Category: Adoration

Preparing For His Kingdom

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Saturday, 2023-03-11
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-6
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 3 Dear brothers, giving thanks to God for you is not only the right thing to do, but it is our duty to God because of the really wonderful way your faith has grown and because of your growing love for each other. 4 We are happy to tell other churches about your patience and complete faith in God, in spite of all the crushing troubles and hardships you are going through. 5 This is only one example of the fair, just way God does things, for he is using your sufferings to make you ready for his Kingdom, 6 while at the same time he is preparing judgment and punishment for those who are hurting you.

OBSERVATION: Paul was able to help the Thessalonian church, to see beyond the heavy load of persecution, that God was still at work within them. But as we meditate today on the Word of God, I would like for us to especially tune into verse 5, then think about our prayers each time that we feel persecuted or tribulations arise in our life, or the life of our family, our pastor, and yes, even our church – God’s church. Seldom do we glorify God for them!

APPLICATION: Do you sometimes wonder if your prayers are on track – in accordance with God’s will, for you and/or others who are suffering in one form or another? We pray hard for God to cure that problem so the church could once again be like all other churches – relaxed in worship and praise over everyday blessings, don’t we? But what if Paul nailed it, when he said that God might be using those challenging situations to ready us for His Kingdom – just like he did told the church at Thessalonica? To help soften your mind and see where Paul was coming from with this line of instruction, think on these things: 1). Was Peter’s faith stronger when he sat in the boat marveling over the awesome power of God to allow His Son to walk on water, or was it stronger when Peter stepped out of the boat and trusted God to keep him on top of the water? 2). Could Moses have been just as faithful in believing that God was very capable of getting he and the million plus people following him across to the other side of the Red Sea, or when he simply held out his rod in response to God’s orders, knowing full well that God would make a way, some way, for them? and 3). Over the years I have been actively involved in a few churches. I can’t think of any that have not faced their challenges in one form or another. Really, it was a type of persecution, because those challenges tested the faith of those churches and their ability to thrive and show the communities in which they served, that their faith was in Almighty God and that they should choose to stand firm in their belief, and trust in the God who placed them where they were, under the circumstances they faced, and still represent Him as the Savior of the World. Yes, their faith was definitely tested, as indicated by Paul, but I never remember hearing any believer praise God for those times of testing as God solidified their faith for the Kingdom of God. Oh that God would send a ‘Paul’ to each of our churches to remind us that it’s God we serve, Him that we preach, teach and represent. It’s not the trials, temptations and tests of Satan that defines us, but the loving, all-powerful God of the universe, and He never changes. If only we could learn to always focus on our source, and not on our circumstances. Imagine being part of a congregation where we will hear our communities flock to our church because even though they heard about our struggles, temptations, trials and setbacks, yet we remain strong in the One who got our gathering started in the first place, and He will be waiting with open arms to receive us when life here on earth is over. Satan would love nothing better than to know that he and his demons are getting through to us and destroying the work of God. Please join with me in vowing that this will never occur under our watch, as God prepares us for His Kingdom!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: While God will take care of those who persecute us, we will benefit from His strengthening power as He helps us to keep praising Him – especially through the storms of life.

PRAYER: It’s easy to worship you and lift up holy hands in praise to You when we see Your good works and rejoice in Your blessings. But, oh Lord, it is very challenging to follow in the footsteps of the church at Thessalonica and continue to praise You when others persecute us and try to take advantage of us. I am convinced of what Paul told the church, that You would grow them spiritually when they stand firm in their faith during these difficult times. You didn’t promise us good times every day because we accepted You as Lord of our life. But in having You by our side, at least we can defy all odds and do things like walking on the water, expecting the waters to part so that we could safely march to the other side, and even more. Please Lord, teach us to trust You in the good times, and trust You even more in the challenging times, but to never lose hope in knowing that You are with us in every circumstance of life in which we decide to draw close to You. Show the unsaved that You are still Lord and that You are alive and well in Your church today – the ones that are flourishing, and the ones struggling to overcome persecution. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Ensure Your Eyesight Is Properly Functioning

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Friday, 2023-03-10
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 11:31-35
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 31 The queen of Ethiopia will stand to condemn the people of this generation on the day of judgment. She, an outsider, came from so far away to hear the wisdom given to Solomon, but now, something greater than Solomon is here: how are the people of this generation responding?
32 Similarly, the people of Nineveh will stand to condemn the people of this generation on the day of judgment. They, outsiders, responded and changed because of the preaching of Jonah, but now, something greater than Jonah is here: how are the people of this generation responding?
33 You need a light to see …. 34 Listen, your eye, your outlook, the way you see is your lamp. If your way of seeing is functioning well, then your whole life will be enlightened. But if your way of seeing is darkened, then your life will be a dark, dark place. 35 So be careful, people, because your light may be malfunctioning. 

