Category: God our Helper

Devote Yourself To Doing Good

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, God our Helper, Needs, Our Help comes from God, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-09-17
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Titus 3:8
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

OBSERVATION: Paul had just used the first 7 verses of this Scripture asking Titus to remind the church from whence they came, and to never forget how much God did for them. This applies to us today, and I believe that grateful men and women will always want to give back when they are appreciating the blessings they are endowed with from above. Could it be that our good works is a measurement of how grateful we are for what God has done in our lives?

APPLICATION: Paul addressed this same message in Ephesians 2:8-10, and so did James over in James 2, so I believe that this is worth being reminded about again today. Let’s ponder for a moment how appreciative we are of our parents for their sacrifice and love during the first part of our lives. Many of us will now sacrifice our last dollar in order to care for our parents who may be running into hard times near the end of their lives. Another example of this might be our spouse, for many good spouses will sacrifice in order to please their partner, whether through food, or perhaps in their time devoted to caring for us. I wonder if it would impact us more if Paul had said this in a slightly different way? What if he said ‘apparently these people are not very grateful to God for all that He did for them at Calvary. Look, outsiders are coming in to help their elderly, widowed and sick. They refuse to even help each other through rough times’. I believe that way too often we take on the role of God, and decide not to help a Brother because of all the sin that we see in their lives, or the laziness, or the way they treat their spouse. What if God looked at us in such a critical way, do you suppose that He would have ever sacrificed His only Son for our salvation? Could He possibly have loved us through the sin that He saw in us? He sure did! Friends, we need to stop analyzing like we feel God does. We need to be busy about the work of the Lord. I believe that if God saw us really busy helping others and doing good wherever we go, then He would know that there is something, or someone, special inside of us that makes us different to the rest of the world. If we were to set out each day determined to help others and allow God to work mightily through us, then no one will be able to stop us. In fact, wouldn’t it be awesome to have folk question if we are children of the King, because they noticed us helping others who can’t help themselves? I sincerely believe that others will want to know our King, when they see evidence that He made such a difference in our lives. When friends see no difference in us, compared to what they and their worldly friends say and do, what change would they need to make? Would they truly have a reason to believe that there is a God, if they don’t see Him at work in His own children? It is so important for us to be obedient children, dear ones. Let’s begin afresh today by following the Scripture and devote ourselves to doing good. Jesus did so, and so should we, as His devoted children.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for looking at sinners such as my readers and I, hearing our cry for forgiveness and acceptance, and yet You looked on us through loving, forgiving eyes, saw our need, forgave our sins, and considered us as saints in Your wonderful eyes. So unworthy, yet You loved us anyway. Thank You Jesus! In appreciation for Your precious Word, please humble us today to seek out ways to serve You through helping others that we will come into contact with. You did it while here on earth, so please give us boldness, stamina and determination to follow Your example and be of godly, loving service, as evidence of the awesome God that lives inside of us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org 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 or listening to this devotional, please go to 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. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. 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!

Stay Away From Things That God Hates

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Things that make God angry, WorshipLeave a comment

Wednesday, 2019-05-08

Bible Reference: Proverbs 6:16-19
Translation: The Passion Translation (TPT)

Bible Text: 16 There are six evils God truly hates
and a seventh that is an abomination to him:
17 Putting others down while considering yourself superior,
spreading lies and rumors,
spilling the blood of the innocent,
18 plotting evil in your heart toward another,
gloating over doing what’s plainly wrong,
19 spouting lies in false testimony,
and stirring up strife between friends.
These are entirely despicable to God!

OBSERVATION: Wouldn’t you think that it would be everyone’s goal to please the very One that created us; the One who loves us so much that He sacrificed his very life for our salvation; the One who looks out for our very best each and every day? Let’s meditate on the thought of why God may have led Solomon to warn us about those things that He abhors. Surely we are not that evil, right?

