The Sovereignty of God

On 2016-08-042016-08-04 By Ed AlgreenIn God's Not Dead, Guidance, SovereignLeave a comment

Thursday, 2016-08-04

Scripture

Bible Reference: Job 38:12-13

Bible Text: 12 “Since your days began, have you ever commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place, ¹³So that light may take hold of the corners of the earth And shake the wickedness out of it?

Bible Translation: Amplified Bible (AMP)

My Take

Isn’t it interesting how we could read the two verses shown above and we expect God to do those things every day, yet without stopping to realize the creativeness in God to think of doing these things, and the majestic power, beauty and usefulness of all that He does each and every day? Even more intriguing, yet disturbing it would be to imagine how impossible it would be to survive without these things – should there be any value at all in what the world (non-Christians) promotes about the non-existence of God. Friends, when we sit back and question the handiwork of God – too hot; too cold; too much rain; enough of the drought now; why a hurricane; or perhaps like Job – where we might question why did we lose this person in our life, or this asset that we saved for so long to purchase; are we not questioning the sovereignty of God and doubting His knowledge of what’s best for us – the very ones that He created in the first place? I believe that God welcomes us to share our feelings and our requests with Him. In fact, there is a Bible story of how He changed His mind on doing something because His servant pleaded his case with God. However, at the end of the day, I believe that only God has the ultimate power to control all aspects of our lives, so it behooves us to take the place of servant, then listen to God and obey His commands. Just like in our homes and schools there are rewards for doing good, I believe that God will be very loyal to His Word in the rewards that are coming for those who have accepted Jesus as Lord, and looking forward to eternity with God. Job was a man considered to be very strong in his faith, yet God had to get in his face to help him snap out of his depressing mood and self-pity. I pray that you will allow the Word to speak to you today and that It may renew a right spirit within you to love and serve God faithfully each day acknowledging the One who guides Your every step and protects you as you step.

Prayer

Lord, may we take our rightful place today and let You be God, just as You have the full capacity to be, as proven in so many instances in Your Word and in the lives of those we know and love. We need You every day dear Lord. May this day renew our hearts to draw on Your presence more and more. I ask these things in the powerful 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!

Temptation – Jesus’ Greatest Concern?

On 2016-06-042016-06-04 By Ed AlgreenIn Guidance, Protection, Temptation2 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: Luke 22:39-40; 45-46
Today’s Bible Text: ³⁹ Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. ⁴⁰ There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”
⁴⁵ At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I believe that the passage surrounding these verses probably relate one of the most challenging times in the life of Jesus. I find that when we have a lot on our minds about our health, security or life in general, we tend to be concerned about the welfare of others we love at the same time. And this is exactly what happened to our Lord, for He shared with His disciples what His greatest concern was for them. In fact, I am sharing two sections of Luke 22, because in each case Jesus shared the same concern – “pray, pray, pray that you will not give in to temptation”. That tells me that Jesus knew there would be temptation, and that it would be one of the greatest challenges for His disciples to contend with. Just as I was reminded, I want to also remind you, my readers, that this is probably one of our greatest challenges each day also. I believe that we tend to think of temptation in the light of inappropriate thoughts or actions towards the opposite sex. But friends, let’s remember that Satan is out to tempt us away from the path God has designed for us in every aspect of our daily walk. Every aspect. Satan uses our family, friends, coworkers or even casual acquaintances to tempt us to lie, cheat, steal, look the other way, speak inappropriately, or any other temptation you can think of. Just as Jesus was concerned about this particular problem with His disciples, I am certain that He is also holding His breath in concern for us also. So what’s our role, you might ask. Let us keep our hearts and minds fixed on Jesus at all times. Let’s ask Him to direct our thoughts, our minds, our speech, our attitudes, our eyes and our hearts so that they may all lead us towards Christ, and not in the opposite direction. With God’s help, we can do this friends!

Prayer: Dear Father, please lead us not into temptation, but deliver us – every fiber of our being, from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom and the glory, for ever, and forever, 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

Intimacy with God!

