Category: Holy Spirit

Obedience to God’s Servants – Our Government Leaders

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, Faith, Follow Jesus, Fruit of the Spirit, God Reigns, Holy Spirit, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, Servants of God, TrustLeave a comment

The Bible – The Good News Translation

Romans 13:1-2; 4b

 1 Everyone must obey the state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. 2 Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself.
4 …. they are God’s servants working for your own good

Thoughts:

This is probably one of the most challenging verses for us to follow, because we tend to look at the corruption and evil that goes on in government, and the laws that are put in place that especially seem to hurt Christians. It is obvious from the first 6 verses in Romans 13 that Paul encountered Christian brothers and sisters who thought very much the same as the way we tend to think today. I believe that anytime a law is instituted that works against our bottom line, we tend to send ‘hate vibes’ towards our senators, or authorities who had anything to do with the new law. In fact, at re-election time we have the availability to look into a candidate’s record and see exactly how they voted on certain items. Not a bad idea, but it also helps to build a wall of hatred and/or disrespect towards that person. I believe what Paul is teaching here actually goes very deep, because I believe he is telling us that if we are doing everything above board, then we have nothing to fear of our government leaders. I also believe that if we follow other Biblical references to pray for God’s direction as we vote, and yes Christians you must lead the pact in going out to vote, then our prayer, in faith, will play a part in having God’s man/woman elected. Further, I believe that if we had to publicly pray for our elected officials more than we complain about them, then perhaps God will intervene in their decision making and guide them into right decisions that will be pleasing to Him. Bottom line is that our officials are in place as God’s representatives/servants for our good (vs 4), and we are to obey them and support them so that God’s work might be accomplished through them. Friends remember, our initial instructions come from God, so our obedience, respect and prayerful support towards our leaders is a sign of obedience to God. Key points – prayer before voting; prayer while these folk are in power, as God’s servants, and our leaders; obedience and support of those servants of God for whom we are praying daily. Let’s get before God in prayer and ask Him to tender our hearts so that we can be obedient to Him in all things!

Prayer:

Lord, this is very challenging for us, so I humbly ask You to help us to get out of the ‘driver’s seat’ and allow You to control our government leaders/Your servants in place for our good. To do this I must first personally ask that You help me to totally surrender to You as my authority, because when I try to do your job I am showing lack of faith and trust in You. Please forgive me for that, and build my faith to a level where I can trust You in ALL things. Lord. I am embarrassed by some of the comments I hear from other Christian leaders about Your servants, please speak to these friends and co-laborers in Your work here on earth and help us all to submit to Your authority and will for our every concern, especially our government leaders. I must acknowledge that You are God over ALL things in our lives, not just the pieces that go our way and seem to benefit us personally. Please remind us of that when we tend to question those in authority. Needing Your help in such a powerful way, I humbly ask this in Your holy and most worthy name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

 

NOTE: 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.

How To Handle Evil Against You

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Bible Believing, Disciple, Encourage, Forgiveness, Giving, Grace, Holy Spirit, Love, Love God, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Power of Prayer, Reflecting ChristLeave a comment

The Bible – New Living Translation

Romans 12:17-21

 

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” (Deut. 32:35) says the Lord.

20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” (Proverbs 25:21-22)

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Thoughts:

 

Friends, these words are intended for children of God, because they are not the normal course of action for the person who has no Godly influence, or help to handle situations in just the opposite manner that one would normally expect. The actions mandated in these verses are God-inspired; God-directed; and only possible with God’s help, because in and of our natural selves we would normally lash back at those that misuse and abuse us. This is similar to another command given by God: when your enemy slaps you on one cheek, don’t lash back, turn the other cheek and let them slap you there also. Again, this is not a normal reaction to the natural sinful man. I believe a good question for the Christian would be: “why would God demand something so totally opposite to the norm?” Friends, I believe that God saw His only Son beaten, hung on a cross and crucified, but didn’t send down 10,000 angels to rescue Him, because it was all done for the purpose of showing the world (us) that His love for us extended even to the extent of crucifying His Son. Similarly, when we allow the grace of God to work in our lives and we subsequently behave like Jesus would have, we are showing the world that the grace by which we are driven is one filled with a miraculous love, a divine love. You see, what would the world learn if we reacted just like they would and expect? That we are no different to any other man, right? Now Brothers and Sisters, is this an easy thing? Absolutely not, but for those who are in the Word daily and learning about the ways of God, and constantly being reminded of things like Deuteronomy 32:35 (quoted above), then we know that the love by which we are driven is nothing like the love known by the world. Our actions are totally unexpected by the world, but we are to be obedient servants and follow the commands of Christ, knowing that He will not see His prized possessions taken advantage of. Remember, the last word is God’s, and He will settle the acts against His children. Let’s do our part, knowing full well that God is faithful to His Word and will do His part at the appropriate time. Let’s endeavor to love even in challenging circumstances, not give in and act just like the world expects one of their own to act. Let’s show that God is in control of our lives and our circumstances and we have nothing to fear!

