Category: Celebrate God

A Covenant Relationship

On By Ed AlgreenIn All have sinned, Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Born Again, Celebrate God, Chosen by God, Christian, Encourage, Eternal Life, Evangelism, Faith, Follow Jesus, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, Heaven, Hope, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Pleasing to God, Reaching the Lost, Reflecting Christ, Repentance, Righteousness, Surrender, The Book of Life, Things Eternal, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Genesis 17

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him,4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations!5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.6 I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! Gen 17:1-6 (NLT)

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

Much is said in God’s Work about covenant relationships. In this particular chapter there were several covenant relationships made with Abram (Abraham) and they all were similar in form. God made a covenant that He would do certain things and this was either preceded, or followed by, certain things that would be required by Abram and/or his people. In this particular covenant God told his servant who was once fatherless, that he would become the father of countless descendants and of many nations, and to mark this his name would be changed to reflect the new him, because Abraham actually means ‘Father of Many’. Now prior to all this being revealed, God demanded of Abram that he vow to serve Him faithfully and live a blameless life. Throughout God’s Word He makes many promises to us, the greatest of which was the gift of His Son Jesus. In this particular covenant, God sent His Son so that those of us that believe on, and accept Him as Lord of our life, would have eternal life. At Christmas time we celebrate the gift that was presented to us. I trust that for all who may read this devotional, You would truly accept this gift and complete the covenant presented by God, for I guarantee you that He will live up to His part of the covenant by opening heaven’s gates and receiving us into eternity with Him. Friend I pray that your eyes will be opened to this invitation, because the alternative is not very bright for those who refuse to accept Jesus. An eternal life of damnation and the unpleasentries of Hell is not anything that I can imagine anyone wanting to set as a goal in their life.

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

Father I thank You for the greatest gift ever given – Your Son. I thank You also for touching my life and encouraging me to accept Your gift some 35 years ago. I am concerned about the numerous number of family and/or friends and/or co-workers that have chosen to ignore Your gift and the covenant You have offered to us. I pray that this will be an important Christmas weekend in the lives of those that You have touched my life through, because I pray that You will once again overly sensitize their hearts so that they will understand how hopeless life is without You. May they experience the real meaning of the reason that we celebrate Christmas as they surrender and submit their lives to You this week.

The Reward of Thankfulness and Appreciation to God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, Faith, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, God our Provider, God Reigns, God’s Word, Heaven, Hope, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Righteousness, Testify, Thank You JesusLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE Studied: Genesis 8

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose. 21 And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things.22 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” Gen 8:20-22 (NLT)

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

Noah could very easily have complained while on the ark about how long he had to be penned up in tight quarters with the stench of animals, and he could have been so relieved after exiting the ark that he could have left everything behind him and went on to the joys of everything he saw in front of him. However, he took time to stop and offer a praise and thanksgiving offering to God immediately after getting off the ark, and before indulging in anything else. Are we careful to do this every time we recognize God at work in our lives? Do we stop and thank God for all He has done? Do we give Him credit for the things accomplished in our everyday lives, or do we attribute the successes to luck, or our personal achievement? God was so please with what He saw in Noah, until He made a few promises that Noah never even thought, or knew to asked for. I believe that God has way more good in store for us than we could ever imagine. He’s just waiting for us to let Him, and to do our part in recognizing Him and thanking Him for all that He does. there’s a song that I like to sing along with, “God of Wonders” that comes through in expressing how awe struck I am as I consider all that God does for me each and every day, and how special His children must be to Him. I want to always be mindful of all that my God does for me and those that I call ‘Brother’ or ‘Sister’. Thank You Father!

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

Father, You loved us so much that You gave it all for us. You created us, and everything around us to enjoy while here on this earth. You provided the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have a means to enjoy the ultimate prize of worshipping You in heaven one day. Thank You Father for loving me so much and providing for me every day. Please forgive me when I am selfish and whine about things that really don’t count towards my ultimate journey in being with You.

My Hope Is In You Lord!

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, Eternal Life, Hope, Things EternalLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Job 17

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Job 17:1-4 ~ My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out. The grave is ready to receive me. I am surrounded by mockers. I watch how bitterly they taunt me. “You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me. You have closed their minds to understanding, but do not let them triumph. (NLT)

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

I believe that often we find ourselves in what we believe to be a vacuum where we feel like there is only us in this world, and definitely only us with the serious problems that we are encountering at the time. However, in reading this passage this morning I am reassured that God’s Word is vital to us in ALL circumstances of our lives, for we can find situations very similar to what we, or friends that we are praying for, are facing today. Once we find those biblical illustrations, we also find God’s answers to those challenging times. In the verses copied here in my ‘Observation’ we can see where Job was very discouraged and feeling like he had been beaten up on by his peers, to the extent that he is now having to share the blame for the condition in which he has found himself, so he blames God. This sounds so much like us today. Let’s pass the blame along, for surely it’s not me that caused my friends to act like my enemies. In fact, we may even go as far as to blame God – for had it not been for our trying to please Him, we would still be on the best side of our friends’ admiration like we had been all along! Job was really distraught here in this chapter, and friends we get very distraught at times also. Bottom line is, those who keep their eye upon heaven as their end, will keep their feet in the paths of religion as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they may meet with. Let’s remember that our goal is to be like Christ while here on this earth, and being with Him in Heaven is our ultimate destination. All else we can handle, with God’s help and our determination.

