Category: Challenges

Overcoming Distractions: Prioritizing God in Your Life

On By Ed AlgreenIn Acknowledge God, All-powerful, Allegiance, Allegiance to the Lamb, Always There, Ask and Receive, Awesome God, Blessings, Bold Confidence, Challenges, Choice, Church attendance, Cleanse me Oh God, Daily communion with God, Devoted, Distractions, Draw Me Close to You, Eternal Life, Everything We Need, Faith, Follow Jesus, God our Provider, God's Guidance, God's Power, Leadership of the Holy SpiritLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Tuesday, November 12, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from the Good News Translation (GNT) and found in Isaiah 65:1-3

THE SCRIPTURE READS
1 The Lord said, “I was ready to answer my people’s prayers, but they did not pray. I was ready for them to find me, but they did not even try. The nation did not pray to me, even though I was always ready to answer, ‘Here I am; I will help you.’ 2 I have always been ready to welcome my people, who stubbornly do what is wrong and go their own way. 3 They shamelessly keep on making me angry. They offer pagan sacrifices at sacred gardens and burn incense on pagan altars. 

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
Perhaps you have better control over your emotions on being trapped in an impatient situation, but it seems like as I age, I am becoming way more intolerant over waiting for someone that I expected to make the next step in a process, only to find out they either misunderstood their role, or had no intention in following through on something expected of them. As I meditated on this Scripture today, I held my head down in shame, because I was reminded that God must be exceptionally tolerant of me as He waits for me each morning after blessing me with a very safe, warm, comfortable, restful night, yet I fail to thank Him as I awaken and approach another beautiful day. At evening time, after all day preparing the way for me, directing my path while opening doors that would otherwise be shut tight, yet I lay my head down without saying ‘Thank You’ to my Provider, my Protector, my Savior and my Lord. Friends, try re-reading today’s Scripture and allow it to challenge you about your similarities to the nation of Israel that God spoke to through His servant, Isaiah. We are quickly approaching a time of the year that many set aside as a special day each year to offer up thanks to Almighty God for His amazing hand of mercy and blessings throughout the year. Let us pray that this will not just prove to be a day of overindulging in turkey and whatever other food items might fill our tables that day, for just as our God is reminding us in this Scripture, He stands ready to continue blessing us in the year ahead, if only we would recognize our source of each and every blessing. He stands ready to hear our prayers and petitions as we share our concerns with Him in prayer, for in Isaiah 59:1 we are reminded that God’s arm is not too short to save us or hear our cry for mercy, or want or salvation. Please, dear friends, be reminded that God is still on the throne and He sees the gods that we have chosen to worship. Yes, especially those gods that are outside of His temple where we expect Him to be present. For the Israelites, He saw the gods they worshipped in their gardens. For us, it is any thing, or any one that we allow to take precedence over our time with Almighty God. Let me suggest that we start with, and particularly look at, what we choose to do during the times that our church worship services are going on. Examples might be the beach, boating, sports, shopping, hunting, work, etc. Are these the things that you give thanks to at Thanksgiving for your survival over the past year? Are these the things that you go to, or call on, in times of trouble, disappointment or illnesses? I believe that if these things take priority, and/or take up the time you would otherwise spend with God, then God may be jealous to the extent that He considers you spending more time with other gods rather than Him. May God direct us to keep our hearts and minds fixed on Him, our Creator and Savior, and allow nothing else to distract from our time with Him.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for Your unconditional and persistent love for us – Your creation and Your children. You created us in Your image, yet we’ve strayed to our own vices and found other ‘gods’ more attractive, necessary and important to us. You bless, protect and guide us to be more like You every day, yet we choose to ‘do it our way’ like the songwriter wrote about. Please Lord, forgive us of our twisted priorities and our misguided allegiance. Please continue to work on us and open our eyes to see You as You are, our Savior and Lord – our everlasting King – the God of this universe for today and for evermore. In the busyness of life we often complain about not having time for everything that should be important to us. Please help us to use the words that something, or someone was not a priority to us, if we chose other things to consume our time. We want You to be our top priority in all walks of life. Please help us to give priority to You above all else. Amen!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby 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 being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