 

 

Prayer:

 

Lord Jesus, these are very challenging directions in these verses, but thank You for reminding me that the battle is Yours and that You will revenge, if needed. My job is to love through the good times and through the challenging times, to those that love me and to those that hate me. My obligation is to be obedient, in spite of my circumstances, knowing that You have everything under control and that through my obedience You might have another opportunity to minister to that person who means ill towards me. I must be obedient to You, no matter the circumstances that face me in this world, because it is often through the most difficult, or challenging circumstance that an unsaved person might be challenged to look heavenly and find the source behind this Christian’s strength, wisdom, endurance and love. Lord Jesus, in Your name, I ask for this strength, wisdom, endurance and love to be imparted and available to me, because You have already demonstrated this type of love, and You definitely have the authority and power to give it to me. May this all be used for Your glory and Your honor, AMEN!

 

 

NOTE: 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.

Sincere Godly Love, One for Another

On By Ed AlgreenIn Born Again, Christian, Encourage, Forgiveness, Fruit of the Spirit, Getting Along, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Love, Love your Neighbor, ObedienceLeave a comment

The Bible – The Good News Translation

 Romans 12:9-10

 9 Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. 1 0 Love one another warmly as Christian brothers and sisters, and be eager to show respect for one another.

Thoughts:

In a world where family members are jealous of each other and can’t stand to be in each other’s presence; where coworkers are so competitive to reach the top or earn more commission and/or recognition, that they step right over another employee, and may even do certain things to keep them from doing their best; where church members want to be in charge or favored by the pastor or can’t have their own way, so we see churches split or families leave the church and move on to another; I wonder if the result would be any different if we were to follow the advice of Paul in these two verses? Friends, Christians are to be deep into the Word at every opportunity, but not less frequently than daily, looking over God’s instructions to be sure that we live and love like Him. You see, God’s Word contains our template for love, it tells us about our Role Model, Jesus Christ. Our responsibility according to the Word, is to go and minister to the world so that all may know Jesus. Don’t you know that we are actually teaching them our evil ways when we act like the above examples? Remember, our actions speak so loud that others will really not hear what we are saying to them. I believe Paul is saying that we are not to be hypocritical. If we claim Jesus as Lord, then we are to live like Him and seek to squish all the evil thoughts we might receive that make us act and rationalize to cause the above issues. Friends, Jesus is coming soon and we must live with that in mind. Don’t dare live like the devil and think you’ll have time to seek forgiveness when you hear that Jesus is coming down the street. The Bible says that we must live in a state of readiness, because Jesus in no way needs our permission that the coast is clear for Him to come and gather His bride (the church – us). This means that we are to live and love like Jesus demands of us today. Don’t delay, please?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, the creator of love, the One who showed ultimate love, please forgive me for making a mockery of living and loving like You exampled for me. Paul has reminded me that I need to live and love in ways that others might recognize and want to know You personally. This is difficult to do when I surrender to living and loving like the world. Father, please give me strength to be a victor in living my life according to the model You displayed. Please help me to stay so in tuned with Your Word that it will not only impact the words from my lips, but the desires of my heart and the actions of my whole being. Lord, sadly, I have ‘Christian’ family and friends that I know who are living in sin, because they are acting just like the above examples given. Please use this devotional today to speak to the hearts of those claiming You as Lord. Please also speak to those who have not yet accepted You as Lord, for today is the day of salvation, and there is no better time than today for them to seek Your power and Your strength so that they too might live and love like You. Lord, this old world is getting in extremely poor shape morally, for folk are becoming more and more hardened to their sin. Please, I beg You, do a mighty work in Your people today. Begin with us, Christians. Get us straight first, so that we may be Your hands and Your feet on the ground seeking to impact the lives of those that don’t know You. These things I ask humbly in Your precious name and for Your sake, AMEN!

 

NOTE: 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.