APPLICATION: Although everything could be going really well for us, it is extremely challenging to think that anyone would despise the God of all creation. However, here in our earthly minds, how many would ever have dreamed that we would hear about a son murdering his own parents, or a daughter who would abandon her parents with no intent to visit them ever again? Or a parent that would throw their child to its death from a tall bridge? Friends, when sin (that thing that causes us to perform certain acts, and say things that are contrary to God’s initial design, and in contrast to His teachings) but when sin entered this world, it’s main purpose was to redirect our hearts and our minds away from God’s original design. Satan is it’s master designer, so his job is to redirect, steal, and misguide God’s children away from Him. Satan’s lies and deception causes us to think that there is a better way – one where we might be more powerful and better off at the end of the day. When brought into subjection by Satan, we often do the things that God abhors, that He teaches against and tries to steer us away from, for God cannot be lifted up, magnified, glorified or praised by folk under the influence of the evil one. Solomon, the author of Proverbs, tried to forewarn us about the things that God really despises, because he didn’t want us to find ourselves headed in a direction away from God, that may be extremely challenging for us to reverse. I realize that each one could read the Scripture verses for themselves, but I want to add a few comments to each of the seven things, based on my studies. Here are the things we are warned about by Solomon, that God hates: (1) Haughty, or proud eyes, belonging to one who lifts up self, at the expense of others. Jesus practiced humility to an extreme, and He wants us to do the same; (2) Being untruthful, for we will never gain the trust of our fellow man. Plus we tend to falsely accuse others through our lies; (3) Killing innocent people. I know, you’re not a murderer, right? But are you a participant or promoter of abortion. Or are you one to do everything in your power to promote ‘life’ as God has given it to us? (4) Plotting evil towards another – the Word explains that this is devising wicked schemes in our heart. Perhaps it is best to quickly seek help, as it could lead to disastrous actions; (5) Gloating over the evil you’ve done – instead of placing your head between your knees in sorrow, shame and regret over what you’ve done; (6) False Testimony – being an untrusted witness – in court, or if questioned by authorities; and (7) Stirring up strife between others – This might be friends, family or coworkers, where you have chosen to help divide, instead of bringing peace between the affected parties. Friends, no doubt you could see yourself in one or more of these seven things. Let me suggest that you speak with the God of this universe, and ask for His help, strength and guidance in overcoming the temptations of the evil one. Please join me in a desire to be more like Jesus and to follow His teachings and His will for our lives. Jesus went about doing good in every walk of life, and so should we, God being our helper!

PRAYER: Precious Lord Jesus, we, your children, have allowed the world to sway our minds and lead us into actions that You despise. As Your child, we are embarrassed and sorrowful, so we seek Your forgiveness today and ask for invaluable strength to overcome our weaknesses. Please guide us into all truth, and remind us often of the One to whom we belong, and help us to live boldly in the light of Your teachings and Your example, so that others may see and believe in the God we serve. Please speak firmly to the unsaved today, so that they may surrender their lives to You and become one with You. AMEN!

Recognizing Our Awesome God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Allegiance to the Lamb, Bible Believing, Celebrate God, Christian, Discerning, Faith, Faith, Follow Jesus, God Cares For Us, God our Helper, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Righteousness, Thank You JesusLeave a comment

Bible Text:  Matthew 12

Bible Text:  22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”

APPLICATION:  Sometimes we read these familiar stories in God’s Word and God will just speak to us afresh through something contained in that passage. In this story Jesus had performed several miracles, and finally the crowd stepped back in wonderment and questioned among themselves ‘Could this possibly be the Messiah?”. In the world we live in today God is still very active, and although we tend to really hone in on the negative, there are times that our spiritual minds are awakened and we say to ourselves “that must be a Jesus thing”. That certain thing could only have occurred if Jesus made it happen. Friends, I believe that we must be praying with such expectation that we will notice every little act of God and response to our prayers by God. He is very much alive today and active in our lives. It is time for Christians to wake up and give Him credit for all that He does. It is in this type of act that we tend to help believers who are in doubt and result in questioning every act of God. They must see our faith, if we ever expect to be a Godly influence on them! We serve a mighty God, but don’t wait for the ‘big’ miracles to occur, recognize and praise Him daily for all that He does in your life. Good health – especially when we see so many in hospitals or at home sick; safety – especially when we pass a wreck on the road where some innocent person got hurt or even killed; answer to prayer – especially when we see so many that doubt or question the work of God, or try to give credit to chance or horoscopes or palm readers. Friends we serve, and we should recognize the mighty God of this universe, the King of all kings, the Creator of all mankind. Do we have reason to doubt? I believe that we actually have more reasons not to doubt the mighty works of God in our world today.

