Category: Hope

The Promise of Restoration: Insights from Jeremiah’s Message

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, HopeLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read Jeremiah 31:33-34 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the New Living Translation (NLT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you have taken a moment to read the Scripture I referenced above, so that my thoughts here will make more sense to you. Jeremiah was used by God to warn the Israelites about the discipline that would come to them. However, as we see in these verses today, he also had a message of great hope for them. This is also the situation today for those who disobey God. He will discipline us and get our attention to turn from our wicked ways, but in the book of Revelation, there is amazing hope for all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the chapters leading up to this one, we learned how, because of their great sin, God chose to discipline His children – His chosen people, in a way that seems extremely harsh to many. However, for those of us who have been around long enough, we know that it sometimes takes harsh discipline to truly get our attention and make it stick. But in today’s lesson, it is so rewarding to reflect on the outcome of that discipline. For in every discipline, we have a choice of returning to our same old sin, or to show that we learned a valuable lesson and are willing to do it right post-discipline. It is always easier to handle discipline when we have our eyes and hearts set on the hope that lies ahead, and I believe that God did just that for His people in this Scripture today.

Think seriously and deeply about this, friends. Assume for a moment that your nation is constantly struggling to fight off evil and the threat of war from an enemy nation. Now assume that your nation has been so unfaithful to God that He has demanded that your whole nation become subjects of that enemy nation. Wouldn’t you feel like the bottom just dropped out of your whole life and that there is absolutely no hope for any future worth living for? Can’t you imagine how the Israelites must have felt in being ruled by the Babylonians? BUT, in today’s Scripture, we are reminded that God will take care of His own and that He would never put more on us than we could handle. Yes, He did what He had to do in disciplining His children when all else failed to get their attention, but He also knew that He would one day bring them back home to where His glory would once again be displayed!

Unfortunately, this is very similar to our situation today. In His Word, God also offers us a ‘Promised Land’, one filled with the joys of Heaven in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one where there are streets of pure gold! Unfortunately, many in each of our countries have deliberately conceded to Satan instead. We have assumed a lifestyle that often is a mockery in the eyes of God. In many areas of life today, it is often challenging to discern the difference between a child of the Great High, and one who has chosen to do life their own way – the way of the world. Some might say that they are waiting until the end of life, as we know it here on earth, to surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. When might that be, dear friends? Children, teenagers, middle-agers, and seniors are dying unexpectedly for various reasons today, and the same could very likely happen to you, my appreciated reader.

In the New Testament, God offered us a New Covenant in the person of Jesus Christ. In this Covenant, we are told that we have a way out of this unrighteousness that we find ourselves in, but only those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. In other words, those who have not taken that step belong to Satan and will be given over to Hell for all eternity. If you were to tell your relatives right now where they will find you when you die, will it be Heaven or Hell? Only you can make that change, for you must surrender to Jesus for yourself. No proxies are allowed, for there is no provision for that in God’s Word. I’m ready to go home to my Father in Heaven, my good friends, and I sure hope that I will see you at the foot of Jesus worshipping Him with me. If unsure, or if you know that you never expressed faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please read my Footnote and especially click on the link ‘To Know Jesus’ for Biblical help in making the most important decision you ever made in your life. Jesus loves you and He wants you to make this decision, dear friend!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Your love is expressed throughout Your Word, and I was reminded of that as I meditated on today’s verses. Thank You for the reassurance of the hope that lies ahead for other believers and me. This also puts me on notice that my unsaved loved ones and friends are destined for a place quite contrary to the joys I long for in Heaven. Please, Lord, melt the hearts of those I love and others who need You today. Draw them to Yourself and convict them of their sinful state, so that they might surrender to You in faith. I believe, oh Lord, please help those who don’t, for the end of life here on earth is drawing near, according to Your Word. AMEN

