Scripture: Deuteronomy 20.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (NLT)

16 In those towns that the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession, destroy every living thing.

17 You must completely destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, just as the LORD your God has commanded you.

18 This will prevent the people of the land from teaching you to imitate their detestable customs in the worship of their gods, which would cause you to sin deeply against the LORD your God.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

There is so much about the Old Testament that we can look at today and turn our heads from because it all sounds so cruel and primitive. However, the principle behind the decisions and actions bear a lot of value that, if considered today, could result in stronger families, a stronger nation and a strong world. We have become so accustomed to compromise, and willing to do so much in the name of equal rights, that we find no reason to stand our ground based on principles we learn and believe from God’s Word. In the verses chosen today we can see where God saw such a need to remove the temptation that might cause His people to worship other gods, and to commit detestable sin, that He ordered that the invaders totally destroy the inhabitants of the land they were entering. Friends, we often find ourselves in precarious positions today where we are willing to accept so much, yes even that which is spoken against in God’s Word. When we allow anything that is acceptable to this old wicked world, we are often in great compromise to God’s Word. Throughout the surrounding chapters we are shown what the Israelites were taught to do with those found guilty of certain sins. In today’s world, we have become acceptable of these things because we don’t want to get into the other person’s business, or because God loves them just as they are. We find excuses for our acceptance. God’s Word is clear, He hates sin and He hates actions that are opposite to that which is taught in His Word. Friends, if God hates these things, we should never believe that He wants His imitators, His children, those who are called by His name, to do otherwise. We must learn to stand on the teachings of the Bible, even if we become unpopular to this world.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, as I read Your Word, I believe there is much that You detest about the happenings in this world in which I live. Ashamedly I must admit that there are probably times that You also detest Your people, Your chosen people, those who are called by Your name, because we have become so much like this world. So much so that folk may often find it difficult to determine the difference. Lord, You have given us Your Book of Instructions so that we may know what pleases You and what is detestable to You. Please open my eyes today so that I may walk in obedience to Your Word. Please give me boldness to speak up for what You teach as the right thing if I am to represent You fairly and truthfully. Please forgive me where I have failed in this.

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Deuteronomy 17.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (NLT)

18 “When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.

19 He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.

20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

God was preparing the Israelites for their entry into their new country, The Promised Land. God knew that they would probably want a king, so He gave them explicit instructions about how this man must be one of them, but then He also told them how important it was for the king to know the Word of God. This would be accomplished by writing it out onto a scroll, an awesome task, but then he was supposed to read the Word of God daily. Now we hear a lot about this today from our pastors, but I want to draw your attention to the reasons why this king was to do this, because this also applies to us today friends:

1. As he learnt the Word, he would follow in obedience to its terms and instructions;
   
2. It would teach him humility, and stop him from becoming proud and feeling like he was better than, or above his fellow citizens;
   
3. It would give him guidance and be a constant reminder to help him avoid disobedience to God’s commands in even the slightest way;
   
4. It would give him and his descendants longevity in their jobs – governing the people.
   

Friends, I don’t know about you, but this gives a renewed reason for studying God’s Word. It really impacts our lives and our whole outlook on life – the reason for our existence. We fall into such a routine each day, but when we are pumped up by the Word of God and allow it to impact our lives in these powerful ways, life becomes so much more worthwhile and impactful to others. Remember, all of this begins with daily reading and studying of the Word of God. If you are not already doing this, I urge you to make this a priority in your day. At the end of each day when you failed to do this, always say that “it was not a priority to me today”, and not say the usual “I just didn’t have time”!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, I have always felt the importance of reading Your Word. Thank You for showing me the reasons why this daily reading is so important. Please help me to continue to make this a priority in my day, so that I may be obedient to it; be humbled by it, be guided by it and that I and my family may be blessed with longevity in our jobs – all for Your ultimate glory and praise! Thank You Father for Your precious Word!

