Category: Christian

For, or Against Jesus?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Getting Along, Reflecting Christ, TeamworkLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Mark 9 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Mark 9:38-41 ~ John said, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to force demons out of people. But he wasn’t one of us, and we told him to stop.” Jesus said to his disciples: Don’t stop him! No one who works miracles in my name will soon turn and say something bad about me. Anyone who isn’t against us is for us. And anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name, just because you belong to me, will surely be rewarded. (CEV)

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

First of all I believe that Jesus was referring to Christians here when He spoke of “anyone who isn’t against us”, because there are too many other places in scripture where He spoke about there being only one way into heaven and that’s through accepting Him as Lord of Your life. However, in reading this passage I thought about the many denominations that exist today and how we often work against, or at least ridicule each other for what we believe or practice. Last weekend I worked at the annual Noah’s Fall Festival here in Avon Park and I was blessed to see Christian brothers and sisters from all over our area working together, ministering together and meeting the needs of our community – in fact, over 3,600 of them! We cannot win the lost world while being busy looking down our noses and judging fellow Christians/churches! The world is looking for a better place to be; in fact they are looking forward to being with folk that could get along, love on each other and be evidence of Jesus in the flesh. In our own households we don’t necessarily believe the same way about each and every subject, yet we love and respect each other anyway. Why then should we expect anything different when we get outside our homes? Let’s remember what Jesus said in these verses, if they are not against us, there are for us! Let’s respect others’ belief on things that may be different to what we believe; sometimes they may actually be right!!! Remember, when we accept Jesus and learn to become more like Him, we will act like Him, we will love others like He did and we will have a burning desire to get along with all of God’s people and accept the fact that He alone is judge over what is right and what is wrong. Let’s do our part to live, worship and reflect Jesus so that the world will know that we are ‘For Jesus’!

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

Father, I believe that often Satan will send things, or even people our way to tempt us and make the world question whose team we are on. I also believe that if we ever intend to win our communities for You, it is super important to reflect to those that may be watching our every move, that we are for You, that our every move reflect Your will and Your teachings. I’m sure that the world will quickly recognize that we may not always be right on, but Lord Jesus I pray that Your hand will be so active in directing my life each day that they will know whose I am and who I am following and representing. May they see Jesus in me, is my sincere prayer today. May I not try to assume Your responsibility and judge others myself, instead may I welcome fellow Christians and their efforts to also become more like You. May solidarity be evident in our efforts to reach and win the lost in our community.

Your Attention Please!

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bible Believing, Christian, God our Helper, Listen to the Word of God, The Book of LifeLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Mark 9

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Mark 9:30-34 ~ Jesus left with his disciples and started through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know about it, because he was teaching the disciples that the Son of Man would be handed over to people who would kill him. But three days later he would rise to life. The disciples did not understand what Jesus meant, and they were afraid to ask. Jesus and his disciples went to his home in Capernaum. After they were inside the house, Jesus asked them, “What were you arguing about along the way?” They had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest, and so they did not answer.

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

So often we will sit in church and hear God’s messenger speak from His Holy Word and our minds are miles away. Note in this passage that Jesus had the same problem with His disciples. He did not want the people of Galilee to know that He was passing through their town with His disciples because He was intent on teaching them that He would be handed over to people who would kill Him. Very serious news He was trying to alert them about. Yet when they arrived at Capernaum Jesus asked the disciples what they were grumbling and/or arguing about along the way. This tells me that they were totally distracted while Jesus was sharing His heart with them – something He was very concerned about. I’m sure that this must have saddened Jesus because of the lack of interest in what He had to say to this group. I believe that we see a similar experience during our church services. Our pastor will take hours to study God’s Word, seek the face of Jesus as to what He would have him say to the people, then do his very best to explain the Word and express what God has laid on his heart, yet we sit and fall asleep or let our minds wonder to the many things that we become involved in outside of the church, instead of giving our undivided attention to the most important thing being shared with us all week. Here are some tips on things that might help us with this:

