Category: Effective Ministry

The Ministry God Has Given You

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Effective Ministry, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, Worship1 Comment

DATE POSTED: Wednesday, August 23, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN 2 Timothy 4:2-5

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: As I meditated on this Scripture today, I couldn’t help but think that Paul may have said in person to me ‘For the time has come…..’, in lieu of the words underlined in the Scripture, for it seems that our people are already restless for entertainment and wanting more from the pulpit than just the plain old Gospel message that the man of God has been assigned to share. However, Paul is addressing his student and encouraging him to be careful to carry out the message and ministry God has given to him. Read this Scripture and meditate on what God might be saying to you through His Word.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: It is so easy to shrug off the preaching of God’s Word on to the person sitting beside you, because you feel they might be in much worse spiritual shape that you are. It is even easier to accuse the pastor or preacher of misinterpreting the Word of God, since you understand it to mean very differently to what they explained. However, I pray that God will bless us today by helping us to apply His Word to our lives personally. Yes, I know, you are not a pastor, and you just don’t know if you could clearly understand the Word of God, but I want to remind you that God sent us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and to draw us to our Master and Lord. Let’s stop what we’re doing, and stop complaining long enough, to look inward at the opportunities God has given to us since accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Timothy was off to carry out the ministry he felt led of God to perform. He was blessed with an awesome mentor who had come a long way since his days of being a persecutor of Christians. In fact, under the inspiration and help of the Holy Spirit, Paul had turned from persecution to evangelizing. His heart had changed from seeking to destroy Christians, to being a light and inspiration to Christians seeking to know and serve God. With a heart like that, don’t you know that Timothy was all ears and ready to follow the direction and encouraging words of Paul? In a time, similar to ours, Paul knew that his student, Timothy would face a cruel world. In fact, Paul advised that Timothy might find where people he would meet no longer want to listen to wholesome, accurate and the unchangeable Word of God. But think about this – the Bible is the Living Word of God, so I believe we can easily understand how Paul’s teaching is also applicable to us today. Friends, the more we visit churches, and the more we try to witness to unbelievers, it is very plain to see that many have their own agenda and therefore not interested in hearing what the preacher at mom’s old church down the road has to say. In fact, if it wasn’t for the changes noted in the new church started down the road where they accept everyone and their way of living that has no grounds in Biblical truth, they may not go to ‘church’ at all. Personally, I love the pastors who preach and teach that the Word of God is unchanged. We may have newer translations that try to clarify the way that older ones tell us what God wants, but the principles are unchanged. I believe that Paul might be telling us that we must learn to stay true to the living Word of God also, and that we tell it like it is, regardless of our audience or the location in which we are asked for our opinion on something. Christians, and especially pastors, are not to turn into politicians when asked for their stand on certain principles. There is no time to try and improve on what God said, in order to please the crowd. Yes, it will cause some to disagree, and some will get upset at us for disagreeing with their way of life, but God said that His Word is ‘LIGHT’. To me, that means that God’s Word will reveal the untruths of this dark and evil world, if we remain faithful and tell the world what the Word says. Paul told Timothy, and I will conclude my thoughts with the same words…. ‘Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.’

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: Praise God for placing mentors in our lives. Ones that are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they love us enough that they desire to see us be obedient and willing servants of the Most High God.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord, I feel like there are two parts to this message today. One is that I might be willing to listen and follow the admonition of my mentors, and secondly that I might be willing to find a student who needs admonition from me, and then share with that student everything You lay on my heart. Please continue to shower me with boldness to share Your Word in every circumstance of life (in season), regardless of whether I happen to be in church or at a public venue where one might least expect to hear about the Lord (out of season). May I always be obedient to Your Word and Your Holy Spirit that You sent to guide and direct me through all walks of life. Lord may each reader and/or listener be willing to do the same so that Your name might be lifted high and that the eyes of the unsaved be opened to Your call on their lives. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Just Minister – The Needs Exist

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Effective Ministry, Healing, Needs, Needs of others, Praise, Recognize God, Recognize Needs, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-12-10
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 6:17-19
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 17 Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a vast multitude of people from all over Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to listen to Him and to be healed of their diseases. Even those who were troubled by unclean spirits (demons) were being healed. 19 All the people were trying to touch Him, because [healing] power was coming from Him and healing them all.