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Luke 4.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 4:14 (NLT)

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

At a time when Jesus had just returned from being tempted by Satan for 40 days, a time when many would take another 40 days in counseling to overcome the pressure and depression from that time of temptation, yet the Bible says that Jesus returned ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’s power’. Not only is that amazing, but the Word also says that filled with such power, He went on to accomplish a lot of ministry in the area. Friends, I believe that when we fail to connect sincerely with God and allow Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit, we fumble through witnessing and other forms of ministry. In fact when we fail to fill ourselves with God’s Holy Spirit, we are very full of ourselves, and what power do we have to change the sinful minds of those that we come in touch with every day? It is only through our humble submission to Him; only through the wonderful blood of Jesus; only through the power of the Almighty; only when we speak in His name and under His power that anything spiritual can be accomplished of eternal significance. Let’s examine ourselves and present ourselves daily as living sacrifices to the Master, so that He might empty us of sin and self and fill us with His awesome power so that He may accomplish great things through us. Let’s commit to doing things in Jesus’ name and for His glory, with nothing pointing to us, less we are tempted to boast of our strength and our power that just doesn’t exist when it comes to ministering to the soul of mankind.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Dear Lord, You have placed me here as Your humble servant, awaiting my next set of instructions, so that You might accomplish a great work in and through me. Please help me daily to give You priority, while brushing self aside. I pray that I will be so full of Your Holy Spirit, that You will use me as your instrument to speak to those that I come in contact with and to bring healing and comfort to those in need of a touch from the Master. Please help me to be so filled with Your Spirit that even in circumstances where I may have otherwise become depressed by life’s challenges, yet through Your power even greater works might be accomplished. Have Your will and way in my life today dear Lord. Please speak to the hearts of my friends that may read this devotional, that they may get the message that You would have us discern from Your scriptures today.

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 12:28&32 (NLT)

28 Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the LORD your God.

32 “So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

In reading God’s Word I believe that He often draws my attention to the exact, positive meaning of a passage. However I find that He often causes me to say, yes but what if the opposite is true. In other words, verse 28 is clear in telling us that when we are careful to obey God’s commands, it will give reason to all going well with us and our children. Now friends, we all know that there are some who will not always obey God’s commands. Unfortunately I believe that the Word is also saying to us that they could look forward to trouble in paradise. In other words, there is no promise that all will go well with them and their children. Friends, is this getting your attention and, like me, helping you to realize that when everything around us seems to be going wrong and life itself seems hopeless, that we now know where to examine and what needs attention? I believe that the Word is clear that our relationship with God is paramount to our (us and our family’s) peace, contentment and well-being. God didn’t intend for us to be islands unto ourselves, He designed us to be like Him – loving and kind to everyone and obedient to the Father. Let it be pleasing to God how obedient you are to His commands, and how you get along with others today.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, thank You for Your Word. We hear about so much depression, and so much strife and envy among Your people, yet it is clear from Your Word that we bring much of that on ourselves by being disobedient to Your Word and selfish in our actions and love towards others. Please forgive us for straying away from Your perfect design and doing our ‘own thing’. Please redirect our paths and help us to be more like You today and obedient to Your Word.

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11 and
Luke 3.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NLT)

26 “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! 27 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. 28 But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.

Luke 3:8 (NLT)

8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God……..

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

I find it amazing when people stop me and tell me who my dad is, because they see enough in my features or my actions that they easily recognize to whom I belong. Wouldn’t it be an effective means of reaching the lost if they could recognize from what little they know of God, to whom we belong? Just as in Deuteronomy where God gave the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse, so has He also given us a choice today. As we make our choice, so shall we live. Can others recognize the choice that you have made, friend? In Luke 3 we are also reminded that we will prove by the way we live, to whom we belong. As we enter each new day, we are given these choices and it is important that we make a deliberate choice and stick to it. The results will be blessings or curses, depending on our choice. I would ask that you consider joining me in my choice to live for God today so that His light might shine through me and touch the lives of others who may make bad choices today. Living as bold witnesses of the One in whom we believe, is the only real choice in these verses this morning, I trust that you will make a good choice today!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, I know that old Satan is very busy these days, but praise God, I also know that You are so much more powerful and effective than the adversary. I pray that You will answer my prayer to lead a life worthy of Your calling and one that will exemplify You in every way. Lost folk need to see evidence of You today, not a life tainted by sin or twisted by the untruths of this world. I praise You for Your almighty power to overcome sin, and I thank You for be willing to work through the humility of Your servants like me. May it be very evident to those whose paths I may cross today that I am a follower of Yours and that Your presence is very evident in all that I might say or do. I know whom I have believed, now may others see that in my life.

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Luke 2.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Luke 2:6-7 (NLT)

6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.