PRAYER: Praise be to God for accepting me as a humble child in great need of a Savior. Praise be to God for all the miracles performed in my life, in the life of our church and in the lives of my family and friends. May I be very alert to Your mighty hand at work in my life and all around me. May others see Jesus reflected in my life and in their own lives, so that together we can truly be a thankful people praising You for all Your mighty works and wondrous love. Thank You Jesus for caring so much for me. Please continue to work on me and mold me into something that  You can use to accomplish Your work. May I recognize Your mighty works each and every day!

The Source of all Help!

On By Ed AlgreenIn God our Helper, God our Provider, Helper, Our Help comes from God, ProviderLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Psalm 121:1-2 (VOICE)

TEXT:  1 I look up at the vast size of the mountains — from where will my help come in times of trouble?
2 The Eternal Creator of heaven and earth and these mountains will send the help I need.

OBSERVATION:   David was a simple man, and many of his writings reflect the time that he spent reflecting on, and enjoying the natural beauty that God provides. Standing at the foot of a huge mountain, you could only imagine how awesome it is in size, compared to the stature of a mere man. Therefore some would go to that mountain and look for help. But David found someone much bigger and ever so much more powerful that He chose to worship Him and make his petitions before Him. Do you run to the main source of all power for help?

APPLICATION:   It may be challenging for many of us to identify with the people of David’s day, because we may not see folk bowing down to a huge mountain, or a very tall building, or a vast ocean, asking for their help during the individual’s most challenging times. So this Scripture may not be meant for us, right? Not so quick my friend! Let’s think about our process today – what do most of us do? For the sake of time, I will only concentrate my thoughts about ‘self’ today: When things start to go wrong with our health, do we talk to the manufacturer first or do we run to another human first, and ask for an evaluation and possibly a few pills to help correct the matter? When there are challenges in our family, do we surrender to the Developer of that family unit and seek His guidance on seeing the issues, and look for God-led ideas on how to correct the matter? Do we sing God’s praises when things are really smooth in our family, then cry out in our petitions before Him when we feel helpless in correcting an obvious obstacle? Do we thank Him daily for our jobs and seek to learn ways from Him on how we might excel in our jobs, or do we take the easy way out and gripe and complain about every little thing, including having to get up and go to work? Notice that David never thought of using Google to help him resolve his concerns, nor did he bow before the huge mountain that he could see ahead of him, but instead he went to the One whose presence he felt along the still waters that he spoke of in Psalm 23, and the One he was convinced had restored his very soul, as reflected in that same chapter. Why David knew that God had created the huge mountain that stood before him at the time, and with just a little bit of faith, he could even ask God to move that mountain. So with those thoughts in mind, what kind of problem might David have had that would have forced him to look any further? Friends, that’s the same with you and I. There ain’t no problem big enough that our God can’t handle, no mountain tall enough that He can’t help us climb over, no ocean deep enough that He can’t help us cross over, so why is it that we would turn to anything, or anyone else? Let’s learn to ask others to pray with us, not for us, for this shows that we are in touch with God already over our situation. An old chorus reminds us to praise Him in the morning, praise Him in the evening and praise Him all day long. Let’s practice that, for it will remind us from whence comes our help, and we will be reminded to whom shall we run when we feel inadequate in our health, happiness, finances, family situations and in every aspect of our lives. He’s our Savior, our Healer, our Redeemer and our soon coming King! Do you know Him friend? Otherwise, to whom will you run?