APPLICATION: No doubt, if you’ve been around churches very long, you may have heard pastors say things like: ‘There’s no retirement in Kingdom work’, or ‘I plan to be about my Father’s work for as long as I have breath’, or ‘My work is finished at that church’ or ‘It’s time for the younger generation to take over’. There are many more sayings that pastor’s make known to their church leadership, hoping that they would prepare themselves for electing another pastor to resume the work of ministering to their congregation. Pastors become disheartened, discouraged and downright tired, especially when they feel like the Holy Spirit has stopped working in the hearts of their congregants. But what if Jesus had taken that stand in today’s story? I was at a church where the youth would normally attend Disney’s ‘Night of Joy’ – an evening where this huge park was transformed into one large Christian event with gospel music echoed throughout the park until midnight on a Saturday. Our church leaders insisted in just one condition, attend, enjoy and be blessed, but church attendance is required on Sunday morning! The preceding verses tell us that Jesus had spent the whole night in prayer before His Father, but at the time that He arrived back in the plains with His disciples, there was a crowd gathered who needed a touch from the Master, and Jesus wasn’t about to let anything affect His impact on them. What if we served in our capacity as servants of the Most High God with the passion of the One we chose to imitate? What if we asked God to give us the strength and willingness to serve, based on the need of the people He sends to us? I never felt that I served in a selfish capacity or for what I might accomplish, or receive from the Master personally, but I’m not so sure that I always served from my heart and tired body, based on the needs of those whose stomachs, spirits, souls and minds depended on the encouragement they would receive from my ministry. I would imagine that I may be alone in feeling this way, but I believe that God wants us to think carefully about that today. Do we minister as to the Lord, and with every intent to please Him with what comes from our mouth, and through our actions? Do we minister with the heart soul and mind of the hearers in mind, and with every intent to help them draw closer to Jesus Christ? Sharing the gospel is like one beggar sharing what bread they have with another beggar. Both are in need of what is given to them, but they eagerly share what they receive with others. I believe that Jesus intimately knew the heart, soul and mind of each one that came to hear Him and be touched by Him. Perhaps if we made it a point to KNOW each hearer in such an intimate way, the Holy Spirit will help us minister to them more appropriately, rather than just checking the box that we gave another sermon, taught another Sunday School lesson, wrote another devotional, etc. etc. When something is given from the heart, it means more to the receiver and the giver!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: The crowd gathered were being healed and walking away whole again, because they were in the presence of Jesus. We are told that Jesus would be with us when two or three gather in His name. Perhaps when we go to church and meet together with others to enter in the presence of Jesus, He will also ensure that mighty works are fulfilled in our presence also!

PRAYER: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that meeting with You and having a relationship with You, has a lasting effect on us, our ministry and our hope for tomorrow. Please teach us to be more like You in ministering with the needs of the people in mind, and not for any personal satisfaction we might receive. Teach us also to be like the people who came from miles around just to be in Your presence, to hear Your teaching, receive Your healing touch, and to be filled again with Your awesome power. Oh, that You may work so powerfully in our lives, that others will be impacted and drawn to the one source of receiving eternal life. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Your Call To Ministry is Personal

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Effective Ministry, Needs, Obedience, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2021-10-10
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Samuel 3:8-11
TRANSLATION: New Century Version (NCV)

BIBLE TEXT: 8 The Lord called Samuel for the third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here. You called me.”
Then Eli realized the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So he told Samuel, “Go to bed. If he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in bed.
10 The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel said, “Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.”
11 The Lord said to Samuel, “Watch, I am going to do something …..