OBSERVATION: I believe even today; we still ask for signs. Lord, shown me a sign that this is the right girl for me to marry. Lord, show me a sign that this is the right job for me to accept. Yes, Christians and non-Christians alike still ask for a sign from God. However, in our scripture for today, Jesus tells us of the primary sign that He will promote for all times. Let’s open our hearts to the Word of the Lord today, dear friends.

APPLICATION: This is not the first time that we read in the Scriptures where people asked Jesus for a sign, and as I said in my ‘Observation’, the practice continues today. Jesus declared that the sign of Jonah is the main sign He will promote. Remember, Jonah was in the stomach of a large fish for three days, and he survived to go on with the mission God had ordained for him – to evangelize the people of Nineveh. In like manner Jesus was in the heart of the earth for three days, and He also survived and overcame death, to go on with His mission of saving the lost of this world. I believe that Jesus wants us to identify with that example of Jonah, and the actual crucifixion, death and resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ, for in accepting that, we understand the only way to eternal life. But Jesus goes on to challenge us about other spiritual examples that mankind has grown blind to. I recently read the story of how the queen of Sheba went to visit with king Solomon. She had heard of his wisdom, and of course of his riches. Her visit revealed to her that she had not heard the half of it, for his wisdom, his riches and his godly attitude towards life and to others, way exceeded anything she had heard. Wonderful story, right? Well, Jesus reminded us that Solomon’s wisdom was nothing compared to that of the Son of God. Yet every generation have chosen to go their own way and accept their own vices to help them through this life here on earth. Why?? Secondly, the people of Nineveh, who were considered outsiders to the Jews, yet revival broke out when Jonah finally got on track and preached the message of God to the people. But wait, we have a message much greater than anything Jonah could have shared to gain the attention of the Ninevites. For there is One much greater than Jonah – He is the very Son of the living God. God sent His Son, Jesus, so that whoever accepts the free gift, or believes in Him, will not perish from the damnation of Hell, but will be blessed with eternal life in heaven with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Yet many choose to reject the free gift, while some accept it from a peer pressure perspective, or to please loved ones. So their eyes are still blinded to the pure, righteous, unconditional love that Jesus has to offer. Why?? Friends, unless we see Jesus clearly and accept Him honestly and unconditionally, then our eyes are blinded by the dark, just as those who have never heard of or accepted Jesus. Please don’t listen to religious leaders who try to lure you into their fellowship because they accept every form of person, or whether they truly believe, practice and adhere to the living Word of God. For you may very well have a spiritual malfunction in your eyesight. Remember, Jesus is who He said He is – it’s all in the Book – the Bible. When earthly ministers try to convince you otherwise, they are trying to blind you from the truth of God’s Word. Read the Book, my friends, and learn who God is and what He desires of you. He died for you, so that you might live in total 20/20 eyesight of Him and His kingdom. He made the way clear for you and nothing else will do. It’s impossible to follow any other path and end up in heaven with God. Jesus alone is the way, the truth and the light!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: There is only one way into heaven for mankind. Any other line handed to you is merely distracting from your mission to know Jesus personally and to follow His way!

PRAYER: Precious Lord Jesus, You did so much for us, including Your sacrificial death on the cross. Please bound the hands of Satan from distracting Your children who are seeking to know, accept and serve You personally. Please clear the fog in our eyesight so that we can see You clearly. May that knowledge impact our hearts to desire a life fully committed to You. Please touch the lives of those who will read this devotional, may Your Word impact their hearts and bring eternity into focus. Only You can give us the strength to overcome the fiery darts of Satan, so I pray that each one will totally surrender to You and commit themselves for all eternity. May Your kingdom increase because of the eyes that will be opened today. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

No One Like Our God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Thursday, 2023-03-09
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 2 Chronicles 14:9-12
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 9 Now Zerah the Ethiopian (Cushite) came out against Judah with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came as far as Mareshah. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and they drew up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 Asa called out to the Lord his God, saying, “O Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and the weak; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in and rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” 12 So the Lord struck the Ethiopians [with defeat] before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 

OBSERVATION: In today’s world countries are troubled by larger and more complex countries and militaries, and the weaker might call on a superpower country to help them. Asa was known as a man who followed God’s commands, so when an army of 1,000,000 came against him with just 300,000 in his military, he also went to the only superpower he knew – Almighty God. As we consider these verses today, let us consider who it is that holds a position of power in our eyes, that we would dare call on when challenged by apparent giants – large armies, more sophisticated ammunition, large Satan-led corporations out to get the small man/woman, medical issues, loss of loved ones, etc.

