Category: Christian

You Just Never Know What’s In Store For You!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, ObedienceLeave a comment

Scripture: Ruth 3-4.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Ruth 4:13-17 (NLT)

13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son.

14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own.

17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

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

The story of Ruth is such a heartwarming story showing, among other things, 1). How Naomi and Ruth stuck together after the death of their husbands; 2). How God responded to the prayer of Naomi and Ruth and provided work so that they could care for themselves; 3). How God provided a husband for Ruth, even though he was much older and 4). How God provided a child for this couple that would ultimately become a part of the lineage of David, who wrote the book of Psalms, and the lineage of Jesus, the Savior of the world. The names mentioned in this story book valued the decisions made in accordance with what they felt was God’s will for their lives, in spite of the worldly implications of all that may have been apparent. The point is that when we surrender our lives wholly and solely to God, we have no idea at the time of why He directs us in some of the paths that we go or the decisions that we make, but as in this story, I am convinced that we must first of all depend on God to direct us and lead us, secondly we must listen to His voice and obey Him – even if we don’t understand why He is permitting certain things or directing in certain ways. However, we must realize that ultimately these same God driven events and decisions could lead to things that will impact eternity for many. Therefore, I believe that we must realize the importance of listening closely to what God is saying, and we must follow His commands – as only He knows about those things beyond the very moment in which we breathe. We just never know the impact of what our decisions today will have eternally in the lives of others, so let’s be attentive to God’s direction and will for us.

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

Father, so often I wonder what impact little old me could have on those that I come in contact with. I have been reminded that it’s not about me, but all about You, and because my decisions could have an eternal impact on my family, my church and/or those that I come into casual contact with, therefore it is ultimately important that I listen closely to Your voice, and follow Your instructions closely, so that Your perfect will may be accomplished in all that I do or say, and that ultimately souls will be impacted for the kingdom because of my obedience to You. Eternal implications result from decisions that I make today or things that I say today, so may I always be a good listener, obedient follower and careful but diligent example of You in everything today. Thank You Father for working in the lives of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, and thank You for continuing to work in and through me.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Pray That You Might Be Strong

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christian, SurrenderLeave a comment

Scripture: Luke 21.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Luke 21:34-36 (NLT)

34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

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

In this passage Jesus is warning His disciples, and you and I that perilous times will come. Now I bet that with all the earthquakes and floods and hurricanes, we may have thought that this must be it – here comes the Lord as He had promised. I believe that all this might be true signs of God’s hand at work, both in the lives of His people and in the lives of those that would just not get off the fence and make a decision for the Lord. However, this passage indicates that as children of God, we must pray and be alert at all times. I believe that this is an important posture not only for the end times, but also to be in a state of preparedness to fight off the evil one and all of his tactics each and every day, for if we allow Satan in at every move in our daily walk, how prepared are we really to meet our Savior? I believe that praying will keep our communication lines open with God. Being quiet before God during part of our prayer time is also important because it allows Him to speak back to us – in other words, it creates a two-way communication between us and God. Reading God’s Word regularly also helps us to stay in tuned with the mind of Christ and the intent of His heart. If we are to be like Him – act like Him and speak like Him, then we need to be closely in tuned with Him. Friends, this will keep us alert each and every day, plus it will keep us on high alert for the time that He is ready to call us home to be with Him. Are you prayed up? Are you alert and ready? I hope so!

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

Father, we go to great extents to be ready for a hurricane or any other natural disaster, when we hear the warnings. In this passage You have given the warning. I pray that You will help me to be so in tuned with You that I will always be prepared for Your second coming, and that I may be prepared to fight off all the darts of Satan that may be thrown at me each and every day. Just as I would be concerned about my friends and family being prepared and ready in the event of a natural disaster, I am also concerned and sincerely pray for their state of readiness for Your return. I pray that You will soften the hearts of those that I love and am concerned about this morning, and I pray that You will do the same for all that may meditate on this devotional this today. May Your kingdom come in due time, and may we be alert and ready is my heart cry this morning!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Do you influence for good or evil?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christian, God our Helper, Imitator of Christ, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ2 Comments

Scripture: Judges 15-16.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Judges 16:18-21 (NLT)

18 Delilah realized he had finally told her the truth, so she sent for the Philistine rulers. “Come back one more time,” she said, “for he has finally told me his secret.” So the Philistine rulers returned with the money in their hands.

