Scripture: Revelation 16.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Revelation 16:8-15 (NLT)

8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, causing it to scorch everyone with its fire.

9 Everyone was burned by this blast of heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over all these plagues. They did not repent of their sins and turn to God and give him glory.

10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. His subjects ground their teeth in anguish,

11 and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God.

15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

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

As I’ve read through the Bible I have seen where there have been many warnings about the wrath of God, His second coming, His dislike of sin and sinful acts. I have also noticed where warnings have often failed, and consequently thousands of people have suffered cruel deaths. We are no different today. It’s not until something drastic occurs that the whole country goes on high alert and we become very cautious and protective for a period of time. Back when the unfortunate incident occurred on 9/11/2001, there were lines backed up at churches nearby the Trade Center, and the following Sunday morning churches were filled. Unfortunately each Sunday after that saw declining congregations and today committed Christians are out knocking on doors to try and get folk out to church. In the verses above you will notice (verse 9) where the people recognized that God was the author of the disaster with the extreme heat of the sun, because the people cursed God. But at the end of the verse we are told that the people did not repent of their sins. In verses 10 and 11 we can see a similar occurrence and the unfortunate end result. In verse 15 God reminds us that He will come unexpectedly. This tells me that we are to be a family/church/city/state/nation that is poised and ready to meet our Savior should He come today. Are you ready to meet your Maker friend? Have you truly committed your life to Him and now experiencing a relationship with Him? It will hurt me immensely if I knew that Jesus came to collect His people and that you read this devotional and it didn’t help you to turn your life around and turn to Jesus. Please consider seeing your pastor or a trusted Bible teaching believer today and asking them to introduce you to their best friend, Jesus. Please don’t wait until Saturday or Sunday, you may not be around then. If you would rather contact me for more information, please use the email address in the last paragraph and I will gladly help you. After reading this today you will make a very critical decision. I pray that it will be one that will change your life and your eternal destination forever!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, I thank You for saving me from the pits of Hell and giving me the assurance of eternal life with You. I strongly believe that someone will read this and they will ponder the importance, or necessity of change in their lives. Please soften their hearts and help them to see how truly important this decision is. Please burden their hearts to make the right decision while they are still able to. Please help them to understand and grasp the significance of what You did on Calvary just for them. I love You Lord and I thank You in advance for what You will do with Your Word 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: Micah 6.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Micah 6:2-3 (NLT)

2 And now, O mountains, listen to the LORD’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel.

3 “O my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me!

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

We often hear the scripture verse quoted about God saying to us “well done good and faithful servant” and I’m sure most psychologists will tell you that it is best for you to concentrate on the positive, rather than the negative. However, I want to encourage those who have accepted Jesus as Lord to stop and consider all that God has done for us – not just His death on the cross to save us from our sin, but all that we could attribute to Him each day/week/month/year. Now, consider all that and also honestly acknowledge how often we fail to acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives, and fail to give Him credit for the miracles brought about in our lives. Unfortunately, I believe that many ‘Christians’ would acknowledge that far too often we fall short. Ever stop to think about how that must make God feel? I believe that Micah, the same prophet who just one chapter earlier prophesied the birth of our Savior, in verse 3 of chapter 6 he is now quoting what God has shared with him, and I believe this is how God must feel even today when we fail to acknowledge Him as Lord. If you are feeling like you may have drifted away from Jesus and that you are not in the close relationship that you once felt between you and Him, then I believe that He is asking you the same words expressed in verse 3. Right at the end of the verse we are asked to answer God about this unfortunate position we have allowed. What is your answer today friend? There’s an old time gospel hymn titled “Have a Little Talk with Jesus“. One of the lines in the hymn says that having this little talk with Jesus will make everything alright! Don’t delay friend. Have this talk with Jesus and make things right between you and Him.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

To answer Your question “What have I done to Make you Tired of Me” would embarrass me to the extreme this morning dear Lord, because I would have to beg for forgiveness for being so slack in my commitment with You, for being such a stranger to You that You would feel like I must be offended by something You did or said. The truth is dear Lord, that You are the perfect Lord that You have always been, and it is me that has allowed too much of this world to filter into my life. Please forgive me. Please draw me close to You. Please lead me into a path of righteousness today so that I may be more like You in every way. For I believe that as this world sees more of Jesus in His people , they too will want to know the Savior who died for us all. Thank You for loving me anyway, and please know that there is nothing wrong that You have done, but it’s me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Speak to my friends who might be in this position today. Revive us with Your Holy Spirit that we may find strength for each day to be strong in our walk and relationship with 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: Micah 3.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Micah 3:4 (NLT)

4 Then you beg the LORD for help in times of trouble! Do you really expect him to answer? After all the evil you have done, he won’t even look at you!”