APPLICATION: I wonder what it would take for me to build my confidence in God to a level like that of Asa. Although 300,000 sounds like a large number in an army, imagine facing an army over 3 times that size. But as you read the story of this king, you will see that he was so well known in the faith he exhibited in God, that people were actually moving from Israel to Judah so they could be under his reign. He didn’t just say he believed and then trusted God from afar, but he also acted on his trust in God. Think about this – Do you sometimes wonder why friends and acquaintances ask you to pray for them? Could it be that they see God in your life and in your reaction to the circumstances of life, and because they feel like you have a connection to God, they ask you to place their name before the throne? On the flip side, there may be some readers or listeners who may ponder why no one ever asks them to pray for them. But how’s your relationship with God, dear friend? Are you convinced enough about the power of the God you serve, and show evidence of the quality of relationship you enjoy with God, that others are convinced you actually serve the one, true, holy and righteous God of the universe? Remember, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool God, and hardly ever fool all of the people all of the time. The heart that’s impacted by the Word of God, and entrenched in sweet relationship with our awesome God, will be the heart that touches the lives of those they come into contact with. Asa showed those in his kingdom what it meant to be committed to God, to serve Him faithfully and to allow God’s love to make an impact on him so that he could have an impact on those who knew him. As we have been blessed, and as we have been diligent in communicating with God and reading His Word, so our hearts will overflow with the life and character of Jesus Christ, and so will our confidence swell in total trust to all that God is capable of. Let me encourage you to seek the Lord while He may be found, welcome His change into your life, so that you will always trust in Him and share His goodness – all for the glory of God.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Asa knew that there was no one besides God who could help his small army succeed against the huge army led by Zerah. Often, we face giants such as the one faced by Asa. Thank God for this reminder that He is able, just as He was for Asa.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for opening our eyes to the awesome power and love that You freely give to those who love and serve You. There are times that the things of this world will hit us like a ton of bricks, and we don’t know which way to turn. However, it is such joy to reconsider how serious our problems truly are, especially after hearing the challenge that Asa faced when going to battle with the Israelites. Please continue to push us towards the cross, the place that always reminds us of Your grace, and the power of God to overcome death. Help us Lord to always be diligent in seeing Your mighty works and be reminded of how nothing is greater than Your power over sin and the grave. Please draw that unsaved to Yourself oh Lord, so that heaven might be their eternal home. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Our Daily Need For God

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Greatest Need, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Wednesday, 2023-03-08
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 143:6-8
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Interlude
7 Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.
8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

OBSERVATION: Although David’s issue may have been different to what any of my readers or listeners might face today, yet David served the same God that we do today, and He knew where to turn to when things were beyond his control. In his prayer, or conversation with God, we can be reminded of some key elements that we need each day to help us make it through. So, take a few moments to meditate on the Word of God with me, as we seek His face and His favor.

APPLICATION: When we are hurting in our bodies and our health seems questionable, we turn to our Primary Care Physician, or our family doctor. However, there are days that we just need a friend to talk to, with hopes of lifting our spirits and gaining more hope about the challenges we expect to face that day. Some turn to the daily horoscope, some to palm readers and some confide in friends or family who may have faced similar challenges in the past. But David had a proven track record with the Master – the Lord God Almighty, so I believe this was his first stop for help. In today’s world of social media, we read where some will demand certain actions of God, for they feel empowered to do this from certain Scriptures that they have interpreted a little differently to most of us. Personally, I tend to follow in similar footsteps to what David did. I believe David had such respect for God, that he probably bowed before Him in deep respect, or he may have even laid prostrate before a holy, righteous and upright God. David didn’t ‘beat around the bush’, as we sometimes tend to do. He openly acknowledged that it was not just happenchance that he chose to approach the throne of God, but he chose to approach God from a very desperate point in his life. He used a neat description to help explain how desperately he needed God and his help. So he went before God in prayer with lifted hands – declaring honor and praise to the King of all kings. When our land is parched from lack of rain, the ground cracks open ready to receive the blessing of rain when God determines the time is right. That’s how David felt in his need for God to rescue him in his desperation. That reminds me of mankind when we’ve tried every possible solution, then we finally turn to God in one final, desperate attempt to find answers. Notice that David was no different to us, in that this heavy burden was having an impact on his mental condition, for he was depressed, and he could even feel it worsening. However, our main lesson comes in verse 8, for David must have felt like something had come between he and God, for he asked that God fill him and place him on a right track each and every morning. Earlier I alluded to the fact that we tend to turn to God when all personal efforts have failed. What if we face each day with a prerequisite: I will make it a priority to seek the face of God – the One who created this day for me, and after much praise and honor to Him, I will open His Word to seek His will for me this day, and to ask Him to be my guide and help in every circumstance that comes my way today. Do you suppose that God will hear our prayer, see us turn from our wicked and selfish ways, and He will direct our paths towards opportunities that will promote the kingdom of God and remind every contact that Jesus is alive and well, because of the evidence they see in you and me? It worked for David, my friend, and I am convinced that it will work for you and me, because our God is still the same today as He was yesterday. I believe He anxiously awaits hearing from us each morning, so that He could bless us and send us on our way to be a blessing. Let’s not disappoint Him.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: I am trusting you, Lord. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for another day. I know You created this day, and You created me and all those I will make contact with today. I believe that You have a divine appointment for me today, so I place myself at Your disposal. Please clean me up really good. Forgive me of my sin and make me whole again and a usable vessel through which You could complete Your work. Please place me in the right situations today where you can accomplish Your work through me. Please help me approach today’s challenges in the right way and through Your help, may I have the right words and actions to show someone my Master. Please touch the lives of each reader and/or listener and help them see You in some form today so that they might be reenergized to display Your works and honor Your will for their lives. Please speak to the hearts of the unsaved again today. Help them see You in real and meaningful ways so they will surrender themselves to You. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Christian Conduct