  1. Get at least 8 to 12 hours of sleep the night before;
  2. Let Sunday morning, or any other preaching/teaching moment be a continuation of our daily worship and commune with God, and not our only experience for the week, for we must grow our relationship with God ourselves and not think for a moment that the preacher/teacher can grow it for us;
  3. Pray before going to services. Ask God to help you stay alert to what He will say to you during that service. Better still, pray for a miracle in someone’s life out of that service, that you have been ministering to throughout the week – perhaps in physical ways, or in prayer, or even just on your mind;
  4. Take your Bible with you. Think about it, you would never go to work without tools. Similarly, take your spiritual tool with you, God’s Holy Word. Look up the passages being shared;
  5. Take notes during the sermon or teaching opportunity. Again, at work you would take notes during meetings to help you remember what was asked of you and to guide you as you complete the chores that were asked of you. No different when it comes to God’s instructions;

I believe that the most important times of your week should be those times that you spend alone with God in His Word, and those times that you spend with other believers for the teaching and preaching of God’s Word. However, as in everything in our lives, we will only get as much out of those times, as the effort and energy that we put into them. God deserves our best! Conversely, we should expect the best time of our lives when we meet together with God and His people, but remember, we will only get as much from these opportunities as we put into them. No interest or enthusiasm on our behalf will make it almost impossible to receive anything otherwise in life.

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

Father, You gave Your best for us. You gave all You had – Your ONLY Son. Please help me, my church, all those that I know and love, including all who may read this devotional online, to give of our very best to You. Help us not to be distracted, especially when You are trying to get our attention. Help us to give respect to You and to Your messengers as Your Word is opened and shared with us. Thank You for Your continued love and effort in getting my attention. Please help me to always seek Your face and look for Your blessings and pay attention to Your teaching and/or direction for my life.

Anything is possible for someone who has faith!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, HealingLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Mark 9; Mark 10 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Mark 9:22-24 ~ The demon has often tried to kill him by throwing him into a fire or into water. Please have pity and help us if you can!” Jesus replied, “Why do you say `if you can’? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” Right away the boy’s father shouted, “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more.”

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

Although a familiar story about Jesus casting out the demon from the little boy brought to Him by his father, yet I found two nuggets that spoke to me:

  1. Jesus’ disciples were unsuccessful in casting out the demon from the little boy, and when they questioned Jesus later about why this may have been the case, Jesus said that “Only prayer can force out that kind of demon”. I believe that too often in these days we see so much being said and done on television and in some of our churches that tend to lean on the abilities of man. I believe that healing comes from God alone, and until we humble ourselves and give God full reign over His people and their circumstances, then anything we do will be powerless. The power of healing comes from God, and in turn the glory of such healing must be given to God. We should never lose sight of that.
  2. Too often we approach God like this father did. We know what we want God to do, but we are filled with so much doubt that God must ask sometime, well why are you here then? I believe that deep inside this dad wanted to have faith, because as soon as Jesus told him about how doubtful he sounded, he shouted out about the faith that was deep indie of him and rightfully so, he asked for even more faith. It is too bad, and really too sad that today we find ourselves in the same position as this dad, we want to have faith, but our relationship with God is so weak that we are really not sure about the whole thing. Knowing the awesome power of our God, and knowing how much He loves us and would bless us in multiple ways beyond anything we could ever ask of Him, we should approach His throne in confidence knowing that God can do it, and having the faith to believe that He will do it. Without this kind of faith, are we coming to Him to just ‘test the waters’?

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

Lord I believe, please help my unbelief. Please help me to be so in tuned with You, Your Word, and Your will for my life that I can come boldly to the cross and seek Your face, knowing that as my father You will answer my prayers in very bold and responsive ways so that You may receive glory from everything accomplished, but also in ways that will best fit Your will for my life, not for the selfish desires for which I may pray. Please direct our paths today as we vote, may Your will be accomplished at the polls so that Your men and women who should have charges over Your people during this time will be elected today. Thank You for being my guide today, for always being my deliverer and friend, my healer and all powerful God to whom I can approach when decisions must be made and when healing is requested.

The Source of our Help

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, God our Helper, Helper, Our Help comes from God1 Comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Psalm 121

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Psalm 121:1-2 ~ I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! (NLT)

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

When studying the Bible, I look to BibleGateway for multiple translations and concordances. When some folk are concerned about what lies ahead for them, they refer to the daily horoscopes, or even pay palm readers, while some folk go to their preacher/pastor/priest or trusted friends for help in their decision making. David found that some in his day, including himself, were looking up to the greatest grandeur of their time, to the hills around Jerusalem, to sacred Mount Zion and Mount Moriah. However, at the stage of him writing this Psalm, he had matured to the state that he knew that his help really came from someone much mightier than these fixed, mighty mountains, he realized that the maker of those mountains and everything else around him was also accessible via prayer and communion with God himself. Friends, it is time that we come to our senses and also realize that, like David, our help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Looking elsewhere will bring us unsettling, temporary satisfaction, with very limiting and insecure help. Through Jesus, we have access to the throne of God, the ultimate source of all help. Let’s make that our first and only choice from whom we seek our help. As a father, I feel awful when I realize that my daughter or my wife asked help from someone else because I was either unavailable or they were unwilling to ask for my help. So it is with God when we look to all the other sources mentioned in my opening remarks, rather than or before looking to Him. Remember, He is our Father and He wants to help us overcome our fears or battle our needs.