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

If I was walking down the street and a stranger walked up to me and asked for something from me, my defenses would probably go on high alert wondering if there might be ulterior motives from this stranger. In another thought, if my nephew walked up to me and asked for something that I know would benefit him in school, I bet that he would barely get it from his mouth and I would be looking for ways to help him. The difference is ‘trust’ and a deep love because of the relationship developed, or as in the case of the first scenario, the lack of all this. When I read this chapter this morning I was reminded of similar situations with folk that approach our sovereign God today. All too often I believe that total strangers, or at least folk that abandon God until they need Him again, sit back and expect God to look out for their best interest because He is a kind and loving God. I become so afraid that God must look at some folk and ask the question of them “and, who are you again?” Micah, in his prophecy to Israel asked them, “Do you really expect Him to answer?” Friends, God is not a biblical Santa Claus that always looks out for you regardless of how you ignore Him the rest of the day or year. God is more interested in your heart than any other physical need you may feel like you need or want. Do you really know Him today? Have you developed a relationship with Him and work every day to maintain that relationship? Do your part friend, then you can sit back and wait for your answers from God. Don’t reject Him with your left hand, while holding out your right hand for His blessings and miracles.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, thank You for hearing my cry for salvation some 36 years ago. Please speak to me and remind me each day, as You did in these verses this morning, that it is through my living, daily relationship with You that I can expect Your miraculous touch on my life. Please help me to walk closer with You each day than the day before and to stay in constant communication with You. I am in such dire need of Your direction in my life and especially in my daily walk, so that I may not disappoint the world in the One that I represent. Take my hand precious Lord, and lead me…..

**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: Revelation 13.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Revelation 13:9-10 (NLT)

9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.

10 Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.

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

God’s Word is truly all sufficient and filled with nuggets that will not only help us to live righteous lives today, but also prepares us for life as described in verse 10, and of course, life eternally with God. We are to prepare ourselves for persecution by the anti-Christ, but friends, we must always remember that it’s not what we endure today, but what we have to look forward to when we see Christ! Praise God forever, we have a day coming when we will stand face to face with the creator of this universe and worship Him forever! In the meantime, and with God’s strength, we can overcome all things that may come our way! Of course, we would need a relationship with Jesus Christ in order to ask for His help during this awful time of persecution. How is it with you friend? Do you know my friend in this way? Can you truly depend on Him? I would be happy to help direct you, if you need help in deciding or in surrendering. It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, thank You for the assurance of salvation, and ultimately, life eternally with You. Thank You that I have a Savior in whom I can depend and through whom I have hope. Please help me to share that hope that I have in You so that Your joy may be extended to those that I love and care for. Please help us to develop strength in our days here on earth so that we may endure to the end when persecution comes.

**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: Amos 5.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Amos 5:21-24 (NLT)

21 “I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.

22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.

23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.

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

Verse 24 really got my attention from God this morning. We make such a great deal out of attending worship services each week, and of course, fulfilling our obligation to teach or serve around the church. But God made it clear through His prophet Amos that He hates the show and pretense. In fact, in verse 23 He even says that He will not listen to our peace offerings, hymns of praise and our music. I believe that He meant that these things, although they can be used to glorify Him, when they come from a ‘dirty’ heart filled with malice for a brother or sister, really makes God distraught with us and He is angered and made sick to His stomach with our pretentions. I am so happy that God didn’t just leave it there, but He went on in verse 24 to say what He is really expecting and looking for in us: (a) A mighty flood of justice, and (b) An endless river of righteous living. Friends, we can fool our friends and we may even fool our pastor, but God sees deeper than all this when He looks at the heart and understands our intentions. Righteous living means that we are living right with God. Living as He would. How is it with you today friend? Would your actions make God sick, or would it satisfy Him that we are sincere and living righteous lives?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father I pray that today may be a day or reality for us and that we may be open and honest in our relationship with You in all that we do and all that we say. Please bless me with Your presence and may I represent You well in everything that I do and say. May I be seen in light of Your righteousness 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: Amos 4.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Amos 4:11-13 (GW)

11 I destroyed some of you as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning log snatched from a fire. And you still didn’t return to me, declares the LORD.