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Tuesday, 2023-03-07
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 12 Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show appreciation to those who are working hard among you and those who are your leaders as they guide and instruct you in the Lord—they are priceless. 13 When you think about them, let it be with great love in your heart because of all the work they have done. Let peace live and reign among you.
14 Brothers and sisters, we strongly advise you to scold the rebels who devote their lives to wreaking havoc, to encourage the downcast, to help the sick and weak, and to be patient with all of them. 

OBSERVATION: Many times, churches will split over division among its members, or if a conflict was not handled according to everyone’s wishes, even if Biblical instruction was closely followed. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is teaching the church how to avoid division and instead, see the work of the Lord flourish for the glory of God. That’s what we do in our homes, we insist on good conduct from our kids, and we demonstrate a great example before them every day, as instructed by God in His Word. Surely we can see the same success at church, right? Let’s see what might be missing.

APPLICATION: Why would God need to teach us about good Christian conduct, shouldn’t non-Christians be the target of such lessons? I’m glad you asked, because we all must be reminded that until we reach the gates of Heaven, none of us are perfect in our conduct here on earth. Satan is just too busy. That’s why we have law enforcement, courts and prisons. Just in case you are living off the grid and not keeping up with the news, there are many ‘Christians’ in prison also, for they too are being punished for disobedience to man’s laws. Many Christian marriages end in divorce, and many kids from Christian homes wind up in trouble just like their counterparts from non-Christian homes. Here are some principles that God wants us to be reminded of for His church. Perhaps if properly considered and applied in our church environment, we might also practice more Christlikeness in our homes:

  • Show appreciation towards workers and leaders (vs 12) – Imagine if this was practiced in our homes. Son, you did a great job mowing the lawn today, here’s some money to take you and a friend to the movies this weekend. OR, thank you Dad for working so hard to help our family enjoy such a comfortable lifestyle, for it truly hurts when I see some of my school pals come in tattered clothes, worn out shoes, and they hardly ever enjoy a good lunch at school. Don’t you know that this same attitude will carry over by these types of individuals while at church and seeing the mission of our Lord Jesus accomplished? Paul reminds us that this type of attitude will be ‘priceless’!
  • Develop a heart of love for your church workers (vs 12) – From a heart of love, you will bless, encourage, congratulate, thank, pray for and love those who work tirelessly in your church. Yes, they may ‘step on your toes’ every week as they teach, preach, admonish and try to help you walk the narrow way that leads to heaven. But remember, they are responding as honestly as they could to what they feel compelled of God to teach, preach, administer and promote.
  • Let peace live and reign in your heart (vs 13) – While we serve an awesome and all-powerful God who is very capable of loading you up with as much peace as you could handle, I believe that the Holy Spirit, who lives inside the Christian, will lead you into being a peacemaker in your marriages, in your homes, in your jobs and especially in your own minds as you speak with God each day, and from your meditation on the Word of God each day. The Bible is very clear that what is fed into your heart, will be reflected in the words you speak, the attitude of praise that you offer up to God and in your encouragement to workers of the Gospel. Seek to ingest the love, power and encouragement of the God who created you and stands ready to help you through every circumstance of life. Be sure that you can recognize His power that works for good inside of you.
  • Scold the rebels, encourage the downcast, help the sick and weak, and be patient with all of them – Friends, whether you personally fit in these descriptions by Paul, or if you just approve of your church and its leaders doing these things, know that each action is important, when handled in accordance with God’s Word. God didn’t mince His words when showing us, and telling us that we are sinners, but He does this from a heart of love for His creation. We imitate His discipline in our homes with our children. If we don’t discipline, do we truly love our kids? Helping the sick and those who cannot help themselves has almost gone by the wayside, all in the name of ‘COVID’. People who need us desperately are still waiting for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. How are you doing with that? Lots of excuses we could find why we don’t visit the sick and help the weak, but if Jesus didn’t find any excuses in being there for us, so we should also not allow excuses when needs arise by those we know and hear about. Lastly, be patient with the rebels – remember, most of us were, and some still are, rebels! Be patient with the downcast, especially those who remain down and out even after you feel like you have done more than your share. Jesus didn’t give up on us, and we should imitate that characteristic when trying to encourage others. Be patient with the sick and the weak. Jesus may be trying to teach you something from the persistent and lasting help that you offer!