7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

Although a very familiar passage of scripture, God really spoke to me through the one little phrase that I bolded, especially as I read the whole chapter. At first reading of this little phrase we might think very poorly of the inn keepers back in Bethlehem, but then God spoke to me and reminded me how we tend to do this so much in our day, in our own lives. You know how sometimes we just don’t feel like going to church? Could it be that we just don’t feel like having Jesus around at that moment? Now, before you question whether I am saying that Jesus can only be found at church, no that’s not what I am saying. If we are truly honest with ourselves, I believe there are times when we may say, or indicate with our actions, that we just can’t be bothered with the things of God at this time. Ever heard someone say when they feel like they are in an undesirable place, I sure hope that Jesus doesn’t return at this time and find me in this place? Where did we leave Jesus at that time? We obviously didn’t have a place for Him in our activity at that time! Jesus said in His Word that He would ‘always’ be with us. Do we make room for Him at all times? We really should!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, thank You for always being there for me. I pray that there will never be a time that You feel unwelcomed by me because of the company I am in, or the place that I may be, or the activity I may be involved in.

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6 – 8.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 8:11-18 (NLT)

11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.

12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in,

13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful!

14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.

15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock!

16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good.

17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’

18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

Throughout the three chapters noted above, there is a common theme – Obedience, and the importance of it. As I read verses 11-18 I was reminded of how true and applicable the same warnings are for us today. I was directed to a commentary that really touched my heart in its explanation of obedience and I want to simply share that with you this morning:

In times of plenty, we often take credit for our prosperity and become proud that our own hard work and cleverness have made us rich. It is easy to get so busy collecting and managing wealth that we push God right out of our lives. But it is God who gives us everything we have, and it is God who asks us to manage it for Him. Deuteronomy 8:1 tells us to obey God’s commandments. We do this by obeying God with…

OUR HEART – By loving him more than any relationship, activity, achievement, or possession

OUR WILL – By committing ourselves completely to him

OUR MIND – By seeking to know him and his Word, so his principles and values form the foundation of all we think and do

OUR BODY – By recognizing that our strengths, talents, and sexuality are given to us by God to be used for pleasure and fulfillment according to his rules, not ours

OUR FINANCES – By deciding that all of the resources we have ultimately come from God, and that we are to be managers of them and not owners

OUR FUTURE – By deciding to make service to God and man the main purpose of our life’s work

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Dear Lord I have been reminded of the importance of obeying You and Your commands. It is so easy to give lip service and say that we will obey, but yet as Your Word so aptly says: as soon as we get over the hump; as soon as our dire need is met; as soon as our emergency is over, we quickly return to a mode of pride in all that ‘we’ can do ourselves. Please forgive me for being so independent and for taking my eyes off You. Thank You for always being there for me. Thank You for Your outstretched hand to help me in all of life’s circumstances. Please help me to always be obedient to Your Word, for Your ways are not my ways, and Your ways are truly perfect in every way. Lord, I praise You for watching out for me and directing my daily path. May I be obedient in every aspect of my life so that my life might truly be a living testimony of the Savior that loved me so much that He gave up His greatest treasure, His only Son, so that I may one day join Him in heaven for all eternity. Thank You Lord Jesus!

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Deuteronomy 3.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 3:1-2 (NLT)

1 “Next we turned and headed for the land of Bashan, where King Og and his entire army attacked us at Edrei.

2 But the LORD told me, ‘Do not be afraid of him, for I have given you victory over Og and his entire army, and I will give you all his land. Treat him just as you treated King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon.’

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

Many of us tend to be ‘worry warts’ in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, this applies to Christians and non-Christians alike, so I want us to be reminded of something God told Moses in the above verses. Now God had already helped Moses through many situations, overcoming huge armies, the red sea obstacle and lots more. But at the time that Moses was looking at the army of King Og, it was a huge mountain to him that he was unsure he and his men could overcome. God knew this, so He put Moses at peace by assuring him that He had this one under control. I believe that this is something that we face each day – the doubt and fear about how we are going to handle the challenges that we are about to face. Wouldn’t it be great if we had the confidence that Moses had? Think about it friend, we serve the same awesome, powerful God, so obviously it is a matter of our faith that is lacking. Perhaps it is a matter of relationship between us and our Maker that is lacking, because as we grow in a relationship we become more trusting of the other party. We also become more knowledgeable about the other party. As we know God, and as we trust God, we will place our faith in Him and learn about His awesome love and great power to do so much for us. How is it with you friend? Have you developed your relationship with God to an extent that you can face your day in confidence knowing that He goes before you and He is handling all the challenging things that tend to make you nervous? I praise God that He loves me that much that He would look out for me in such meaningful ways!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord, I am thankful for who You are. I am thankful for Your love for me in meaningful ways, so that I may face this day in confidence, knowing that You’re in control and that there is nothing too big or impossible for You to handle, for all things are possible with and through You. Please guide me in Your way today, protect me from harm and lead me in a path where I may share Your grace and love with someone who need to know You.