Are You Listening?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Eternal Life, Evangelism, Faith, Obedience, Power of Prayer, Reaching the Lost, Repentance1 Comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 26 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Acts 26:9-16 ~ I once thought that I should do everything I could to oppose Jesus from Nazareth. I did this first in Jerusalem, and with the authority of the chief priests I put many of God’s people in jail. I even voted for them to be killed. I often had them punished in our meeting places, and I tried to make them give up their faith. In fact, I was so angry with them, that I went looking for them in foreign cities. King Agrippa, one day I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and permission of the chief priests. About noon I saw a light brighter than the sun. It flashed from heaven on me and on everyone traveling with me. We all fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice say to me in Aramaic, “Saul, Saul, why are you so cruel to me? It’s foolish to fight against me!” “Who are you?” I asked. Then the Lord answered, “I am Jesus! I am the one you are so cruel to. Now stand up. I have appeared to you, because I have chosen you to be my servant. You are to tell others what you have learned about me and what I will show you later.”

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

I have chosen to share more verses than I usually do, because it tells such a story about how God has such an impact on a person’s life. I believe that some who may read this today might be much like Paul, and are fighting against God’s work. No I don’t think for a moment that any are out there killing Christians. But brother, or sister, I want you to know today that when you keep fighting against God and His will for your life, you are much like Paul. How long will you go on sinning? How long will you go on living a life opposed to that taught by God? How long will you live a life opposed to all that you were ever taught, and so opposite to all that your friends and family are telling you that they are praying for you to surrender to? Please take a moment to realize that God loves you so much that He allowed His one and only Son (Jesus) to die on a cruel cross in front of many people, as a gift to you. His sacrifice provides the means for you to turn around from your life of sin, accept Jesus as your Master and Lord, so that you can ultimately be with Him, and all other Christians that you know, at His throne in Glory one day. It took God speaking through a very bright light at noon time to get Paul’s attention. I pray that as you read this devotional today that this will be like that same bright light to you. Although you may question any power that I might have to speak to you, I know that God, through His written Word (as it is written in my Observation) and through His children (and I am a child of the King), is wanting more than anything else to see His children come home – leave your world of sin and opposition to Him and His bride (the church at large), and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, then to live a life dedicated to Him and His mission to reach the world, as He has done in reaching you and I. Are you listening? Are you willing to lay aside your selfish desires, accept Jesus as Lord and live for Him the rest of your life? Please email me back for more information or to pray with you about your decision. Additional biblical help is also available by clicking “

Is Your Christianity Real?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Faith, God Reigns, Power, ProtectorLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 25; Acts 26 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Acts 25:14-16 ~ I admit that their leaders think that the Lord’s Way which I follow is based on wrong beliefs. But I still worship the same God that my ancestors worshiped. And I believe everything written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets. I am just as sure as these people are that God will raise from death everyone who is good or evil. And because I am sure, I try my best to have a clear conscience in whatever I do for God or for people.

Acts 26:1-3 ~ Agrippa told Paul, “You may now speak for yourself.” Paul stretched out his hand and said: King Agrippa, I am glad for this chance to defend myself before you today on all these charges that my own people have brought against me. You know a lot about our religious customs and the beliefs that divide us. So I ask you to listen patiently to me.

