truth, as taught to us through the Scriptures. This will allow Jesus to shine through us, and keep evil practices out.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we could find lots of excuses why we sin, why we are disobedient, why we don’t prioritize Your Word in our lives, and why we do like everyone else around us in following the evil one. But You know us better than we know ourselves. You gave us the same number of hours as everyone else, so we allocate those hours for the desires of our heart. Dear Lord, please teach us, Your children who are called by Your name, to prioritize our time with You, so that our hearts might become like Your heart, so that our lives might look more like Your life demonstrated in so many ways while here on earth. Please draw us close to You, Lord. We want to see You, and we want our lives to be so filled with You that we will immediately identify false teachers, and those who try to win us over to the world. May we live to be more like You in every aspect of our lives, and may there be no other priority like the one we establish, with Your help, to live holy and righteous lives that look just like You, and that prepares us to fight off the evil one when he comes knocking. People need You, Lord, so may they not be distracted by anything in our lives that may create doubt, fear or unbelief in their minds. Oh that Your power, Your love and Your peace be at work in our hearts and in our minds every minute of every day! AMEN!

Be Thankful

On 2020-08-21 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Give thanks, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Thanksgiving, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2020-08-21
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ³Dear brothers, giving thanks to God for you is not only the right thing to do, but it is our duty to God because of the really wonderful way your faith has grown and because of your growing love for each other. ⁴We are happy to tell other churches about your patience and complete faith in God, in spite of all the crushing troubles and hardships you are going through.

OBSERVATION: It seems unfortunate that we tend to bash someone and find fault with everything they do, rather than concentrating on their good points and positive results. I like the way that Paul shares in these verses that it is our ‘duty’ to God. As we meditate today, let us examine where Paul may have been coming from in this statement of thanksgiving.

APPLICATION: Ever heard someone say that they may as well do a certain evil, because that’s all that friends ever notice anyway? That’s a sad statement, because it paints a picture of who we truly have become. But why exactly did Paul see such importance in this point of thanksgiving? First of all, if Paul and his co-laborers were praying for God to move in the lives of the church, and cause them to have more faith in Him, so that they may show more love towards one another, don’t you suppose that they would be overjoyed to see the results of their prayers? I believe their hearts would be overjoyed and therefore very thankful. So this makes me question whether we take time to pray for those fellow Christians who always seem to lead the pack in causing trouble in the church. Are they such trouble makers that we tend to think they are beyond God’s help? Or is it that we find a certain amount of joy in putting others down? I trust that it is not the latter. Secondly, wouldn’t it be good practice to always give thanks when we see God at work in our midst? Whether He answers our prayer and convicts the sinner, or simply reenergize the hope that lies inside of the Christian, it is always a joy to see our God at work in our midst! Thirdly, when we know that a people is down and out, burdened by something that has happened to them, we tend to know what to expect – crying; discouragement; bitterness; hopelessness; etc. However, when we recognize just the opposite in attitudes and reactions to life, we should be energized to give thanks for what must be the miracle working God at work in their midst. You see, it is very easy for us to celebrate God when everything is going better than we deserve, but it’s an even greater joy to give thanks when we see Christians celebrating in the midst of their storm, for they are proving to us the One in whom they have placed their faith, their strength and their hope, is far greater than he that is in the world. So friends, please help me as we all try to do like Paul, in giving thanks for our respective churches, no matter what they are struggling with at this time. Let’s be willing to see the hand of God at work, even if it is in unexpected ways and quite different to anything we would ever do. Praise God, He knows our heart and He blesses and provides a way for those who truly love and obey Him, regardless of what we might see wrong with the picture.

PRAYER: You saw enough good in us that You sacrificed Your one and only Son on the cross at Calvary, dear Lord, so that we might have a chance at eternal life with You in Glory. It wasn’t something we deserved, or something we achieved in order to be forgiven, but solely because of Your love for us. Thank You, thank You, thank You dear Lord for looking down on us in mercy and through Your grace. Seeing that our desire is to be just like You, I pray that You will help us to evaluate and correct our ways, especially when it comes to relationships with others. Please help us to put aside our critical spirit, and instead look at others in love. Help us to automatically love others, just like You first loved us. Oh that we may share our hearts with them in love, so that You may be glorified. AMEN!