19 Delilah lulled Samson to sleep with his head in her lap, and then she called in a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair. In this way she began to bring him down, and his strength left him. 20 Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!” When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him.

21 So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison.

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

Delilah was a deceitful woman with honey on her lips and poison in her heart. Cold and calculating, she toyed with Samson, pretending to love him while looking for personal gain. How could Samson be so foolish? Four times Delilah took advantage of him. If he didn’t realize what was happening after the first or second experience, surely he should have understood the situation by the fourth time! We think Samson is foolish, but how many times do we allow ourselves to be deceived by flattery and give in to temptation and wrong beliefs? Avoid falling prey to deceit by asking God to help you distinguish between deception and truth.

A person’s greatest accomplishment may well be helping others accomplish great things. Likewise, a person’s greatest failure may be preventing others from achieving greatness. Delilah played a minor role in Samson’s life, but her effect was devastating, for she influenced him to betray his special calling from God. Motivated by greed, Delilah used her persistence to wear down Samson. His infatuation with her made Samson a vulnerable target. For all his physical strength, he was no match for her nagging, and he paid a great price for giving in to her. Delilah is never mentioned again in the Bible. Her unfaithfulness to Samson brought ruin to him and to her people.

Are people helped by knowing you? Do they find that knowing you challenges them to be the best they can be? Even more important, does knowing you help their relationship with God? What do your demands for their time and attention tell them about your real care for them? Are you willing to be God’s instrument in the lives of others?

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

Father, You have placed me here on this earth for a specific reason. As I go about my daily walk, may I be so filled with Your Spirit that others will be influenced by those things that You have influenced me with in Your Word. May others see so much of Jesus in me that their eyes will be opened to the truths of Your Word and the nature of Your very character. I place my faith and trust in You oh Lord, praying that Your will may be accomplished in and through me each and every day. Please help me to stay strong, especially in every temptation, every trial and every circumstance of life where others may be out to deceive me or to bring dishonor to Your name. It’s You I live for oh Lord, every day!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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First Place!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christian, God Reigns, Humility, SurrenderLeave a comment

Scripture: Luke 20.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Luke 20:45-47 (NLT)

45 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”

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

God’s Word is clear that if we are blessed with any type of leadership role while serving here on this earth, we must be careful not to let it affect our witness of Him. It is so important that we humble ourselves and allow God to increase. It is so important that we stop often and realize that had it not been for the grace of God, we could very easily have been bound up in sin and bitter because of our unforgiving spirit. It is only through God’s grace, His power and His example, that we stop and realize how far we have come through His grace. Let us therefore look to His example and seek to serve Him wholeheartedly while never trying to take the controls away from Him, but allowing Him the place of honor, the place of leadership, the place of control and the place of God that He truly is. We must decrease, so that He might increase and take His rightful place in our lives.

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

Thank You Father for assuming first place in my life some 36 years ago. I acknowledge that this is a daily job of surrendering control over to You, so please give me strength, wisdom, humility and power to daily commit myself as a servant of the most high. It’s You I live for and You that I serve. Please help me to never try to assume that position, but help me to practice my position so much that others may be blessed and see the example that You may give me strength for each day. You must increase and I must decrease!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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What should I do to inherit eternal life?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Born Again, Christian, Eternal Life, Faith, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Listen to the Word of GodLeave a comment

Scripture: Luke 18.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Luke 18:18-22 (NLT)

18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.'”