On 2016-04-272016-04-27 By Ed AlgreenIn Daily communion with God, Guidance, Intimacy with God, Love, Obedience, Prayer2 Comments

Today’s Bible Reference: Psalm 143:8–10
Today’s Bible Text: Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. Please rescue me from my enemies, LORD! I come to you for safety. You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.
The Bible Translation: The Contemporary English Version (CEV)

My Take Away: The Psalms is filled with David’s intimacy with God. Sometimes David was upset at God because things happened that David felt like he could have done them a whole lot better than God, or at least different than He did. David was at times very close to God because it was evident in his writings, but then there were times that David felt like he had distanced himself from God. There are some Psalms that begin with David being very upset at God, and by the end he realizes that his God really is on top of things and has everything under His control. Throughout the book David found many ways to express his love to, and his respect of God, yet in these verses today he is still calling out for God to help him love and trust Him more. David is still asking God for guidance, protection and wisdom on how to best deal with his enemies. David is still surrendering himself to the safety and security of our awesome, strong, caring and loving God, for he reflects on, and feels assured of God’s love and security. Although he has a very intimate, lasting and proven relationship with God, yet David still pleads for direction, leadership and guidance so that he might travel down the right path where he may remain victorious, but true and committed to his God. So what about you friend, are you like me where, too often we tend to do our own thing and only seek God’s help when we run into trouble? Is there a time of daily intimacy with God? Do you carve out time to spend meditating on the Word of God so that you might be reminded of the heart of God and learn about His instructions and direction for you that day? Friends, intimacy with, and trust in God, is not something you can purchase at the local Christian Bookstore, or acquire at church over the weekend if you pay your tithes. This comes ONLY from an intimate two-way relationship with God. Pouring your wants, needs and desires out to God is one thing, but unless you are willing to stop, listen to Him, and obey His commands, then at best you have succeeded in pouring your heart out to Him without caring enough about what He has to say back to you. Intimacy is a two-way thing. May I encourage you today to seek two-way intimacy with God, each and every day? He created us, longs to be allowed to lead us while here on earth, and I believe that He can’t wait to have us in Heaven when we graduate from this earth! Let’s live with the end in mind, knowing that we can enjoy His presence here on earth also!

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for loving us enough to care about our every move, thought or word. For those who have accepted You as Lord, we are living life down here as just a taste of all that You have in store for us as we come to join You in glory! May we live in daily communion with You and may we always be obedient to Your call on our life, and the direction You point us in here on earth. May we love You more, listen to You more and then be totally obedient to all that You direct us in, so that Your glory might be fulfilled in and through us. I ask these things in the precious name of Jesus, AMEN!

2016

God Ordained Road Signs

On 2016-03-292016-03-29 By Ed AlgreenIn Guidance, Road signs, RoadmapLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Psalm 119:9–12
Today’s Bible Text: How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, GOD; train me in your ways of wise living.
The Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)

My Take Away: While I can appreciate the wisdom in wanting to share the advice in this scripture with a young person, I want to really highlight it today for each of us. In fact, I want to encourage you to substitute the words “a young person” with your own name and then print out the verses to pin in a prominent place as a constant reminder to pray this request on a regular basis, for there is so much packed into these verses friends. Let me highlight a few:

Road Map – With the popularity of smartphones and GPS navigational apps, many of my readers may not remember paper road maps as easily anymore! However, for those that do, or for those who still follow one, you might recall that in most cases you would get the map out and study your course before you leave on your trip. If not, you might leave your current location with several options on how to get to point ‘B’ and therefore become divided on the best route to take. To be undivided in your pursuit of God and His way for your life, it is vitally important to pull out His ‘road map’ (the Bible) every day and search for His directions. You will not only find directional instructions, but you will also find the road signs to be careful of;
Road Signs – There seems to be thousands of different Road Signs that we must watch out for on our roads. I find them most useful when it is totally dark or obscured (fog, etc.) as they warn me about the dangers ahead that I cannot see. The Road Signs are there for our safety and for the safety of others on the road. When we obey disobey them, we stand a chance of getting our hand spanked by the law, as they try to protect others traveling the same roads as we are. Throughout God’s Word (His Roadmap) we are given many ‘Road Signs’ intended to help us stay focused on Him; love our neighbor; be a good witness for Him; and stay out of the reach of the Evil One. Our obedience to the Road Signs is closely linked to our faithfulness to God!
Treasury of Promises – As we study these Road Signs and gain the assurance of their value to our walk and our single-minded pursuit, or purpose, we should flood our souls with these things so that we can pull from that treasury of promises during those times when life seems so helpless to us. Those things can serve as our reserves, or our reminders that the same God who protected us from the Evil One in the past is the same One who could do again, if only we would follow His predefined Road Signs.