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 1:42-45 (NLT)

42 “But the LORD told me to tell you, ‘Do not attack, for I am not with you. If you go ahead on your own, you will be crushed by your enemies.’

43 “This is what I told you, but you would not listen. Instead, you again rebelled against the LORD’s command and arrogantly went into the hill country to fight.

44 But the Amorites who lived there came out against you like a swarm of bees. They chased and battered you all the way from Seir to Hormah.

45 Then you returned and wept before the LORD, but he refused to listen.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

From the title, many of you may have been curious enough to open this blog to confirm that this Brother has definitely lost his mind, right? However, what I have done is merely quote, or perhaps slightly re-worded verse 45 of Deuteronomy 1. I believe that we can tell from this passage that God had given His instructions, much like He does in providing instructions to us through His written Word today, but the people rebelled against and disobeyed God, much like we do today when we insist on doing things our way. However, in verse 45 the Israelites returned and wept before the Lord after realizing their wrongdoings, and today we come back to God and ask for forgiveness because we chose to do things our way. Friends, I am here to draw to your attention that, as in the case of the Israelites, there may come a time that God may refuse to listen because of our total disregard of His divine instructions, and because of our pridefulness and determination to do things our way. I can’t think of one thing that I might regret more than to know that as I plead before my loving Savior, that He shuts me off and refuses to listen. For He is the One who is always there for me when all else around me fails and when there appears like there is no one else who is listening to me or caring what I may have to say. I am reminded that I am the servant and He is the Master, and it behooves me to listen carefully and obey Him. I must not do anything that causes Him to shut His ear to my cry. How about you, friend? Will you also recommit to obedience today?

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Dear Lord, thanks for loving me enough to guide me each day and show me Your ways and Your character, so that I may follow in obedience and be blessed by You. Please impact my conscience so severely each time that I am tempted to do otherwise, so that I will quickly turn from my wicked and selfish ways and turn to You for Your perfect will. You loved me enough to die for me Lord Jesus, oh that I may return that love through total obedience to You, and in my efforts to be more like You each day.

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**

Scripture: Mark 15.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Mark 15:39 (NLT)

39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

The Roman officer, who was probably at the crucifixion to protect the interest of the Roman government, saw something about Jesus that got his attention and made him remark as he did in verse 39. In fact, I believe that it would be safe to say that this event made a believer out of this officer. So often during our day we see miraculous things, yet we hear folk attributing them to ‘the man upstairs’ or ‘mother nature’ or whatever. Friends, that may be ok for a non-believer to say, but not for a believer. In fact, in that circumstance God has just opened the door for you to praise Him. Imagine having a non-believer friend in the car with you, and while driving down a country road you see a few deer frolicking through the pasture. There are many things that you could say, some positive and others negative, but why not use that as an opportunity to comment on the beauty of all that God has made for us to enjoy, followed by something like “Isn’t God good”? This could open up the door for additional moments of truth where you might share other areas of your life where God shows His beauty. For someone reading this who may not know my God, please stop and smell the roses. The beauty around us is a blessing from God. It didn’t just appear. Look for the beauty in things today, and give credit (or praise) where it belongs, to the maker of this universe and all that is in it. He truly is the Son of God, and He truly loves you and I. Let’s give Him praise today for being such an awesome God!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, You truly are the Son of God, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Deliverer, my Friend and my everlasting Father. Thank You for all that You provide for me each day to make it through this life, and for all that You provide for my enjoyment and praise. May I never fail to praise You in all things, is my humble prayer today, while saying thank You for welcoming me into Your family and kingdom!

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**