Category: Expectations

What To Expect

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

DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2023-02-15
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 10:8-11; 16;
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 8-9 “If a town welcomes you, follow these two rules:
(1) Eat whatever is set before you.
(2) Heal the sick; and as you heal them, say, ‘The Kingdom of God is very near you now.’
10 “But if a town refuses you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe the dust of your town from our feet as a public announcement of your doom. Never forget how close you were to the Kingdom of God!’ 
16 Then he said to the disciples, “Those who welcome you are welcoming me. And those who reject you are rejecting me. And those who reject me are rejecting God who sent me.”

APPLICATION: When going on a trip, we anxiously try to ensure that we have everything packed, all traveling and hotel documents in order, and research on the points of interest we want to visit. For the 70 who were called by Jesus, their travel assignment started out quite differently, and I wonder how we would have accepted the advanced warnings handed to us by Jesus! Here are some interesting points that were quite different for the disciples, than anything we may have ever experienced:
1. I’m sending you out as lambs among wolves – Quite the opposite to what we try to plan for on our trips, right? There are public websites now that will tell you the safe countries to visit, but how many of us would go, if we knew that we were being sent into a country of ‘wolves’ or terrorists, or criminals, or gangs?
2. Take no money, or a beggar’s bag, or shoes, with you – I wonder if any in the civilized world would even consider leaving home for another country without any money?
3. Living accommodations – no hotels or inns, but to strictly live with families who will welcome in strangers. First of all, today it is virtually impossible to find anyone who would have a stranger come and live with them, not even church members or leaders. But there’s more – eat what they offer you and stay there for the duration of your trip. Can’t you hear the questions running through our mind about such an arrangement?
4. Accepted vs Unaccepted – Of course we will worry about whether the townspeople will accept us and our message. We don’t want to get caught in a bad situation. But Jesus knew this would be a worry to His disciples, so He paved the way – the minds and attitudes of the people, and He was therefore able to tell the disciples what to do, depending on how the people would react.
Friends, I believe that Jesus wanted to make sure His disciples knew that they were just messengers. Just follow the Master’s instructions and be ready to share His message of love and hope; heal the sick; live among the people; and tell them of their plight if they reject you and your message. Does that not ease the burden on us individually if we know that Jesus is in control; only He could speak directly to the hearts of the people; He is the great Healer, and He will heal as He sees fit; There’s no burden He can’t lift, and no heart too hard that He can’t soften, so just let Him be God. That’s not our role, and we must never try to assume the God position when it comes to meeting the needs of His people. I am convinced that things are no different today, so why are churches lacking in volunteers to serve around the ministries of the church? Why is there such a scare when missions trips are planned. Oh that we would learn to be like the disciples in our Scripture today – go in Jesus’ name, knowing that we don’t need to be Him, just listen to His voice, obey His call, and allow Him to be God – even through our simplicity and trust.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for being so considerate as to explain everything in such detail for the 70 disciples as they were commissioned to go, tell, heal and show Jesus to the people. Our mission today sounds so familiar, and since we serve the same God, I am convinced that, since you are the same today as You were in Bible days, then You will calm our minds to understand how You are still in control and will guide, protect and provide for those who go in Your name. Perhaps a reader or listener is dealing with a decision to let go and let God have His way in their ministry and/or mission. I pray that You will speak through these simple devotional thoughts to encourage them and help them make decisions that will be pleasing to You. Use us Lord for Your kingdom work as You see fit. 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!

Church Leaders As Shepherds

On By Ed AlgreenIn Elders, Expectations, Leadership, PastorsLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2019-04-24

Bible Reference: 1 Peter 5:2–4
Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Bible Text: Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them. Then when Christ the Chief Shepherd returns, you will be given a crown that will never lose its glory.

OBSERVATION: If we hold a place of leadership in God’s church, then we have a responsibility to watch over those we lead with the same love and care that God has for us.

APPLICATION: We tend to expect a lot out of our pastors. In fact, we tend to think that they are invincible and not subject to the same sin and temptations that we encounter daily. Some translations tend to see this section of scripture addressed to elders, while some use more general terms of church leaders. I am not here to clarify either of these, but rather to remind us that if we hold a place of leadership in God’s church, then we have a responsibility to watch over those we lead with the same love and care that God has for us. We should not be in a place of leadership unless we could be a leader from a heart of love for the Lord and for His local church. We should have within us the desire to see the work of the Lord flourish – for His glory, therefore our work should be done unselfishly and with a heart to work for our master, not because of anything that we might personally gain from any position that we might hold. Most people learn better from what they are shown than from what they are told, therefore Peter warns that leaders are to lead by example rather than trying to throw around your authority. The super great news is that regardless whether we are ignored for our efforts in the work of the church here on earth, all we do for Jesus will be recognized by Him when we see Him face to face one day. In fact, Peter suggested that we would gain a crown that will never lose its glory! I could only imagine the smile on my Savior’s face as He welcomes me home and thanks me for returning the favor for what He did for me on Calvary, by all that I attempted to do to promote His kingdom while here on earth! Oh that will be, glory for me! Are you looking forward to this also friend? Please don’t shy away from the Lord’s work. There’s much to be done, and many to be reached with the gospel. Jesus used others to find us and bless us, now let’s make ourselves available for the work of the Lord. Yes, God can use even you and I for His glory!