Especially when church workers are not paid for their time, they devote to ensure you are always ministered to, they may easily give up if they feel no one appreciates what they are doing. Encouraging the paid and unpaid workers will boost their enthusiasm to go on until Jesus returns! May you hear ‘Well done my child’ from the Master because of your prayers, support and encouragement to workers of the church aiming to present the full gospel to all who attend and all in their mission field.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God blesses us, and He also sends us to bless others in His name. May the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to You, Oh Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer!

PRAYER: To read Your Word, Oh Lord, is to realize that You know exactly what goes on in our minds what tends to discourage us, when we accept the challenges of ministry and try to do our very best in promoting Your love and mercy to Your children – churched and unchurched. It is so unfortunate that we tend to depend more on our human needs and wants while depending on our human desire for praise and appreciation. You went to Calvary after much humiliation and hung on a cross, as if powerless to do anything about it, although You are God and capable of doing everything. Speak to Your children today dear Lord and help us to always follow Your will while seeking to serve you in every way. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Worship Blockers

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Distractions, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Sunday, 2023-03-05
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 15:16-20
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 16 Jesus then said: …. 17 Don’t you know that the food you put into your mouth goes into your stomach and then out of your body? 18 But the words that come out of your mouth come from your heart. And they are what make you unfit to worship God. 19 Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others. 20 These are what make you unclean. Eating without washing your hands will not make you unfit to worship God.

OBSERVATION: Isn’t it interesting how Satan distracts us from worship to our God by placing small petty things in our way to get our attention? The Pharisees, who were the leaders of the church in Jesus’ day, were keenly aware of the disciples not washing their hands before meals, but they were blinded to the sins that kept them from a personal, right relationship with God. Unfortunately, things light this may affect to us still today, more than we would care to recognize. Oh, that the Word of God might open our eyes today as we meditate on our Lord. That’s all – just on our Lord.

APPLICATION: As a teenager, I remember a situation where two sons of a prominent church member came to worship services one Sunday while I was at a certain church. One of the ushers immediately ridiculed the young men about their dress code not being appropriate for God’s house, for they wore a casual, short sleeved shirt. There’s no telling how long parents and friends had prayed for these young men to return to church, but the ridicule pushed them further away from the church than they ever were before. Yes, just the dress code prevented a person from hearing the Gospel or worshiping their Lord that day? If you have relatives who live by certain dietary restrictions, especially if they feel there are Biblical reasons, then you have probably been preached at for sinfully eating the wrong things. No doubt there are many other examples where people are considered ruthless sinners because they do not adhere to all earthly church rules. Jesus found the opportunity to speak to religious leaders over an issue very similar to what we experience today. As a child I was trained to always wash my hands before coming to the table to eat, but the Pharisees took this to the extreme by making it a sin if you didn’t wash before eating. But just as in the case of the Pharisees, Jesus is very aware of what the real sin is in our lives. Furthermore, He is teaching us in the Scriptures today, that sin against God has a serious adverse effect on our worship to the only holy and righteous God. But where does sin originate? As I read this teaching by Jesus, my mind immediately went on to think about what a person does when his heart is continually angered over certain things that he feels strongly about. I believe it would be virtually impossible for that person to respond in love, in happiness, in kindness and in a spirit of helpfulness, while sharing the unselfish, unconditional, love of Jesus with everyone they come into contact with. An angry heart invokes angry actions. You will note that Jesus used several other descriptors to help remind us that we will speak or react based on the content of our heart. Unless we fill our hearts with the attitude and character of Jesus Christ, then we cannot except to respond like He would. Take ‘love’ for example – Jesus went willingly to the cross for you and me, even while we were still steeped in sin. When we love like Jesus did, we can do His will and His work, regardless of the circumstances around us, or on what silly thing may have impacted us up to that very moment. To worship God in spirit and in truth, means that we can stand honestly before the King with no regrets, nor worries, about what may have provoked us into temptation. The Psalmist asked God to create in me a clean and upright heart. Perhaps we should seek God’s face in similar fashion so that we may stand before Him in all honesty and truth, with a clean and contrite heart. As we are sincere and true to God, then perhaps we could better enter into personal worship to Him, and treat everyone that we come into contact, with the love and grace of God. This is a day primarily dedicated to worshipping the living and almighty God. Please consider clearing your heart from anything that might hinder our corporate time together where God is the center and object of our worship.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Our words to God in worship today will come from a heart that may be hardened because of worship blockers. May God cleanse our hearts once again, and make us wholly His, so that we may dedicate our time of worship to Him today, without any distractors or sin that might interfere.

