Category: God’s Will

Respond To The Work Assigned By God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Committed, God's Will, God's WorkLeave a comment

Monday, 2016-07-04

Scripture

Bible Reference: Acts 20:22–24

Bible Text:  22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take

This is a lot for us to think about on this special day – US Independence Day! Let’s first look at Paul’s scenario: He was on his way for a ministry that he was convinced God had called him to. Where? –  Jerusalem; Job Description? – Unknown; Fringe benefits? Jail and suffering; Why should he continue on to do this? – because his life would be meaningless if he knew God had assigned something to him, and he chose to do anything else but that work. So let us look inward, and how we are responding to our God assignments. Would we be willing to go into an area of our own country that is extremely poor, or always in the news because of the extreme criminal activity? How about to another country where they have not been able to keep up with the modern day conveniences that we are accustomed to? Having your doubts? I probably would have also, but notice that there is no indication that Paul had any doubts. How about assignments right around your own church? Do you willingly accept them, knowing that your life might very well be miserable if you don’t accept the work that God has in store for you – to tell others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God? ‘Unqualified’ was your best response? May I encourage you to read the above verses again? Paul was headed out on a journey not knowing what God would have him do, so do you think he felt qualified to do it? Friends, as children of God, striving to obey the will of God, we make ourselves available to Him to be used for His ultimate glory. For such a specialized work as that, do you suppose for a moment that He expects you to do it in and of your own strengths and abilities? He wants our availability, not our abilities! Oh that we, the children of the most high God, might learn to move and act in faith, and learn to allow God to move mightily in and through us, perhaps then our relationship with Him might be stronger, and His work become more effective even through us. Won’t you consider being a ‘Paul’ today? Go where God sends you and do what He orders you to do, friend. It’s all for His glory anyway, so let’s facilitate the work, God being our helper and guide.

Prayer

Merciful Father, Master and Lord, You have everything under Your perfect control, yet You use even us – your children to work through us, like You did with Your servant Paul, to tell others about Your grace, Your love and Your saving power. Lord, please help us to respond to You with confidence, know that You can use even us to accomplish Your perfect will. Please give us strength to brush aside the attacks of Satan that cause us to find excuses when it comes to answering Your call. There was no excuse when You were ordered to the cross for our sacrifice. You did it because of Your love for us. Oh that we might love You enough to do Your will and share Your Good News with a world that is dying and going to Hell. Please touch Your children once again Lord, May it be today. 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!

God’s Will, Not Yours

On By Ed AlgreenIn Discerning, God's Will, Submission, TrustLeave a comment

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 Chronicles 14:8-10
Today’s Bible Text: When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he marched out to meet them. The Philistines arrived and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. So David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I want you to imagine with me for a moment that you were faced with a very challenging situation in life where, if you didn’t take action, it would probably be disastrous for you. Next, I want you to assume the role of David where you are told that an army of giants are coming out to get you. Before long you look out and there is the army coming towards you, and your battalion of soldiers are ready to whip the army who is threatening you. May I ask that you consider what your next move would be? If you read the verses above, you know that David stopped, dropped and prayed, asking God what He wanted him to do. More specifically, David must have felt like it was pretty near impossible for him to fight such a great army, because he asked God if He was going to handle the battle for him. Now, imagine the confidence that David and his troops marched forward with. Imagine how David didn’t have to stress over the situation, because the same God that He had trusted before, was now in control of this battle, and furthermore David was content that he was doing precisely what God wanted him to do. Would this not be the same for us if, in our desperate situations – those that seem impossible to us, or leaves us totally helpless, yet gloriously we know that we could move forward in confidence, knowing that our God has the wheel! He’s in control of the situation at hand! He is capable of conquering the situation and delivering us, free from stress, and victorious! Can you handle that friend? Will you trust God like that, friend? He hasn’t changed, and He is definitely just as awesome and strong as He was for David, so there is no need to hesitate or doubt. Let us practice asking God before we jump into battle, not asking for His endorsement after you make your decision. Your decision is made from a human perspective and may often not be in the way that God would direct. His ways are perfect, friend! Let’s learn to do it His way at all times, won’t you?

Prayer: Father God. Almighty, all powerful and awesome Father who is filled with wisdom and knowledge. Thank You for getting our attention this morning to probably the greatest shortcoming of the Christian. For in our weakness, we feel like we are strong and could fight our battles alone, or at least until it’s time to call You in to our rescue. On the other hand, I believe that non-believers feel they could call on You in trouble, but have nothing to do with You the rest of the time. Lord, we are failures in our relationships, especially the all important relationship with You. Please forgive us Lord. Cause us to humble ourselves and ask for Your help before advancing in to the obvious, or our selfish desire. Please help us to learn from David, for twice in the same chapter of 1 Chronicles 14 did he recognize Your lordship and Your awesome power, so he asked You before making decisions. May we learn to be obedient to Your will oh Lord, and not default to our selfish and prideful will first. As You deliver our enemies to us, or are victories over our life-challenges, may we be ready to celebrate and use those moments as a testimony to our lost world. In love and awe-felt respect and honor, I ask these things in the 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!

2016