Category: Bold Confidence

Be Persistent in Obeying God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Faith, God our Helper, God Reigns, God’s Word, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to God, Surrender, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 8.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

25 Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron. “All right! Go ahead and offer sacrifices to your God,” he said. “But do it here in this land.” Ex 8:25 (NLT)

28 “All right, go ahead,” Pharaoh replied. “I will let you go into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord your God. But don’t go too far away. Ex 8:28 (NLT)

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

Often we try so hard to please God and try to please those around us. We must be careful to please God in all that we do. Often folk around us will plead with us to compromise, like Pharaoh did in the case of Moses and Aaron. I feel like this is a daily battle, and something that requires daily prayer, as we search for or seek God’s guidance and direction. God is in control of our lives. He is in control of our future. Unless we rid ourselves of all the distractions and opposition of His will, we will be easily tempted and/or pressured into following a path that opposes God’s will for us. If Moses was not deeply grounded in his faith, he would have walked away from the assignment given to him to free his people, the Israelites. There were so many times that it sounded like Pharaoh was committed to follow the plan after most of the plagues, yet he changed his mind as soon as he felt like he once again had control. Because of the long range plan designed by God, and God’s persistence to encourage His willing servant Moses, eventually His plan proved successful and Moses and his people were free to leave. Let’s learn to place our faith and trust in God and follow His instructions, no matter how bleak things may appear around us in response to our obedience.

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

Father God, I thank You that I know and serve the only One with all answers to all of life’s challenges, and You are the only one that has the key to my future with You. Please help me to stay faithful to Your will and way. Please help me to stay focused on Your Word, as I believe that it holds the answers to all of life’s challenges that I face every day. I know that You are in control, please guide me to follow Your directions every day.

God’s Timing

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, God our Provider, Humility, Obedience, Power of Prayer, SurrenderLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 2.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

24 God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.25 He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act. Ex 2:24-25 (NLT)

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

I believe that too often we are discouraged and think that God has forgotten us because He has not answered our prayers yet. On the other hand, we would be in trouble if He answered everything that we ask of Him in the manner in which we ask for it to happen. It would almost appear sometime that we have taken on the role of God and appointed Him the puppet to respond as we ask. In this verse we see where God looked down on the Israelites and knew it was time to act. Any sooner may have caused the Israelites to miss out on lessons learned while they waited on God. Any later may have resulted in them losing faith and reacting negatively to the actions against them. God’s timing is always perfect; it’s our patience, humility and understanding that we need to work on. Let’s always remember that He is God, He is in charge, He has all the answers, He knows the future and what positive or negative results would occur if answers are not timely. Let’s do our part to be the obedient, patient, humble child of God waiting for His response and His action to our prayers.

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

Often we ask and we ask and we ask dear God, and sometimes we get impatient and think that our prayers must have hit a brick wall. Today I have been reminded that it is my job to be the child and ask, while Your job to respond when the timing is right so that everything will be just right. Thank You for being my God that I can come to with my concerns. Thank You for answered prayer. Thank you for answering on time, and in Your own way, not necessarily in the selfish and unintelligent way that I may do it filled with shortcomings and possible long-term negative results. You are God, and I thank You for that. Please help me learn to always take my role, and allow You to be God, to respond and act in ways that will ultimately bless me and/or the situation that I am praying for. You are God Alone, praise be to God!

We Shall Overcome!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Faith, God Cares For Us, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Our Help comes from God, Righteousness, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

12 But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became.13 So the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy.14 They made their lives bitter, forcing them to mix mortar and make bricks and do all the work in the fields. They were ruthless in all their demands. Ex 1:12-14 (NLT)

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

God spoke to me in two ways in this chapter this morning:

  1. Jacob and his forefathers had been so devoted to God, showing such respect to Him and giving Him praise as they saw His hand at work, and they were blessed in so many more ways. I am overjoyed to be reminded here in this passage that Jacob’s ancestors are still being extremely blessed and protected by God. This tells me that while I strive to walk uprightly before God today, and may witness many miracles and blessings from God, still I may never know the full extent of God’s blessings. He may go on and bless through my family long after I am gone, because of my faithfulness. This is no reason to be faithful today though, for God deserves my very best today because of my commitment in allowing Him to be Lord of my life. What is returned to me and my descendants as a result of my faithfulness, is all considered ‘blessings’, praise be to God!
  2. Sometimes when we are burdened and feel mistreated, as in the case of the Israelites, we may be tempted to give up. However, like the Israelites, we must learn to always look to God, from whom our strength comes, and be overcomers. Sometimes in the depth of our burdens we become even stronger. There is a song that touches on this through the words “I Never Lost my Praise” and this is because we never lose our hope, our joy in the Lord, our blessings from God, even when we think we are going through the toughest of times God is still in control and will give us the strength and joy of overcoming. That’s just the kind of God that I serve!

