Scripture: 1 Samuel 29-30.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

1 Samuel 30:21-24 (NLT)

21 Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200 men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them joyfully.

22 But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.”

23 But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. 24 Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.”

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

We are reminded in this passage that each of us in the Lord’s army are important and critical to the task of winning the lost. Some may say that they are just not physically capable to walking the streets to be a witness, but you can pray. Some may say that they are timid witnessing to a person. Unfortunately we use this as an excuse, but I bet if you had just become a grandparent, there is probably no one that you would not tell, and show those photos to! Yet we have gained eternal life with the Master of this universe and we are too shy to tell someone else that good news? Since when have we been so unconscionable that we could see someone hurting and going the wrong way, and although we know the only right way to go, a true place of everlasting joy, and we could be selfish enough to sit back and withhold sharing that with this person? I bet we could never be so selfish about anything else! Bottom line is that David showed us how even though we may be tired, or withdrawn or shy, don’t just set yourself aside and do nothing. After all, like David did, so will God recognize that although we may have only been responsible for praying for the warriors that went out to preach and witness, or perhaps we took responsibility for gathering supplies for them, or feeding them, or caring for their families while they went out for a week of disaster recovery, yet God will realize that it took us all to get the job done. Now understand that we all can’t be backstage folk or support folk, but our jobs are vital to the success of the frontline folk. There really is no excuse for doing nothing at all! For those of you who feel like you do it all, take note of how David recognized those who couldn’t join him on the front line. Let’s be understanding of all in God’s army and not just on the good you feel like you alone are doing. We can all share in the work, then we all would rejoice in the glory one day!

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

Lord Jesus, thank You for all that You did for me by sending Your Son Jesus to die on a cruel cross at Calvary, so that I may have the confidence of eternal life with You one day. Thank You for all You do each and every day to watch over me, keeping me safe and guiding me into a path of righteousness. I often wish that I could do more while here on this old earth, so while I am here, I ask that You best utilize my strengths, abilities and willingness to be used of You in touching the lives of those that need a touch from You. Please help me to never sit on the sidelines and wait for others to do the work, but instead show me how I could help to facilitate the work You have for us to do. I look forward to the glorious rewards of success, so please help me to do my part in preparation for, and maintenance of, the travelling time/the journey towards the goal.

àWords 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.
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Scripture: John 7.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

John 7:15-19 (NLT)

15 The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.

16 So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. 19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.”

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

God has blessed us with His Word, and with His Holy Spirit so that we may be capable of discerning the legitimacy of the teaching and/or preaching of His Word. I believe that too often we take what is said from a pulpit, or from Bible teachers, at face value, and without proving the words back to the Bible. We have really become a people very accustomed to entertainment with very little thought required of us. There are two main principles taught here in this passage by Jesus on how we may KNOW, or test, if we are being told the truth of God is being taught or preached:

1. The words must agree with, and not contradict what the Bible says – In verse 17, Jesus said that we would know that the teaching is from God. The way that this is accomplished is by proving it against the Word of God. For a personal example: In one of my previous jobs I was an auditor/examiner, and if I found something wrong with the practice of the employee(s) I could write them up, but I had to support that write-up with supporting rules and/or regulation. I couldn’t just write them up because I felt it was wrong.
   
2. The words of the deliverer must point to God and not to themselves. In verse 18 Jesus teaches this principle very clearly. Ever walked away from a church service or a teaching class thinking “wow, he sure was full of himself this morning”?
   

Friends, it is so important that we not pollute our hearts with the words and personal wishes of mere man, but fill it to overflowing with the Word of God, the teachings of God, the values that Jesus would have us learn from Him. Let’s not be entertained at church, but rather let us receive a word from God through the teaching and preaching. Follow in your Bible as the Word is taught or preached. Keep your pastor or minister accountable by gently questioning him after the service. They will love you for participating and not just sitting there waiting for, or expecting entertainment!

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

Father, thank You for providing Your Holy Word for us to live by. Thank You for working in and through Your servants that teach and/or preach Your Word week in and week out. Please continue to provoke our hearts to be the right flock, by doing our part in testing the spoken word. Help us to love You and our pastor/preacher/minister/teacher enough to follow along with all they are teaching or preaching – by participating rather than merely criticizing, because we may not have heard something that tickles our fancy. Your Word is like a two-edged sword, so there are times that it will sting or hurt, because it will correct our wrong or evil thoughts or practices. Your Word is powerful, please help us to never take it lightly and never apply it to someone else, but to our very own lives.