12 This is what I will do to you, Israel. Prepare to meet your God. This is what I will do to you, Israel!

13 God forms the mountains and creates the wind. He reveals his thoughts to humans. He makes dawn and dusk {appear}. He walks on the high places of the earth. His name is the LORD God of Armies.

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

Throughout this chapter it is evident that God is warning Israel of impending danger, should they not straighten up their actions and run from their sin. No matter how He warned the people—through famine, drought, blight, locusts, plagues, or war—they still ignored him. Because the Israelites didn’t get the message, they would have to meet God face to face in judgment. No longer would they ignore God; they would have to face the one they had rejected, the one they had refused to obey when he commanded them to care for the poor. One day each of us will meet God face to face to give account for what we have done or refused to do. Are you prepared to meet Him friend? Are you tired of running from God? Perhaps it is time to settle the matter once and for all. Surrender your life over to the Master today, before it is too late.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, I feel like such a failure when I read Your Word and realize how similar your people are acting today to the way they acted back in the day when Your Word was written. It’s like we haven’t learned a thing, or we are not taking the warnings seriously. I have family members and friends that don’t know You personally, and I know that Your warnings are just as real for us today as they were back in the day of Amos. Please soften the hearts of my loved ones so that they may be encouraged to surrender their hearts and lives over to You today, before it is a day too late. I acknowledge that I have no assurances of life beyond this very moment. With Jesus as my daily helper, may I be found pleasing in Your sight whenever You decide to call me home to be with 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: Joel 2.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Joel 2:28 (NLT)

28 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.

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

In the Old Testament there are so many stories of how God destroyed nations because of their sin. In the books of the prophets there is so much prophesied about how awful it will be when the Lord returns to take His people home to be with Him. The book of Joel, and particularly chapter 2 is one that talks about the locusts that will devour those who do not know/have not accepted the Lord. However, as to bring hope to Christians, Joel prophesied in verse 28 that Christians needn’t get discouraged about all that will happen, because when all these things have been done, God will then pour out His Spirit on all those remaining and they will see great things happening such as: their children prophesying; their older men dreaming dreams and younger men seeing visions. Friends, I don’t know about you, but this brings encouragement and excitement to me! Because even though I know Jesus personally and look forward to being a part of this group that will be blessed in this way, yet I can only imagine how discouraged I will be to see loved ones that I have prayed for salvation, taken away in destruction because of their hardness of heart. I will need all the encouragement that I could possibly get, and I believe that God identifies with that and placed this verse here to encourage me, that in spite of all that will go down, there is a peace and a joy that will come to me because of my faith in Him and my ongoing commitment to acknowledge Him in all aspects of my life every day. How is it with you, friend? Have you accepted this Lord of mine and know Him in a very personal way? Will you be spared from destruction and join us around the throne with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? If you do not have that assurance today, please write to me using the email below and I will gladly pray with you and help steer you in the right direction.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord God, thank you for the nuggets of encouragement You place before us to remind us of the joy that we can look forward to on the day that You take us away to be with You. I sense even more urgency on behalf of my family and friends that have chosen to ignore Your call on their life, and plead with You today to soften their hearts once again so that they may hear Your Word afresh and anew and that they will be receptive to Your call. Thank You for loving us enough to care about and show us the way to heaven!

**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: Hosea 13.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Hosea 13:4-6 (NLT)

4 “I have been the LORD your God ever since I brought you out of Egypt. You must acknowledge no God but me, for there is no other savior.