PRAYER: Lord we work hard around our churches and sometimes we get discouraged because we feel unappreciated by church leaders and/or members. Thank You for using Your servant Peter to show us that our expectations are unimportant here on earth, for our efforts should always be directed towards pleasing the only One that we serve, our Lord and Savior! In fact I believe that most often when we expect glory here on earth, it could easily mean that we may not necessarily be doing kingdom work. May we be found faithful in all that we do for Your ultimate glory. May You be lifted higher when others recognize a benefit from our efforts here below. I ask these things in the name of the Lord that I adore, the Lord that I seek to please by all that I do here below, AMEN!

Prayerful Expectancy

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Expectations, Power of Prayer, PrayerLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Wednesday, 2017-07-19
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Luke 2:25-26 (MSG)

Text:

 25-26 In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died.
OBSERVATION:
We are led to believe that Simeon was a godly man who prayed. We also know that he prayed in earnest about one particular thing, more than anything else – that God would send a warrior, or savior for his native Israelites. This caused me to stop and think about the one thing of highest importance that I pray about, and I would like to challenge my audience to do the same.
APPLICATION:
For those who regularly attend prayer meetings at your church, and if your church family are given the opportunity to pray out loud, I believe that you can generally understand the heart of each prayer warrior. Somewhere in each one’s prayer you will hear them pray from the sincerity of their heart for at least one specific person, ministry or kingdom work. Simeon was like this, for he prayed diligently for help for his country Israel. Friends, I don’t know about you, but I believe that we could do with lots more Simeon’s in our churches in America, who will make the needs, concerns and sins of our country as their top priority for prayer. I have relatives in the Bahamas, and no doubt many of you reading this devotional may be located in other countries or have relatives living abroad. I have every reason to believe that these other countries also need prayer warriors who will commit to pray unceasingly for help in these countries also. Oh that our countries might return to God, and seek to operate according to God’s laws that have succeeded century after century under the protection of His powerful hand. Won’t you join me in prayer for our respective countries friends? No matter how impossible it may look to doubting eyes, we know without a doubt that our God lives, and He is still in the miracle working business. Why not ask for His power to save our countries so that we may live peaceably,  in love and unity with one another, with God as our leader and enabler!
PRAYER:
Lord God, You are our Rock; our Provider; our Protector; and our Healer of everything, including our nations. Lord You’ve told us that if we, Your meek servants, would humble ourselves and pray, You would hear from heaven and heal our land. That’s our desire Lord! We want to see You and we also want our friends and family to see You one day. Living in a country that entices the worship of our awesome God could only serve to encourage the lost to seek Jesus, the answer to the world and it’s many problems. Thank You Jesus for loving us enough to care, 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!

Expectations of Church Leaders

On By Ed AlgreenIn Elders, Expectations, Leadership2 Comments

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: 1 Peter 5:2–4
Today’s Bible Text: Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them. Then when Christ the Chief Shepherd returns, you will be given a crown that will never lose its glory.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: We tend to expect a lot out of our pastors. In fact, we tend to think that they are invincible and not subject to the same sin and temptations that we encounter daily. Some translations tend to see this section of scripture addressed to elders, while some use more general terms of church leaders. I am not here to clarify either of these, but rather to remind us that if we hold a place of leadership in God’s church, then we have a responsibility to watch over those we lead with the same love and care that God has for us. We should not be in a place of leadership unless from a heart of love for the Lord and for His local church. We should have within us the desire to see the work of the Lord flourish for His glory, therefore our work should be done unselfishly and because we want to work for our master, not because of anything that we might personally gain from the position that we might hold. Most people learn better from what they are shown than from what they are told, therefore Peter warns that leaders are to lead by example rather than trying to throw around your authority. The super great news is that regardless whether we are ignored for our efforts in the work of the church here on earth, all we do for Jesus will be recognized by Him when we see Him face to face one day. In fact, Peter suggested that we would gain a crown that will never lose its glory! I could only imagine the smile on my Savior’s face as He welcomes me home and thanks me for returning the favor for what He did for me on Calvary, by all that I attempted to do to promote His kingdom while here on earth! Oh that will be, glory for me! Are you looking forward to this also friend?

Prayer: Lord we work hard around our churches and sometimes we get discouraged because we feel unappreciated by church leaders and/or members. Thank You for using Your servant Peter to show us that our expectations are unimportant here on earth, for our efforts should always be directed towards pleasing the only One that we serve, our Lord and Savior! In fact I believe that most often when we expect glory here on earth, it could easily mean that we may not necessarily be doing kingdom work. May we be found faithful in all that we do for Your ultimate glory. May You be lifted higher when others recognize a benefit from our efforts here below. I ask these things in the name of the Lord that I adore, the Lord that I seek to please by all that I do here below, 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!

2016