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

Please God help me stay focused on this each and every day, especially those days when I feel like I must be handling all the struggles and setbacks alone. I know that You promised to never leave me alone, so help me to focus on the fact that You are there with me through all circumstances, and with You guiding me and looking out for me, what have I to fear? May You receive praise because of my faith, dedication and expressed love for You through everything that I say and everything that I do.

WWJS (What Would Jesus Say)

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Allegiance to the Lamb, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Follow Jesus, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,

 8 ‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.9 Their worship is a farce,
for they teach man-made ideas as

commands from God.’
“ Matt 15:7-9 (NLT)

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

Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees who had come to analyze the man whom their people were so enthused with and following everyday to witness miracles and to be taught the principles of God. Jesus then told the Pharisees how He felt about their actions and their worship. My mind then reflected on ‘What Would Jesus Say’ to me about my words (the things that I say); my thoughts; the content of my heart; my act of worship and that of my church. Too often I believe that we carry on like we have no master, and often I’m sure that we say things that would not be words from Jesus’ mouth. Furthermore we often do well at going before God at select times and, using our ‘churchy’ intellect we tell Jesus how we love and adore Him, then as soon as we walk outside the doors of the church building, or get over the tragedy for which we were praying so hard, we quickly transform into the way of our friends or peers. Are we a ‘farce’? Can anyone look at us at anytime and truly see that we are representatives of God? Are we a part of the problem or working to solve the problems that Isaiah spoke of? I am convinced that the problem still exist today, but I am also convinced that we serve a God big enough to help those of us interested in overcoming the problem. God wants us to be more like Him every day. As we turn lose of self and grasp hold of the hand that could help us live out holy lives dedicated to Him and representing Him in every way, then our daily lives will look more like Jesus and we will have more of an impact for the kingdom in our daily earthly walk.

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

Father, I wouldn’t dare point fingers at anyone, because I am a part of the crowd that Your fingers are pointed towards, for I often fail in living this life totally under Your control and guidance, and no doubt You look at me and consider me a ‘farce’ at times. Please accept this as my honest plea for help me to be a stronger, more committed child of the King today. Help me to never give in to the earthly thoughts of doing unkind things or saying unkind words just because I am in this world, for I serve a Savior that is way bigger – bigger than all the struggles I might face; stronger – stronger than any temptation that may weaken my witness; but praise be to God for You are also more loving than anything or anyone in this world; You are definitely more capable than anyone or anything I can turn to for help to overcome my weaknesses; and caring enough to grant my desire to represent You better in my every action, thought or deed. You are God, and I am Your servant, please grant me the strength to honor and obey Your commands.

He Has Done Great Things!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Forgiveness, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, Obedience, Pleasing to God, Power of PrayerLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 48.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

15 Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, walked— the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day,16 the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may he bless these boys. Gen 48:15-16 (NLT)

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

Jacob had built such a relationship with God over the years that he now asked the same God who had been with his father and grandfather, and the same God who had walked with and directed his path every day to bless these grand children now kneeling before him. I feel like this prayer would have been such a strong influence on these boys, because it was a very personal prayer in that it was not just asked of the God of that time, but of the God who had been very personal and shown his power in so many ways to Jacob over his lifetime. I believe that it would be so very powerful for us to pray in this way. Not only to go to God asking for this or that, but to stop and remind ourselves of all the miracles wrought by God in our lives and especially concentrating on miracles wrought by God in similar circumstances to that for which we are praying. In other words, as we pray for a sick person, reflect on the healing of someone like the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. God’s Word is filled with examples of how He performed numerous miracles. We know of circumstances where Jesus performed miracles in our lives and/or the lives of our loved ones. Let’s once again give God the credit for what He has done, while at the same time building our confidence for the thing that we are about to ask for. Let’s always remember that God has ‘Done Great Things‘ and always will, as we look to Him for our needs in faith.