The Importance of Exercise

On 2020-08-20 By Ed AlgreenIn Dependence on God, Meditate, Spiritual FitnessLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-08-20
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

Bible Reference: 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Translation: Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: ⁷Don’t waste time arguing over foolish ideas and silly myths and legends. Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. ⁸Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.

OBSERVATION: I find it amazing how Paul found ways to explain his points, and how they fit so good with what is going on around us – even today! Staying fit – most people will tell you that they are going to the gym, or they have an exercise regiment, or they are on some sort of diet, so that they could try and stay physically fit. With that in mind, wouldn’t it also make sense for us to exercise ways to stay spiritually fit? Let’s study this some more as we look into this Scripture today……

APPLICATION: I believe we all may have given some thought as to why we want to stay physically fit. For some, it may ease certain aches and pains; For some it may help their breathing; For some it may help avoid certain medications by keeping the heart healthy; For some, it prepares them for a huge competition that’s coming up; and a plethora of other reasons, I’m sure. So then, why do you suppose that God, through His servant Paul, found it necessary to Gain our attention about staying spiritually fit? Let’s first look at the pitfalls when we are not spiritually fit. I believe that this is where we are easily provoked into sin, for we have no real, current, depth and/or communication with the Master. There are really two parts to this, first of all we must know what to do and what’s expected of us. This means that we have to learn what’s expected of us by our Lord. As in the business world, this means that we not only learn the Word, but we also keep on learning and refreshing our knowledge of the Word. Secondly, we must put into action all that we learn. Imagine in the business world where you might tell an auditor that your books, practices and overall processes are in order because you read about what’s required? That will absolutely not protect you against exceptions, since your auditor will compare what you are actually doing, against what your written regulations say that you must be doing. Our Christianity is much the same. God has set forth a wonderful book that details His commands, and it shows us how our Savior lived while here on earth perfectly following the commands of His Father. For us to know those commands, we must be in the Bible daily, so that our minds might be spiritually fit for battle against the Evil One at every opportunity that he aims to challenge us. Yes, I know that some are fast studies and therefore only need to read through the Bible once, but let me assure you that the Word of God is very real and it is pointed to help us each and every day, no matter what we are facing today for the very first time in history. To practice what we learn, we must be diligent to apply God’s rules and commands in every aspect of our lives, with the Master’s help. In fact, if we aim at perfection in all our ways, then we might be mistaken frequently for the One that we are imitating. Has that happened to you recently? Friends, when we are hit with a hammer, the immediate response will often result from whatever is inside of us. Likewise, when we are hit with life’s challenges and the temptations of Satan, our immediate response will dictate how close we are to the Savior, and how fit we are spiritually. How are you doing friend? Seek the Lord while He may be found, and allow Him to guide your steps, your actions and your speech. May others see Jesus in you!

PRAYER: This is a very challenging passage of Scripture Lord Jesus. One in which we are reminded that we don’t have all the answers, and we desperately need You in every aspect of our lives. We are reminded that without You we can truly do nothing of value for the Kingdom. Please open our hearts and draw us to a closer walk with You and a life truly dependent on the power of Your sweet Holy Spirit. Lord, You know all too well how weak we are, but thank God You also know that You created us to be like You. So Lord, again today we beg with You to forgive us for those things that we do and the awkward things that we say – our spiritual weaknesses. Please draw us close to You and melt our hearts to closely depend on You in all walks of life, so that You may be glorified in every aspect of our lives. AMEN!

God’s Perfect Plan for You

On 2020-08-19 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, The Plan, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2020-08-19
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁶Let joy be your continual feast.^[j] ¹⁷Make your life a prayer. ¹⁸And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.^[k]

OBSERVATION: In marriage, or really in any close relationship, it is always best to find out what the other person likes, and then do your very best to do those things to please them and enrich your relationship. That’s very much like being a child of God. We should be constantly searching for His will and for those things that ultimately please Him. We have three short verses to meditate on today that are packed with tips for us to know and follows God’s perfect plan for our lives!

