Category: Christian

One Who Worships Daily

On By Ed AlgreenIn Christian, Disciple, WorshipLeave a comment

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

How can I surrender my whole heart/life as worship?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Rom. 12:1–2, Psalm 27:6, 95:6–7

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Romans 12:1-2 ~ And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
  2. Psalm 26:6 ~ Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.
  3. Psalm 95:6-7 ~ Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

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

  1. God showers down such blessings upon us each day, and without reservation for how we may have acted with a brother, or even said to a sister. Therefore Paul is teaching us to give back our whole selves to God, and as we do we truly worship Him through our unselfishness, giving, emptying ourselves of this world and placing those sinful natures and desires at His feet, while seeking to be refilled with His holiness, grace and mercy. As we surrender ourselves wholeheartedly in this way, we learn of God’s will for our life which is ultimately the desire of every Christian.
  2. I believe as Christians we have a hope that in accepting Jesus as Lord, praising His name each and every day and living a life in close relationship to Him, that we would one day be rewarded by the King of kings with a glorious place at His feet together with many others on which we had an influence. Therefore we should dedicate ourselves to exactly that while we still have breath, praising His name each and every day!

Be One Who Serves Others

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Chosen by God, Christian, Disciple, Love God, Obedience, Servants of GodLeave a comment

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Eph. 4:11–13, Rom. 12:3–8, 1 Cor. 12:7-11

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Ephesians 4:11-13 ~ Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.
  2. Romans 12:3-8 ~ I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another. God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ~ The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God’s Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.

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

  1. What a pity that today many of us expect all of these gifts to be in the pastor, so we sit back and expect him to do his thing, while we relax and sometimes soak it up, sometimes just be entertained, often just grumble about what he should have done differently, etc, etc. God knows what He is doing. The Word says that God has given these gifts to some so that His body of believers (the church) will learn, serve and grow strong. When we talk about having ‘weak’ churches that are falling apart, perhaps we are not recognizing the gift of God in the people that surround us, or perhaps not allowing them to exercise their gifts. I believe that this passage teaches us that this method will continue until the church becomes completely like Christ – in other words until Jesus comes, because if there is ever a chance that we might become perfect, there will be new members joining us who will need to learn all about this. My logical brain would say that we should be looking among us to see who may be gifted in the areas mentioned, and then make sure that they are given opportunity to exercise those gifts for the strengthening and growing of the body at large.
  2. There are times that we may start to feel proud if we feel like God has gifted us as indicated in Ephesians, however in this passage from Romans we are reminded that we should measure ourselves according to the faith that God has given to us. Any talent that we possess is a gift from God to be used for His glory and for edifying His church. Conversely, we should be careful not to sit back thinking that we have no usefulness in the kingdom at all, but we should recognize where our source of strength/talent/ability lies and for what purposes it should be used. As we recognize this, and give God His true place in all that we have become, He will be able to use us to help achieve His work among this lost and dying world.
  3. I realize that this study is much longer than my normal ‘Nuggets’ but I believe that it is virtually overwhelming as God has shown in His Word how important it is for us to recognize/acknowledge the gifts given to us by Him, and then use those gifts for His glorification through the local church. I believe that any who say that they have no gift probably displays the unfortunate gift of lying, because God didn’t make junk, so when He said in His Word that He has given each of us a special way of serving others, I believe that gift must be used. I am challenged today to look within and ensure that I am using all the gifts that God has blessed me with, for His glory and for the strengthening and uplifting of the church. I can’t hardly imagine the ‘buzz’ that will fill our church if visitors came and saw our folk actively serving in one capacity or another because they felt like God had gifted them, and that they want to use that gift for the benefit of God and others in the church. Wow, I’m talking about a great big fire of excitement would be evident, and the church will grow by leaps and bounds!!

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

I am filled to overflowing from this study this morning oh Lord! To recognize that You not only loved me enough to sacrifice Your only Son to die on a cruel cross so that I may have eternal life, and now to study and be reminded that You have also given me special gifts/talents to use in Your service, is nothing short of amazing, glorious, unbelievable, exciting, filled with anticipation, yet humbling to know that I have such an awesome Savior! Please help me to constantly be reminded of the gifts that You have blessed me with and help me to always use them for building up Your kingdom. If I am not at liberty to use these gifts in the work of my local church, then I ask that You direct me to a place where You know that my gifts and God given abilities could be best utilized. May You reign, and may Your servant use the gifts You have blessed me with for the furthering of Your kingdom here on this earth.

Be One Who Gives Sacrificially

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, Giving, Honesty, Obedience, TithingLeave a comment

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

 

How am I handling the resources God has entrusted to me?

 

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 2 Cor. 9:6–9, Prov. 11:24–25

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 ~ [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
  2. Proverbs 11:24-25 ~ Sometimes you can become rich by being generous or poor by being greedy. Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.

