Author: Ed Algreen

One of God's kids expressing his understanding of God's Word and sharing how it is affecting his life! May those who read it be blessed, encouraged, and drawn closer to the Lord!

Mercy and Compassion – God’s In Charge!

On By Ed AlgreenIn All have sinned, Bible Believing, Eternal Life, Evangelism, Forgiveness, God our Provider, Reaching the Lost, Thank You Jesus2 Comments

The Bible – The Message

Romans 9:14-18

14–18       Is that grounds for complaining that God is unfair? Not so fast, please. God told Moses, “I’m in charge of mercy. I’m in charge of compassion.” Compassion doesn’t originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God’s mercy. The same point was made when God said to Pharaoh, “I picked you as a bit player in this drama of my salvation power.” All we’re saying is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for good or ill.

 Thoughts:

We hear a lot of folk say that God’s not fair, and I cringe whenever I hear those words. Friends, we place ourselves in very compromising places at times, and unfortunately bad things happen, especially in places where Satan is very present. I heard a preacher speak on the subject “Why do bad things happen to good people”, and although he was the right person to preach that sermon, seeing that he himself had Multiple Sclerosis and had difficulty speaking. Yet he helped his hearers to understand that we are all blessed by God in that He sent His one and only Son to die a cruel death on the cross, so that all those that believe on Him might have eternal life. So who are the ‘all’ he referred to? People such as Saul who was a persecutor of Christians and the church, yet God made such a difference in His life that he became a great evangelist and writer, having written many of the New Testament books. He made such a turnaround in his life that his name was changed to Paul to reflect the total life change. What Paul is explaining to his audience at Rome, and what God is using this message to speak with us about is that:

  • God is the author and maker of mankind and we are to be thankful and celebrative for this;
  • God loved us while we were still sinners and provided a means to enter His kingdom, and we are to be thankful and celebrative for this;
  • God showed compassion on us and chose us to be His children – because, friends sinners only has a mind for sinful things, not Godly ownership and Godly happiness, and we are to be thankful and celebrative for this;

So Paul’s question to his audience and to us today is, “what are we complaining about God not being fair about?” From the points above, I believe we can clearly see that God loves us way more than we deserve, and what is unfair about that? Let’s not question God when He doesn’t handle a situation the way that we instructed Him, He’s still God and above Him there is no other. Count your blessings friend, and I assure you that you’ll not have enough fingers left to consider the self-inflicted, unfortunate things that we tend to blame on God. I serve an awesome God, and my heart’s desire is to encourage as many as I can to know this Savior I love and adore! Are you ready to make a decision friend? Please use the contact information at the foot of this post to email me and allow me to pray with you, encourage you and introduce you to Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we are such an undeserving, yet very blessed people. Please help us to count our blessings and stop the whining and complaining. Where would we have been had it not been for Your love, Your mercy and Your compassion? Thank You for Your mercies on me. Thank You for Your blessings on me. Thank You for the assurance of my eternal home in glory with You. Please dear Lord, speak to the hearts of my friends and family that are not living life to its fullest today, because they have not given You full control of their lives. The sacrifice has been made, and I thank You for that, please help them to accept the gift that You so lovingly gave just for us. I am very thankful, yet I continue to ask on behalf of my unsaved friends, in Your precious and worthy name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

NOTE: **If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

God is our Hope Especially in times of Trouble

On By Ed AlgreenIn Hope, Obedience, Pleasing to God, PraiseLeave a comment

The Bible – Good News Translation

Psalm6:1-3

1 God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths; 3 even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence.