APPLICATION: In almost any relationship, I’m sure there are ‘Ooops’ as we readjust our speech or our actions in order to please the other person. Marriage is always a great example of this, for you see where two people of the opposite sex are coming together, often from different cultures, sometimes from different faiths, and almost always from a different family upbringing. It’s always a challenge when one states that a certain issue was not resolved that way in their home! However, we soon learn that the things I learned, plus the things my wife learned in her upbringing, now constitutes the basis for us to decide which way we will handle things in our new life together. As Christians, we will also bring into the equation, what God’s Word says about the situation under discussion. However, God gave Paul these words to share with the church at Thessalonica, and to be of value to the church at large, until Jesus returns. So let’s pay close attention to what truly pleases God:
~ Joy – As a kid growing up in Sunday School, I learned a song: ‘I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart….’ Do you suppose this meant that I was one who went around giggling all the time after singing that song? Of course not! It meant that the believer in Christ, is filled with everything that make them happy here on earth, and gives them outstanding expectations of what they could expect in heaven. As this translation indicates, let this ‘Joy’ be your continued/ongoing feast, in your life. Let it drive who you are and what drives you through life. Being filled with, and enjoying life to the fullest, knowing whose you are, will make you one happy person whose happiness will overflow onto others every time you come into contact with them!
~ Prayer – Paul taught over and over how important prayer was to him. So from a life impacted by prayer, he is being led to direct us towards this greatest communication tool with the Father. When you’re happy – pray in thanksgiving to the One who fills you with the happiest moments imaginable. When you’re sad – pray to the only One who has all of the answers, and therefore knows why something is occurring that makes you sad. Knowing that God understands why you are uneasy, unhappy, confused, disappointed, sad, etc. means all the world to us, because we know that regardless of what we are feeling, God is in control, and He will help us through to a successful ending – life eternally with He and His Son, Jesus. That long term result helps us put perspective on the temporary things that seem so huge to us now. May we be so constant in prayer that we may be looked on as this translation puts it ‘that our lives will be a prayer’!
~ Give Thanks – Not just at Thanksgiving, and not just when everything is going according to our plan, but let us be a people who will give thanks in ALL things at ALL times. It makes a huge difference when we remind ourselves that ‘God’s got this!’ For then we could relax and give thanks for whatever the outcome might be. If it pleases God, surely it will please us!
Friends, no doubt you will conclude that only children of the most holy God will benefit from the above, through a close relationship with God. That’s true, however, if you have not yet made a decision to follow Christ, there is still time for you to change that. But don’t delay making that decision, as this very moment is the only time promised to you by God. Without Christ, you will not only endure hardships and trials here on earth, but your destiny in Hell will only worsen your thought of eternity. Meet my Jesus today dear friend, and know that peace, joy and happiness that passes all understanding today and forevermore.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, there is nothing I desire more, than to serve You faithfully the rest of my days here on earth, to impact the lives of those who have not accepted You as Lord, and to live eternally in Heaven worshiping You endlessly. Please touch the lives of those who have chosen to ignore You and Your call on their lives. Oh that they may surrender totally to the God of this universe, and the God we will face in eternity. Please touch all who will read this devotional, and may Your Holy Spirit work miraculously, so that they will surrender their all to You even today. May You be glorified in all aspects of this ministry. AMEN!

Comfort and Encourage Each Other With This

On 2020-08-18 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Death, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2020-08-18
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁶For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. ¹⁷Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. ¹⁸So comfort and encourage each other with this news.

OBSERVATION: While some might consider this a morbid subject, I can assure you that each of us will travel this road some day! Having just lost a friend, and seeing the awesome strength in his wife, I thought it is perfect timing that God would have this Scripture come up as part of my daily Bible reading plan, because I want us all to be as prepared for the inevitable – death of a loved one, as this dear wife has been. Prepare your hearts for the Word of God and meditate with me, dear friends.