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

I believe that God expects us to be a giving people; after all, He has blessed us with a lot so we should then turn around and bless others also. I can see from this passage also that when we decide in our minds to give, we should do so in all happiness and with joy – in other words: out of appreciation for what we have, who gave it to us, and who will provide the next dollar to help us meet our financial needs. Unfortunately, this is quite opposite to what our carnal minds would convince us to do, for of ourselves we are convinced that we can only give out of the excess, after all our bills are met (which often include many of our unnecessary wants). We often fill our minds with many arguments to help us feel good about not giving our first gifts to God – well who knows what the church will waste that money on that I give, or surely God expects me to be a good manager of my funds and not give more than I can afford after meeting all my concrete, worldly, frivolous bills. I am convinced that when we give at least 10%, as taught scripturally, off our gross income then pay our bills and give to the poor, etc, I believe that God will honor our heart way more than if we depend solely on what it appears that we have left that we can give to the work of the Lord. Furthermore, I believe that this teaches me that I must give freely and happily to God, for He gave freely and happily to me, His child, out of love. One method that I have talked about here is seeing through our eyes of faith and out of thanksgiving, the other is our seeing based on the numbers in front of us. When God is in charge of our giving, He will help us take care of the numbers. He gives us the health and abilities to hold a job and earn the income, all the more should we listen to Him about how we should spend that money that He has blessed us with.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that if I was asked what I believe is one of the most important things that the Bible says to me, it would probably be that God gave so that I may: have eternal life; have a beautiful earth to enjoy; have a beautiful family to help me in my daily physical and mental needs; have enough finances to meet my needs and many of my wants. Bottom line is that You gave, and gave and gave, even to the extent of giving Your one and only Son so that I may have eternal life. If I am determined to be Your disciple, and to be more like You in every walk of my life, then I have to give, and give, and give with a generous, sacrificial, happy and thankful heart. Please help me to always be of the mindset that what I have is all Yours, and that I should carefully follow Your commands in using what You have allowed me to have. I want to be known as a great example of You, because I want others to see You in my actions, words, and yes – in my giving. Thank You for blessing me with all that You have given for me to partake of, may I freely give to Your work and others in return.

Be One Who Lives Biblically

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, Follow Jesus, Obedience1 Comment

What am I doing to know and put into practice the teachings of the Bible?

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:3–8

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. 2 Timothy 3:16 ~ Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action)
  2. 2 Peter 1:3-8 ~ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

  1. Although in the scriptures we note that the books were written by prophets and apostles, such as the book of Timothy being written by Paul, we must be reminded that the scriptures are God breathed and inspired. They are delivered to us as words from Christ. This tells me that they are of super importance and required my very candid attention and sincere obedience. I have personally found that reading the scriptures help me to conform to the character and image of Christ, and as I strive to be a ‘Christian’ (little Christ), then conforming to the scriptures is my heart’s desire. However, just as this is helpful in my training, I am convinced that the scripture should be the primary tool that I use in instructing others – teaching.
  2. I especially like the first sentence that tells me that here comes some qualities that God has showed on us as Christians so that we can live a Godly life. Then in the last sentence it tells me why it is so important for me to follow what was just instructed – because it will help me to be more productive and useful in my knowledge of Jesus Christ. Wow, this really sums it up for living a biblically sound life after the image and character of our Lord Jesus Christ. The ‘meat’ in between is something that we can and should meditate and grow on daily, and I found that the Amplified Bible translation explain those best: “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), and in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), and in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).“

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

Father, You have spoken very clearly in Your Word this morning. Please help me to stay so in tuned with Your Word that my every step will be led by Your Holy Spirit and compliant with Your instructions. I believe that this is necessary to live a biblically correct life and one that is pleasing to You. I believe that as Your Word is entrenched in me and practiced in my everyday life, others will be influenced to know the Savior that I love and adore. May You receive honor and glory from my daily walk, dear God.

Be One Who Fellowships with Believers

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, Encourage, Love, Motivate, WorksLeave a comment

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

 

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Hebrews 10:24–25, Ephesians 2:19-22

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Hebrews 10:24-25 ~ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
  2. Ephesians 2:19-22 ~ That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