21 The man replied, “I’ve carefully obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

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

Just like the religious leader in this biblical story, many today may ask “what does it take for me to have a better life?” or “to have eternal life?” or “to know Jesus, the One who can give me eternal security?” or “to know the only One who rescues me from the this world of hate, backbiting, sin, evil, etc. and gives me hope for a new life in knowing Jesus?”. I’m glad you asked! In the beginning of this chapter Jesus spoke to the people about how important it is to be humble, and to lay aside the pride of self-importance and in fact, be more like a child in our total surrender to God. In this particular passage, Jesus tells this rich man that for him to truly trust God, he must release his dependence of his riches. This is true with so many that are ‘comfortable’ with where they are at in life. To some, they may feel like they have everything this life could offer and seeing that they are faring so much better than most, they just don’t need anything else, especially this religious stuff that so many argue over and become entwined in. Friend, Jesus didn’t tell this rich man to become involved in organized religion, although He later spoke of the importance of worshipping together with other believers. He didn’t tell this man how important it was that he start acting more like the religious leaders of that day, for Jesus knew of their shortcomings. Instead, Jesus told this man that he needed to unleash himself from the thing that he had placed so much faith in, and then when he could commit himself wholeheartedly to Jesus and trust only in Him, then come and be His follower. Unfortunately this could lead to procrastination for many, as some will definitely say that they are waiting for the day where they could be solely dependent on God. I don’t believe that any of us awake one morning and decide in and of our own desire, that we will accept Jesus that day, for I believe that it is God himself that woos us to place our faith and trust in Him. In the case of this rich leader, I believe that it was God working in his life that caused him to ask these questions of Jesus. Therefore, if we awake one morning and decide that today is the day we will surrender our lives to God, then I believe that the same God that began a good work in you and prompted you to accept Him as Lord, will also help you to lay aside those things that might stand in your way. So please don’t procrastinate until you feel you are ready and/or worthy of approaching God, but instead, answer His call on your life and allow Him to help you redirect your allegiance, your faith and your trust. This is one of the most important decisions in your life, for it has eternal implications. Please feel free to respond to this post if there is anything I can pray with you about or help you with, as you ponder this vital decision.

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

Although still far from perfect, I thank you Father for speaking to me some 35 years ago and convincing me of the need for a Savior. I also thank You for being patient with me over the years and giving me strength to stand firm in my faith and live my life in accordance with Your Word. I know that this is a daily challenge, and again today I want to ask for Your strength and power to overcome the evil things of this world and to become so entrenched in Your Word that I will always lean towards the character and will of my Savior. Please touch the lives of those that will read this and need to make decisions in their lives. Please tender their hearts to surrender their lives to You, and to lay aside things in their lives that are only temporary, but yet things that they currently place their faith in. O What a Savior, is Jesus my Lord! May many others come to know You today, is my prayer.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Building Memorials

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, God ReignsLeave a comment

Scripture: Joshua 21-22.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Joshua 22:34 (NLT)

34 The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar “Witness,” for they said, “It is a witness between us and them that the Lord is our God, too.”

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

Each day of our lives we see God at work, and often we meet to celebrate in praise everything He has done in our lives. Too often we generalize and say, “Yes, God is good” but we fail to say specifically how He was good to us. We hardly ever write those specific things down so that our children, or future generations can grow from our experiences. We fail to erect a memorial in honor of the awesome work that God does in our lives. Imagine how awesome it would be for us to go to a ‘memorial’ that our ancestors built in celebration of an accomplishment they recognized God’s mighty hand at work in their lives? The people of Reuben and Gad had seen God work in so many marvelous ways during the time they were altogether with Moses, Joshua and the Israelites. Now that they were going to settle down and be separated by the Jordan river from the Israelites, they wanted their future generations to be reminded every time they saw or passed by this memorial, that the God they served was powerful and had worked in wondrous ways in the lives of their ancestors as a united people, and that they too could place their faith and trust in this same, infinitely powerful, God who could also see them through their daily struggles. What are some things that we might build a memorial for today? Perhaps God used our church during special services to reach a large hoard of people where many were saved – when we build a memorial to remind our future generations about this, we are giving them confidence that the same God who worked amongst Moses and the Israelites, also performed miracles during the lifetime of their ancestors and therefore they would have confidence to realize that God could do the same for them! There may be miracles, or God-sized achievements in our lives today that we rejoice over, but unless we do something to preserve (memorialize) that, it is very possible that our future generations would have nothing to fall back on, or give them confidence in. Furthermore, unless we can do something to preserve the good that God has done in our lives, unfortunately the bad, or unfortunate things we may have done, will be long remembered! Perhaps at annual family celebrations, such as Christmas, or Thanksgiving, or Homecoming, we should reserve time for families to not only tell about the accomplishments they credit to God, but to do this through a memorial of sorts, that can be long remembered by future generations of the work of the Lord in our lives.