APPLICATION: As a young boy I remember hearing a lot about ghosts, especially if a townsperson was buried that day! Often this would frighten kids enough to force them into refuge pretty close to mom and dad, especially for that night! Working around Eli, I’m sure that Samuel must have heard a lot about Eli’s encounters with God, so I wonder if, in the back of his mind, he didn’t suspect that it was God he was hearing from, and not a ghost, especially when he senses God standing over him. However, since this was a message about Eli, I could also believe that God wanted Eli to know that He was dealing with his student, Samuel. The interesting thing is, that Eli did not hear God speaking to Samuel, so he knew that God’s message was intended for Samuel and not for himself. Generally when we are speaking to just one person, it is a personal message intended just for them. By the third time God spoke to Samuel, he felt God standing over him, and just as earlier calls, God called him again. Based on advice from Eli, Samuel knew how to respond, and I am so impressed with the specific words used by Samuel. I believe that the application for us today, is that we must not shrug off the call of God on our life. For some this might be through signs and wonders; or through other children of God who will validate something that we suspected for a time, based on the work of the Holy Spirit in our life; yet for others it may be that God will point us to a specific passage of Scripture that affirms Your plan for us. Friends, God may choose to speak to us in a still small voice, like He did with Samuel, but to really get our attention, He may speak very boldly to us in a way that we will know that it is God Almighty. I have heard of stories where men have lived very miserable lives, because they chose to ignore the voice of God and the path He was leading them to. Let me encourage you today, that no matter what you have personally planned for tomorrow, be willing to set it all aside as naught if you receive a word from God. Listen to His voice; look for the confirmations throughout your day, and act on His instructions knowing that if God takes you to an assignment, He will surely help you through it. Remember the stories of Jesus sending His disciple out on mission? He told them to take nothing with them, yet He also told them to stay for as long as it takes. Jesus wanted them to learn to depend on Him for all good and necessary things that they needed in order to do His will. The disciples proved to us that it could be done, just be willing, like Samuel, to surrender your plans to follow the will of the Father. “I’m Your servant Lord, I’m listening and willing to obey whatever You would have me to do.” Saying those words to God will place you plum in the middle of God’s plan, and although He will change and remold you, I doubt if you will ever be bored again! Know that God could use anyone, so don’t assume that you misunderstood the call if He has other ministry opportunities for you that may, or may not include preaching, teaching or pastoring. ‘I’ll work til Jesus comes’ is the title of an old Sunday School chorus that was undoubtedly written by someone who surrendered it all to a call from Jesus on their life! Listen for God’s call, and be willing to obey His commands, dear child of God!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Eli was the priest, so Samuel could have assumed that God was talking to him, but He was not. Our call is personal and intended for only us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! Just listen, obey, and don’t find excuses to wiggly out of what God has in store for you.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please forgive us when we assume that there is nothing we can do in Your kingdom work here on earth. Moses tried to wiggly out of his call, yet he wound up leading a multitude of people across a desert land because of his faith in the power of God. That same power is available to those who accept Your call today, so I pray that You will change our hearts and minds from the inside out. When we accept Your call, it’s no longer us doing the work, but You. Many of us need that reassurance today Lord, not because we doubt Your power, but often we are bashful, or we might be perfectionists who must insure that everything is done to our perfection, or we feel totally inadequate for the job assignment. Please make Your will very clear to each reader today, and fill us with Your power to accept Your call and complete the mission as You carefully instruct us to do. Oh that Your kingdom will experience growth as You challenge us, and use us for Your glory. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Total Allegiance

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

DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2021-07-24
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 5:8-11
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, sir, please leave us—I’m too much of a sinner for you to have around.” 9 For he was awestruck by the size of their catch, as were the others with him, 10 and his partners too—James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Jesus replied, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for the souls of men!”
11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and went with him.