PRAYER: I believe that the only heart that is clean when it comes into the presence of our Holy God, is a heart that has been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, and one that has sought the face of Jesus for a renewed cleansing from the battle scars of this old world. So Lord, I beg of You to cleanse my heart and renew within me a right spirit, so that I may stand before You in worship without the distractions of this sinful world. Please also touch the heart of my readers so that they also might find peace in knowing You. May they desire a renewed cleansing that would present them faultless before the King of all kings. Forgive us Lord for trying to worship You through our distractions and our sin. May we not only come face-to-face with You in holiness, but may our lives be more usable by You when clothed in Your righteousness. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Ready or Not, Jesus is Coming

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Ready to Go, Recognize God, Salvation, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Saturday, 2023-03-04
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

OBSERVATION: I remember the words from a scary amusement park ride, that told riders to ensure their safety and intent, as there is no turning back now! ‘No escape’ – the same words used in today’s Scripture about the return of Christ to collect His church (believers in Jesus Christ). Many of us tend to be very organized and make special provisions to ensure we are ready (prepared) and on time for an event. Ready or not, Paul reminds us that there will be no turning back, reassessing, redoing, or making quick changes, when the trumpet of God sounds. There will be no escape. Your eternal destiny is sealed at that point. What will your outcome be?

APPLICATION: For those who read my ‘Observation’ you may be saying that this is just another religious scare tactic. But is that what you say to the neighbor who comes over and, in a sense of urgency and/or panic, tells you that there’s a fire at the back of your house? Do you curse at the weatherman when he warns you of a storm that is likely to cause havoc in your day tomorrow? So let me encourage you to take this word from Paul as a warning from the God who created you. Remember, He’s the One who hung on a cruel cross at Calvary out of His perfect love for you, and He prepared a way to enable you to become righteous in the sight of God – washed white as snow, when you seek His forgiveness and accept Him as Lord of your life. Be reminded that there is absolutely no amount of good you can do, or money you can give away, that will earn you the right into heaven. It is only through accepting the free gift of eternal life through knowing Jesus as your Savior and Lord. So, with that background information before you, let’s address the warning given to the church at Thessalonica by Paul. He gave two excellent illustrations to the church. Just as you wouldn’t dare wait until a specific night to secure your back door, or lock your vehicles because you know that a robber is coming that night, so it is with making your election secure, so that your destiny is grounded and secure, for you also don’t know the day or the hour that Jesus will return to take His bride – the church – you and I. Be sure to also look closely at the analogy about labor pains and how the birth of a baby will happen when least expected. Many mothers will prepare for that unexpected moment right at the very moment they learn they are pregnant. Doctors will tell couples an approximate date the baby should come. Husbands will leave home for work, thinking it will be an ordinary day at work – until they receive a panic call from their wife that ‘it’s time to get to the hospital!’ Friends, just as the dad knew that they would have a baby, so we also know that Jesus will return. Just as the dad declined a trip to a long-distance destination so he could be close enough when the call came to him, so we are to be ready for Christ’s return. Believers accepted this fact as one of the most important parts of their decision to accept Jesus as Lord. Unbelievers are reckless with this decision, just like the father who travels away from home convinced that his child will not come for a few days. He has deep regrets when he realizes that he was mistaken, but he can’t turn back the hands of time so he could do things differently. So it is with the unbeliever who delays the decision to accept Jesus as Lord. No matter the good intentions, and no matter how you had a place and time already planned to accept Jesus, He will return based on a decision by God alone, and not anyone’s good intentions or their timetable. Please, dear reader or listener, don’t be sorry for not making your decision to accept Jesus when you are first called by Him. Called? Yes, when you first realized that Jesus was real and that He loves you like no one else does. How do I know? Because children of the world who are led by Satan will not have thoughts of heaven, or Jesus, or eternal life. It is only when Jesus tugs at your heart that your mind will be turned from the things of this world and towards your heavenly Father. The Bible says that God will only call for so long, then He will give you up to your own choices. Death will come to all, no escape. Your eternal destination will depend on what you did with Jesus. Make it count dear friend, make that vital decision today to accept Jesus as Lord.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: You can avoid ever being told ‘go away from me, for I never knew you’. Listen to Jesus today and be ready for His return which could be at any moment.

PRAYER: You loved us enough to provide the mean of salvation for us; to call us to Yourself and away from the wickedness of this world; and to correct us as necessary even while still here on earth. We really have no excuse to ever be threatened with the words ‘there’s no turning back now’, for as Your child, our aim is to eventually be together with You and the Father, in the glories of heaven. Many doubt the weatherman, but destructive storms come. Many gamble on the day of arrival for their child, but the baby comes when the time is right. Similarly, many have chosen to gamble on Your return date to take Your church home to glory, but they have placed themselves into a wedge where there is no escape. Please Lord, touch the heart of each one who takes the time to read this devotional today. May they clearly see the truth of Your Word and accept the free gift of Salvation only available through accepting You as Lord of their life. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Principles of Prayer

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Prayer, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Friday, 2023-03-03
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 11:2-4; 9-10;
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 2 So Jesus told them, “Pray in this way: ‘Father, help us to honor your name. Come and set up your kingdom.
3 Give us each day the food we need. 4 Forgive our sins, as we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And keep us from being tempted.’ ”
9 So I tell you to ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you. 10 Everyone who asks will receive, everyone who searches will find, and the door will be opened for everyone who knocks.