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Thank you for looking at mankind, standing alongside a huge mountain, and still loving us as Your very own sons and daughters. What a joy to know You as Lord and Savior! Please open our eyes daily to the truths of Your Word so that we might be like You in every way, especially to a lost and dying world. People need the Lord. Oh that You may use even us to speak, love and act just like You. 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 Lord Is Here To Help

On By Ed AlgreenIn God our Helper, Help, Helper, Our Help comes from God, SalvationLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   1 Corinthians 7:23-24 (TLB)

TEXT:  23 You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him—be free now from all these earthly prides and fears. 24 So, dear brothers, whatever situation a person is in when he becomes a Christian, let him stay there, for now the Lord is there to help him.

OBSERVATION:   Paul had just addressed married individuals where one in the union may have been saved and the other unsaved. While Paul spoke to the challenges this brings to a marriage, he wanted them, and us, to understand that the thing that trumps our circumstances in life, is the condition of our heart before God. We know that God has an unconditional love for us, but do we need to change to receive that love? Let’s examine this…

APPLICATION:   Paul had just emphasized that it was critical, as part of accepting Jesus as our Savior, that we begin to faithfully obey His Word. To obey God’s Word, means that we must read it and meditate on the overall meaning of what God is saying to us. This should bring us to a point of changing the ways that we have looked, reacted and dealt with life’s circumstances. I found it interesting that Paul would remind us that most often these changes will not dictate us changing who we’ve always been, but instead we might do those things in much the same way that Jesus would have done them when He was here on earth. As part of becoming a child of the King, we want to also be more like Him, knowing that He was the only ‘perfect’ One. We would also have a strong desire, and a definite nudge from the Holy Spirit that now lives inside of us, to now imitate Jesus in all that we say and do. There is no doubt, life’s circumstances will come our way. Hopefully we will not really be put to the test like Job was challenged with, but we should be close enough to God that if we were challenged like Job, then like him, we would have the lasting joy of knowing where our help comes from, even in our toughest times.

PRAYER:   Oh Lord our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! A calm assurance to know that You are with us when life around us seems so out of control. Yet You are our strength, our vibrancy, and our reassuring hope when the stresses of this world seems like it is resting right on our shoulders. Thank You Lord for creating us in Your image! Thank You Lord for looking out for us from the very beginning of life, through various walks of our life, and for giving us assurance even while we live, that You have a much better place prepared for us, where there will be no sin but instead the everlasting joy of worshiping You and the Father for all eternity! It – will – be – worth – it – all, friends! Are you ready? Read my Footnote and follow the appropriate link so I might help you KNOW without a doubt where you will spend eternity. 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!

With Praise and Honor to God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Forgiven, Forgiveness, God our Helper, Help, Honor, Our Help comes from God, SavedLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE  FROM:   Psalm 79:9 (NCV)

TEXT:   God our Savior, help us
so people will praise you.
Save us and forgive our sins
so people will honor you.

OBSERVATION:   Asaph, the writer of Psalm 79, felt like God was punishing the nation of Israel for all their past sins. So in his petitions to God, he included this verse while pleading with God to save his nation. Oh that we may be so concerned about the sins of our respective nations where we live, and so deeply moved to write a similar verse to God asking Him to use us as instruments of change, instead of us adding fuel to the already hot fire of sin. 