Wouldn’t life be a whole lot less stressful for you if you know the path that you will take today, and that there will be road signs along to way to guide you and direct you? Even more, imagine the peace in knowing that you won’t have to worry about being in charge today. Because you have surrendered your life to Him, it is God who will take His role in your path to whatever life holds in store for you today. Take His lead and watch for the signs friend!

Prayer: Like the Psalmist in this scripture today, Lord I humbly ask that You train me in Your ways of wise living. I pray that You would open the eyes of those that read this devotional today so that our paths would no longer be distracted, or lured into the wrong path that is plagued with the attacks for Satan, but that we would have our minds so focused on You and Your will for our lives that there will be no room for error or misguidance. We need You blessed Lord. Please be our ever-living, wise Guide today, is my humble plea that I ask in the name of Jesus, my Lord, AMEN!

2016

Concern, Impact and Action

On 2016-03-172016-03-17 By Ed AlgreenIn Government Leaders, Guidance, Voting2 Comments

Today’s Bible Reference: Nehemiah 1:3-7
Today’s Bible Text: ³They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

⁴When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵Then I said,

“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, ⁶listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! ⁷We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)

My Take Away: I want you to look at our scripture today in three different, but important sections. In the blue font, vs. 3, lets consider that containing the concern of Nehemiah; In the purple font, vs. 4 let’s consider that the impact on Nehemiah; and in the green font, vs. 5-7, let’s consider that the action taken by Nehemiah. As we study this, I want to share with you how this challenged me in connection with the politics of our own country at this time. For those not in the USA, perhaps you might find an application for your particular situation.

The Concern: I believe that some of us may simply turn our heads to the concerns of our land, because we are afraid to become involved. We are so accustomed to segregating our job from the other person’s job, that we have become numb, or unconcerned about what is happening under someone else’s watch. Nehemiah wanted to know what was happening to his people so that he could be sure to do all within his power to improve their conditions.

The Impact: Perhaps we should open up ourselves to be impacted by our current conditions and/or our future. If things continue to deteriorate at the rate they are now happening, AND if our hearts are in gel with God and His Good Book, then I believe we will be brought to our knees in deep sorrow before God, our only hope. Throughout the Bible God has promised to love and care for His people who would choose to serve Him wholeheartedly.

The Action: If impacted, whether physically or emotionally, then we will be led to some very positive action. Of course, if a believer in Jesus Christ, then we will be forced to our knees in prayer before the Almighty God. Let me point out a few interesting things about Nehemiah’s prayer, as I believe that it could help us as we pray about such a major concern: Nehemiah took responsibility. He didn’t try to find someone to blame. Friends, when there’s sin in our house, let us be careful to seek personal forgiveness, before ever thinking about praying about the faults or shortcomings of our neighbor, or our government or our president. We must insure that they have something good to work with or work for, if we expect them to do a good job. If we had a godly leader/president, but an evil, sinful, ungodly people, what do you suppose they could accomplish for God? Nehemiah prayed that he and his people would obey God and His commands, not that the king would do better for them. Don’t you suppose that based on the experiences noted in God’s Word, that if we, the people, were to humble ourselves, seek God’s face, and pray for Him to make us more aligned with His commands, that perhaps then He would hear from heaven and heal our land? God’s Word said that He would do exactly this, just as He did in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

My wish is that we, the people, would spend more time seeking God’s face and listening closely to what He is teaching us in His Word, on how to be better aligned with Him, rather than making a fool of ourselves in trying to be politicians. Yes we should vote, but if we are closely aligned with God, then we will vote for the candidate that God wants in office to deliver the next round of events He has in store for us personally, and/or our state, and/or our country or even the world.

Prayer: Lord God, I believe that You spoke very clearly to Your servant Nehemiah, and after the above mentioned prayer He became a useful instrument in helping to improve life for his fellow citizens. Please help us to get beyond ourselves and to clearly understand how critical it is that we depend on You, especially during times of earthly challenges, such as politics. We are demanded to obey our government servants, as they were put in place by You for such a time as this. Please help us all to look beyond the debates and mud-slinging, and to seek Your guidance in all things. Thank You for loving us enough to help us through events such as elections. Only You know what tomorrow brings, so Lord we place ourselves and our decisions and our obligation to vote, in Your hands as we seek Your face and Your guidance. May Your perfect will be done, and may we be obedient to every part we take while here on earth. I ask these things in faith, and through the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, AMEN!