OBSERVATION: I find it intriguing when a young child asks for an adult to ‘dumb down’ their response to a question, or to better explain their advice or information. They need help in a certain area, and unless they receive clear and understandable information, they still won’t be able to do what’s needed or expected of them. Imagine a young Christian, they too need clear, concise and understandable direction. Jesus knew that, like His disciples, young Christians need direction on how to pray, and seasoned Christians need a refresher every so often. As applicable to you, so let today’s Scripture apply.

APPLICATION: When we are hungry, often we have been without food for a while, but we know where to go to satisfy that hunger. The disciples felt they were missing out on the benefits of prayer (communication with God), so they went to Jesus and asked how they might accomplish that. You may be approached by a new believer asking the same question, or you might benefit from the tips that Jesus gave to His disciples, to help you in your journey of communicating with God. Here are some key points that I found helpful:

  • Honor the name of Jesus – to address a judge of our court system, he will insist that you recognize his position and approach him as ‘your honor’. Therefore, we must not just barge in on Jesus with your demands, but instead recognize Him for who He is and for all He has done. Give Him honor and glory and praise for who He is.
  • Acknowledge His kingdom rule – He is King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He has charge of everything He created, and although God allows earthly men and women to rule here on earth, it’s only until He returns to take His bride (the born-again church) home to the Father. After experiencing so much turmoil here on earth, no matter what country you’re in, aren’t you ready to have the Prince of Peace assume His sovereign reign here on earth, as He is doing already in heaven? In your prayers. let Jesus know how you feel about that. You will not only reassure Him of your desire to see Him rule and reign eternally, but it will also give you opportunity to acknowledge your state of readiness for His rule, His return and His reign.
  • Forgive us, as we forgive others – Interesting how Jesus uses the same concept as He used about our giving. He said He would give us in the spirit that we give. Both in our giving and in our request for forgiveness, we must always be reminded that God’s Word declares that He will treat us like we treat others. Our actions set the stage for God’s reaction.
  • Temptation – I believe that Satan considers it his full-time job to temp humans – especially believers in Jesus Christ. While we hate our reaction to temptation, it does act as a test if our commitment to our Lord and our dependence on Him is at a level where it should be.

I especially included verses 9&10 so that we might rejoice in the blessings promised to those of us who sincerely communicate with, and honors God for, His promised blessings. Everything God does, and everything He asks of us, is from a heart of love, as He strives to make us the best children possible for Him to work through.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Praise God that He cares for us! In spite of knowing our wicked heart, yet He calls us to Himself, loves us, and desires to see us be usable vessels for His glory!

PRAYER: Praises to our wonderful, all-powerful and awesome God, who knows us, yet He loves us anyway and will always be ready to accept us into His kingdom, if we so desire and acknowledge Him as Lord. Thank You Father for teaching us the basic principles of prayer. We realize that it is open and unfiltered communication with You, but in following Your principles, we have a better idea of what you expect when You hear from us. please forgive us Lord if we have ever been too trivial in our prayers to You. We have been reminded that You deserve our utmost respect and honor as we seek Your face in worship and prayer. Please keep our hearts and minds fixed on You and may Your commands always come to mind when we communicate with You. Please speak to the hearts of those who need You as Lord and Savior, and may Your words be made clear for them to follow You in a spirit of holiness. Please continue to bless us Lord, as only You can. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Who Do They Say You Are?

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Actions, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Thursday, 2023-03-02
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 2 Chronicles 9:5-8
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 5 She said: Solomon, in my own country I had heard about your wisdom and all you’ve done. 6 But I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes! And there’s so much I didn’t hear about. You are greater than I was told. 7 Your people and officials are lucky to be here where they can listen to the wise things you say.
8 I praise the Lord your God. He is pleased with you and has made you king of Israel. God loves the people of this country and will never desert them, so he has given them a king who will rule fairly and honestly.

OBSERVATION: When a head of state visits with another head of state, they probably watch everything happening, and listen closely to everything they hear in and around the palace. Some may be critical, and some may see values that they want to adopt. Not sure how many will be as bold as the Queen of Sheba to tell their visiting dignitary what they thought and/or felt while visiting, but the queen was very open with king Solomon. Those of us that are leaders in God’s work here on earth are also scrutinized very closely by those we serve. As we meditate on this Scripture, I would like for us to reflect on what might be said of us.

