Scripture: Numbers 13.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Numbers 13:30-31 (NLT)

30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”

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

This story is evidence that a majority vote will normally win an argument! However, as Christians we must be careful to measure even the popular vote against what God says in His Word. For in this story we can see where the majority of the men that went to scout out the Promised Land that God had promised to them, returned with very negative thoughts. In fact, reading their accounts it is very evident that they only accounted for their abilities, in spite of all the miracles they had seen firsthand while travelling through the wilderness. Caleb, on the other hand knew the power source behind them and was convinced that this challenge was nothing compared to the obstacles they had overcome with God’s help while traveling through the wilderness. Friends, this is typical of people in general where some may look at the glass half empty, while others see it half full. We have a book with story after story that detail miracle after miracle. We meet together with other believers that testify to the great power that our God demonstrates in their lives day after day, and with all that as our back drop, we should display all the faith, courage and abilities as anyone here on earth could possibly muster up. Unfortunately, there may be times that we focus on the majority vote, instead of the awesome God that we serve. May we all be encouraged to be like Caleb today and stay focused on God and His awesome power, and not on the circumstances that could very easily lead us astray. Think about it, there is nothing that our God and us cannot conquer. Why not let Him?

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

Lord Jesus, I believe with all my heart that, as children of the all-powerful, almighty God, we are more than conquers in all things. Please help me to keep my eyes focused on this truth today. Please touch the life of that friend who is struggling to see the positive side of Your power and strength today. Please give them the confidence of Caleb to encourage them in their circumstances 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: Numbers 11.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Numbers 11:21-23 (NLT)

21 But Moses responded to the LORD, “There are 600,000 foot soldiers here with me, and yet you say, ‘I will give them meat for a whole month!’ 22 Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?”

23 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!”

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

All too often we allow the spirit of weakness to well up in us and overpower us. We are reminded from God’s Word about His great power and we see from current miracles that our God’s not dead, He’s very much alive and just as powerful today as in all the evidence that we see in His Word. Yet we come before this awesome God like weak and defeated folk who has no knowledge of God. In verse 23, God became visibly upset with Moses, because in spite of the miracles God had done through Moses and in his presence, yet Moses had the audacity to doubt how he and God were going to feed the multitude of people gathered as an army for Moses. Friend, don’t beat up on Moses. We are even worse when we go before God in prayer on behalf of something or someone, with challenges that appear to be a mountain to us. Friends, we serve an awesome God, whose power excels anything we could ever imagine. Let us place our total selves in His hands and immerse ourselves in His love, and allow His mighty hand to reign over everything in our lives or anything that could ever trouble us. Rest assured, He has this covered. He’s in control! We just need to let go and let God have His will and way. He can do it!

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

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for falling short in the area of faith and complete confidence in You at times. Thank You for this reminder this morning, that You are God and God alone. I have no reason to doubt Your power, Your grace and Your love for me. Please allow me to place my hand in Yours today with the greatest confidence in knowing that You are still God and can do all things that bring honor and glory to 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: Mark 8.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Mark 8:27-29 (NLT)

27 Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

29 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

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

I believe that if the right person asked us how we feel about Jesus, we might respond that He’s my best friend, my Lord and Savior, my deliverer and I love Him wholeheartedly. Now, I also believe that if we were challenged with that question by someone we didn’t know very well, or we didn’t know where that person stood, we may respond a little more reservedly. My challenge today is verse 29, where Jesus is asking very pointedly to each of us, but who do you say I am? This takes on a new perspective, because Jesus knows us very personally. He knows if we respond hypocritically, for He knows our very heart. So my challenge to us all is, how would we respond to Jesus if asked this question today? I bet for those of us without challenges, this may be a quick, easy, very positive answer. For those of us that are faced with challenges, I need to remind us that Jesus is Lord of all, yes all of life’s challenges and good times. He died a sacrificial life for us, while we were yet sinners, so of course He loves us and cares about all that is going on in our lives. Let’s not turn our backs on Him, or love Him any less if we are thrown a cure ball today with a challenge that may cause us to question “where is God?” Jesus said that He will be with us, even until the end of time here on this earth. Careful not to disown Him or think less of Him when things are not going our way.