APPLICATION:   I believe it is evident from everything we see, hear and do, that Satan has turned up the heat on our young people and on our adult population. Unfortunately, the church – members and attendees, have become so lukewarm, selfish, segregated and standoffish that the church has lost its impact on our society. More and more laws and rules have been implemented because Christians have not been active before the throne in prayer. Why would children of God ever settle in their faith knowing that their leaders have approved and are ok with the killing of unborn babies. Why would we ever settle in our faith knowing that the drugs that have either killed loved ones or totally destroyed their minds, are now becoming mainstream, and approved drugs? First approved for apparent medical use, but in many states of America quickly being followed with approval for recreational use. Friends, when are we ever going to follow the example of 2 Chronicles 7:14. When are we ever going to surrender to God as Asaph did in our focal Scripture today? Oh friends, where does our help come from? We do not resort to crime against the criminals, we have a Savior that loves them just like He loves us. Fortunately He can also touch their hearts and convince them of their sin. Our part is to encourage those who are slaves to the sins of this world, and to follow the example of 2 Chronicles 7:14. To do this, we can plead with God like the Psalmist did: Help us Lord, so that the people (those that we pray with, and for) will praise You. Save us from our own weaknesses and desire to sin so that the people may honor You. Notice that in both Scriptures that I referenced, that prayer is more than going before God for our own selfish desires. We can all look around us and see things that are happening that really hurts our soul. What are we doing about it? I know, we are so small in the whole scope of things, and that there is very little that we can do, right? Please friends, don’t let Satan pull that one on you, because we serve the God that put this whole world together. He created the complex bodies that we live in, and He loves us enough that He willingly went to the cross, knowing that it would be through His shed blood that we could have eternal life in glory. He brought the dead back to life, and He intervened in battles and saved very small armies from very large opposers. Don’t you think that we can trust Him with the issues that we face today? You better believe it! I don’t believe that there is anything bearing on our hearts that God won’t listen to, care about, and seek to answer if appropriate.   

PRAYER:   Thank You Lord for caring about Your children and all that we are concerned about. We are so sorry for the mess that is evident in our world today. As I read the Old Testament and see the awful things that You dealt with there, I am astonished….. until I reflect on the awful things that You are still dealing with today – even in my country, state and city. Lord, please impress the seriousness of the hour to all ‘Christians’. Please impress upon us the need to clarify and commit our own lives fully to You and Your service, so that when ‘Your people’ decides to humble themselves and pray, You will hear our prayer. As the Psalmist said, may all glory be Yours in whatever is accomplished. 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, 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!

 

Where Could I Go But to the Lord?

On By Ed AlgreenIn God our Helper, Helper, Our Help comes from God, SecurityLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Monday, 2017-11-13
SCRIPTURE

From:

 2 Samuel 22:2-4 (TLB)

Text:

 2 “Jehovah is my rock,
My fortress and my savior.
3 I will hide in God,
Who is my rock and my refuge.
He is my shield
And my salvation,
My refuge and high tower.
Thank you, O my Savior,
For saving me from all my enemies.
4 I will call upon the Lord,
Who is worthy to be praised;
He will save me from all my enemies.
OBSERVATION:
David faced many giants in his life, but as we could see in this Scripture today, he was well aware of his source of help. He knew in advance where he would turn for help, and on whom he could depend. Knowing that our world comes crashing in on us in an instant, we must also be very mindful of where we will turn for help and peace of mind. Let’s dig in on this subject…
APPLICATION:
In reality, I believe that most of us tend to react differently when we are faced with difficulties and challenges. Some get mad, or sad, or frustrated, or hopeless and are ready to give up. Some might be reminded of how faithful God is, and eventually think of asking God to help – especially when all other hope has expired. Friends, I actually believe, and would recommend to you, that when you start feeling that things are not going as you and God had planned, that you immediately work with God to analyze your relationship with Him. For this is a specialty area of God’s, because He wants His children to call on Him at all times. I believe it is most important that we learn from David that we don’t leave communicating with God as a last resort but, especially since He is your very best Friend; your Master and Lord; your Jehovah; your soon coming King who is sovereign over all things; who loved you enough that He skipped calling on ten thousand angels to rescue Him from the cross, but died to not only show His love, but also facilitate God’s provision for us to make our way to heaven. This is the One that holds the key to all of life’s questions, dilemmas, frustrations, and heartaches. He is the one that we call on FIRST and foremost, not after we have tried every trick in our knapsack.
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, thank You for not only being our redeemer and soon coming Lord, but also our Help and our Rock in times where we would otherwise feel like ‘throwing in the towel’. Father, Your Word reminds us that it’s You who David turned to when challenged with, what must have felt like, the whole world on his shoulders. Because we often feel just like David, we want to plead with You Lord, to keep us strong in our faith and help us to take our Father/child relationship very seriously. On earth we would tend to run to dad when there is trouble brewing, please help us to do no less with You as our eternal Father. Thank You for Your love and concern for each of Your children. May that be a deciding factor for many who may read this blog today, for they all need reassurance of the fact that You love them unconditionally and would welcome them into Your fold instantly upon their request. In Jesus’ name, 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!