APPLICATION: Many folk struggle to survive the loss of a loved one, especially where there was a great relationship enjoyed. In fact, we often hear of surviving spouses following in death very soon after losing their mate. But why is this? Often we live in such a manner that it may sometimes appear to a loved one that you could care less if they were there or not. But, there are many, many relationships where one partner could easily speak for the other, because they are so closely knit and their minds are so intertwined after happily living together. For the Christian, I firmly believe that the awesome God we serve, knows all about our relationships, and He knows what an awful time we will go through when we lose that favorite person in our lives. At times He prepares us for that, by providing a new baby, or grand baby as a distraction. My wife witnessed this when she lost her mom just a few short years after we got our first and only child. At other times, God might bless us with rich moments together, where the memories of that loved one will last a lifetime. He might also bless us with such assurance about what might be a very short separation, or about the relief from medical issues for the one about to leave us. Whatever the circumstances, please know that we serve a God who knows all things, both past and present. He knows what we will need to go on without a parent, friend or spouse that we have been attached to at the hips. Notice in our Scripture that God wanted Paul to encourage his church at Thessalonica, and He wanted these words penned so that we who are alive today could also benefit from them. So pay close attention to how this will all play out friends. Although we are forced to bid farewell to our loved ones here on earth, there will come a day that Jesus will return for us, and God has outlined in granular form how this will all happen. When He appears, those in the graves, who died knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior, will rise first and meet with Jesus in the heavens! Then those of us who are still alive, and have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior will then rise to meet Jesus and our loved ones who went on before us, and we will remain with the Lord forever! So God wants us to encourage each other with these words, so that sorrow will not overcome us when a loved one goes on before us, for we know that one day we will see them again, and together meet our Savior and Lord! To my readers that will happen across this blog and you have not met this Jesus of whom I have spoken, please carefully notice that you will not be in that collective meeting with Jesus – for that is reserved for those who have already said ‘YES’ to Jesus. However, as long as there is breath in your lungs, and the Master has not yet returned, you still have an open option. May I introduce you to my Lord and Savior? I went into detail in my Footnote so that you might see from Scripture how to do this. Please take time to understand the Word of God and accept Jesus as Your Lord today. Without Him, you will not hear the voice of God on that day when Jesus returns. Please, please, please, accept Jesus today!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for the reminder today that our hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and sacrifice. Thank You that we can know today that should I go first, or should I remain, one day soon we will all be together around Your throne singing Your praises and glorifying You for ever and for ever! As related by the surviving spouse of my friend, What a Day that Will Be, When my Jesus I shall See, When I look Upon His Face, the One who saved me by His grace….. Come Lord Jesus, come, for Your servant awaits Your call! AMEN!

How To Live An Honorable Life

On 2020-08-17 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, God-honoring, Honor, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Monday, 2020-08-17
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹¹Aspire^[e] to lead a calm and peaceful life as you mind your own business^[f] and earn your living, just as we’ve taught you. ¹²By doing this you will live an honorable life, influencing others and commanding respect of even the unbelievers. Then you’ll be in need of nothing and not dependent upon others.^[g]

OBSERVATION: Probably one of the most wanted characteristics that we might want to be known for, is that we were an honorable person. Think about the opposite – disrespectful; dishonest; etc. Surely no one really wants to be remembered as the latter. Even atheists know what dishonorable looks like in the life of a believer, for they know what to expect from a Christ-like person. This is a good reminder for us today to make sure that we live an honorable life before God.