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

Lord, I acknowledge today that You are certainly awesome in so many ways in and through me. Please help me to regularly build altars, or memorials to celebrate these accomplishments so that future generations may be encouraged to seek after the same loving, powerful, awesome God that I serve and give witness to. Thank You for loving and working through the people of Reuben and Gad. Thank You for being God to my ancestors and working miracles for them and through them, and thank You for blessing even me in so many ways. Please help me to not hide these miracles under a bushel, but to let them shine to a world that has little hope, aside from You!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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The Results of Half-Hearted Cleansing

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Defeated foe, Pleasing to God, Power of PrayerLeave a comment

Scripture: Joshua 12-15.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Joshua 13:13 (NLT)

13 But the Israelites failed to drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day.

Joshua 15:63 (NLT)

63 But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.

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

Over the past chapters we read where Joshua and/or Moses were, with the help and direction of God, successful in overcoming a number of countries and their respective kings. I found it odd to read the two verses above where the Israelites were unsuccessful, or perhaps failed, in driving out the Jebusites and the people of Geshur and Maacah, because I know that the God they served, and of course the same God that I serve today, is very capable of overcoming all obstacles. In my further study I found where these same people that failed to fully conquer, were the same ones that caused unending difficulties for the Israelites, as recorded in the book of Judges. This sounds like there may have been personal reasons that the Israelites just didn’t push hard enough to really oust these people, and it reminds me of us when we fail to seek God’s power to really rid ourselves of certain sins. Often these little sins that we hold dear to our selfish little hearts are the very same things that come back to bite us and cause us extreme difficulties. I believe that God is always looking for folk that he can use who are totally sold out to Him, where we have surrendered everything to Him and cleansed ourselves of all sinful things. In fact, to substantiate my belief on this, please refer to chapter 14 vs 9 where we read that Caleb was given special favor with God because he ‘wholeheartedly‘ followed God’s commands. I believe that seeing where God gave up everything for me, yes His one and only Son, so that I might have life eternally and more abundantly, then the least I can do in return is to surrender ALL sin – yes everything that does not align with God’s Word, His will and commands for me. There is no room for half-heartedness – may we all be totally sold out to Jesus!

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

There is only way that I can be the totally true, unselfish, child of God and overcome daily temptations and sin, and that is to seek Your help O God and look to You in all humility for strength and guidance to live as You would have me live – so that You can receive full benefit (ministry) in and through me. May I be a vessel usable by You – a holy and just God. May others come to know You as Lord, as you find the freedom to use this unadulterated child of Yours. Please forgive me where I have been deliberately selfish and weak and given in to sin. This is unbecoming of a child of Yours and I need Your forgiveness and strength to overcome and live a life totally sold out to You.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Nothing is Too Big For God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, Listen to the Word of God, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Joshua 9-11.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Joshua 11:19-20 (NLT)

19 No one in this region made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites of Gibeon. All the others were defeated. 20
For the Lord hardened their hearts and caused them to fight the Israelites. So they were completely destroyed without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

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

This passage reminds me that nothing, absolutely nothing, is too big or impossible for God! Praise the name of the Lord! I feel like so often in our lives today we limit God and our requests to Him by what we can see as a possibility. In this passage this morning I saw where kings for several nations joined together to fight and try to keep the Israelites out of their territory, but as noted in these two verses, God was preparing the land that He had promised to the Israelites when they left Egypt, and these folk had to go. God hardened their hearts and caused them, or provoked them, to fight the Israelites, and no matter the size of the joint army, God had already won the battle for the Israelites. This tells me that in today’s society where there are folk that are so hardened and don’t want to hear about the Lord, and when we, as Christians or children of God, decide that those folk are unreachable or untouchable, we are truly limiting the power of God. We know what the book says – God will be victorious over Satan and all of his forces, and I have a pretty good idea that it will not be because of what we do to help Him! We serve an awesome, powerful God. Let’s not limit Him in our prayers, in our families, in our churches, in our workplace nor in our towns. He will overcome this world! He will be victorious! Let’s not stand in His way. Instead, let us be steadfast in prayer, obedient to His Word, and follow His every direction – for He holds the keys to winning our church, our town, our state and our nation. Let’s be ready to join the victory party in heaven, instead of sitting on the sidelines and doubting if our God can overcome the people and the evil things that we see going on around us – for Nothing Is Too Big for our God!