Your Hands – God’s Hand Extended

On By Ed AlgreenIn God our Helper, Help, Helper, Our Help comes from God, VisitationLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Friday, 2017-07-21
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Proverbs 3:27-28 (MSG)

Text:

  27-28 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
    your hand is God’s hand for that person.
Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time”
    or “Try me tomorrow”
    when the money’s right there in your pocket.
OBSERVATION:
This Proverb is teaching us to help one another and be a neighbor that would remind people of God. Have you ever stopped to consider that, as God’s servants, we are His hands and feet on the ground? When we see a need, God encourages us to think about what He would have done if He was here, then impresses on us to press on to ‘get ‘r done’! What an honor it is to feel like someone might recognize our helping hand as that inspired and designed by God for that very action that we are helping them with! To God be the glory!
APPLICATION:
How often have you arrived home at the end of your workday, tired beyond words, and trying to get in the door of your home so you could relax and clear your mind, when your neighbor calls out for your help on a project, or just needs someone to talk to? Do you suppose that your reaction was noticeable to the neighbor? Do you suppose God recognized your reaction as something He did while here on earth? Have you ever been in need of help yourself? Some months ago I purchased a shed, and it was delivered the day after I had a back surgery. I was anxious to have it erected, so I asked a neighbor for help. Much of the time I was absolutely of no help at all, because I couldn’t. It was a very humbling experience hearing him outside working, with me being totally incapable of helping him. However, I feel like he did something that Jesus would have done when He was here on earth. Did my neighbor have other things to do, I could almost assure you that he did, but whether he realized it or not, I saw Jesus at work in my yard that day. Friends, we often hear an old saying ‘what comes around goes around’. Please stop and ask God what you might do to extend a hand to someone today. Friends, family or church members might be in hospital. They obviously can’t visit you, so please consider visiting with them. It will help them feel better knowing that others cared enough to sacrifice time to visit with them. They will thank God for you and your visit. Call a friend you haven’t heard from in a long time, they may have gone through awful times and couldn’t call you, but your call might really serve to encourage them knowing that you cared enough to miss them, and then to call them. Perhaps, more of Jesus in our lives, and less TV and internet devices, might help us be real neighbors again, and extend the love of Jesus through our meager efforts here on earth. Be willing to share friends. It takes no money – just your willingness to listen to God and be His hands extended to someone else.
PRAYER:
Lord, You unselfishly gave of Yourself for us, and You gave us a wonderful life to enjoy here on earth until You are ready to call us home. Please help us to constantly be aware of our surroundings and the needs that cry out for our involvement – Your hands extended. Lord, may others be drawn to You and give thanks continuously for Your outstretched arm of love, and action through Your saints. May all the glory be Yours oh King, my Lord and Savior, 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!

A Cry For Help

On By Ed AlgreenIn God our Helper, Help, Our Help comes from GodLeave a comment

Post Date:

 Wednesday, 2017-04-19
SCRIPTURE

From:

 Psalm 27:9-11 (NLT)

Text:

 9 Do not turn your back on me.
    Do not reject your servant in anger.
    You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
    O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
    the Lord will hold me close.