APPLICATION: Paul was very aware of the issues that prevented the Thessalonians church from excelling in its ministry to the community. Unfortunately, we also must look inward when we notice that the ministry to the unbelieving community has slowed, or has been fractured. Using the godly advice given by Paul, here are some things we should look at also as children of the King. We should individually aspire to:
~ Be calm – I know, you are not a naturally calm person, right? You may often be accused of having ADHD, or bouncing off the walls! But what generally happens in the case of the latter? Aren’t they more apt to speak before they think; Rush into action without thinking about the consequences? Versus being calm might give the impression that you have nothing to worry about because you know that God is in control. This type attitude might also show that you have no reason to jump ahead of God, for He is in control of your life and very much in charge of His church;
~ Live a peaceful life – This may have some of the above characteristics, but for the person living a peaceful life, they avoid causing trouble in the community – whether neighbors or even in the church community. Again, one can especially accomplish this when they have resigned themselves to the fact that God is in control! Often, one can only gain peace in their heart, soul and mind when they know that the God of this universe, is also the God of their lives and there’s nothing to be personally worried about;
~ Mind your own business – Trouble starts when we dip into other people’s business and try to tell them what to do. I’m not talking about good advice dear friend, but instead, referring to the times that we ignore our own issues and try to correct others. Perhaps if we spent more time minding what we do, or not do, then we might get better at it and be better off for it! Being a ‘Nosey parker’, giving unwanted advice, and pretending to be a ‘know-it-all’ will cause strife between neighbors and/or friends. We might become known as a trouble maker;
~ Earn your own living – Work for what you need or want. Others will respect a hardworking man or woman, but despise a lazy individual who waits for others to fill the gap for what they are lacking. Please don’t read into this more than it says. There are some who are disabled or otherwise handicapped, and they need government assistance. This is not the individual that Paul, or I, referred to in this point.
The rewards for doing the above is that the diligent servant will be recognized as ‘honorable’; they will influence others; and they will gain respect from everyone – even unbelievers. When this happens, unbelievers will then be open to listening to our message, for they will want to know where our strength, wisdom and help comes from. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be granted unto you. Please consider reading my Footnote and the link behind ‘To Know Jesus’, I believe it will direct you to seek Jesus and His Kingdom! Please contact me with any questions, or if I might pray with you about a need.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I want to be recognized as an honorable man who achieved such recognition because of You – the One in whom I believed, and Your Holy Spirit that resided in my life. It’s You that I want my family and friends to know of oh God, and I would ask that You always draw my attention to anything that might interfere or hinder a positive witness. Please touch the hearts of my readers who might stop long enough to consider Your Word today, and the importance of living an honorable life that represents you best. Oh Lord, be glorified in and through me today so that You might be lifted up and glorified. AMEN!

Just A Touch From The Master

On 2020-08-15 By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Faith in Action, Genuine Faith, Healing3 Comments

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2020-08-15
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

Bible Reference: Luke 8:45-48
Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

Bible Text: ⁴⁵“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, so many are crowding against you. . . . ” ⁴⁶But Jesus told him, “No, it was someone who deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” ⁴⁷When the woman realized that Jesus knew, she began to tremble and fell to her knees before him and told why she had touched him and that now she was well. ⁴⁸“Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

OBSERVATION: Jesus was on a mission headed towards the home of Jairus to meet the need reported to Him by a very frightened dad. While enroute, there was a large crowd following, and they pressed in on Jesus’ personal space because they didn’t want to miss anything that He did. By this time, many had heard so much about the power of Jesus, that they were willing to do things such as merely getting close enough to touch His clothing, such as noted in the verses today. This was a true act of faith! Do we have that kind of faith?

APPLICATION: In this Scripture today, I believe that Jesus is prompting us to reflect on how we might go about ‘touching the hem of His garment’ in our world today. Think about it friends, we often think of a ‘touch from God’ when we’re sick – beyond what we feel our doctor could handle, or about to face surgery, or lost a loved one, or can’t see ourselves through financial struggles, or when things at work seems impossible, but how do we touch the ‘hem of Jesus’ garment’, like this woman did? Well, let’s reread the verses again and remind ourselves of how this woman received help/healing. In verse 48 Jesus actually tells the woman what actually healed her. It was her faith! She knew where healing would come from, so in spite of all odds, she was determined to find the Master who had already healed through just a simple word. I believe this lady knew Jesus, knew of His awesome power and compassion on those in need, and I feel pretty sure that she probably knew the miracles He had already performed. Do you suppose she left her home that day with a good luck charm hoping that these rumors she had heard about Jesus could also possibly touch her life, if she was lucky? Do you suppose that the thought may have crossed her mind that she perhaps could stay at home in her bed and if Jesus wanted to, He would heal her? Let me share with you what my thoughts are: I believe this lady knew Jesus personally, and I believe she had lots of faith – enough to believe that Jesus could do for her everything that she had heard about Him ever doing for anyone else. However, I believe she wanted a close-up experience with her Master. Seeing that Jesus was thronged by so many people, she felt like she could never get His personal attention, but she knew that if she could only manage to get close enough to touch Him or any part of His clothing, she would be healed. Friends, that’s a lot of faith! That’s like us having faith to call on Him in our time of need, or asking our church elders to pray over you with oil, as spoken of in the New Testament. May I remind you again today that Our God’s Not Dead, Nor Has He Lost His Power To Heal! I have a friend who has an army of friends praying with her for the touch of the Master on her husband lying ill, to the point of death, from COVID. God is still in the prayer-answering business, as He cares as much about us as He has ever cared for one of His children. We serve an awesome God that hears the cries of His children. If He’s your God today friend, call on Him in your time of need. Celebrate Him when You remember His goodness and recognize His miracle working hand.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we are so amazed by Your awesome power, and often wonder why You would consider even us for Your miraculous work. Please teach us the wonder of faith and the unlimited power of our wonderful God. May we always come to the Savior for salvation; the Healer with our illnesses and to our Eternal God with our desire for eternity in Heaven with You. Thank You for loving us so much dear God, our Heavenly Father! AMEN!