APPLICATION: In counseling a couple preparing for marriage, some pastors will remind them of the importance of spending less time with their hunting, fishing or shopping buddies so that they could devote uninterrupted time with their new spouse. Wouldn’t it be the same experience with one who has accepted the call on their life to receive Jesus into their heart? Think about it! In both cases, God knows full well that we will have mixed allegiance; and when that happens, we are not fully dedicated to either. In the case of the experienced fishermen, they knew that if they returned to the same fishing grounds where they yielded nothing just hours before. Their experience teaches them that if there was nothing there the night before, there probably would be nothing there the next morning. PLEASE don’t come down on Peter and his fishing buddies, for we still do the same thing today when we look through the lens of this world. Only Jesus was able to turn the water into wine; cause the lame to walk again; feed the 5,000+ people; and raise the dead, so only Jesus can change the course of life as we know it today. I believe that Jesus is still calling us to be fishers of men. Yes, even those who have little to know education; Yes, even those who feel like they are incapable of doing anything worthy for the Lord; And yes, even those who tend to look at this sinful world and give up on seeing any good thing come form the mass of confusion and sin. But here’s what makes all the difference in the world. Notice that Peter and his buddies were filled with doubt before this encounter with Jesus, but based on their actions after they got to shore, we could see that their firsthand experience with their Master, caused a total turn around in their lives. They left everything and followed Jesus! Leaving everything, in my mind, means that they concluded that there was nothing in their lives that was more important than to follow the One who proved Himself to them through miracle after miracle, and they were ready to accept His invitation to join Him in His earthly ministry. What is it that you need to give up in order to devote your life whole-heartedly to the Master? Think about the difference that Peter and his friends were facing in switching from fishing, to following Jesus and serving Him faithfully? It would have to be the miraculous touch of Jesus, right? Well I believe that He is still in the miracle-working business today, and He could do the same for you and I when we accept His invitation to join Him in ministry!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: From the stinky business of fishing, or whatever your occupation might be, to the glorious work of the Kingdom! – Only possible through the powerful transformation and miracles of our all-powerful God!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we bury ourselves in everyday chores and through some miracle, we feel accomplished. In learning more about You, we realize that we haven’t touched the potential of all that You have placed us here on earth for. We were reminded how you transformed the lives of Peter and his friends, and it has renewed our faith in believing that You can do the same through even us. No doubt, there are readers/listeners who feel the same as I do. Please touch Your children once again today and help us to see our potential in all that You can do through one dedicated and committed child, rather than through our own meager efforts. Nothing is impossible with You! May we base our ministries on all that You have in store for us, and all that You can do through us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Too Much

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Effective Ministry, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Servants of God, Serve, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2021-03-28
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Exodus 18:14-18
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 14 Jethro saw how much Moses had to do for the people, and he asked, “Why are you the only judge? Why do you let these people crowd around you from morning till evening?”
15 Moses answered, “Because they come here to find out what God wants them to do. 16 They bring their complaints to me, and I make decisions on the basis of God’s laws.”
17 Jethro replied: That isn’t the best way to do it. 18 You and the people who come to you will soon be worn out. The job is too much for one person; you can’t do it alone. 

OBSERVATION: There are varying opinions about what a pastor’s job description should look like. As we meditate on the Scripture today, we’ll see where Moses filled a similar position as God’s leader, and how he had placed himself in quite a predicament as the fearless leader of the Israelites. Perhaps we could learn when, or how our pastor does ‘too much’.

APPLICATION: Some will pass judgment on a pastor and attribute his pastorate as a scapegoat for a hardworking manual labor job. Some will insist that the pastor do all the work of ministry around the church, since he is being paid for that. Others who know the hours labored by a pastor will wonder how they ever save their marriage, or spend any quality time with their children. Moses was ordered by God to do some important things that way exceeded the ability of any man. For example: go before the king and demand release of the Israelites; follow the instructions of God through various actions with his shepherd’s staff; provide food and water for over a million people – out in the desert; find a way of escape for the people when there was water ahead and an oncoming army approaching from the rear; deal with all the attitudes, grumbling and complaining from such a large following; etc. So of course, Moses found a very real need to be judge and jury for the people when disagreements arose. This in itself was enough for many judges, but Moses felt a responsibility to God and his countrymen to fill the gap of being a spokesman for God to satisfy all disagreements. As an innocent outsider, Jethro quickly saw that his son-in-law was headed for disaster in being overworked and under constant demand by his people. It was unfair to the people, and was way too much on Moses as a lone judge. Friends, in my Observation I used our pastors as an example, but I believe there is more of this in us individually than we might care to acknowledge, for we could each be accused at times for trying to do it all. I have spent time in leadership of a smaller church, where pastors only stayed there for a limited number of years. Had the leadership of lay persons not been trained in ministry and willing to jump in and share in the ministry of God in that church, one could easily see where many parishioners would have gone unattended to. I believe that God is showing us through this example of Jethro helping Moses, that it is vitally important to not do ministry, or the work of God alone. Share the blessings with others by letting them serve alongside you, for we must always remember that we are about God’s work, and He always provides workers for His ministry. Sure it’s important that we are willing to do the work, and sure it is important that we are always busy about God’s work, but I believe that we should never do any of this exclusive of other workers who are ready and willing to serve. Yes, I believe that God wants you in His Service, but I also believe that He wants you to bring along as many as you can to help you accomplish the ministry fully and effectively.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, there’s a lot to be done in Your vineyard here on earth, and it often seems like there are never enough workers to accomplish the work. Please help us to assume the job of Jethro, when needed, for it seems like many tend to be lone rangers who feel like Your ministry will collapse without them. Please teach them to share the joy of helping others along in leadership, so that they won’t simply encounter a lost person and only invite them to church. Often if we fail to share Your story with a lost person, they may expire before ever making it to ‘church’ to hear the good news. Teach us Lord to listen closely to Your voice and to be ready and willing to serve, so that our pastors and other leaders would see growth in leaders who always help them to reach the lost and minister to the saints. It’s Your ministry Lord Jesus, and as saints of God, we are all workers in Your vineyard, until Jesus comes again to take His church home to heaven. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Overcoming Stagnant Ministry