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

Thank You Lord for loving me even through the worst of times. Yes, even in times that I may not be very proud of. Please strengthen Your people today so that we may learn to stay loyal to Your love, and our Savior, even in times when things are not going the way we want them. Thank You for loving me. May I always be loyal and loving to You in return.

**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 7.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Mark 7:20-23 (NLT)

20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 2 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.

23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

Philippians 4:8

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

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

Folk may sometimes say that the Bible is full of negative things, because all it ever tells you about are the things that you shouldn’t do. This passage in Mark is probably one of those, because Jesus is warning us about how important it is for us to protect our heart and our soul, for most terrible things that occur come from a heart that is defiled, or soured. Praise God though, that over in Philippians 4 we are told what should occupy our mind, our heart and our soul. Friends I want to encourage you today to: a). Protect your heart from the things mentioned in Mark, for we are warned that these will lead to no good, and b). Look at the positive side of things when faced with challenges or just everyday life. I believe that as we look at the good in folk, we will see good folk, and we will allow them to influence areas of our lives that we may struggle with. Let’s not allow the negative found in many folk to have a negative impact on our already challenged lives.

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

Lord Jesus, I will be faced with choices and decisions today where I will decide whether to respond negatively or positively. I am convinced that with Your help, strength and direction, I can make wise choices that will lead to a positive experience others may have in dealing with me. Lord, I want to be just like You, so it is important that I stop and listen to Your voice before making stupid responses or acting in ways that will not reflect Your loving nature. Please have Your will and way in my life today, so that I may represent You well in all of life’s circumstances.

**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 6.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Mark 6:5-6 (NLT)

5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.

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

I wonder what Jesus is saying about our faith today? Yes, I mean those of us that have accepted Him as Lord; that attend church regularly; that pray daily. Now wait just a minute you might say to those comments, why else would I go through the motions every day? Friends, I believe that if we stop for a moment and really think about the doubt that we really show when we seek God’s face in prayer about a health problem, but then we go on to great lengths to seek doctor’s advice, or perhaps the special prayer of an evangelist who we have been told really has success in his healing services. What happened to the prayer that you and a fellow Christian had together? Not effective enough? Not enough faith between the two of you? Unfortunately these are questions we must ask ourselves when we go to God in prayer. Are we asking with enough faith and confidence that we can walk away believing that it will be done? Or are we filled with so much doubt that Jesus might move on to the next town as He did in Mark 6:6? I have a gut feeling that if Jesus would audibly speak to many of our churches today, He would probably first say “O ye of little faith”. Friends, this same Jesus whose death and miraculous resurrection we celebrate at Easter time, is the one we question in our faith when we doubt His healing power. Really no reason for us to do that, right?

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

Lord Jesus, please forgive me when I doubt. I have so much in Your Word to reassure me of your miraculous power and Your healing touch, yet I constantly question Your power to impact my life and the small issues that I bring before You. I know that I serve a Mighty God. I know that I serve an all-powerful God. I know that Your wisdom and Your abilities far exceeds any need that I could ever have, and because of Your love, I know that You are just waiting for me to ask in true humility and faith. There is nothing more that I need than to know You intimately and trust You completely. Thank You for humbling Yourself to impact even me. I love You Lord!

**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: Leviticus 22.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Leviticus 22:31-33 (NLT)

31 “You must faithfully keep all my commands by putting them into practice, for I am the LORD.

32 Do not bring shame on my holy name, for I will display my holiness among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who makes you holy.