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
    Lead me along the right path,
    for my enemies are waiting for me
OBSERVATION:
David was not afraid to cry out to God for help, and in this Psalm he was desperate enough to say that even if his parents turned their backs on him, yet he KNEW that his Savior lives and would always listen to his cry and help him in his time of need. Wow! ‘Oh What A Savior’!
APPLICATION:
I was reminded as I read this Psalm this morning, of the importance of developing and maintaining a strong relationship with the Savior of the world. Friends, it is one thing to build a great relationship with your spouse, or relatives, or friends, but can they really do anything for the hurt you feel at times, that seems so deep and troubling? Can they really give you direction for your life, by knowing what’s in store for you tomorrow? Can they really mend a broken heart? Are they truly prepared to prove their love for you by placing themselves in the way of death, so that you may go on and enjoy the glories of your God and King? How desperate are you really, for this type of relationship? Are you willing to set aside the evil and sin that seems like so much fun, to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, and be filled with joy everlasting about the prospects of heaven one day? Friends, Jesus knows the sincerity of your heart, so please give this your careful attention. Dedicate your life to Jesus today, and allow God to rule, reign, love, protect and guide you while you finish up life’s journey here on this planet. There are much brighter days ahead for those of us that have placed our trust in Him. I pray that you can be counted in that number today.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, it is so hard to imagine the love that You have for us, because we have nothing to compare that to here on this earth. I pray that my family, friends and readers will develop the kind of joy that David spoke of here in this Psalm that we read today. He developed such a relationship with You that he was content to celebrate Your help in times of obvious successes, but he also felt very comfortable presenting his troubles at Your feet for help, comfort and direction. Oh Lord, I pray that we will be a people like Your servant David, where we celebrate our joys with You, and then run quickly to You when we can’t figure things out, or feel alone, or frustrated over not knowing which way to turn next, or just desire a more intimate relationship with You. You are my rock and my salvation, and I sincerely thank You for being my guide throughout the rest of my days on earth. I am so looking forward to seeing You and worshiping You face to face in glory, but ‘Until Then, My Heart will Go on Singing’! 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!

God’s In Control

On By Ed AlgreenIn All-powerful, Awesome God, Celebrate God, Chosen by God, Control, God our Helper, God our Provider, God's Power, Power of GodLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-07-21

Scripture

Bible Reference: Job 34:10–13

Bible Text:  10 If any of you are smart, you will listen and learn that God All-Powerful
does what is right. 11 God always treats everyone the way they deserve, 12 and he is never unfair. 13 From the very beginning, God has been in control of all the world.

Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take

If, at work, I’m at the controls and operating the computer during a demonstration in the presence of an audience, I tend to be a little tensed and nervous at times, hoping that I’ll click on the right link, or get us to the next screen quickly and accurately. Recently I was at someone else’s office and they were ‘driving’ (operating the computer), and they quickly told me how stressed they were! Let’s consider that illustration together with the Word of God in the above verses. Wouldn’t it be easy to deduce that we would be a whole less stressed if we allow God to be God, instead of us trying to take that role on by doing things and making decisions without Him? Friends, we must always remember that, without our help, God created the universe; hung the stars in space; handled all of the intricate programming for the earth to spin just right so that we would receive the right amount, and duration, of sunlight. Recently I saw a photo of a waterfall coming down from a very high mountain. How is that possible? We usually dig deep into the ground for a well of water, do you suppose that anyone ever thought to go and dig at the top of a mountain? This is one of those unexplained wonders of the miraculous hand of God! So friends, why do you suppose that we fall into the tricks of Satan by thinking that our aches, pains, finances or other circumstances are beyond the ability of God to help us place in order? For those of us who have given God control of our lives, we are super blessed to be His child/His chosen one! He has already shown enough love for us that He sent His Son to Calvary as proof of His love and to provide a means of us getting to join Him in heaven, Can you even imagine how much more He has in store for His children? While this is reviving and encouraging for the believer in Jesus Christ, this should also be an answer to many who are stressed to the limit and need the hope of One who is greater than all of their concerns! May I encourage you to read my ‘Footnote’ for tips on how to know this Jesus of mine, this Strong One who has been in control of this world from the very beginning? I can assure you that you will never regret it!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Creator of this world and of every human being, thank You for accepting us as your children, and for allowing us access to Your throne. Please help us to place our faith and trust in You and Your awesome power. Our issues often appear very large and insurmountable to us, but when we consider the awesome works of Your hand, we can rest assured knowing that we’re in good hands.Thank You Father for loving us enough to care so much about us. Please help us to show our appreciation and respect of your power, by giving You full control of our lives. Lord, rule in us and show Your power through us as we share Your love with others. In the wonderful name of Jesus I ask these things, 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!