The Purpose of Bad Things Happening To Good People

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Challenges, Needs, Peace, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-03-15
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Acts 28:3-6
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks to lay on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, fastened itself onto his hand! 4 The people of the island saw it hanging there and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live!”
5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to begin swelling or suddenly fall dead; but when they had waited a long time and no harm came to him, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

APPLICATION: Being in Malta at the time of this incident, you could only imagine the awe of the people as they observed Paul. For they knew about these snakes and how venomous they were. They had watched their families and loved ones succumb to their poison. Now, right in front of their very eyes, they were about to see how Paul would handle the power, the danger, and the pain of the snake’s venom.
But let’s stop for a moment and consider how we tend to do when difficulties, or unexpected news come to us. The doctor may approach us with the diagnose “It’s inoperable.” Friends, no matter how you name it and claim it, this may be the Lord’s plan for you to navigate that pain and ‘venom’ in such a way that the barbarians around you, who are also losing their loved ones to cancer, will change their minds about who God is as a result.
Remember in the Scriptures, Jesus didn’t say to Thomas, “Watch this miracle or listen to this sermon.” He said, “Touch My wounds.” We put a lot of emphasis on inviting our friends to church, and I agree it is one of the most important times of fellowship, worship and discipleship that we could possibly invite a friend to, but how are they seeing Jesus, in light of the way you walk and talk? I find it ionteresting how the world is rarely impacted and drawn to Jesus Christ through the sight of Christians prospering. No, it’s through seeing believers suffering and not giving up that the barbarians change their minds. Suffering and still praising the Lord for His goodness, for they see just the opposite in the world. Now it is obvious that we have no control over when this will occur, just like Paul had no idea of when the snake would sink his fangs into him. But, from the content of the heart, we react. It may be that we would immediately call out on God; or totally turn from God for allowing such a disease to come our way; or we might become more aware of difficulties others bear on a daily bases. Whatever our reaction is, I believe it could be one of the most important ministries we will ever have, for people will then see how we react to the pain they go through all of the time. Difficulty is the agent that often allows people an opportunity to see the reality of Jesus Christ most clearly. The impact of our witness will depend on how we react to our difficulties.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Based on Paul’s reaction to his snake bite, the people concluded that he was a god. Placing our faith and trust in Jesus can give us the confidence to handle life’s challenges like Jesus would!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, I thank You for the way You have comforted so many over recent years to handle very challenging life-situations. For widows have found courage and strength to go on in life without the confidence of having their husband next to them. While miracles have occurred, there are situations where we are challenged to understand Your ways, however we stand firm on the promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us, and that ‘all things work together for good – for those who love the Lord’. You are merciful Lord, and we praise You for Your goodness. Please prepare us to always represent You well, especially when life becomes more challenging than we ever expected. The world still needs You Lord, may they find You evident in every aspect of our lives, especially when the same challenges come upon us that they face on a regular basis. 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!

God – Ever Was, Always Is and Always Will Be!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Challenges, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2021-01-02
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Genesis 1:1
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

OBSERVATION: I believe that some of the most powerful words in the Bible are included in our Scripture today! Before there was anything in the universe, there was God! In yesterday’s blog we looked at some of the concluding verses of the Bible and we saw where God was calling us home to Glory – so we know He is waiting for us when this universe becomes non-existent, at the end of time. The sun arose this morning, not of its own accord, or by happen-chance, but because God placed it in the sky and orchestrated its rising and its setting for each day His children need it. He always was, He always is and He always will be! That’s my God! Do you know Him?