àWords 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.
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Scripture: John 6.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

John 6:5-7 (NLT)

5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”

6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

John 6:16-21 (NLT)

16
That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. 17 But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. 18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. 19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”
21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

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

So many times we come to a point in our lives when we realize that we don’t have all the answers, and we don’t know the right step that we should take next. Often we wonder how we will overcome the huge obstacles that stand in our way, for they always seem so huge that it appears like we could never get over them or through them. There is a song with the words “God specializes in things thought impossible“, but when we are in the middle of our challenges we often feel so overwhelmed about what we can do, that we seldom look to and depend on the One that can handle all of our problems and conerns. As I meditated on this chapter I felt a strong sense of God saying that He Will Make A Way, even we think there is no way. In this first passage I am reminded of all the shopping that we do when we invite a family over for dinner, yet Jesus saw well over 5,000 followers all around Him that needed feeding. To Philip and the other disciples, this was an impossible task given their very limited supplies, but to Jesus this was merely a reason to multiple what they actually had, so that all would be fed and still be left with tons of leftovers! Wow, can He make a way for us too? I have no doubt friend! In the second passage the disciples got impatient waiting for Jesus, so they did like many of us would do today, they thought to handle the next step all by themselves – under their own strength and power and wisdom, so they jumped in a boat and tried to row over to the other side of the river. Of course a storm arose and the disciples feared for their lives, but Jesus did the impossible (walked on water) to get to His followers and as He approached the boat the waters subsided. Notice also that when Jesus stepped into the boat and relieved the fears of His followers, immediately they were at their destination. It’s like He realized that they were probably too weak to row anymore so He took care of the rest for them. Friend of God, I have no reason to doubt that Jesus wouldn’t do the same for us today. He knows the financial struggles that we face. He knows the medical conditions that exist. He knows the challenging relatives, friends or even church members that we deal with, but He’s Still God and He can do what often seems impossible to us! Our part in all of this friend, is:

1. We must know Him personally in order to call on Him for help – surrender first!
   
2. We must not worry when troubles arise, but have faith in the One who specializes in things thought impossible!
   
3. Call on Jesus to meet us and provide for us in our times when it seems like all is lost and there is no way out or over the situations of this life. Remember, He’s still God!
   

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

Lord Jesus, I thank You for opening my eyes to the overwhelming power of the God that I love, adore and serve. Thank You for reminding me that You can make a way when there seems to be no way (in my eyes at least). Please help me to have confidence today and every day in the Master of the sea, the Provider of food for the 5,000, the only One that can calm the seas. Please help me to go forth in confidence today knowing that You are in control! Thank You for being such an awesome, powerful, loving God!

àWords 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.
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Scripture: 1 Samuel 22-23.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

1 Samuel 22:3 (NLT)

3 Later David went to Mizpeh in Moab, where he asked the king, “Please allow my father and mother to live here with you until I know what God is going to do for me.”

1 Samuel 23:1-4 (NLT)

1 One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors.

2 David asked the Lord, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the Lord told him.

3 But David’s men said, “We’re afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don’t want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!”

4 So David asked the Lord again, and again the Lord replied, “Go down to Keilah, for I will help you conquer the Philistines.”

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

David had been on the run for a while, but yet we are shown where he was not one to make quick, snap decisions without first consulting with God and seeking His will. In the two examples above, I was touched to see how this man of God sought after God’s heart and approval before making a move. It seems like each and every day there are important decisions that we need to make, but I wonder how much of that we bathe in prayer and seek God’s will on. Because of God’s direction and help, we can see where David made a move that could have jeopardized the 600 men that served him. Although David’s army was safe, the move unfortunately served to provoke Saul into killing all the priests of Nob and their families for the favor one had paid to David before his travels in the wilderness, but David gained the confidence of one of the sons of these priests that escaped. Then again in chapter 23 I’m sure that David could have easily snapped to a quick decision to attach the Philistines who had invaded Keilah, but before he made any such decision he sought after God’s will. What I thought was interesting is that although David heard God’s response, when he called his army together to follow through on the attack and he received opposition from them, he asked for reassurance from God. Wow, if only we would be so insistent about seeking and following God’s will. What a powerful band of Christians Satan would have to battle in our towns. We would have no equal, and would face our enemies with bold confidence because of whose we are. God won the battle for us already on Calvary, and He will do it again, and again, and again, if only we will let Him. We are children of the same master and Lord that David served, oh that we may have the heart of David and seek God’s face and His ultimate will as we make daily decisions that could very easily impact the kingdom.