On By Ed AlgreenIn Dependable, Dependence on God, Effective Ministry, HumilityLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Jeremiah 15:19-20 (NET)

TEXT: 19 Because of this, the Lord said,

“You must repent of such words and thoughts!
If you do, I will restore you to the privilege of serving me.
If you say what is worthwhile instead of what is worthless,
I will again allow you to be my spokesman.
They must become as you have been.
You must not become like them.
20 I will make you as strong as a wall to these people,
a fortified wall of bronze…..

 

OBSERVATION:   I believe that there are times that we all face what seems to appear like stagnancy in our respective ministries. Of course, we question God as to why He left us ‘hanging’, or why have those we minister to become so arrogant and hateful to us, but how often do we imitate Jeremiah and actually seek God out to help us see inside of our sinful selves for the actual problem? Let’s look closer at this…..

APPLICATION:   I understand that studies will show that more ministers of the gospel resign on a Monday than any other day of the week. Primarily because of their inside view of failure the day before in the pulpit, or in what was communicated between themselves and a parishioner. This is very indicative of what Jeremiah did, for he felt like he was in a ‘dead zone’ with no positive results outwardly or inwardly. Based on what God had to say to Jeremiah, it is apparent that Jeremiah was communicating negatively and portraying a negative attitude about the God who rescued him from a burning hell and promoted him to the heights of glory. I know, you would NEVER do anything like that, right? Unfortunately, it seems like we easily degrade ourselves into grumbling about things that didn’t go just like we had planned, or at least projected. We are quick to find fault, when we are just as vulnerable to sin and failure as the other person. Unlike the case of Jeremiah, we have one more thing that we would try today when trying to ‘fix’ everyone else, or every situation, for we have ‘Google’ where we could research the problem, and find hundreds of ideas on corrective measures! Friends, I trust that we will learn from Jeremiah, for when he came to his wits end, he went to God and asked for help and understanding for the situations at hand, especially the challenge of him feeling like God had forsaken him. I believe it would behoove us to ofen do a reality check with God, asking Him to open our eyes, our hearts, our emotions and our innermost feelings, so that we could receive an answer from the only One that we trust as having all of the answers. There is a saying that we use a lot in Christian circles: ‘we are sinners saved by grace’. Please let’s remind ourselves that the order of what is said in that clause remains true. We ARE sinners who sin. Praise God, many of us have surrendered our hearts to Jesus, and we are saved by His marvelous grace, but as long as we remain here on this earth, we will cave in to sin. Let’s be quick to seek the face of Jesus so that He might hear our regrets and disappointments about our sin and, in turn, help us to overcome our weaknesses so that we might glory in the cross of Jesus. Like in the case of Jeremiah, when God has cleaned us up and returned us to His glory, then He is able to use us again for His ultimate glory. Be encouraged friend, for when it seems like our ministry has become stagnant, we need to look no further than inside our own heart as we seek the face of the only One who could help us to overcome the challenges of this world and assume our rightful place with the Master.

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, we come humbly at Your feet and seek Your holy presence in our lives. We need You to direct our every thought, word and deed, and we need Your constant reminder to always come to the cross when things seem out of control all around us. We need You, because we want to see You worshipped and adored by everyone all around us, and we personally tend to mess that up way too often. Please be our guide, our strength and our provider, so that You may be glorified in everything we do or say. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

 

What Helps Others Gain Confidence in You and Your Message?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Dedicated, Effective MinistryLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Acts 10:42-43 (ERV)

TEXT:  42 “Jesus told us to go and speak to the people. He told us to tell them that he is the one God chose to be the Judge of all who are living and all who have died. 43 Everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name. All the prophets agree that this is true.”