Thoughts:

Ever have someone stop you and ask “why are you so calm about everything?”, or “how can you be so happy all the time?”, or “you must have a lot of self-will because nothing seems to phase you”? In 1 Peter 3:15, we are told that we must be ready at all times to give an account of the ‘Hope’ that lies within us. David is drawing to our attention in this Psalm that in times of trouble, we have a ‘Hope’ because God is our shelter and our strength and He is always ready and willing to help us. Through earthquakes and/or tsunamis, our God stands like a Rock, and is firm in His footing, able to help us through to the end. He is our Hope in all things! Friends, I don’t believe that we give off a false sense of security when trouble comes to our families, or to our churches or to our friends, and we calmly give it to God and wait for His guidance. When we develop our faith in God, and learn to depend on Him daily, and learn to celebrate the joys of knowing Him and His miraculous handling of our daily affairs, then it should be natural for us to look to Him, especially when things appear to be out of control, or resolutions appear to be well beyond our control or abilities. Jesus spoke intimately to His Father when He was on the cross, knowing that He had all power and the definite ability to upset the whole ‘apple-cart’ if He wanted to, but through prophecy He also knew that dying was a necessary step. If Jesus saw the need to look to His Father for help, shouldn’t we also look to Him for our every need or concern? He is our ‘Hope’ friend! Let’s learn to lean on the only One that can give us ‘Hope’, as we keep the words of Jude 1:24-25 close at hand, for our God is able, and we should learn to praise Him often for His willingness to use that ability to help His kids – us! If you do not know the One of whom I have referred to in this devotional, I would love to introduce you to Him. Please use the contact information in the ‘Note’ below to reach out to me.

Prayer:

To the God of this universe, the author and designer of mankind; the One who loved me enough to sacrifice His one and only Son so that I may have life eternal; the One who walked on water and calmed even the ocean waves; healed the sick; gave sight to the blind and raised the dead back to life. Yes, to this God, my Lord and my Savior, thank You for loving me enough to cleanse me of my sin and welcome me into Your family and into Your kingdom. With the same power that You did all of the above, I have confidence to know that You are still capable of handling the things in my world that trouble me today. I have this ‘Hope’ and I am thankful for the promises of God given to all Your children! To You be all glory, majesty and praise today. Please speak to the hearts of my family and friends that have chosen to exclude You from their lives. I pray that everyone that meditates on this devotional today might be renewed in their ‘Hope’ knowing that all power comes from You and that You are worthy of our praise. I ask this in Your precious name Lord Jesus, knowing that You are still God, AMEN!

NOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

The Love of The Father

On By Ed AlgreenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Bible –The Message

 Romans 8:31-35

 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way!

 Thoughts:

We’ve heard friends say before that they are such a bad person, having done so much evil in their day that a holy, loving, caring and sacrificial Father would not love them. As their earthly father, we might quickly agree with them, because we are so unforgiving deep inside. But friends, do you see much difference between what you might classify such a person, and what we may have classified ourselves before we accepted Christ? They are, and we were, sinners so far removed from the ideals that we picture as ‘saints’ or ‘children of God’. However, in these verses under review today we are reminded by Paul in his addressing the same question to the church at Rome, that the love God speaks of is unconditional, and according to John 3:16, it is available to all who call on His name through His Son Jesus, for they will be saved, and is loved with His everlasting and unconditional love! The ‘human’ in us causes us to ask, but what if ……. happens, or what if I mess up, or what if another Christian points a finger at something we weren’t perfect at? Friends, Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and for the benefit of the saints) cleared this up for us in the later part of the verses quoted above – there is nothing that can change this love that Christ has for us – nothing. Remember, His love is unconditional! We may let things or people disrupt our harmony and/or relationship with God, but absolutely nothing will place a wedge between us and His love for us. He’s just that kind of God! Praise the name of the Lord! So what’s preventing you from approaching God, seeking forgiveness of your sin and dedicating your life wholly and solely to Him? There is no greater love than this friend? Please use the contact information at the end of this devotional to let me know if there is anything I can pray with you about, or help you work through so that you can make this vital move in your life! This is THE most important decision in a person’s life!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for accepting me as Your child, in spite of the imperfectness that existed before my decision, and because of the ongoing work needed to help me stay on a path pleasing to You. As reminded by Paul in these verses this morning, I am deeply appreciative of the love You have for me, and the security of that love that, although battered by many things of this world and of Satan himself, yet to be reminded that nothing can separate Your love for me! Wow! This is love that we can hardly comprehend, but I believe Your Word and accept that love graciously. Please touch the hearts and lives of my friends that defer their decision to accept You as lord, because they just can’t wrap their arms around this kind of love. Please help them to understand that in accepting You as they Master and Lord, You will help them work through and overcome their imperfections as Your child. Thank You for loving even me dear Lord! Bless each reader with Your power this day, for I humbly ask in Your precious and holy name, AMEN!