Obligations To Share, Hear, Believe And Ask

On By Ed AlgreenIn All have sinned, Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Blood of Jesus, Born Again, Chosen by God, Christian, Evangelism, Faith, Forgiveness, Heaven, Holy Spirit, ObedienceLeave a comment

The Bible – The New Living Translation

 Romans 10:13-14

 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:32)

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

Thoughts:

This is a power-packed couple of verses, for anyone meditating on these words will find themselves obligated in one way or another. Think about where your obligation is today and be obedient to God. For example:

  • Share – I got the impression that for those of us that know the Lord, our involvement in helping a lost person come to a saving knowledge in Jesus Christ, is that we share with them. Now before you try to correct me and tell me that you are not a preacher, I want to remind you that there are many times in God’s Word where we, who already know Him, are told/obligated to share with those who do not. Sharing is not necessarily ‘preaching’, it is telling of the Good News, the Savior that got hold of your life and saved you from your self-destructing, evil trip to Hell. In fact, you are the only one that could share that with a friend who may not know the Lord – it’s your story!
  • Hear, Believe & Ask – I believe that vs 14 is telling the lost person that if the Word of God is explained to them, or if someone shares their story with them, know that it is God-sent and give it your undivided attention, as you are expected to accept/believe in Jesus Christ and ask/receive/invite Him as God’s precious gift of eternal life.

Friends, Paul was careful to explain that God’s gift is offered to all. In his day Paul had to clarify that the gift was offered to both the Jew and the Gentile. In our society today, I believe that we need to be reminded that God’s gift is offered to folk inside of the church worshipping, and to the ones who have never entered the doors of a church before. To the one who is looked up to in the community, or to the murderer. In fact, in another Bible verse, it is clear that God’s gift is available to ALL – whoever calls on His name (John 3:16). That includes you brother and sister! If you hear it, believe it and ask Jesus to come into your heart.

Prayer:

Thank You Father for those who leave our churches and travel overseas to spread the name of the Lord – our missionaries. Also, thank You for our pastors and evangelists who sacrifices hour after hour in sharing the love and saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus. Please be especially encouraging to those of us that cross paths with friends, family and coworkers every day that so desperately need You. Lord, may we never leave an opportunity unattended. May we never have to feel the guilt of disobedience in not sharing Your love and Your Word with those who need You. Father, I especially pray for the unsaved today. You have told us in Your Word that You are coming back soon to take us with You so that we may live with You throughout eternity. In the light of this promise, please help our unsaved ones to grasp the importance of really listening to Your Word, and may they not only hear, but also respond without reservation to Your call on their life. TODAY is the day of salvation! Lord, may it be so for all those I know, love and care about. For I ask all this in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus, believing that it will be done. AMEN!

 

NOTE: 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.

Peace in Knowing God

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Eternal Life, Faith, God Cares For Us, Holy Spirit, Humility, Love, Love God, PeaceLeave a comment

The Bible –The Message

Romans 8:26-28

 26–28       Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

 Thoughts:

There is such peace in these verses! Actually these verses reminds us of the peace we have in knowing God as our personal Savior! When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He provides His Holy Spirit to live inside of us and to commune with God on our behalf. Paul reminds us that even when we are about to give up (tired of waiting), the Holy Spirit is there praying for us. When we have totally run out of words to pray, the Spirit interprets our moans and our groans before the throne on our behalf. In fact, He knows us so well that He is petitioning the throne of grace on our behalf. He has our best interest at heart, and knowing that we really want to step above our weak sinful selves, He keeps us present before God. Friends, as we live our lives loving God, praising Him and glorifying Him, every aspect of our lives is worked into something good, something beautiful for God! Whom then shall I fear? Why then should I worry or complain? There is no god like this God of ours friend! Know Him today and know the peace that surpasses all human understanding. Experience His love that surpasses all other descriptions of love that you can imagine. Know that everything is under control with God in charge of your life, because these verses so vividly reminds you of that. Are you tired of living life under your own power, and would like to know this Jesus of mine in a personal way? I would be honored to work with, and pray for you, if you would drop me an email using the contact information at the very end of this devotional. I would love for you to know this peace that is ours as children of God!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, how can I say thanks enough for all You do for me? So undeserved, yet You loved me enough that You turned Your world upside down by sacrificing Yourself in humility, all because of Your awesome love, and so that I might have peace in knowing You. Thank You Lord Jesus! Please tender the hearts of those that might read this devotional today and may not have ever invited You to be their Mediator and Lord. Father, I know that they have no control over the time they have left to make such a decision, please may it be today that they allow You to take charge of their life? I humbly ask all this in Your precious and all powerful name, Jesus my Lord and soon coming King, AMEN!

 

Note: **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.