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

Father, we are so blessed to have Your Word available to us and see the circumstances, like in this story of David where You were always there for him through, what appears to be, very challenging situations for mere humans. Praise God that I serve the same master, the same Lord, the same Savior that answered David’s prayers and came through for him time and time again. Each and every day we face a world that seems like it is out to get us. It is so evident that old Satan is busy in and around us Lord, and we need Your strength and Your power to see us through. I pray that You will remind me each day of the importance of seeking You first in all that I do. Jesus, take my hand, lead me and guide me through this walk so that I may represent You well and show others the love that You not only have for me, but that could be theirs also. May this be a glorious day with You in control of my every step and every word, oh Lord!

àWords 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.
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Scripture: John 5.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

John 5:41-44 (NLT)

41 “Your approval means nothing to me, 42 because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. 43 For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. 44 No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.

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

The Jewish leaders was watching Jesus very closely to make sure that He followed their laws and their teaching, and that He did everything to please them or that fit within their mold of perfection. From Jesus’ response I believe that He would have followed their beliefs, IF they truly knew God and followed His instructions. In other words, Paul told his people that they should follow him as He follows the Father, however Jesus knew that this was not the case with these Jewish leaders, even though they had so many rules of their own that they felt they were the ultimate direction that all should follow. The unfortunate part about this is that for those of us that don’t stay in the Word of God and constantly follow it’s direction, we can be easily swayed by this evil world and its practices. Think about it, we look at sports figures with all their money that they receive and we think they are a role model for our kids. Do we really want our kids going to jail like many of these ‘role models’ are? We look at professional businessmen and especially to those who give back to their community, and appear rich, we often wish that our kids could be like them. Think about the corruption that we see in our business leaders and all the price gouging that we see and hear about. Do we really see them as a role model for us or for our kids? Then of course, we see those religious leaders who have successful churches and a large following, surely we can follow them, right? Being a church leader myself, I wish I could say to you today that you should follow us, but friends you will not find perfection in man. You will not find a man that has mastered all the teaching of Jesus. There is only one who has the whole thing under control, and that is Jesus himself. While we should do all within our power to obey our leaders (as taught by the Bible), when we look for answers on the right thing to do we must look to God’s Word. When we think about who we should please with our decisions, let us always think about the one who will make final judgment on us, and follow Him, His ways, His leadership. It’s only what is done for Jesus that will matter in the end. You may be wondering what if this leads us to a decision that may displease your employer, or your family or your friends or even your pastor? Does this really matter in the end when you will be judged, as in verse 21 of this same chapter, about where your future will be in eternity? Furthermore, how many bosses, family members, friends or pastors will push us away or fire us for doing good? My greatest advice to those that may read this today is: surrender your life to the lordship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; Follow His commands/His Word each and every day and practice living in a way that pleases God, not man, and Heaven will be your final destination to enjoy eternity with Jesus! There is no better way friend!

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

Father, I know that we try way too hard to please those in authority over us and often slack on obeying You and Your Word. You have given us directions to follow. Please help me to be committed and steadfast in following Your commands and Your will for my life each and every day. I am determined to make heaven my eternal home with You. Please help me to follow Your Word to ensure that my actions, word and life is always in line with what You have taught me and expect from me.

àWords 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.
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Scripture: I Samuel 19-21.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

1 Samuel 19:22-24 (NLT)

22 Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah and arrived at the great well in Secu. “Where are Samuel and David?” he demanded. “They are at Naioth in Ramah,” someone told him.

23 But on the way to Naioth in Ramah the Spirit of God came even upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy all the way to Naioth!

24 He tore off his clothes and lay naked on the ground all day and all night, prophesying in the presence of Samuel. The people who were watching exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet?”