 

NOTE: **If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

Peace in Knowing God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Eternal Life, Faith, God Cares For Us, Holy Spirit, Humility, Love, Love God, PeaceLeave a comment

The Bible –The Message

Romans 8:26-28

 26–28       Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

 Thoughts:

There is such peace in these verses! Actually these verses reminds us of the peace we have in knowing God as our personal Savior! When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He provides His Holy Spirit to live inside of us and to commune with God on our behalf. Paul reminds us that even when we are about to give up (tired of waiting), the Holy Spirit is there praying for us. When we have totally run out of words to pray, the Spirit interprets our moans and our groans before the throne on our behalf. In fact, He knows us so well that He is petitioning the throne of grace on our behalf. He has our best interest at heart, and knowing that we really want to step above our weak sinful selves, He keeps us present before God. Friends, as we live our lives loving God, praising Him and glorifying Him, every aspect of our lives is worked into something good, something beautiful for God! Whom then shall I fear? Why then should I worry or complain? There is no god like this God of ours friend! Know Him today and know the peace that surpasses all human understanding. Experience His love that surpasses all other descriptions of love that you can imagine. Know that everything is under control with God in charge of your life, because these verses so vividly reminds you of that. Are you tired of living life under your own power, and would like to know this Jesus of mine in a personal way? I would be honored to work with, and pray for you, if you would drop me an email using the contact information at the very end of this devotional. I would love for you to know this peace that is ours as children of God!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, how can I say thanks enough for all You do for me? So undeserved, yet You loved me enough that You turned Your world upside down by sacrificing Yourself in humility, all because of Your awesome love, and so that I might have peace in knowing You. Thank You Lord Jesus! Please tender the hearts of those that might read this devotional today and may not have ever invited You to be their Mediator and Lord. Father, I know that they have no control over the time they have left to make such a decision, please may it be today that they allow You to take charge of their life? I humbly ask all this in Your precious and all powerful name, Jesus my Lord and soon coming King, AMEN!

 

Note: **If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

Our Witness Should Lead Others To Christ

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Follow Jesus, Holy Spirit, Imitator of Christ, Marriage, Our Help comes from God, Praise, Reaching the Lost, Reflecting ChristLeave a comment

The Bible –New Century Version

Psalm 40:2-3

2           He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud. He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady.

3           He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord.

 Thoughts:

 We can easily identify a single man by his playfulness with no one girl. We can generally identify a married man by his devotion to his wife and his unselfish attitude in doing everything to make her happy. We can generally identify a sinner by the unconcern for anything spiritual; their ungodly character; their ungodly, and often disrespectful speech and of course their lack of interest in trying to be in the presence of Christian believers. What is often confusing is when we hear folk that meet most of the criteria just stated, yet they will tell someone that they are a ‘Christian’ or they attend church regularly. As a follower of Christ, we must often return to the cross and, like David, thank God for what He brought us through and where He brought us from. If we don’t do this we may tend to boast about what we did to achieve our rightness with God. While at the foot of the cross we should remind ourselves of the joyful song that we exuded at the time of our conversion, and ask God to refresh that song in our heart so that we may glow with His presence and His glory. When others see Jesus, yes even His qualities in us, they will burst in to worship to God! For those who have only heard of Jesus, they will trust in Him and seek His favor. So I guess my challenge to believers today is: Does others see enough difference in us that they would want any part of what incents us, what drives us or what motivates us? Are we singing the praises of a King’s kid, or are we portrayed to others as a beggar with lots of needs and having never been lovingly and spiritually touched by the Master? We will exude what is prominent inside of us. Why not put more of Jesus in, through daily time in the Word, prayer and communion with God?

 Prayer:

 I’m Yours Lord. May others see and be blessed in recognizing that You are mine also. May Your will, Your love and Your character be prominent in me so that You may be lifted up and that others may be drawn to You. Touch hardened hearts today so that they may not shy away from recognizing and accepting You. Touch the hearts of Your kids so that your glory may shine through every fiber of our lives and influence this world for You. Lord, may You be glorified today in all things that we do or say, for it is in Your precious and worthy name that I ask, AMEN!