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

Father I pray that I can see through Your eyes and not be obstructed by the limitations of my eyes. Please help me to set aside my personal agendas, my limiting expectations and my projection of what I can accomplish, and instead fill me with the awesome realization that I serve a God that knows all things and can do all things. As I sit aside and see Your awesome power at work, may I be the greatest cheerleader and servant to follow Your every command. You deserve all my praise and adoration for the awesome power that You portrayed to my forefathers, and for the power yet to be displayed as You win the victories over sin and death that I see all around me. Praise God that I am on the winning side!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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The Importance of Obedience

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, ObedienceLeave a comment

Scripture: Deuteronomy 25-28.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Deuteronomy 28:58-59 (NLT)

58 “If you refuse to obey all the words of instruction that are written in this book, and if you do not fear the glorious and awesome name of the Lord your God, 59 then the Lord will overwhelm you and your children with indescribable plagues. These plagues will be intense and without relief, making you miserable and unbearably sick.

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

Moses had seen all that God had done for him and his people. After all, they had been rescued for the impossible rule and slavery of the Egyptians, they had been brought safely through the wilderness for 40 years and provided water when there was none to be found, provided food when none was available to the people, also God provided direction and Godly leadership to them when everything seemed helpless and forsaken as a people. If we are totally honest before God, we would acknowledge that we too are a very blessed people, and it is so evident that God has carefully brought us through so much, that we should feel eternally grateful and therefore in constant praise and worship to our Kind, our Provider, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But let us also take note of the warning that Moses gave to his people, for he told them that if they did not fear the glorious and awesome name of the Lord then they would be overwhelmed by intense plagues that would make them miserable and unbearably sick. I don’t know about you friend, but I often look around and wonder if God is not showing His displeasure with our sinfulness when I see all the disasters that come upon us, and/or so many of the illnesses and diseases that come upon us for which doctors have no answers or cures. I believe that what we must be careful to consider, is that even though we often see God’s marvelous hand upon us in blessings, we must especially take note when we His hand of correction, redirection or displeasure is upon us. As children of God, I believe that we must be so in turned with God’s Word that we will do everything possible to avoid God’s handoff correction upon us, for I believe that He delights in obedient children. Our desire and our aim should be to obey His Word completely and therefore please Him in all things and all aspects of our life.

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

Father, I know that this is a daily battle, but please help me to be obedient to Your Word and follow Your commands in all that I do and say. May You be proud of the effort that I give to this and may I represent You so well in all that I do and say, that others will see Jesus in my every action or word. It’s You I live for Jesus – may that be evident to others through my deeds, actions and words.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Make Time To Pray

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Imitator of Christ, Power of PrayerLeave a comment

Scripture: Luke 5.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Luke 5:15-16 (NLT)

15 But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.

16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

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

Recently I saw a signature line on an email that read “Make it a great day!” and it struck home to me that although we can say to friends that we wish them a great day, it is totally up to them to make it a great day. Likewise in this passage, Jesus could easily have prayed to the Father with all the crowds around Him, but to truly find an intimate time with His Father, He withdrew from the crowds and found one on one time with Him. Attending church is vital to the Christian. Praying with fellow Christians is very healthy, especially when praying for things in common. However, when praying about very intimate, personal things, and when asking for very intimate responses from God to your very intimate needs, it is always best to pull yourself aside from the busyness of the day, from the friends that will distract you, from the work that you are so busy doing, and make time to pray intimately to the Father. Tell Him your heart and your hearts desires. Listen to Him about all that He would have you do to walk closer with Him and be a better witness for Him. To make time to pray is making that a priority in your life and not allowing anything to come in the way. Sometimes this will force you to look at your day and determine when there is availability in your schedule where you will not be disturbed by anyone or distracted by anything. Sometimes this may mean taking less sleep so you could spend time with God. Whatever it is, do whatever it takes to make time to pray, friend. Jesus did it, imagine how much more important it is for us to do it! One of the worse attended services at churches is Prayer Meeting. Corporate prayer is usually evidence of an individual who practices personal, private time, I believe. Where are you on prayer meeting nights?

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

Father, we get so caught up in the rush, hustle and bustle of everyday life, that we often include our time with You as part of that hustle and bustle. Please help me to always make time to pray, even if it means sacrificing a little sleep or personal time. I have often taught that instead of saying that we don’t have time for something, say that it was not a priority at the time for us. I pray that I will never say that finding time to pray alone with You was not a priority for me. Something so important deserves top priority, because it means communicating with my Creator, my Savior who sacrificed life itself so that I may live eternally with the Father. It means finding time to make sure that I receive my next set of instructions for the day, or for the tasks assigned to me by the Father. I want to make my time with You top priority. Please help me to always honor this.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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