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

Father I feel like I become stronger in my faith and understanding of the awesome God that You are, as I face challenges such as Job tells us about in this chapter. Please continue to give me strength, and the wisdom to look beyond my challenges, and full into Your wonderful face, with constant reminders of the ultimate place that You have prepared for me in Heaven, for it is through these type of spiritual eyes that I will gain strength to overcome the struggles and challenges around me today.

In Appreciation!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, Obedience, Praise, Righteousness, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Nehemiah 8; Acts 1

OBSERVATION

Nehemiah 8:5-6 ~ Ezra was up on the high platform, where he could be seen by everyone, and when he opened the book, they all stood up. Ezra praised the great LORD God, and the people shouted, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD.

APPLICATION

In the chapter before, the story is relayed about the people who returned from exile to Jerusalem and how they were called together so that Nehemiah could do a roll call. In this chapter the people were gathered at the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra, the high priest, to open the Law of Moses and read it to them, and the verses above give the rest of the detail. While I know that they had a lot to be thankful for, I am sure that God’s children today has equally as much to be thankful for. However I find it shocking how so many will allow the slightest excuse to keep them from God’s house on Sunday. Then, I find that so many will attend church but appear to be in a frozen state – either to be resurrected by the singing or hoping that the preacher will perform well. When last have we automatically stood to our feet when the Word of God was opened, or when have we bowed with our faces to the ground and worshipped the God of the universe in thanksgiving for all that He has done for us? We (Christians) were a people destined for hell, yet our loving Savior died on a cross that we may have life and have it more abundantly in Him. We know many friends or family sick or in hospital, yet in God’s love and grace He has seen fit to give us good health to enjoy each and every day. We should be like the people of Ezra’s day and be ready to stand and welcome the Word of God for hours on end. We should be in a constant mode of worship, and in respect to our Holy God, bow our heads to the ground or even lie prostrate on the ground as we petition before our God. People, friends, family, let us look for opportunities to hear the Word of God and give thanks to the Almighty, and let’s not wait until we are forced to do so because of circumstances that we might find ourselves in.

PRAYER

I pray that You will not have to force us to a position of where we find ourselves pleading at Your feet dear God, but that we might become a people who look forward to hearing Your Word. I pray that we might always be conscious of all that You did for us, and all that You do for us every day, so that we may be a people of praise and thanksgiving. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, please help me to be constant in Your Word and look for every opportunity to learn more about You so that I may become more and more like You every day. Thank You for who You are and for all that You do in love and compassion towards me. You are an awesome God, my Savior, my Redeemer and my Friend, and I am eternally thankful to be Your son!

God – Deserving of our Praise!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, God Reigns, Love, Obedience, Praise, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Psalm 145 

OBSERVATION

Psalm 145:1-4 ~ I will praise you, my God and King, and always honor your name. I will praise you each day and always honor your name. You are wonderful, LORD, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand. Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds.

APPLICATION

When I see God’s handiwork all around me in the many things that He has provided for me; when I reflect on the way that He protects me from harm each time I move/travel; when I stop and reflect on the good health that He has blessed me with; for the wonderful family He has blessed me with to help me through each day; then there’s my work family, church family, friends, work income that enables me to provide for my family each day. Wow, I will always honor and praise the name of Jehovah for being my God, my King and my provider! I pray that as I reflect on the wonderful Savior that I know and adore and I lift up His name in praise, that my daughter and all of our younger generation on which I may have influence, will truly take note and have a desire to want to also follow my Lord and Savior in a similarly intimate way, for David reminds us in the latter part of this passage that each younger generation should learn from their older generation.

PRAYER

Lord I pray that I may be a positive influence on those that are looking up to their older generation. May they be positively affected by my walk, and may I not be a stumbling block to any. Please help me to always be reminded of the ways that You are active in my daily walk of life, and help me to always reflect on this in praise and honor to You. Thank You for being my God, my Savior and my Lord! “

Celebrate “God” Day!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, God Reigns, Righteousness, Worship1 Comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Lamentations 3

OBSERVATION

Lamentations 3:22-24 ~ The LORD’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, “The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!”

APPLICATION

In the earlier verses of this chapter the prophet went through quite a discourse beating up on himself. He had quite a pity party, expressing how he felt like he had been placed in a corner and forsaken by even God. He was totally depressed. However, in these verses he thankfully came to himself and acknowledged the true God who had proven himself to him over the years. I believe that old Satan will often do this to distract us from the real truths and blessings of God. It is so important that we keep our minds fixed on Jesus. To achieve this, it is really important that we stay closely in the Word, and communicate with God on a regular basis, for without these efforts we are led by a wicked world and by Satan himself. Friend, Jesus is the one I serve and I trust that you will accept Him as Lord of your life and place your faith and trust in Him daily. There is no other like Him, whether you consider friends or mentors/leaders in your life. He is the only one that cares for, and loves us unconditionally and at all times. He knows our weaknesses, and can help us overcome and live victorious lives to represent Him in our daily lives, around those that really know us. Let’s let them see Jesus in us today, so that He may be glorified by all.

PRAYER

Father, I pray that You will be worshipped and adored today by each of us that were so craftily designed by Your hand, and loved so intently that you gave everything to help us enter the doors of heaven to be with You one day. There are so many ‘days’ celebrated anymore, ‘donut day’ or ‘chocolate day’ and any other day imaginable, but may this be YOUR day, celebrated by Your children so that those that need to know You as Lord will truly see You and know that You are God and that they too can know and serve You. Thank You Father for the awesome God that You are to me.