 

Note: **If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

The Reward for Living Life Led By ‘The Spirit’!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, God Cares For Us, God Reigns, Holy Spirit, Imitator of Christ, Pleasing to God, Praise, Reaching the Lost, Reflecting Christ, Sin, SurrenderLeave a comment

The Bible –Good News Translation

Romans 8:13-14

13For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 14Those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children.

Thoughts:

We live our lives according to two principles: 1). Dedicated to, and led by, God’s Holy Spirit – This means that like me, you have given yourself totally and unreservedly to the Savior of this world – Jesus. And because He lives in You and gives you a desire for His Word and for a life dedicated to serving Him and imitating Him in character, deed and word, then according to vs 14 we are His children, and according to vs 13, we will live – meaning live forever with Him in heaven even after we leave this old world! Principle #2). Is that you do nothing about your sinful condition. In fact, it dominates your life, and every decision you make and every deed and action comes from the mind and life of human nature and not of God. Friends, it is plain in verse 13 that folk living under this principle are destined to ‘die’. For those of you that have resigned yourself to accept this principle must realize that Paul is not just referring to physical death – that we all must go through, but he is referring to everlasting death, and for those of you that refer to daily life as being hell on earth, I need to remind you that you ‘ain’t seen nothin yet’, for eternal damnation in hell after your life on this cruel earth, is one that would sadden God’s heart to see any of His creation become a part of. However, just as loving parents allow their children to make their own choices, God allows us to make a choice between principle (1) and principle (2). What would you wish for your favorite child? Would you consider anything less for yourself? Vs 14 declares that when we choose principle (1), we are considered God’s children. Fact – Jesus is King over all this world. Children of kings are known as Princes and Princesses! Secure your new title today friend, if you have not already made a decision for principle (1).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of serving You, and for giving me guidance, wisdom, strength and boldness to live my life as detailed in principle (1) above. Although excited about each day and the opportunities available to me, I am overwhelmed and super excited about the expectations of eternal life with You in glory! However, while here on this earth I become very anxious about my family and friends that have defaulted to principle (2) because of their lack of concern for a better life; a richer quality of life; a satisfied life knowing that You have every little thing under control and a praise-worthy life acknowledging that all things come from You, for our good and benefit, and that You have this whole life thing under Your control, with no reason for us to worry. Lord, I’m Yours – everything I am, everything I have! Thank You for taking it (life) from here! These praises, requests and acknowledgments are all presented in Your holy name and for Your glory, oh Lord, AMEN!

 

**If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

Your Actions Reveal Who You are Controlled By!

On By Ed AlgreenIn All have sinned, Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Eternal Life, Faith, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Peace, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

The Bible –Good News Translation

Romans 8:5-6

5Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. 6To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.

Thoughts:

I believe that anyone thinking straight and reflecting on their life would probably say that they have made a lot of decisions based on what they want; to make themselves happier; richer or more comfortable. Now, to switch gears and truly respond to the question of whether you are a Christian or not, I believe would depend on whether you can ultimately respond that your life is so aligned with your Lord and Savior that you make decisions based on what His Holy Spirit leads you to do. Some might respond that they must be a Christian because they were told by their parents about a time in their life when, as a child, they raised their hand with all the other children in Bible school (that they were forced to attend every week) and they accepted Jesus as their Lord! Friends, if my marriage was only as good as the day, 39 years ago, when I said I do, would you say that I truly make decisions for the benefit of my wife and I? Because I have totally committed my whole self to that relationship and I work on it daily, I make decisions that first of all please my wife, then perhaps that might please myself. Likewise, if you have personally invited Jesus into your heart, and you daily work on that relationship with Him through prayer (your conversation with God), digging into His Word (so that you may learn His will and character and listen to His responses to your prayers) and, make your decisions based on what you discern from God and that would please Him, then I believe that you have a real, active, living relationship with Jesus, and one that will lead to life and peace, as indicated in verse 6. If you do not have this latter type relationship that I spoke of, then you may very well fall under the first option mentioned in verse 6 – you are controlled by your human nature that results in eternal death. There is no middle ground friend. The Bible is clear – you either know Him personally and you have the promise of eternal life with Him and peace forevermore; or you are convinced that you are in control of your life – knowing that you will face eternal death in Hell with Satan and his angels. Given the options, I believe that the choice is easy and very clear, friend. Why not meet with a local, Bible Teaching pastor or church leader today, or contact me using the email address below, so that we may work, and pray with you and help you make the most important decision of your life?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You have declared in Your Word that Your choice would be that none should perish, but that all Your children are precious in Your sight. And because You sacrificed Your life for the redemption of our sin, You would really like to see us make wise decisions and accept the gift of eternal life that is offered through accepting You as our Lord and personal Savior. Dear Jesus, there are family and friends that I know that have not yet made the wise decision to accept Your love and Your offering of eternal life and peace. Please tender their hardened hearts and convict them of the need to make this vital decision today, as they have no assurance of future opportunities. May my friends who read this today be especially convicted by Your Holy Spirit, and may these words inspire them to not delay such important decisions any longer. I ask all this in the precious name of Jesus, the only One with power to convict the hearts of the lost, AMEN!

 

Note:

**If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

The Answer To Our Life of Contradictions

On By Ed AlgreenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Bible –The Message

Romans 7:21-25

21    …The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

24          I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

25          The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Thoughts:

I was happy to be reminded of this struggle that Paul faced, because it is very prevalent in my life. And because you have not attained perfection yet either, I would assume that it is probably the same in your life. We struggle daily with having the good intentions of doing what pleases God, yet walking right out of our prayer closets and doing just the opposite. Like Paul, we look back at our day and sometimes say that we are at the end of our rope with mere efforts and ‘want-to’s’ and we wonder if there is anything that could be done. I absolutely love verse 25 where Paul reminds us that the answer to this dilemma is Jesus Christ. For He died for us even while we were sinners and persecuting Him. Now we are reminded that He is the answer to our lives of contradictions. Granted, we can’t personally overcome this type of life, but we must lean on God’s Word where He reminds us that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. So do we dare look into God’s face and say that the sin within us is greater? If we do say that, we are actually saying that he that is in the world is greater than He that is in me, and that’s an incorrect statement. Friends, let’s be careful to give God full freedom in our lives so that He could be our God. Satan is very conniving and can easily overcome our personal weaknesses, but he has no power over our God, amen? Today let us put Satan in his place, behind God. Let’s give God thanks for being our deliverer from the evil of this world and instead leading us to life everlasting in Him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I need You today. I battle the same challenges that Paul battled, and I need the same help that he did. You have shown me in Your Word how to live. You have set the example for me through the life and character of Your precious Son. Please work steadfastly in my life so that I may overcome the negative pull of the evil one, the sinful nature of this world and the ungodly attitudes of many that I come into contact with. Please touch the hearts of Your people today, so that we may have power to overcome evil, and that we may live according to Your perfect will and design. You are holy, oh God, and if we are to be followers of Your precious Son, then we too must strive for holiness. Thank You for being the source of that power that we need to live like this! For I ask all this in Your most holy name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

Note:

**If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

The Goodness of the Lord!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Celebrate God, Our Help comes from God, Power of Prayer, Praise, WorshipLeave a comment

The Bible –Good News Translation

 Psalm 36:5-9

 5           Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the skies.

6           Your righteousness is towering like the mountains; your justice is like the depths of the sea. People and animals are in your care.