Don’t Worry, Trust God

On 2020-08-14 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Trust, Worry, Worry no more, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2020-08-14
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Jeremiah 17:7-8
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁷“But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed.
    They know that the Lord will do what he says.
⁸They will be strong like trees planted near a stream
    that send out roots to the water.
They have nothing to fear when the days get hot.
    Their leaves are always green.
They never worry, even in a year that has no rain.
    They always produce fruit.

OBSERVATION: Upon being reminded and reassured by Scripture that those who trust in Jesus, know that He can and will do what He has promised, I believe we should perhaps ponder ‘then why do Christians worry?’. Let’s examine the awesome power of our God and then the condition of our own heart to see where the gap is that causes us not to trust Him in every circumstance of life.

APPLICATION: The story is told of a daring acrobat that walked across a tight cable that stretched across the Niagara Falls. After successfully walking across, he overheard some of his audience speaking of his abilities, especially after he announced that he would be pushing a wheelbarrow across next. This encouraged him to ask one of those bragging from the audience to voluntarily jump into the wheelbarrow that he would push across. But this was met with rejection as they became very frightened to put their life on the line. Is this what happens to Christians who brag on the power of God, and they boast on their faith in this awesome God, but are unwilling to trust wholeheartedly in God at critical times in their life? Friends, if we truly believe and trust in God, then I believe that we should trust in Him to: 1). Save us from our sin; 2). Deliver us from the evils of this world; 3). Protect us from harm by the evil one; 4). Guide us into all truth, according to His Word, every day; 5) Keep us strong, even when the world seems to be crashing in around us; 6) Calm our every fear to know that the King of all kings and Lord of all lords is in charge of every little, and big, thing around us; and 7) Give us a confident assurance that He is with us and guiding us through every situation, every day. Friends, I know this sounds like a long list, but I also know that it is not exhaustive. The bottom line is that we have every reason to trust God with every aspect of our lives, and to rest assured that He will be our ‘comfort and stay’ through this life and the next! Make a comparison to the trees mentioned in our Scripture today. You will be assured that when you plant your faith and trust deeply in the God that you adore, your strength will come from Him when life seems to be throwing more at you than you feel you could handle. Your peace will come from Him as you reassure yourself that no matter what the world around you is dealing with, you have a God who created the whole world and everything in it, so you know without a doubt that He could calm the stormy seas and the rioting and the hatred that seems rampant in our world. Your strength and reassurance will come from the Source to your roots, so there is no need to worry about who will be president of the U.S. after November, and who will be impacted by this pandemic, for you know who holds tomorrow and you know who holds your hand. Friends, we serve an awesome, all-powerful God. Just as Jeremiah demonstrated with the tree roots, we have no need to worry, for we shall reign victoriously here in earth, or better still, in heaven with Jesus as we bow and worship Him throughout eternity. For the unbeliever who will come across this devotional and may not feel adequate peace, like I’ve just described, please know that you too could have that same assurance. Surrender your life thru the forgiveness of sin offered by my Lord Jesus. The angels in heaven rejoice in heaven when a sinner is saved, and so will I. For help on this big decision, please read through my Footnote, and especially read the Scripture behind the link ‘To Know Jesus’. Feel free to contact me if I could be of help to you. God loves you my friend, and so do I!