APPLICATION: I believe that one thing 2020 taught us, is that we live in an uncertain world, where mankind could only hope to try and find solutions to protect us against what has already occurred, and in hopes that they could build our immunities against a recurrence of that. World governments could prepare financial budgets based on past experience and on things that they plan to do that will involve certain finances, but no one in the whole world had a financial plan for COVID, nor did they have a budget in place to help scientists prepare for a medical solution that would prevent thousands of deaths. I was so overwhelmed in awe as I started my time through the Bible again! For I was reminded in the very first chapter of the Book, that God not only created the universe, but He went on to create everything that mankind would need to survive. I was enthused by the way the CEV version explained how God commanded each thing into being – major things that we often take for granted, such as light (and darkness); water; the sky; land; living creatures, and so on. As He reflected on all that He made, He was proud of it and happy with the results. Perhaps a great reminder for His created beings (you and I) to recognize these things and praise God for them, for they cannot be replaced by the ingenuity of man, should the need ever arise! I was also reminded that if God was so pleased with what He made, why on earth do we allow Satan to misguide us into complaining about: no sunshine today; no rain for the past month; if only I was as handsome/beautiful and slim as that popular movie star; lack of money (notice that money wasn’t even mentioned!!), etc. God made us as we are for His good purpose, why mess that up? God gave us all we need, why complain? God loves us unconditionally, why fret, doubt and become disheartened? God created us, everything around us, and also everything we will need after life here on this earth. We are truly blessed and can safely enter this new year knowing that God is in control of it all. If He leaves us here for a while longer – to God be the glory! If He’s ready for us in Heaven – to God be the glory! There is no other like our God! Glory to God in the highest!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that You will touch the lives of Your children, that You created, and that You provided everything for. Please convince each one that You are true to Your Word and that we can rest assured that, come what may in 2021, it will not occur without Your knowledge and without You power to overcome it, or take us out of it. Your inspired Word is filled with words that describe the glories of heaven, where there will be no more sorrow, no pain, no diseases, and other things that seem to worry us. Please help us in this temporary position here below until we arrive forever glorified at Your feet. Thank You Father for Your love and Your patience with us as we endure the challenges of earth. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!

Jesus Sees Us In Our Challenging Times

On By Ed AlgreenIn Challenges, Love, SavedLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: May 2, 2019
WRITTEN AT: Sebring, FL

Bible Reference: Mark 6:47-51
Translation: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Bible Text: 47 That night, the boat was still in the middle of the lake. Jesus was alone on the land. 48 He saw the boat far away on the lake. And he saw the followers working hard to row the boat. The wind was blowing against them. Sometime between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus went out to the boat, walking on the water. He continued walking until he was almost past the boat. 49 But the followers saw Jesus walking on the water. They thought he was a ghost, and they started screaming. 50 It scared them all to see him. But he spoke to them and said, “Don’t worry! It’s me! Don’t be afraid.” 51 When he got into the boat with the followers, the wind stopped. The followers were completely amazed.

OBSERVATION: Often when we are in deepest worry, we tend to think that no one sees or understands what we are going through. But although the disciples were in a boat, away from the shore, and probably could not see Jesus, yet He not only saw them, but also saw the struggle they were having. Jesus said in His Word that He would never leave us alone, so I believe that He sees and understands our struggles today as well, and that He loves us enough that He would never leave us alone. Join me as we meditate some more on this…