2016

You Can Do This!

On 2016-01-282016-01-28 By Ed AlgreenIn Confidence, Guidance, Provider, StrengthLeave a comment

Today’s Bible Reference: Philippians 4:11-13
Today’s Bible Text: I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
The Bible Translation: The Living Bible (TLB)

My Take Away: I found it interesting to visit another country and see how people made the most out of circumstances that many of us may tend to moan and complain about. This was evident in:

The food we ate – simple, yet filling and nourishing. May not have been steaks or ribs, but none-the-less we never went to bed hungry;
The kids and their toys – they were just as happy kicking around a plastic bottle, as our kids are with the best football. In fact, they were probably happier than our kids because there was no jealousy about the nice ball brought by the rich kids, as they all were on the same ‘level playing field’;
No whining or complaining – we never heard them complain about their circumstances or their plight. They were happy, respectable, hard working and looked out for each other.

Unfortunately in today’s society, it is not until we have lost everything that we tend to look to accept help from a neighbor or receive help from them. It’s not until our world comes crashing down that we look to God. Our churches are normally full after a large scale disaster. We tend to look to God when we know that life is out of our control, instead of recognizing that He is always in control of our lives each and every day. Paul spoke these words as one who had been there and done that, for he had been beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, gone without food and more, yet he was able to add the tag that he could do everything that God asked him to do because of the power and strength that Christ blessed Him with at every turn in his life. Friends, this is the same awesome God that I know. The same outstanding God that is yours, if you have given Him permission to be your God. The same loving God that will be your God if only you will humble yourself and invite Jesus into your heart and your life. With God in control, we can do this thing called ‘life’, without ever looking at our circumstances, because we will realize and accept that all that He does for His loving children is done out of love and done to draw us closer to Him. You can do this friend! What are you waiting for? Read my ‘Footnote’ for a clearer understanding of how you might go about inviting Jesus to be the Lord of your life. He really loves you friend, and He really wants to be your God!

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving us so much that You gave, so that we might live eternally with You. Thank You for drawing me to Your throne of grace and mercy, and for accepting me as Your very own Son. I realize that when I complain about life’s circumstances I am really questioning Your handiwork. Please forgive me, and help me to always look at the love You offer to me every day and in so many ways. Please draw my unsaved family and friends to Yourself today. Please especially touch the lives of those who will read this devotional today, with Your love and Your power. Please cause them to make decisions today that will draw them to yourself. Please be a constant reminder to us that we can do all things You ask of us through Christ who is our strength, guide, protection and provider. I ask these things in the loving name of Jesus, and for His sake alone, AMEN!

2016

Who’s Holding Your Hand?

On 2015-12-242015-12-24 By Ed AlgreenIn Guidance, Love, SecurityLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE ~ The Good News Translation (GNT) ~ Psalm 37:23-24 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

THOUGHTS: I heard an interview at one time that asked adult females why they were so attached to their fathers. The answers somewhat surprised me, because they were not geared towards the financial welfare or wisdom of their father, but rather around the comfort brought by just holding their hand in circumstances where they would have otherwise felt insecure. Notice that this scenario revolved around a relationship between father and daughter, but have you ever thought of God in that type of relationship with you? Have you ever thought about the comfort you receive when you are reminded that our great, big, wonderful God is in charge of this universe and yet He is intimately concerned about our well-being and our security? Friends, there is just one catch to this. God will not push Himself on anyone who has chosen to do this thing we call ‘life’ alone. For this verse, and many others, make it clear that God will take extra good care of those who have chosen to open their hearts to Him. But may I quickly caution you that this does not mean that you can just conveniently open your heart to Him when you are in trouble, for He desires to know you, and subsequently care for, and about you in all walks of life. Although it is clear in the Word that He will protect His own, I believe this also means that He will not barge in, or interfere with you, if you have personally chosen to reject Him or live your life without Him. BUT, for those of us who have chosen Jesus as our Master and Lord, the Psalmist is assuring us that ‘greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world’, for He delights in us and assures us that even if we stumble, we will never fail or fall, for the great God of this universe holds our hand! Friends, it is very obvious throughout the Word of God, that His children are the ‘apple of His eye’ and that He loves us, cares for us and will protect His own very carefully until the day we see Him face to face! That’s exciting and comforting for the Christian! This could be exciting and comforting for the non-Christian who humbles yourself and follow the suggestions in my ‘Footnote’ – but please make that decision TODAY, for there is no promise of life for tomorrow.