PRAYER: Oh Lord, these are days that we need You more than ever before. A worldwide pandemic for which there has been no manmade cure yet, but oh how we rejoice that Christians worship and adore a God who can do all things, including healing of the afflicted. A critical election of world leaders awaits, such as the president of the United States. But in Your wisdom, You have assured Your children that only leaders approved by You who will lead so that Your will is accomplished, only those will be elected. So we have no reason to worry, and no reason to be caught up in the ugliness of politics, You are in control! Thank You for the reassurance You gave to Jeremiah to share with us – we need not worry, for You will accomplish Your will, for Your purpose, and to invoke praise and glory from Your people. We therefore rest in that assurance and thank You in advance for all that You will do in living up to Your Word! AMEN!

To Be Called By HIS Name

On 2020-08-13 By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-08-13
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Jeremiah 14:7, 9b
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁷“We know that this is our fault.
    We are now suffering because of our sins.
    Lord, do something to help us for the good of your name.
We admit that we have left you many times.
    We have sinned against you.
⁹….. Lord, you are with us.
    We are called by your name, so don’t leave us without help!”

OBSERVATION: I wonder, would it make a difference in our behavior if we were called something like Christian Ed, or Christ Child Ed, rather than hiding behind a simple ‘worldly’ name like Ed? Would such a change cause us to reflect more often on whose we are, and make us more determined to accurately reflect the One in whom we have placed our faith and trust? Jeremiah felt like his people had failed at this, and therefore prayed that God would heal his land for His own name sake, even though His people were so unworthy. Are we in similar form yet again today? How would you refer to ‘your land’ before a holy and righteous God?

APPLICATION: Given the fact that in our current times we have benefited from the Bible, and all the direction given in it through God’s commands and His Son’s example while here on earth, wouldn’t one tend to think that we would do a superior job at representing Jesus Christ than any of our ancestors managed to do? Does it frustrate you when you see Christians acting and speaking contrary to the Word of God? What if you, like Jeremiah, had been crying and praying for your family; your church; and your friends to simply live out what they were taught through the Bible and through sermons at church? Would you become extremely frustrated and reach a stage where you are about to throw in the towel when you witness their total disregard? Jeremiah was really burdened for his people who was delivered safely into the Promised Land by God, yet they continued their worship of false gods and ignored the God who rescued them from Egypt, delivered them through the Wilderness into a beautiful land filled with milk and honey. He mourned over their condition, because instead of endless worship to the God who saves, they ran from Him and instead chose to build and worship idols. Jeremiah was so troubled that he often cried over the situation. Oh that we would be burdened for our lost world as Jeremiah was. But I believe that while we may be heavily burdened over the concern for our world, and our people, our souls are refreshed when we read the words of Jeremiah in verse 9, where he reminds God that while he and his people had messed up, yet he pleaded for God to intervene for a people who were called by His name. In our current environment, whenever we hear of a preacher, pastor, priest, elder, deacon or any church official, falling into condemnation because of sin, it not only looks bad on them and their associated church, but many lose hope in the God with whom these leaders claimed that they served. Jeremiah pleaded for God to intervene for a people who were called by His name, so that His name may remain reputable and known as Truth, Hope and Love to a lost world. You see, whether we succeed in our reputation to represent God, or whether we fail miserably, God is still above all, and He never fails. That’s why it is so important that we lift up the name of Jesus in all aspects of our ministry, and allow self to diminish behind the scenes. For although we may fail at one time or another, we. Can rest assured that our God never fails to do all that He has promised. Precious ones, live to look like, and sound like, the One that you represent. Allow the world to see how great God is, not how badly you tend to fail in meeting their expectations.

PRAYER: Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all Your hands have made and all that You stand for, who am I that I should even be called by Your name? It’s all about You God, so please humble me to simply teach Your Word and live a life that exemplifies You in every way. The world needs You, and they need to see You active in the lives of those who represent You. I pray that my readers and I will never be a stumbling block in the path of one looking for the Savior. I pray instead that we may be awesome examples of You to a lost world, so that they may witness the God we love, in action in every aspect of Our lives. Be glorified today among Your people oh God, and even through those who represent You, for this is my humble plea, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. AMEN!

Nuggets From God's Word

Author: Ed Algreen