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

Saul was so jealous of David and his accomplishments that he sent his troops to capture David, who was then visiting with Samuel. When they arrived and found Samuel leading a group of prophets who were prophesying, they too began to prophesy. Saul heard about this, so he sent additional troops, only to find out that the same thing happened to them. To settle this, Saul decided to go and take care of the job himself, however, as seen in the verses above, Saul also came under the influence of the Spirit of God and he lay naked before Samuel all day and night prophesying. This sounds so impossible that had this not been in the Bible, I would probably have trouble believe the story. However, I believe that God has a purpose in mind for us with everything He had written in His book of instruction. What this showed me this morning is that even though at times we feel like our backs are against the wall and there is no earthly way that we could escape our enemies or opposers, I must remember that as I place my faith and trust in God, I must allow Him to handle situations that may seem impossible to me. He placed these men who opposed His servant David in a very humbling situation, and He chose to use even them to prophesy in His name before the people. How much more can my God do to those that envy me, or oppose me, or may work against me? This also tells me that I should place myself at God’s feet and allow Him to use me as He wills, knowing that He will protect me through every situation, even if it means dealing personally with some that may seem distant to God in their walk or talk. Bottom line is that God loves me so much that He will go to all extent to protect me and watch over me. All I have to do is to not be limited by personal insight, but to let go and let God have His way.

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

Father, You are King of all kings and Lord of all lords. There is nothing that transpires around me without You knowing about it and directing it. I know that You have all power and can do all things so that Your perfect will might be accomplished. Thank You for reminding me this morning that it is OK for me to not understand all of Your ways, because You are much bigger/powerful than anything that I can imagine. Thank You for reminding me though that when I place my complete faith and trust in You, that I will be protected by You through all of life’s situations, because ALL things are possible, If I only believe. Thank You Father for being such an awesome God to me!

àWords 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.
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Scripture: 1 Samuel 17-18.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

1 Samuel 17:41-47 (NLT)

41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy.

43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods.

44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.

45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

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

This is such a familiar passage of scripture, but yet it is filled with encouragement for the believe, so it is always beneficial to be reminded of the story. For over 40 days this Philistine giant appeared before and intimidated the Israelite army, parading his physical strengths and abilities. Without thinking about the power of the God that they knew, and supposedly served, they trembled in their boots and retreated. Suddenly David comes on the scene, and seeing only the strength of God in and through His people, David just couldn’t understand what the problem was. Wow, this is a reminder to us friend, that those ‘giants’ that we meet every day in our workplace, in our health, in our church, in our family, in the lives of our closest earthly friends, these are nothing for our God. Furthermore, as we stand bold in our faith, strong in the strength of the God of this universe, others who stand and watch will want to know our Savior. So victory will come in two ways: 1). Those mountains/challenges/impossible tasks in our eyes will suddenly become dim as we will only see God and His victorious hand at work, and 2). Others who stand by and question if there is a God, will suddenly know for sure that the God we serve is the God they want to know and also serve. God is waiting and available for us to do just like David did – turn the battle over to Him. I guarantee you that God will not see our challenges as ‘mountains’ He can’t cross, for our God is greater than any mountain we face today. This means that when we place God before our mountain in life, we will only see the wonderful face our Jesus, and no longer be bothered by the mountains that may tend to overwhelm us, or frighten us or even seem to block our view from the glorious sights of heaven. Got any mountains you think are uncrossable today? God specializes in things we think are uncrossable or impossible. He can handle it brother! He can overcome any obstacle that may stand in our way today! Why not let go and let God? Do you know Him? This is the first step in communicating with Him. Why not make that choice today friend? Respond to this post today and allow me to pray with you or introduce you to my friend, the Savior of this world!

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

I don’t know about anyone else that may read this devotional today, but being reminded of this today is perfect timing for me. Not that I have large ‘mountains’ that are overwhelming me, but just life itself can be overwhelming, with all the decisions, problems and challenges that we often bring on ourselves. Father, I believe today that You are in charge of all this and that You have the power to overcome these ‘mountains’ in my life. Please take control today. Please be my guide, my deliverer, my overcomer, my decision maker, my comforter and reassure me of Your presence always. I adore You Father and welcome You to handle my ‘mountains’ for me. Thank You for being such an awesome God!