PRAYER: Father, we are such a blessed people. When we consider this huge universe, the sun, the moon, the planets, the whole concept of land, sea, skies and the air, who are we that a King would send His very own Son as a child to a mere human female, to be born in a stable, to perform endless miracles as proof of His power and relationship to God, then to die a cruel death on a cross – who are we that You would do all this in the name of love for Your children. Wow! Wow! Wow! This song of praise by David (in this Psalm) reminds us of how special we are in Your eyes, of Your love, of your protection and of Your concern for even us. Thank You Lord Jesus for still leaving the option open for those who are still uncommitted to You. Tomorrow we will celebrate Your birthday, I pray that our gift in return to You will be a total surrender of our lives to You, even if this may be a first time surrender for some. In deepest appreciation for all that You do for me and for who You are to me, Lord Jesus, I ask these things in honest humility and deepest gratitude, 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 so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will 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 blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely 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, Sebring, FL! 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!

Guidance For Any Kind Of Day

On 2015-12-122015-12-12 By Ed AlgreenIn Guidance, The WordLeave a comment

THE HOLY BIBLE – ¹³Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. ¹⁴ And do everything with love. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ~ _{New Living Translation (NLT)}

⁴ Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. ⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. ~ Psalm 30:4-5 ~_{New Living Translation (NLT)}

THOUGHTS: Nearing the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he continued to speak to them as a father would to his children, especially in light of everything they were facing at the time as a church under persecution. In light of everything that we face in our world today, I was extremely encouraged by Paul’s blessing, because here’s what I got from the first two verses above. Paul admonished the church to:

Be on guard, or be alert – Don’t you feel some days like it may have been better if you had just stayed in bed? It is so obvious that Satan is out to tear us down at every possible opportunity. Paul, in telling the Corinthian church, is also telling us, to be strong in our relationship with the Lord, so that we will be armed with God’s love and His power and His strength, to face any and all circumstances that Satan may fire our way. Imagine leaving home with an armed guard by your side, and one who knows all things, sees all things, made all things and who happens to be the one who loved you enough to have given His very life for you. Wouldn’t that be an ultimate way to guard your way and keep you alert to the attacks of Satan that are just lurching around the corner?
Stand firm in the faith – Friends, it’s impossible to do this if you don’t have faith. Likewise, if you don’t maintain, and grow in your faith, do you really have something that you can trust when under pressure? I would encourage you to get connected to God in Bible Study and Prayer, and further strengthen your faith by getting with folk of like faith as often as you can. ‘Iron sharpens iron’ is a phrase used in the Bible. I would suggest to you today that not only do you need the strength and encouragement of other believers, but they need you also. As your faith is sharpened and strengthened, you become better equipped to not cave in to the things of this world – Satan’s tools that he has placed to trap you;
Be courageous – I believe that we must be willing to stand up for what we believe, and often this will involve a courageous spirit, especially to one who is generally timid in life;
Be strong – This is especially important, because folk are judging whose inside of your heart based on your actions, your attitude and your words. When we consider all that God has done, all that He is doing and all that He has prepared for our future in heaven, and then to imagine that He is the one controlling us, protecting us and guiding us, whom then shall we fear?
Do everything in love – It’s so easy to do loving things for those who show love towards us, but we know all too well how challenging our job is when folk are unkind to us. Perhaps we should take our eyes off others and stay focused on God, then perhaps we will more easily ‘do everything in love’ knowing that God will be pleased with us? Imagine the smile on His face when He recognizes that we have depended on Him and done amazing things for others, knowing that we are aiming to please Him, regardless of how others may react to our actions?

I realize that I have gone a bit long today, but friends would you take note of these two verses and my commentary, then read the two verses I included from Psalm. Don’t you see that we serve a most awesome God, and that joy will come in the morning, regardless of what the night has revealed? My earthly energies are geared towards honoring, worshipping, pleasing and adoring the God that I plan to spend eternity with. Where do you spend your energies each day? The above information gives you guidance on how God expects you to spend your day!

PRAYER: Father, You are awesome, and I thank You for conveying Your principals, Your character, Your will and Your encouragement to us through your Holy Word. May it be a light to our feet and a constant guide to our path each and every day, so that others may see and believe on You. I ask these things in the name of the One who gave it all for me, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!