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

Paul was a very special man who had a dramatic change in his life after his conversion. Much of the New Testament writings evolve around Paul’s work as a follower of Christ, so one may imagine that he was very prepared to answer appropriately when challenged in the court of his day to defend his religion/beliefs. If we stop and think about it, we are promoting and/or defending our Christianity every day, for some of our friends and coworkers are looking to trip us up to see if we are for real (if we are everything that we claim to be for Christ), some are really curious as to why we act the way we do and make the decisions we do, while others are so determined to test the validity of our faith that they will do all within their power to see if they could tempt us to stray or do those things that they know Christians often stay away from. I am convinced that in and of our own strength, we are very weak and can easily cave in to the temptations and challenges just discussed. However, we serve the master of the universe, the Creator of this world, the King of all kings that ever was, the One who performed and indeed still performs miracle after miracle,

Are You Christian, Enough To Be Found Guilty?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Encourage, Forgiveness, Humility, Imitator of Christ1 Comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 25; Acts 26 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Acts 25:5-9 ~ This man has been found to be a real pest and troublemaker for Jews all over the world. He is also a leader of a group called Nazarenes. When he tried to disgrace the temple, we arrested him. If you question him, you will find out for yourself that our charges are true. The Jewish crowd spoke up and agreed with what Tertullus had said.

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

Paul was taken before the governor, Felix because the Jews wanted to get rid of this thorn in their side. Paul had ‘stepped on their toes’ by his witness and through his preaching of the Gospel. It made me wonder – am I demonstrating enough of Christ in me that others would find sufficient evidence to take me before some figurehead and possibly place charges against me for being a follower/imitator of Christ? I pray daily that I would represent Christ in all that I say or do so that others may see Jesus in me. I wonder how far that effort really goes? This is something that each person will be required to answer for themselves. I don’t believe for a moment that God expects us to have a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, but when our actions reflect the ways of Christ taught to us through God’s Holy Word, and when the tone of our voice and the words that we speak be reflective of the character and love of Christ for His bride – the church (us), then others will see something that they want, or need – something that make them crave after the origin of that attitude. Having said all this, I believe that I should quickly follow this by saying that we should be careful not to lead anyone towards us, but rather towards the cross, towards the only One that can convict them of their sin and save them, so that He could love on them forever – yes, the rest of this life as we know it and throughout eternity. It should be clear to others whose we are! God will do His part to keep us humble, guided by His hand and protected from the enemy, for

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.

Be One Who Shares His/Her Faith

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, Evangelism, Heaven, Obedience, Share God’s Word, Work Til Jesus Comes1 Comment

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

What am I doing to actively fulfill my life mission of sharing Christ?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 20:24, 1:8, Matt. 18:18–20

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Acts 20:24 ~ But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
  2. Acts 1:8 ~ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
  3. Matthew 18:18-20 ~ Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven. Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.

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

  1. Each of us are given gifts, and an assignment by God to use those gifts for His glory. Oh that I may be like Paul and dedicate myself so much towards the assignment that God has given to me so that His work may be accomplished through me in my realm of influence. To God be the glory for all that He might accomplish through even me. I know that God don’t need any of us to do His work, but knowing that He placed me here for a purpose, I pray that He could use me constructively so that His kingdom would benefit.
  2. In this verse I can see clearly where the power comes from that will help me to accomplish the work that God has placed me here to do.
  3. These verses are an excellent reminder about how important it is for God’s people to be of one mind and one purpose, both with each other and with God’s Book of Instruction, because we are told that it is important for us to know if those things that we agree on are already approved by Him. Conversely, if we find something unlawful or improper, then there must be evidence in God’s Word that the matter is improper or unlawful in heaven. If followers of the same God and the same Book of Instructions (the Bible) were of the same mind, we would obviously see fewer denominations, fewer arguments over religious things, and a body of believers who are truly on fire for God, winning the lost like never before. Disagreements among us in the church has an unfortunate effect on the lost, as they want to see and be a part of something different to what they are seeing in their corner of the world. They want to see folk who are Christ-like. They want to be a part of a church on fire for God, not busy arguing over every little thing, like so many churches today. Let us be of one mind and one purpose. Get self out of the way and let God rule and win the credit for all that is accomplished!

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

Father I thank You for the gifts that You have blessed me with. I know that often I might say that I am of little value to the kingdom, but I am reminded that You have placed me here for a purpose. Please help me to allow Your work to be accomplished through me. Please help me to be a clean vessel through which You can work. Being reminded of the need for unity and oneness in purpose, please help me to do my part in working with other believers so that together we may be an influence to those in need of a Savior, and not a hindrance or a stumbling block. May You receive honor and glory out of all that I may say or do and may the lost see You in all that I might say or do. Please bless my efforts today to be a true and living representative of Yours. Please bless our efforts this week through Noah’s Fall Festival. May there be opportunities for us to witness for You so that others may come to know You as Lord and Savior. May Your kingdom be richer from the results of our efforts this week.