33 It was I who rescued you from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. I am the LORD.”

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

God had just given Moses a lot of rules and procedures that He wanted the people of Israel to follow. At first glance, these appear to be onerous and almost strange when observing the liberties and ways that we see in our culture today. However, we must realize that this was the first time that these folk were exposed to following any type of strict rules, for we saw in the wilderness that as soon as Moses turned his head and went up the mountain to meet with God, their minds went back to their old ways and they began worshipping idols. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior today, we come to Him with a lot of preconceived ideas on how to live life. It takes Bible study, church attendance and being around other Christians to help us understand and live according to God’s design. God is reminding us today, like He did through Moses to the people of Israel, that He is the Lord that makes us holy, and that we are to obey His commands as laid out in His Word, for He is holy. In verse 33 I believe that God is also saying to us that He rescued us from our world of sin so that He might be our God. He wants us so badly to follow His ways so that He can be our God. Having seen the mighty works of the almighty God, I would recommend that we do what He says. Are you ready to join me, friends?

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

Lord Jesus I pray that You will be forever on my case to follow You carefully and in all sincerity, because I want You to always be my God. I acknowledge that You are Lord, and I want to daily live like You are Lord of my life in every way. Please guide me to follow Your ways and obey Your commands. I love the song that goes something like this, “I’m Yours Lord, Everything I’ve Got, Everything I am, …..”

**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 4.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Mark 4:39-40 (NLT)

39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

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

In our times of trouble, distress, stress, pain, loss, heartache or fear, do we sometimes feel like the disciples did when they felt like Jesus had fallen asleep and/or forgotten about them? Of course we, unfortunately do this. Jesus’ disciples had seen the miracles and the awesome power of God, so they knew what He was capable of doing, that’s why they went to wake Jesus up – because they knew that He could handle the whole situation for them. Today, we have the good fortune of having God’s Holy Word, and we could read about the many different ways that Jesus exerted His power, so we know what He is capable of doing. Why then do we allow our fears to run away with us and create that doubt in our mind? Friends, stand firm in your faith and in the mighty God that we serve. Allow Him to protect, guide and direct our ways for His good. Remember, even though we may sometimes feel like we are so out of control over a situation, we serve a God who can handle it all, therefore we need to let go and let God be God.

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

Lord Jesus, so often we face situations that we feel so out of control in. We face giants in our lives that make us feel so minute and out of control. This passage today has reminded me that You are the Master of this universe, and as such You have the power to control every little detail. Please remind me to willingly surrender my concerns to You and allow You to be God. I know that You love me beyond compare and that You will do things for my ultimate good. Thank You for that kind of love!

**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 3.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Mark 3:1-2 (NLT)

1 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.

2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

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

Jesus did nothing but good, yet there were folk that hated and despised Him. In the above verses we are seeing the results of Jesus exposing the sin of the Pharisees, for He had exposed their bad attitudes. I believe that people are no different today. In fact, I believe the proof is evident in the number of different denominations and cults that we see around today. Somewhere along the way, someone interpreted the Gospel in a way that stepped on someone’s toes, so they started another church or denomination or cult. Friends I want to remind you that the Word of God is offensive to the sinner, because their sin is exposed and they are individually challenged to make a decision about whether they will go on sinning, seek forgiveness of their sin, or attend a gathering where others feel the way they do about the subject. I would challenge believers to think of this, that if you live your life in a way pleasing to this world, you are probably not following God’s commands. If you live/teach/preach the unadulterated Word of God, and if God is not already challenging a person about their spiritual condition, then what you have to say will hit some very sensitive nerves, as the individual is being told that they may not be perfect in every way. Friends, if we haven’t been a challenge to anyone lately, then we are probably going with the flow and living like the world. Let me challenge us to draw near to God; Allow Him to draw close to us; Be obedient to God and His precious Word; Watch God boldly work on His children, and be prepared to pray earnestly for those who surrender to the call of Christ so that they may be obedient in following His commands unconditionally.

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

Lord Jesus, I’m sorry that way too often we want to be accepted, so we give in to the ways, concepts and will of the world, rather than placing our total faith and trust in You. Many times this could make the difference of where someone will spend eternity, so I realize where the importance of doing this ‘life’ thing right, could have unbelievable effects on ourselves and those that we have influence over. Please mold me daily so that I may be pliable and usable by You in every way dear Lord. Thank You for providing a ‘way’ for us. In Jesus’ wonderful Name I humbly ask, Amen!