APPLICATION: For those who are called into ministry, like pastors, they have a mission to fulfill, so to criticize them is like criticizing the One who called them into ministry and sent them to serve in ministry at our church. However, there are many others who help pastors achieve the work for which God has called them, and who also serve in support functions to maintain the various ministries of the church. The Queen wanted to visit with Solomon because of all the good things she had heard about him. Because of what she said to Solomon, I believe that the Queen had heard very admirable things about the king and the way that he ran his kingdom. The Holy Spirit caused me to ponder what my pastor, church leaders, congregation, and my community has determined in their hearts about me in being head of my family; a good neighbor; upstanding in my community; persistent in my church attendance; involved and committed in the ministries of my church. For you see, I believe each of these things are inter-related. For example, if I struggle in my interpersonal relationships in my family, at work, and in volunteer work in my social clubs, don’t you think that the same will be expected of me at church? In the case of Solomon, the Queen was pleasantly surprised to find that she had heard nowhere near the full story on the king. Everything she had heard was confirmed, plus she witnessed many additional qualities about this awesome king. I was blessed in reading verse 8, for there we see that the Queen acknowledged where Solomon’s qualities came from! She thanked God – the God of Solomon, for blessing Solomon with such wonderful qualities, and also for God blessing His people, the Israelites, with such an awesome leader and king. No matter how hard we work, we can rest assured that others are looking on and drawing their own conclusions about whether we are sincere in our work, or just pretending. If we say that we believe in Jesus Christ and that we will always honor Him in every aspect of our life, then it should be evident to others. They should want to honor our God, because of how well we are doing.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Just as the Queen of Sheba praised God for what she saw in His servant, Solomon, I pray that we may bless others in similar ways, to the glory of God!

PRAYER: Lord, I praise You for who You are! I pray that You might always be such a vital part of our lives that others might lift up holy hands in praise to the Almighty for what they see in us. As You bless us, oh Lord, may we also be a blessing to others. Yes, we may not be rich like Solomon, but just as the Queen of Sheba saw his character shining through and knew it was Your hand working in his life, may those we come into contact with be enriched and blessed by the qualities You bestow on us every day. May they always see You at work in us, Lord, and may they have a deep desire to know You in a personal and intimate way. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Personal Righteousness

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, Righteous, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Wednesday, 2023-03-01
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 141:3-4
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 3 Guard my mouth, O Eternal One; control what I say. Keep a careful watch on every word I speak.
4 Don’t allow my deepest desires to steer me toward doing what is wrong or associating with wicked people or joining in their wicked works or tasting any of their pleasures.

OBSERVATION: Although you could never be God, I wonder what you would want to see differently in me, or others around you! What kind of list might I create for self-correction! In being reminded of the holy and righteous God that we serve, I wonder what our list would be to better align ourselves with His righteousness? Obviously, David found himself in an environment where he could speak to God about his inadequacies. As you meditate on this today, think about where, when and how you will find peace and quiet for your time with God, so that you could truly hear Him.

APPLICATION: Not sure about you, but when considering my strengths and weaknesses, I sometimes wonder how on earth a holy and righteous God would ever consider having a relationship with me. I’ve never been to prison, or even hauled down to the Police station for questioning, but when I look at my list of things that I fall short on, it becomes frightening to think that I could ever be worthy of a perfect God’s love. I believe the difference between David and myself is that David spoke to God as one who knew every little detail about his character and his heart. It’s when we approach God about our sin, while thinking that our actions are a surprise to Him, or a disappointment that may cause Him to turn away from us. In other words, we may feel like there is something that we’ve hidden from Him, until that very moment. Is it any wonder that we shy away from wanting to be in His presence and seek His forgiveness? But somehow, I believe that David was very much at ease in speaking with God on almost any occasion and no matter where he was at. Paul exemplified similar behavior in the relationship he enjoyed with the Master, remember in prison? But notice how David zoned in on the most important parts of his body that tend to get all of us in trouble – the mouth and the heart – our desires. These things will kill the spirit in a church, cause pastors to give up their ministry out of despair, thinking that Satan is just too busy and active among the members. Unfortunately, even though church leadership may feel like the arguments and internal fighting happens behind closed doors, it is very obvious to the visitor who is spiritually led and dependent on the Holy Spirit. David had many who were out to get him as a leader. I believe that in his humble spirit, he was asking God to help him be an imitator of his Creator to even those out to break his spirit and his will. I believe it is a built-in reaction for us to snap back and say inappropriate things when others try to destroy us. Oh, for the heart of David to ask God for power to respond like He would – in love, compassion and after God’s own heart – even towards those whom Satan is leading to destroy us.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Having a heart pleasing to God, is one that is filled with His righteousness and a humbleness – a heart willing to ask for that help and strength from God. May it be so today for the one who knows Jesus as Lord and seeking to live in His righteousness. And for the one who is led by Satan, may the tug on their heart overwhelm their decision to follow Jesus, as Lord and King of their life.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, only You truly know our heart and the pull of Satan in trying to destroy Your soldiers of the cross while trying to live on this earth. I believe You designed us to be dependent on You, Lord, so please give us extra strength each day, and place within us a desire to seek Your face and Your guiding hand to help us through this life while promoting Your kingdom in every way possible. Satan has tugged at the unsaved and kept them walking down a path that’s far away from the way of the cross. It’s a heart matter for those who choose to follow in an opposite path to that which leads to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, so please consider touching the hearts of those we love and care about yet distracted by Satan. May this be the day that they sing out their need for a Savior, and may they turn from their sin and follow you with all their heart, soul and mind. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!