7           How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings.

8           We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness.

9           You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light.

Thoughts:

I believe that I can just leave the actual Bible verses above for you to meditate on today and you will soon agree with me that we serve such an awesome God! I love the way that David was blessed with adding his thoughts to paper, because his songs of praise is a constant reminder to us that we should look for opportunities to worship, praise and thank our God for His unlimited mercies. Recently a ministry that I subscribe to, Daily Audio Bible, was led into a special day set aside to connect with God. It was called ‘Long Walk’, in which subscribers were asked to take that day away from life’s normal routine and just talk with God, perhaps while on a long walk, and listen intently to His voice. Although I was not in a position to do this, I was blessed by the idea, because we often take so little time to really connect with God outside of our busy, daily chores. Although participants had the opportunity to voice their special times on a Facebook page designed for that purpose, I could only imagine how meaningful that would really be, and the many things we would find to share with God that we ordinarily would not find time for as we rush around each day. These words from David makes me feel like he really had some quality time with God, and that he chose to commit to print the conversations he had with God, so that we may follow in his writings and be reminded of how blessed we really are. Friend, let me encourage you to take time today and bask in the goodness of our God, and while you are soaking it up, please remember to talk to God about what you are feeling, and plan to share that with a friend. Yes, the blessings are coming at you, but by sharing that with someone, they will be encouraged to know that God is still actively working in and among us, amen?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, how can I ever thank You enough for Your tender mercies, Your gracious and undeserving love, Your watchful eye over me so that I may be kept safe and especially encouraged by Your presence. Your goodness is everlasting, and You have chosen to bless even me. Thank You fairest Lord Jesus! No doubt there will be a friend meditating on this devotional today that may not recognize Your love, because their hearts have been hardened by the sin of this world. Please tender their hearts and help them to recognize that Your love extends to even them, if only they would open their hearts and lives to accept Your free gift of eternal life. Lord, I pray that I and Your people will be a praising people and a thankful people who look for reasons to recognize Your goodness. Your love never fails, dear God, and I thanks You and praise You for that! For it is in Your wonderful and matchless name that I pray, AMEN!

 

Note: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.

Jesus Comes To Us In Our Struggles!

On By Ed AlgreenIn LoveLeave a comment

The Bible –Good News Translation

 Mark 6:47-48

 47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, while Jesus was alone on land. 48He saw that his disciples were straining at the oars, because they were rowing against the wind; so some time between three and six o’clock in the morning he came to them, walking on the water.

 Thoughts:

No doubt you are like me, in that we wake up and find ourselves off course from where we expected to find ourselves at a given time in life, and we wonder how on earth do we turn this around or get our lives back on track. Jesus’ disciples were traveling in a boat across the lake to Bethsaida, when a storm arose and blew them off course. Notice that the Word says that Jesus was well aware of the struggle His disciples were going through. That in itself is rewarding because it reminds me that Jesus is aware of what I am going through. He knows where I want to be, but just as important, He knows the struggles of this world that are holding me back and forcing me off course. It may be health, or finances or family issues, or a thousand other things, He knows what we are facing. The following course of action is even more exciting, because the Bible tells me that He arose from what He was doing and went to the disciples – He went to their rescue, to help them. We look at our children, see their struggles, and we want to jump in and help, but often our pride or an attitude of wanting to see them learn a lesson and actually ask for help may prevent us from stepping forward. Jesus already knows our hearts friends, so He knows what we need, when we need it and how badly we need it. I am amazed that in spite of our worldly distractions, yet Jesus comes to our rescue and calms our waters of worry and hopelessness and fills us with His joy and His peace and our hope for eternity with Him in heaven! Wow, what an awesome God that we serve! Amen? Do you know Him personally friend? If not, please consider following the suggestion in the footnote today. Jesus wants to welcome you and care for you just like He did for the disciples in that boat!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for being my Savior. The One who sacrificed life itself for my sin, and to secure my future with You in glory! As reminded in this text today, let me also thank You for coming to my rescue when You noticed that I am running off course because of worldly struggles that distract my walk. This is way more than I could ever expect, and deserve, but thank You for loving me in this way, which is so much more than I can comprehend, based on this world’s standards. I adore You dear Jesus, and I thank You for loving me this much, in spite of my human frailness. Please continue to watch out for me, and I welcome You to come to my rescue at any time. I am sure that my Christian brothers and sisters are also plagued with these same insecurities and challenges in their daily lives. Please allow this study to open their eyes to Your amazing love and concern for them. Lord, may this be a day that some lost person may come across this devotional, and be so reminded of Your love, that they might surrender their life wholly and solely to You. I ask all this in the precious name of Jesus, my Lord, AMEN!

Note:

**If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.