Our Witness Should Lead Others To Christ

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Follow Jesus, Holy Spirit, Imitator of Christ, Marriage, Our Help comes from God, Praise, Reaching the Lost, Reflecting ChristLeave a comment

The Bible –New Century Version

Psalm 40:2-3

2           He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud. He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady.

3           He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord.

 Thoughts:

 We can easily identify a single man by his playfulness with no one girl. We can generally identify a married man by his devotion to his wife and his unselfish attitude in doing everything to make her happy. We can generally identify a sinner by the unconcern for anything spiritual; their ungodly character; their ungodly, and often disrespectful speech and of course their lack of interest in trying to be in the presence of Christian believers. What is often confusing is when we hear folk that meet most of the criteria just stated, yet they will tell someone that they are a ‘Christian’ or they attend church regularly. As a follower of Christ, we must often return to the cross and, like David, thank God for what He brought us through and where He brought us from. If we don’t do this we may tend to boast about what we did to achieve our rightness with God. While at the foot of the cross we should remind ourselves of the joyful song that we exuded at the time of our conversion, and ask God to refresh that song in our heart so that we may glow with His presence and His glory. When others see Jesus, yes even His qualities in us, they will burst in to worship to God! For those who have only heard of Jesus, they will trust in Him and seek His favor. So I guess my challenge to believers today is: Does others see enough difference in us that they would want any part of what incents us, what drives us or what motivates us? Are we singing the praises of a King’s kid, or are we portrayed to others as a beggar with lots of needs and having never been lovingly and spiritually touched by the Master? We will exude what is prominent inside of us. Why not put more of Jesus in, through daily time in the Word, prayer and communion with God?

 Prayer:

 I’m Yours Lord. May others see and be blessed in recognizing that You are mine also. May Your will, Your love and Your character be prominent in me so that You may be lifted up and that others may be drawn to You. Touch hardened hearts today so that they may not shy away from recognizing and accepting You. Touch the hearts of Your kids so that your glory may shine through every fiber of our lives and influence this world for You. Lord, may You be glorified today in all things that we do or say, for it is in Your precious and worthy name that I ask, AMEN!

 

Note: **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.

The Reward for Living Life Led By ‘The Spirit’!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, God Cares For Us, God Reigns, Holy Spirit, Imitator of Christ, Pleasing to God, Praise, Reaching the Lost, Reflecting Christ, Sin, SurrenderLeave a comment

The Bible –Good News Translation

Romans 8:13-14

13For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 14Those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children.

Thoughts:

We live our lives according to two principles: 1). Dedicated to, and led by, God’s Holy Spirit – This means that like me, you have given yourself totally and unreservedly to the Savior of this world – Jesus. And because He lives in You and gives you a desire for His Word and for a life dedicated to serving Him and imitating Him in character, deed and word, then according to vs 14 we are His children, and according to vs 13, we will live – meaning live forever with Him in heaven even after we leave this old world! Principle #2). Is that you do nothing about your sinful condition. In fact, it dominates your life, and every decision you make and every deed and action comes from the mind and life of human nature and not of God. Friends, it is plain in verse 13 that folk living under this principle are destined to ‘die’. For those of you that have resigned yourself to accept this principle must realize that Paul is not just referring to physical death – that we all must go through, but he is referring to everlasting death, and for those of you that refer to daily life as being hell on earth, I need to remind you that you ‘ain’t seen nothin yet’, for eternal damnation in hell after your life on this cruel earth, is one that would sadden God’s heart to see any of His creation become a part of. However, just as loving parents allow their children to make their own choices, God allows us to make a choice between principle (1) and principle (2). What would you wish for your favorite child? Would you consider anything less for yourself? Vs 14 declares that when we choose principle (1), we are considered God’s children. Fact – Jesus is King over all this world. Children of kings are known as Princes and Princesses! Secure your new title today friend, if you have not already made a decision for principle (1).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of serving You, and for giving me guidance, wisdom, strength and boldness to live my life as detailed in principle (1) above. Although excited about each day and the opportunities available to me, I am overwhelmed and super excited about the expectations of eternal life with You in glory! However, while here on this earth I become very anxious about my family and friends that have defaulted to principle (2) because of their lack of concern for a better life; a richer quality of life; a satisfied life knowing that You have every little thing under control and a praise-worthy life acknowledging that all things come from You, for our good and benefit, and that You have this whole life thing under Your control, with no reason for us to worry. Lord, I’m Yours – everything I am, everything I have! Thank You for taking it (life) from here! These praises, requests and acknowledgments are all presented in Your holy name and for Your glory, oh Lord, AMEN!