OBSERVATION:   In the preceding verses Peter went into great detail to show the people where, and how the power was given to he and his fellow disciples to spread the news of Jesus Christ. He also tried very hard to help the people understand where and how the power of Jesus Christ came about. These are challenges that we face today, for unless we know who is proclaiming the Word to us, and know something of their background and understanding of the Bible, we can easily be tricked into believing something that sounds like the truth, but clearly comes with little twists inserted by the speaker. What if you were challenged about something you believe about the Bible and teach or preach? What is your background that prepared you for proclaiming the Word?

APPLICATION:   By now I hope that you have given some thought towards how you would answer questions that prompted Peter’s responses to his audience, that were based on what Peter knew must be going through their minds. You know, we hear it all the time: “Who do you think you are, to be speaking to us like some ‘holier than thou’ saint?” “Who made you king over everything?”. Friends, for those in authority, they have to earn their trust by the people. This is especially achieved when you live the life you are preaching. However when you can support your teaching or preaching with some credible material such as other scripture, or respected reference material. Imagine a missionary going overseas from our country, what do you suppose would help the people to gain trust in this stranger from another land? The same question is true when a new pastor comes into your state and city for the first time, then he stands in front of your congregation for the first time. When, and what causes you to build trust in that individual? This is the same challenge you would have in trying to witness to a stranger, they will look at you strangely and with some degree of doubt, until they learn to trust you. This is always a consideration when walking up to a stranger. They will hear what you have to say, but it will be laced with doubt until they learn that a life deeply grounded in the Word of God supports the mind and the words of the one speaking to them. They will also look to see if your life supports your teaching. Be careful that others will read your life as the best Bible they ever read.

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, You have allowed humble and meager men to share your gospel with this lost world. Thank You for entrusting us with such an awesome responsibility. Whether it be our pastors, our church leaders or mere Christians saved by grace, You Holy Spirit resides within us and will lead us to sharing all truth with the lost. Please work miraculously through us, so that Your work might be accomplished through even us. Lord, may Your perfect will be done in and through us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

 

The Importance of Your Ministry

On By Ed AlgreenIn Effective Ministry, Evangelize, Share, Share God’s WordLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Wednesday, 2017-07-26
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Luke 10:16 (ERV)

Text:

  16 “When anyone listens to you my followers, they are really listening to me. But when anyone refuses to accept you, they are really refusing to accept me. And when anyone refuses to accept me, they are refusing to accept the one who sent me.”
OBSERVATION:
Jesus sent out 70 disciples to minister in His name. These were not necessarily anyone special, like ordained or specially trained pastors or teachers, but they were sent by Jesus to go and share whatever He had taught them. How is this different to what we are called to do today? 
APPLICATION:
I’m sure that anytime we hear of people being ‘called’ of God, we think of our pastors, and perhaps other pastors from our community that we know, but how often do we think about the idea of us being called individually to minister in the name of our Lord? We often hear believers say that I just work with the youth at my church, or I’m involved in the kids ministry, or perhaps I teach an adult Sunday School class. The real unfortunate statements that we hear way too often is that ‘I’ve done my part, so now it’s up to the younger folk to carry on the ministry in the church and in our community’. Friends, I can find nowhere in the Bible where Jesus called anyone to carry on the message of the cross and handed them a retirement package that would activate at a certain age. At what age do you stop being married, or stop bragging about your spouse? Let’s look at the Scripture again…. The Word say that when others listen to you and I declaring the name of the Lord, they are actually listening to Jesus – the One who sent us. When they refuse to accept the one whom we teach and preach, they are rejecting Jesus, and His Father (GOD) who sent Him. I don’t know about you friend, but those are some pretty serious consequences that our ‘ministry’ could have on those that we mentor, or tutor (teach). I trust that Jesus will always clearly say to us at the end of life’s journey: ‘Well done good and faithful servant’. Don’t disappoint Him child of God. Your individual ministry is very important. If God assigned it to you then taking it lightly, or not doing it at all, is disobedience to Him.
PRAYER:
You provided the way, and You provided the means for our salvation Lord Jesus. Please help us to never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please prompt us into the service of ministering in Your name so that You and the Father might be glorified, for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever, AMEN!
FOOTNOTE:
There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Distractions in Ministry