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

Lord, I come before the God that showed Your mighty power to Jacob, Isaac and Abraham, the God who healed the woman with the issue of blood, and the man lowered through the roof into the presence of Jesus, the God who brought Lazarus back to life and Jesus back to life after three days in the grave, the One who accepted me as one of Your children after cleansing me of my sin, the One who promised never to leave me or forsake me. As I come before You this morning I come with what appears impossible requests when looking at them through my human eyes, but after reflecting on the awesome God in whose presence I find myself, I realize that nothing is impossible for You when I place my faith and trust in You. I pray that You will move in a mighty way in my church dear God. The very vehicle that You have instituted to spread the gospel to a lost and dying world, yet we are plagued by the weaknesses of humans. Lord may Your church arise and be holy. May we represent You in every form today. May I and my fellow brothers and sisters be Your church, Your witnesses, Your representatives with all that we come in touch with. Lord may we be loving and kind to each other. May we learn to overlook each others’ weaknesses and instead look for ways to help strengthen those individuals instead of dragging them down. You have done GREAT things, and I believe that You would love nothing more than to continue doing GREAT things through Your church, so that Your will might be accomplished and lifted up before all me, for You have promised in Your Word that You will then draw them to Yourself. Please allow me to be Your representative today in ways that will be fruitful to the kingdom. Thank You for doing great things in my life and the lives of my family.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Faith, God our Helper, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Power, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matt 14:29-31 (NLT)

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

We are children of the King – the King of all kings! The One who is greater than all mankind! The Creator of the universe! Yet too often we let the things of this world worry us. In fact, the worries consume us. This means that we have our eyes more on the problem(s) than we do on our Master – the One who can solve ALL those things that concern us. Peter did exactly the same, he took his eyes off Jesus and allowed himself to worry about the waves around him. At the time he did this I believe that his worry was more on what he (Peter) could do to save himself or calm the waves, but that was not his problem, in fact that was way out of his control. This is the challenge we have, we worry about those things that we have no power to control or solve. We must learn to take our eyes off our inadequacies and instead focus on the power of Jesus, who overcame death and the cross. There’s a hymn that I am reminded of as I focus on this thought this morning, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus“, particularly one line that reads “..and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”. We need this so badly, to take our minds off the worries and instead focus on the Master.

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

Father I could only imagine that it must sadden You to see Your children burry themselves in worry and concern, after all that You did to prove Your love to us and after all You did to prove Your power to us. Please forgive me for taking my eyes off You so often. There is no reason for me to look at my inadequacies and shortcomings when my hand rests in the hand of my Savior. Please alert me to my power source when I feel downhearted and overcome by the concerns of this world. With my eyes fixed on You, I should find little time to focus on the ‘waves’ of challenging circumstances and tough situations. I appreciate Your love that You show so frequently for me. Thank You Jesus!

Who Are You Representing Today?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Encourage, God our Helper, Imitator of Christ, Obedience, Reflecting Christ, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Matthew 14.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. Matt 14:9 (NLT)

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

We must be extremely careful what we say under the pressure of a crowd. We must take a stand for what we believe and then act in accordance with that, no matter who may be in our presence. In the excitement of a dance performed by Herodias’s daughter, Herod promised her anything she wanted, and he promised this in the presence of all those around him. He was forced to follow through with her request for the head of John the Baptist. I believe that folk around us will respect us all the more for taking a stand for something they have seen us believe in over time, and not cave in because of the moment or because of who may be in our presence. As we take a stand for Jesus in our everyday lives, we will be faced with decisions that will dictate us responding as Jesus would of, or whether we respond as the crowd wants. Quite often the two decisions can be very different. As followers of Christ we must depend on His power daily to help us be representatives of His in all our decisions, all our actions, all the words that blurt out of our mouths. The lost are paying close attention to determine if they can trust us in representing Christ in ALL that we do and say. Who are you representing today?

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

Father I ask for strength today and everyday to help me represent You well to a lost and dying world. There will be many that cross my path today that will not know You personally. May they see Christ in my actions, through the words that I speak, through my mannerisms and may I be consistent and unwavering in my belief, regardless of whose presence I may be in. May I be a vessel that You can work through today to reach the lost and/or bless Your people.

God Can Use Us to Bless Others

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Chosen by God, Christian, Faith, Follow Jesus, Fruit of the Spirit, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, God’s Word, Helper, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Love, Love God, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to God, Purity, Reflecting Christ, Righteousness, Servants of God, Surrender, Victorious Life, Work Til Jesus ComesLeave a comment

Scripture: Genesis 38-39  

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. ~ Gen 39:2-5 (NLT)

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

I am always so thrilled to notice times when God blesses His people that serve Him faithfully. There is no indication in this passage that Joseph ever had to plead before God for anything, but many blessings were bestowed upon Joseph in return for his faithfulness and ongoing persistent commitment to God, and all this in spite of the circumstances where he had been sold by his own brothers, now resulting in him living in a foreign land with total strangers. I remember a plaque that read something like “God can do anything through a life totally committed to Him”. Joseph had no power to bless the home of Potiphar, but God certainly had the power to do it because of the faithfulness of His servant Joseph. I want to make my life so available to God and so responsive to His will, that He could easily shower His blessings through me and accomplish much for His glory.