**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: Leviticus 18.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Leviticus 18:1-5 (NLT)

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the LORD your God. 3 So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. 4 You must obey all my regulations and be careful to obey my decrees, for I am the LORD your God.
5 If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD.

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

I underlined a section of the verses above that really spoke to me. In evangelism training we are taught that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we make a 180 degree turn from our old way of living to the new life in Christ. This concept is developed even further in these key verses, for God told Moses that He not only expected His people that He had rescued from Eqypt to discontinue their sinful lifestyles that they developed in Egypt, but He also did not expect them to imitate the lives of those in the new country in which He had led them. Instead they were to live in accordance with the laws and regulations taught to them during their time in the wilderness. Now let’s try and apply this to Christianity and see the similarity. When one surrenders themselves to Christ and decides that with God’s help they will give up their old lives of sin and live according to the Word of God, I believe that God and His church are all happy. Unfortunately when this new Christian plants themselves into a church, they often find a group of Christians that still struggle with giving up their old lives and therefore could become either an encourager to the new Christian or a bad example. I believe that Jesus desires that we strive to be like Him in every way, even if that sometimes lead to a lifestyle different to that of our non-Christian friends or our new-found Christian friends. I would encourage my friends that may read this to surrender your life to Jesus as your everlasting Lord and Savior, and to live a life dedicated to Him and in obedience to His Word. This may often lead to disagreeing with others around you, but keep your goal as one that will lead to eternal life in heaven with Jesus, and not in pleasing friends.

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

Lord, my desire is to one day be with You in glory with as few regrets as possible about my life here on earth. You have a design for my life here on earth, as detailed throughout Your Word. Please help me to daily align myself with Your desire for me while here on earth, and guide me to a life of holiness that represents You in every way.

**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 2.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Mark 2:2-5 (NLT)

2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.

4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.

5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

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

The sentence that I underlined really caught my attention as I studied this passage of scripture. Join me in considering what many of us may have said or done, should this incident happen today. Don’t you imagine that the problems would begin in finding enough able men to help us carry this man to Jesus? I’m sure that excuses such as: “I heard that you can’t get anywhere near Jesus because of the crowds, and I must be back in an hour to catch the game, so I can’t take that chance in leaving to go with you” or “I just got home from work and I can’t leave that quickly, can’t you find someone else to go?” or “I have family in town and I can’t leave them for what may wind up being an hour or more, and to take the old crippled before a man claiming to be God?” or “My family needs me tonight way more than this mission you have dreamed up to take old Jack before this so called prophet who doesn’t even worship with us each week”. Now imagine arriving at the home where Jesus is, and the excuses that would be used by our current day Christian workers. Friends, before you consider me a lunatic for thinking this way, try and attend our prayer meetings on Wednesday evenings where less than 1% of our members see the necessity to attend, where they could join in prayer for a crippled like the one mentioned in this story, and even the ones that attend are either too timid to talk to God openly or they feel like it’s the pastor’s job or perhaps the deacon’s job to say some fancy prayer. Friends, I believe that where we go wrong is that we try to compare ourselves to another and their prayer style, instead of speaking from the heart to the One who created us and knows everything about us. He knows our thoughts before we speak them, so there is no need to fancy them up in order to sound just like Uncle James. Because of the faith and actions of the men who carried this man to Jesus, the man was healed. Do we put enough into our prayer lives that we might expect to see healing for another? Being convinced about the One whom we serve and to whom we pray, should give us confidence in our prayer lives and give us reason to be committed to Him until the end. How is it with you, Brother? How about you, Sister?

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

Lord Jesus I must come before You in humility this morning asking for Your forgiveness for the times that I have come before You in prayer for a Brother or Sister, but yet with such doubt and unbelief in my heart. Please take this vessel and mold it to be just like You. Please help me to be in tuned with You and Your Word each and every day so that I may hear Your voice and obey Your commands, and become more like You in my words and in my actions.

**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
**