 

**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.

Peace With God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Fruit of the Spirit, God Cares For Us, Holy Spirit, Love, Peace, Pleasing to GodLeave a comment

God’s Word Says….

Romans 5:1-5 (GNT)

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! 3We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. 5This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.

My Thoughts…..

These verses are so packed with good stuff, that it would take a long discourse to celebrate it all. For just a short devotional, I wanted to share a few words with you that I highlighted: a). “Put Right” – please notice that it didn’t say earned, or resulted from any good deed we did. We are put right because of our faith in God. I would highly recommend that we each examine ourselves and recall the day and place that we surrendered our heart to Jesus and placed our faith in Him alone. This is the ONLY WAY friend to be put right with God. b). “Peace” – when we have been ‘put right’ with God there will be an unexplained peace in our lives – peace in, and with God! c). “God’s grace” – can you even imagine that a sinner, filled with enmity towards God, could ever be allowed into His Grace. Friend, this is through ultimate, unselfish, immeasurable love of the Father for His children. I pray that you are experiencing that ‘Grace’ today! d). “The Hope” – as children of God we can boast of that ‘Hope’ that is ours to one day be with Jesus in glory at the right hand of the Father! Praise the name of Jesus! e). “Endurance” – it is so easy to praise the Lord when everything is going good for us, but often we struggle with this characteristic, especially when it seems like the world is against us. I was excited to note that this type of ‘endurance’ or ‘patience’ actually brings “God’s Approval” and this alone is worth the struggles and challenges we endure here on this earth. f). “His love” and “His Gift” – Think about this real good friend: because of our sin God had to send His Son to redeem us. Yet, when we accept Him as Lord, He pours out His love through the precious gift of His Holy Spirit. Wow, who has ever known such a love as that?

Challenge……

Don’t know about you friend, but there is much to celebrate in these verses today! My greatest caution to you is that you not fall into the temptation of wanting to do good, thinking that because you are not an evil person, then you must be a Christian. Friend, to enjoy the peace of God, you must be one of His children. To become a child of His involves a deliberate step by you. For you must humble yourself before Jesus and ask His forgiveness of your sin, and to accept you as His dearly beloved son/daughter. The life that follows is one of peace with God – everlasting peace! Jesus loves you a lot friend! Won’t you consider accepting Him as your Lord and Savior today? Please feel free to drop me a note by email if there is anything I can pray with you about. Jesus loves you, and so do I, friend!

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, thank You for providing the ultimate for us – the ways and means for us to know You as our Lord and Savior, and the promise of eternal life with You in heaven! You are awesome dear God! As I celebrate this today, I am concerned for several of my family members who do not reflect evidence of having accepted You as Lord. Father, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will convict them today, and that they would make a decision for You. I pray asking all this in Your wonderful and majestic name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.

Confound Those Who May Oppose Your Faith

On By Ed AlgreenIn Faith, Holy Spirit, Witnessing1 Comment

Today we seldom use the word ‘confound’, but according to my studies on this, this verse can be translated: “Saul’s preaching left the Jews speechless and prevented them from arguing against Christianity”. Friend, is this not what we need more of today in our churches (sermons, Sunday/Sabbath School and other teachings)? Is this not what we need to practice in our own lives? Doesn’t it appear to you that our shyness is caused by the questions that may be posed by our opponents in order to confuse us and make us speechless? Then for us to follow Saul’s example, we must be prepared to talk about Jesus and His mighty acts and His power to save. OK, STOP, is probably what you are thinking very loudly right now, as you say: But I’m not a preacher or even a Bible Scholar, so how can I confound, or leave my opponents speechless. Re-read the last sentence and notice the ‘I’ and ‘My’. Saul was a brand new Christian, so we knew this act of leaving his opponents speechless was nothing studied in Seminary or in years of church attendance, instead, it was the power of the Holy Spirit that Saul surrendered to and allowed to guide his thoughts and his words. As Christians, we have access to this same Holy Spirit. Set self aside and ask the Holy Spirit to take control of your thoughts, actions and words, so that the Father might receive glory for all that is accomplished through you (His servant). In recent studies on this through my church, I was reminded that daily I must ask for this power, just like I ask for breath, health, guidance, and direction for my day. So Lord, again today, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that You may accomplish Your work through me, and may all who I come into contact with see You in action and hear a word of encouragement, or be led to a life in You. You are God alone, and only You can touch the hearts of sinners and draw them to You. I make myself available to be used by You today. Friend, won’t you open your heart and life to be used by Jesus today also? We are His hands and feet, His army on the ground to serve Him!

Acts 9:22 (ASV)

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.