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

  1. I see two things in these two verses that speak to my heart this morning:
    1. Motivate One Another – Often we are so busy talking to our friends about someone that I find this idea of ‘Motivating One Another to Acts of Love and Good Works’ to be such an excellent, life-changing idea. Not only will that help me to do something positive and constructive, but it will be extremely difficult for me to backbite, or belittle someone that I am trying hard to motivate in the manner described here.
    2. Encourage One Another – If someone (another disciple) was to come alongside me and encourage/motivate me in a manner described above, especially when I was feeling down and out and out of touch with the body of Christ, I believe that it would get me back on the right track. I believe that one reason the writer chose to recognize the point about neglecting to meet together is because when we are out of fellowship with other Christians, we find it difficult to meet together with them for worship. Instead of us jumping to conclusions about why they are not in church, perhaps if we chose to encourage them and motivate them to a healthy relationship with God and His people then they might see that our hearts are in the right place and that we truly want to see them on fire for God.
  2. Some of us came to Christ from very different, sometimes very opposite backgrounds. In these verses we are taught that God is using us all in building the kingdom. Wow, this is so powerful! When we consider that God is using us, and He is using that brother or sister that we work alongside of in Sunday School, or at Fall Festival or at any function, to fit together into building His temple, why would we not do all within our power to get along with that person, and to motivate that person into love and good works? In our marriage we would do this in order to build a strong and stable marriage, all the more we should be doing this on a daily basis to build a strong and stable kingdom and to show a lost world that we are Christians by our love and good works.

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

Father, this idea of Fellowshipping with Believers (other brothers and sisters who have the same Father – Jesus Christ) has taken on a whole new perspective as I was reminded about the content of these scripture verses. Please help me to dedicate myself daily to motivate my brother and my sister to acts of love and good works, and to encourage them to never neglect the opportunities we have to meet together in Your name. Thank You for reminding me that Your kingdom is much bigger than just me, so it is extremely important that I fit together with all those that have this common purpose and commitment. I acknowledge that I often have a desire to fellowship with other believers, please help me to take that desire to a whole new level as I look more to their needs and to encourage them in their walk for Christ. Father, I want to be just like You, and You were often accused for fellowshipping with those that were sometimes frowned upon by the self proclaimed ‘righteous’ of that day. Please help me to fellowship with any who You would direct me to for love, motivation and encouragement. Please send other disciples to my side, as You often do, to help keep me strong and on the right track for being effective in Your ministry.

One Who Reflects Christ

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Facial Expression, Fruit of the Spirit, Love, Love God, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, TruthfulLeave a comment

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

 

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Eph. 4:15, 2 Cor. 3:18, Gal. 5:22–23, Matt. 22:37–39

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Truthful – Ephesians 4:15 ~ Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head
  2. Facial Expression – 2 Corinthians 3:18 ~ So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord’s Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord.
  3. Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23 ~
    But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
  4. Love God and Neighbors – Matthew 22:37-39 ~ And He replied to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

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

  1. Truthful – Our love for, and respect of, the One that we serve, Jesus, should force us to be like, and do just like, Jesus. He always told the truth and so should we. Then according to this verse, we will be more complete in growing to be more like Jesus, our Savior and soon coming King.
  2. Facial Expression – I believe that if my mind is centered on the glorious Savior that I love and adore and who blesses me so immensely every day, then my heart will be overjoyed and my face will surely express that joy that I feel. As a child I sang a chorus ‘I have the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart’, and having that kind of joy in my heart should always reflect in my facial expression. It is almost impossible to have the ‘joy, joy, joy, joy’ in my heart, but yet a sour/unhappy expression on my face. This verse says that having this type of joy to where it is expressed on our faces, makes us more like our glorious Lord!
  3. Fruit of the Spirit – I love how the writer says that there is no law against any of these fruit being expressed in and through us, and what is amazing is that even today there is still no law against reflecting these character qualities. These are qualities of Jesus our Savior. These are fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior. If we struggle with any of these, I believe that we need to go back to the cross and make sure that everything is right in that decision that we thought we first made, because I don’t believe that the Holy Spirit will mess up in not reflecting the ‘fruit’ qualities.
  4. Love God and Neighbors – I love the way that the Amplified Bible emphasizes that our love for God is the first, the great, most important and principal commandment! Wow, that really sums it up on where our allegiance belongs! Of course, additional emphasis is on loving God with everything we have within us – heart, soul and mind. But the later part of this Scripture goes even deeper, because it says that we should similarly love our neighbor (those that we come into contact with daily – those that we should be neighborly to). I believe that this is a lot more challenging, because these ‘neighbors’ sometimes lie, backbite, or even try to harm us, yet God says in His Word that we must love them with all of our heart, soul and mind, in the same way that we love Him and strive to be a reflection of Him.

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

All of the above are very tall orders dear God, and I acknowledge today that I can only accomplish these with Your love, strength and guidance. I want to reflect You though my every word and action. Please be my constant guide and director each and every day. Please give me strength and determination to reflect You in every circumstance. Lord, may my life be fallow ground in which Your Holy Spirit will find freedom to reflect all the Fruit of the Spirit, so that You may receive honor and glory.