APPLICATION: Struggles and worry come in many forms, but when we feel like we are running off track, or off course, I could easily understand how we would also feel like we are being buffeted by the storms that are far over our heads. In fact, we might often feel like the storms have driven us far off course from the path that we believe God ordained for us. Jesus’ disciples were traveling in a boat across the lake to Bethsaida, when a storm arose and blew them off course. Notice that the Word says that Jesus was well aware of the struggle His disciples were going through. That in itself is rewarding because it reminds me that Jesus is aware of what I am going through. He knows where I want to be, but just as important, He knows the struggles of this world that are holding me back and forcing me off course. It may be health, or finances or family issues, or a thousand other things, BUT He knows what we are facing. The following course of action is even more exciting, because the Bible tells me that He arose from what He was doing and went to the disciples – He went to their rescue, to help them. We look at our children, see their struggles, and we want to jump in and help, but often our pride or an attitude of wanting to see them learn a lesson and actually ask for help, may prevent us from stepping forward. Jesus already knows our hearts friends, so He knows what we need, when we need it and how badly we need it. I am amazed that in spite of our worldly distractions, yet Jesus comes to our rescue and calms our waters of worry and hopelessness and fills us with His joy, His peace, and the amazing hope for eternity with Him in heaven! Wow, what an awesome God that we serve! Do you know Him personally friend? If not, please consider following the suggestion in the footnote today. Jesus wants to welcome you and care for you just like He did for the disciples in that boat!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for being my Savior. Thank You for sacrificing Your life so that I may have life eternally with You in glory! As reminded in this text today, let me also thank You for coming to my rescue when You noticed that I am running off course because of worldly struggles that distract my walk. This is way more than I could ever expect, and deserve, but thank You for loving me in this way. This is more than I can comprehend, or imagine, based on this world’s standards. I adore You dear Jesus, and I thank You for loving me this much, in spite of my human frailness. Please continue to watch out for me, and I welcome You to come to my rescue at any time. I am sure that my Christian brothers and sisters are also plagued with these same insecurities and challenges in their daily lives. Please allow this study to open their eyes to Your amazing love and concern for them. Lord, may this be a day that some lost person may come across this devotional, and be so reminded of Your love, that they might surrender their life wholly and solely to You. I ask all this in the precious name of Jesus, my Lord, AMEN!

Our All Sufficient God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Challenges, Circumstances, Hard TimesLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE (New Living Translation – Ecclesiastes 7:13-14): 13 Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? 14 Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

THOUGHTS: Most of us tend to pray hardest when we are flat on our back and have no other choice but to look up and pray! That’s a saying that I’ve heard over the time that I’ve been a Christian, because most people pray hardest during times of adversity. At one point I had a pastor who would dedicate the first portion of our prayer meetings towards giving thanks to God in our prayers. It was amazing how challenging it was to just give thanks, without tending to also ask, ask, ask. I believe we are truly a ‘gi’me’ kind of people. In this scripture today, we are admonished to always remember to give God thanks when we recognize His handiwork, or as we prosper by His graciousness, His power and His provision for us. In fact, I would encourage you to join me in giving God thanks for everything. How dare us to attribute God’s goodness to happen-chance, or our lucky day, or coincidence, or any other description we may tend to use instead of simply thanking the Creator of all things, the One who gave His life so that we might enjoy eternal life. If God made such an awesome sacrifice just to show His love for us and His desire to have us join Him around the throne in heaven one day, don’t you suppose He will do everything possible to take exceptional care of us until such time that He calls us home? I can assure you He will!! However, an area that I believe many of us struggle with, is when things don’t seem to be going ‘peachy’ (as some would say!). Let me remind you of two songs that reflect on God’s awesome plan, and confirms that God is always with us: ‘God of the Mountain‘ and ‘Through It All‘. Listen to these two songs as you meditate on the rest of this devotional and be blessed. Friends, I believe that God has a wonderful plan for our lives, but while in this old world, life will not be perfect, so let us learn to trust in God when everything is going the way we think it should go, but we should especially trust in God during those times that we realize that we could only overcome our circumstances with a great big touch of the Master’s hand. May I encourage you to lean on a friend for prayer support and encouragement when life seems impossible? Often it is difficult for us to see outside of our struggles and circumstances.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I just want to thank You for who You are. So much bigger than my circumstances, so much stronger than my weaknesses, yet Your love is so awesome that You love me in spite of my inadequacies. Many will meditate on this devotional today that are overwhelmed with struggles and hardships. Thankfully we are assured in this scripture today that Your love and Your power is consistent and persistent, if only we will remain faithful in every circumstance of life. May it be so, please dear God. For I ask all this in faith, and in the precious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or read through Biblical truths on How To Know Jesus, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will 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 www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!