àWords 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.
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Scripture: 1 Samuel 15-16.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

1 Samuel 16:6-7 (NLT)

6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

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

I believe that we are very much like Samuel, in that we tend to judge people by their appearance. If they are well dressed and polished in their appearance, we tend to favor them more as they may be rich, or come from an honorable family who taught some good values in the home. If they are muscular and present themselves as a strong team player, then we want them on our team. Similarly, Samuel looked at the first of Jesse’s sons, Eliab and was immediately impressed and thought that this must surely be the one that God has chosen to be the future king. God’s words of correction back to Samuel are just eye opening and mind provoking, as we sometimes hear those words even today when we receive advice. However, I am humbled by this reminder this morning, because I realize that it’s not my opinion that matters when judging a man. I need to sincerely seek God’s face and ask for His direction and His leadership, because He knows man’s heart and only He knows man’s real abilities. We are told so often today how we need to promote self and sell ourselves in order to get ahead. Imagine if we had a Christian boss who would lean on God’s understanding and knowledge and lean on His direction towards the qualities that lie within his employees or prospective employees. Imagine the thriving business that man would have! Also, stop and think with me about the thriving church we would have if our leadership would depend more on God to choose the man anointed by God for their pastor, and the best men and ladies that God would have serve under that pastor. I believe that if we did more of this, we would find more thriving churches that are effective in winning the lost to Christ, and a church that would truly minister to the needs of the saints, not just merely competing with the world in providing entertainment for them. Samuel knew the importance in being obedient to God, and it is with that spirit that we must lead. Saul showed evidence of how he allowed selfish desires and self promotion and self recognition to control his actions, but in turn we see where that brought Saul. We too will become like Saul if we follow his footsteps and his character – he was a great warrior and leader by the world’s standards, but he failed in obedience to God. In 15:22 Samuel shared with Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. In today’s church that means that obedience means more than serving on a committee, regular church attendance or any work we may do around the church.

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

Lord, please help me to be more than a listener to Your Word. Please help me to strongly and faithfully look to You for direction and leadership, for You know the hearts of men and therefore You know of what service they will be to You, Your church and Your people. I acknowledge that I often look at the outward appearance and/or how good they can make themselves look. I have learned from this lesson this morning that this is not enough. Please help me to always seek Your face and gain Your approval and leadership in the choices that I make or recommend for earthly approval. Lead me Lord!

àWords 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.
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Scripture: John 3.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

John 3:36 (NLT)

36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

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

This chapter of John is perhaps the greatest chapter in the whole Bible, and as I read it I meditated on the popular verse 16 thinking that surely this is the best news that can ever come to mankind, that an almighty God could possibly love mankind enough that He would sacrifice His one and only Son to die on a cruel cross so that I, and you, may have eternal life with the Father. However, as I completed the chapter I realized that I must share what John reminded us about in the last verse, that on this 25^th day of July 2011, we must soberly realize that for those who have accepted the free gift of eternal life, as offered in verse 16 that I explained above, then we are assured of eternal life with the Father. That means that today, I am assured of this. That means that for those who have not accepted this free gift and today makes that important decision to ask God’s forgiveness of your sin, and you invite Him to be your Lord and Savior, King of your life, then you too can have that assurance today. For those of you reading this devotional, and you have chosen to live life on your own without accepting and knowing my Savior, and really have no desire to accept Him today while you still have that option, John also reminds you of your fate: you will never experience eternal life in a place called heaven, in communion with the God of this universe, and that you will remain under the angry judgment of God. On this earth we face many challenges every day; I find it very comforting knowing that I have someone in my corner of the ring with me. That in spite of the opposition and angry, unhappy people that I come in contact with, it is comforting to know that there is One who will stay with me through thick and thin, good times and bad, yes even times when I feel like throwing in the towel because of the opposition and worldly hate. Praise God that I have a Savior who loves me and reminds me that He will be with me always, even to the end of time. I would consider it a privilege to chat with anyone who may be interested in knowing my Friend. Just respond to this devotional and share with me your interest to sure up your future, and not continue to face each challenging day on this earth alone. I will gladly respond to you and pray with you and for you. This is the most important decision you could make today friend!

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

Father, I have loved ones that, to my knowledge, have not accepted You as Lord of their life. I believe that there are ones who will read this today who also do not have that assurance of eternity with You. May this be an awesome day of decision Father. Please tender the hearts of those that You know should, and will respond. These folk are important to me, and I’m sure even more important to You. Please love on them and open their spiritual eyes today.

àWords 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.
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