Work ‘Til Jesus Comes

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, Obedience, Reaching the Lost, Share God’s Word, Work Til Jesus ComesLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 1

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Acts 1:20-21 ~ …It also says, “Let someone else have his job.” So we need someone else to help us tell others that Jesus has been raised from death.

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

In these verses Peter is quoting something from the book of Psalms, in reference to the job left vacant by Judas after he died. Today I will be attending the visitation of a saint who recently died. She and her husband have been active workers in the church ever since I could remember attending the local church. The question becomes, who will take her place? It is so easy for us to sit back and watch the work being done. It is so easy for us to quickly find excuses why we shouldn’t be busy about God’s work, and why we believe that God was not speaking to us when He said that “Now is the day of salvation” and that we should do all we can to spread the gospel and the love of Jesus. Am I doing all that I can in the work of the local church? Is there something else that God would have me do for His glory and edification?

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

I pray that God will raise up new workers for the local church and a new level of commitment. I pray that God will direct me to the work that He can most effectively achieve His purpose through what I might do. I pray for guidance not to accept ‘Positions’ just for the sake of seeing positions filled, but knowing that God will achieve His purpose through anything that I might commit to. I pray for those who have sat on the sidelines and watched others work diligently for the kingdom, that they will rise up and commit to the Master to work diligently until the day He calls them home. I pray that ‘

I Pledge Allegiance…

On By Ed AlgreenIn Allegiance to the Lamb, Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, Obedience, Reaching the Lost, Righteousness, Thank You Jesus, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 1

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Acts 1:6-8 ~ While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?” Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.”

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

Back when the apostles first received this command, we are to understand that this was a future statement intended not just for the apostles but for all on whom the Spirit of God falls. Later in Scripture we are taught that the Spirit comes upon all who seek forgiveness of sin and call upon the name of Jesus as Lord (Christians). The church as we know it today is made up of Christians, therefore the command that was given to the apostles and to all on whom the Spirit falls, is to tell everyone about Jesus. Are we successful in following that command today? I’m sure that we can easily look upon ourselves and quickly respond that we could be doing a whole lot more. However, it seems to me like Luke is telling us that to those on who the Holy Spirit falls, they will be given power, and they will then tell everyone about Jesus. So I believe that the question this morning is not how well are we doing at spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but more along the lines of, how is our relationship with the Father? Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior? If you have – are you maturing a relationship with Him and giving Him full reign of Your life so that His Holy Spirit might use you to tell everyone about His love and saving grace? To be a citizen of this country, one must swear allegiance to the country and could therefore become eligible to represent this country in battle. Have you sworn allegiance to the Maker of the Universe, the King of all kings, your Creator, so that through His Holy Spirit He might find you eligible to represent Him before a lost and dying world, a battle against the foes of this world?

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

In Your Word you have told us that You sometime use the ‘foolishness of preaching’ to reach the lost. In this passage You have shared through Luke that You will give us the power of Your Holy Spirit and use us (Christians) to share the love of Christ with a lost world. Father, I feel so unworthy of such an honor, but I dare not question You. Thank You for giving me the liberty of representing You to the lost. May I never be a stumbling block to the work of Your Holy Spirit. May I represent You well so that those that I speak to or have dealings with will witness the love of the Father, and have an uncontrollable desire to want to know You as Lord and Savior. Thank You for convicting me of my sin and finding me worthy to use as Your instrument in this wicked world.

Our Reaction to God’s Word

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bible Believing, Christian, Follow Jesus, God’s Word, ObedienceLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Nehemiah 8; Acts 1

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Nehemiah 8:9 ~ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all of them, This day is holy to the Lord your God; mourn not nor weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the Law.

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

We have heard the saying ‘We have come a long way baby’ and I believe that we always think of that as ‘progress’ or ‘improvement’ over things that our ancestors dealt with (plagues, premature infant deaths, no electric power, no powered stoves, etc), however this passage opened my eyes to how hardened to the Word of God we have become also. For many of us, the only time we hear the Word of God read is in church, yet we just about fall asleep while it is read, and we very much take it for granted that it is not meant to reveal our weaknesses or fault or sin, but merely telling stories about the sin of others many, many years ago. Friend, the more I study God’s Word the more I understand how alive it is, and how applicable it is today. You see, when we serve a risen, living God, then when He speaks to us through His Word, of course it is intended to speak to us in very relevant terms to meet our needs today. God wants His very best for His people today – that means He wants His very best for me and for anyone else who reads His Word today! Let’s put on the whole armor of God today, His Word, so that we may be best prepared to face the challenges of the devil and all challenges that will face us out in this wicked world in which we live. Remember, ‘

In Appreciation!

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

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Nehemiah 8; Acts 1

OBSERVATION

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

APPLICATION

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

PRAYER

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