5 I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land.

6 But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot me.

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

How it must disappoint God to look on us and our hardened hearts, after all that He has done for us and brought us through. Friends, I want you to think with me a moment about the great sacrifice made just for us when God allowed His only Son, Jesus, to hang on a cross, especially designed for criminals. Imagine allowing Him to hang there while being mocked and spit upon, and then to see Him die. Think about the prayers that have been answered for us, and on our behalf. Think about the close calls we have had with death, yet the protecting hand of God kept us safe and allowed us to carry on with life. Think about how it must sadden God when His children, to whom He has been so faithful, find so many excuses why they won’t accept Him as their Lord and Savior, why they can’t get up on Sunday mornings to join other believers in worship to our Master, think about how opposing our ungrateful hearts are, in response to all the great things that God has done for us. Verse 6 sums it up so accurately, we soak up the blessings, then we become proud and turn away. Friends, you are able to read this because God has given you another opportunity today to change your course of action. Our proper response to this type of reminder, is to turn (back) to God, ask His forgiveness, ask for strength to overcome our weaknesses and to live a life of obedience to Him through developing a daily relationship with Him. Can you commit to this today? Would you like the prayers of a brother in Christ to help you through this critical decision time? Please contact me using the email below and I will gladly confirm my support.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, who am I that You should die for me and go on doing so much for? Thank You for Your unlimited love and sacrifice. Please touch my life daily and help me to avoid the selfish desires of my heart, while constantly focusing on improving and strengthening the relationship I have with You. Please soften the hearts of those that will read this devotional today and allow them to overcome the evil desires of this world and, instead commit to a closer walk with 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: Revelation 7.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Revelation 7:15-17 (NLT)

15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter.

16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun.

17 For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

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

In today’s prayer meetings when we stop and think about all the trials, struggles, challenges and heartaches that we, our families and our friends face, we could fill a page listing the names and the needs, and we could spend a long time pleading before God for these needs. In being reminded about the glories of heaven and the wonders and majesty of my Savior, I was overjoyed to read about how He will provide shelter for us, provide food and drink, protection from the sun, and how He will shepherd us and lead us to places that will benefit us. How He will provide comfort and peace of mind so that there will be no more sorrow. This is so much that as mere humans, this seems incomprehensible or impossible. Yet I believe that God’s Word is true and that He will do everything that He has promised. So friends, if you are under so much pressure today that you are not sure if you are coming or going or if you could possibly make it through another day, I would encourage you to accept the Savior that I love and adore, the One spoken about in this scripture, and through a personal relationship with Him, not only enjoy a blessing each and every day while still here on earth, but also have the assurance of a better tomorrow when He calls you away from this world. There has never been love expressed like the love of my Lord, experience it for yourself friend.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father God, thank You for loving me so much that You gave of yourself so that I may enjoy eternal life with You. Thank You for giving me a glimpse of life in heaven and how You will watch over and care for me in such wonderful ways. I feel amazingly blessed in this life today, and can hardly comprehend how You could bless me even more when I join You in heaven! Thank You Father for that kind of love. I am amazed, and forever grateful. Please speak again to the hearts of my family and friends that don’t yet know You as their personal Savior.

**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: Hosea 7.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Hosea 7:13-14 (NLT)
¹³ “What sorrow awaits those who have deserted me! Let them die, for they have rebelled against me. I wanted to redeem them, but they have told lies about me.
¹⁴ They do not cry out to me with sincere hearts. Instead, they sit on their couches and wail. They cut themselves, begging foreign gods for grain and new wine, and they turn away from me.

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

I believe that God is reminding the unsaved and uncommitted today that they too will face great sorrow for their actions in ignoring the call of God on their lives, or for turning away and deserting the call. God, the One who created this earth and in turn created each of us, deserves our constant praise and dedication. He sent His Son Jesus, and allowed Him to suffer great agony and death on Calvary, so that we may have forgiveness of our sin and stand a chance of being with Jesus in glory some day. Having given His all, I’m sure that He is disappointed at the way that we either ignore the call of salvation, or after accepting the most important call, we desert the call, lie and rebel against the Master. Like me, you may read this and quickly respond that you are glad that the scripture is not convicting you of any wrong doing in this. Friends, we must closely examine ourselves and answer to God for the relationship that we develop each day with our maker. There are some days that we may give Him the ‘cold shoulder’, as we may not communicate with Him at all. There are some days that we may twitch our ‘holy’ noses at Him, because we choose to do life our way and not follow the ways of God. I believe that we rebel way more than we care to think about, friends. Let us truly serve the God who truly loves us and want to see us succeed in this life and be a replica of Him to a lost and dying world.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father God, thank You for who You are and for all that You have done, and continue to do for me. Please forgive me for those times that I step away from my daily relationship with You, and the times that I have chosen to do things on my own and in my own way, rather than seeking and following Your way. I need Your strength and Your guidance every day to be more like You and to always follow the way of my Master and Lord. May others see more of Jesus in all my ways and in every aspect of my life. Thank You Jesus for loving me enough to care about me and provide a perfect way for me to live this 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
**