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

My prayer this morning will actually come directly from God’s Word, Ephesians 3:20-21:

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.  Eph 3:20-21 (NLT)

Woe To You……

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, All have sinned, Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Eternal Life, Evangelism, Faith, Faith, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, God Cares For Us, God Reigns, God’s Word, Humility, Listen to the Word of God, Love God, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Righteousness, Surrender, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Genesis 36 – 37; Matthew 11  

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God.21 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”   Matt 11:20-24 (NLT)

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

I believe that too often we tend to think about how good we are as a church, or a nation, that God would surely bless everyone in it. I also think that we tend to take it for granted that because we go to this or that church every week we will also go to heaven. Friends, there is only one way to get there, and that is to accept Jesus as Lord of you life. Just like Jesus may have done numerous miracles in our church, or in our family, so we may be tempted to think that we too are among those blessed, and will surely reap God’s blessings. These verses tell us that although Jesus performed many miracles in these towns, yet they (the people) will surely die and go to hell if they don’t make personal decisions to accept Him. We too must turn to God, and not think for a moment that we can depend on our blessed lineage to also slip into Heaven. It just doesn’t happen that way. Woe to any that believe that way. A personal decision to accept Jesus is THE only way to ever see Jesus and/or Heaven. The one good thing is that, if you are able to read this devotional today, there is still time for you to make the type decision of which I speak about here. Don’t delay your decision friend, we are not promised one moment past the present breath. Contact me if you would like a friend to talk with about this decision. Directly from God’s Word I will find the words to help you in your decision to accept Jesus. Respond to this posting today, please?

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

Thank You Father for saving my soul. please help me to be sensitive to those who have yet to make this most important decision. Please direct me to someone today that I may help in their dilemma so that they may personally know that they will see You one day, regardless of what may go on around them. Thank You for making this provision for us and providing a means for forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life.

Think about your ‘Marker’

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Allegiance to the Lamb, Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Celebrate God, Christian, Disciple, Evangelism, Faith, Faith, Follow Jesus, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, God our Provider, God’s Word, Hope, Humility, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Reaching the Lost, Reflecting Christ, Righteousness, Share God’s Word, Surrender, TeamworkLeave a comment

Scripture: Genesis 33-35 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

14 Jacob set up a stone pillar to mark the place where God had spoken to him. Then he poured wine over it as an offering to God and anointed the pillar with olive oil.15 And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means “house of God”), because God had spoken to him there.   Gen 35:14-15 (NLT)

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

Jacob went to Bethel because he was reminded of how God revealed Himself to him there when he originally escaped from his brother Esau over 20 years earlier. While there the second time, God gave Jacob a new name, Israel, gave him renewed strength to repopulate the land, and gave him much of the land that He (God) had once given to Abraham and Isaac. I got the impression that God was giving Jacob/Israel a new beginning, and telling him “Now go and get busy for me”. We just celebrated the beginning of a New Year. It started much like the old year ended, without much ado. It sure would have been nice to, and probably is not too late to, recommit ourselves to God as His children looking to restart our respective ministries and seek God’s direction for what He would have us do this year with all that He has blessed us with. I believe that if each of us reflect on the blessings that God has showered on us over the past year, then plant a marker to remind us of those blessings, then in all earnest seek to be involved in God’s direction for more successes in 2011, our churches would not be able to contain the overflow of His blessings. I feel like we need to set aside our personal agendas and ‘business as usual’ attitudes, and be willing to let God work mightily through us. We know the awesome spiritual needs of our community, and we believe that we know the God who holds all the answers to all of life’s problems and shortcomings. This is the same God that we, as Christians, have accepted as our King. Let’s let go of our selfish desires and let God perform miracles in and through us, so that His work can be accomplished in our community.   

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

Praise be to God for His mighty hand and for all that He does for me each and every day. In being reminded of how You worked in the past dear God, I pray that You will again work in and through me and my church, and the churches of my community. There is no reason for us to have lost people in this community, or sinful acts a part of our neighborhood, for You are more powerful than anything or anyone else that we know. You are bigger than all these problems and challenges that we see, and You hold the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. I pray that You will find me faithful. I pray that You will find all those that worship You each week around Avon Park, Florida, willing and ready to bow before You, recognize Your Lordship and Your Kingship and that we will get off our personal thrones and allow You to be God, while we, as Your humble servants, stand ready to let You use us to do greater things for the Kingdom than we ever thought possible. May this be a year that we will look on as a ‘marker’ that future generations will come back to spiritually when they want to be reminded of Your power and move on a people and a community. Begin a renewed work in me, dear Lord, is my humble prayer.