On By Ed AlgreenIn Distraction, Distractions, Effective Ministry, Excuses, Servants of God, Serve, ServiceLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Monday, 2017-07-24
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Luke 9:61-62 (TLB)

Text:

  61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home.”62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
OBSERVATION:
The verses hyperlinked above actually shares two accounts where individuals that God had called into ministry found excuses why they couldn’t assume the task at that time. Not a whole lot different to what we do today, but I believe God would have us be reminded again how He feels about this.
APPLICATION:
In a first glance, or reading of this Scripture, we probably look at our pastors and wonder why they might question the call of Christ on their lives, or procrastinate following  the call after clearly hearing God calling them into service. Friends, most churches have election of officers and teachers each year, and I believe I would be safe in saying that nominating teams have probably heard every excuse possible when asking an individual to serve. In the section of Scripture we are looking at today, we see where one needed to bury his father before he could assume the call of Christ. In the second instance the other one needed to check with his family first to make sure they could manage without him. While we will also look at our excuses, think for a minute who it was that called these two individuals – Jesus, the very Son of God. Did He personally know their hearts and all about the possible excuses they could have given Him? Of course He did. But by sharing these things with us, it help us to also consider the excuses that we tend to give when asked to join the ministry team at our respective churches. I believe that three of the most popular excuses used today are: 1). I feel so unqualified to teach; 2). I cannot speak well in a classroom setting; and 3). I live such a busy lifestyle that I couldn’t possible take on one more thing. Friends, don’t you think that it is God that gave you the gifts to do His work and the time to do it? Don’t you know that God is well aware of your qualifications and gifts and that He has you handpicked to accomplish a task you are being asked to accomplish? A Nominating Team or Pastor who may asked you to fill a position at church has probably bathed the matter in deep prayer, so I feel like when we make excuses why we can’t fulfil the request, we are actually complaining to God. Let me suggest that if you feel that time might be the issue, try responding that you can’t make that a priority in your life right now. Jesus could have found many excuses and could have called many angels to His rescue when beaten and led to the cross, but He accepted His unfortunate task as a priority – just for you and I. God is not looking at your abilities, because where you are lacking He fills that void so that He might be glorified. All He wants is your availability.
PRAYER:
Dear God, please forgive us for the excuses we make to not use the many gifts that You have blessed us with. Thank You for not giving up on us, as easily as we give up on trying to serve You. Oh Lord, may we be obedient to Your call on our life. May we be a living sacrifice, willing to always testify to Your calling in our personal witness to others and to help make Your work in our local church complete. You have truly blessed us beyond anything we deserve, may we learn to bless You through our availability and willingness to serve in local ministries, so that the world might know You and believe in You. God being our helper, our enabler and guide. AMEN!
FOOTNOTE:
There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’.  If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

Here’s The Reason Jesus Came

On By Ed AlgreenIn Effective Ministry, Reflective of Jesus Christ, The ChurchLeave a comment

Sunday, 2017-07-16

Scripture

Bible Reference: Mark 2:17

Bible Text: 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

The attention given to the unrighteous, reminds me of a friend who is attracted to the one who sits at the back of the church and may be feeling dejected. I am also made keenly aware of why our churches are not reaching many of the unsaved in our communities. Think about it, who do most of our church members hang around? Fellow Christians, right? What happens to a pastor or church leader who may be seen hanging around a questionable crowd? Jesus said that He came for those who know that they are sinners. Wouldn’t that be a bold statement for a church to acknowledge that they exist for the sake of the unsaved? Who generally devours most of your pastor’s time, the saved or the unsaved? Where do most of your budget dollars go – towards reaching the lost; or patting the backs of the saved, and keeping them entertained? Will the unsaved feel welcomed at your worship services, or will they feel looked down on by the masses? Are you a part of a ministry that imitates the desire of Jesus, seeking to reach those who know they are sinners? If we are to be about our Father’s work, I believe we should be busy doing exactly what He showed and taught us to do. Can you handle that friend?

Prayer

Lord, may we Your children be willing to minister to those in need of a Savior more than just ministering to those just like us, or those we like. You came so that the lost might be saved and see the Kingdom of God. Please help us to keep that as our focus of ministry. I ask these things in the strong name of Jesus, AMEN!

Footnote

If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!