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

Finding Hope in God’s Promises: A Devotional Reflection

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, HopeLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Tuesday, June 3, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read Jeremiah 29:10-14 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the New Living Translation (NLT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I am amazed how God, the One who created us and taught us how to live, while also showing us what He is capable of when we disobey or disregard His commands, just how merciful He is to give us 2nd, 3rd and even more changes to correct our ways. In fact, He goes even further with the Israelites, a people that He ordered to report to king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, by giving them hope for their lives post Babylon reign. And before I go any further, let me remind you that while God has not given us over to the reign of another kingdom or ruler, yet He has also promised us, after our life here on earth, eternal life in Heaven to those of us that have accepted His Son, Jesus, as our Lord, Savior and Ruler of our lives, so there is also hope for us! Sadly, I must draw your attention to the verses that follow our focused verses today, for God went on to warn those who refused to follow His command in moving to Babylon. Less we are misguided, or of a false knowledge, I must remind you that often when we attend funerals/memorial services, we might become confused to hear that the individual who died have now gone on to be with the Lord. Friends, please be sure that you apply the whole Biblical truth to that awesome statement. For it is a true statement for the saints of God who accepted His Son while they were alive, but for those who have rejected this condition, the Bible says that upon their passing from life into death, they will then answer to the evil one whom they chose to follow while alive. I apologize that I digressed a little, but I felt like this was a good time to correlate this Biblical truth with the promised hope given to the Israelites. The overall message that I rejoiced in from today’s verses us that the Israelites were told they would remain in exile for 70 years, an extremely long sentence for the Israelites. But, with the hope given in these verses today, I am confident that these people must have felt a sense of relief in spite of knowing they would have to endure over 25,000 in bondage. As I mentioned above, we have no idea how many more days God has ordained for us to remain here on earth, but if you would open your heart, soul and mind to accept the truth of God’s Word, and the gift He provided through sending His precious Son for the forgiveness of our sin, then we too can face tomorrow because of the hope we have in the promises of God. For the unbeliever who struggles with life here on earth and have no hope for anything better tomorrow, please allow me to assure you of this hope that is available to all – especially you! In my FOOTNOTE you will find Biblical references that will help to guide you into accepting Jesus Christ. But don’t feel alone in your decision, speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or a solid believer and tell them how you feel the Holy Spirit is dealing in your life, and/or contact me by email and I will be excited at the opportunity to introduce you to the God that I know and teach about in this blog. It would be like one beggar showing another beggar how to find bread – the Bread of Life – Jesus Christ!

PRAYER
Thank You Lord for Your goodness, mercy and love. The sacrifice You gave just for us – Your children, is far beyond anything we could comprehend. Thank You for reminding us in Your Word today of the hope that is ours when we surrender lordship of our lives to You and give You full control over everything, especially those things that burden us down and discourage us, like the Israelites must have felt with their 70-year sentence under the rulership of the Babylonians. I must repeat Your words to the Israelites, for it gives me hope on how tomorrow will go for those who believe in You: ‘I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.’ Be glorified in me today, oh Lord, and accept my attitude of praise as I worship You and seek to know You better every day of my life. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

Finding Hope Through God’s Chastening Love

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, HopeLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Saturday, March 8, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read it in your Bible or click Jeremiah 15 to read it in the New Living Translation (NLT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
Some religions are so confident that we serve a loving and kind God, that they struggle to believe that He would discipline His children or refuse them into His Heaven. The Bible demonstrated over and over again how the God we know, love and serve is a loving and forgiving God. But for the student of God’s Word, interested in reading and understanding all the attributes of God, it becomes evident that love often requires discipline in order to change the sinful hearts of mankind. I would encourage each reader of this devotional to click on the Scripture reference above and read this short chapter of 21 verses. Like me, I believe your eyes will be opened to the just and fair hand of God as He deals with His people. We can see how Jeremiah was challenged to the extent that he questioned in vs 19 what might happen to him, Gods chosen vessel. Please allow me to point out a few verses where the Holy Spirit really got my undivided attention:
—> Vs 1: In response to the pleading of Jeremiah, God responded that even if Moses and Samuel came before Him, He would not change His mind about the harm that would come to the Israelites that sinned against Him. Don’t we frequently practice calling in the pastor, or the bishop or someone we honor in Christian leadership to call on God on our behalf because, we feel, He has refused to answer our prayers? So often we forget that ‘no’ is just as much of an answer as ‘yes’! After all, why ask God, if you have the expected answer already? Friends, the God who created heaven and earth, you and me, and holds this earth together, He knows what’s going on, and what will happen, so He knows the right answer for the right time, and He will not lead us astray.
—> Vs 2-3: I found it interesting that nothing was mentioned of the saved in the bunch of disobedient folks that God was dealing with! I was so impressed with what one commentator offered on this: (Courson’s Application Commentary (3 Vols.)) It’s important for us to understand that sometimes the Lord has to take us through hard times. We think it’s oh, so cruel, but in reality, it’s loving because He’s freeing us from certain tendencies, habits, and problems to which we’re in bondage. The Lord deals with us, chastens us, and breaks us that He might ultimately free us, bless us, and build us.
—> Vs 6-7: God is tired of giving us another chance. In these verses God chose to destroy His own people because they continued in sin after being warned repeatedly by Him. Don’t forget to recheck your opinion about our God being a ‘Just’ God. Remember, that works for the good, and also for the bad. In the New Testament we are reminded to not grieve the Holy Spirit by continuing to sin. Also, that God’s Spirit will not always thrive in us if we continue to ignore His Sprit. God is totally opposed to sin, for He has never sinned. If we strive to follow in the steps of our Master, then we also will seek His guidance to avoid sin.
—> Vs 15-19: In vs 15 Jeremiah applies this whole Scripture to himself, just like we do today when the Word of God is taught, preached and studied. The challenge that God gives to Jeremiah in vs 19 is something that I believe we should strive to live out daily, with the help of Almighty God. If we return to God, He will restore us so that we can continue to serve and represent Him before sinners. If we speak good words rather than worthless ones, we will be His spokesman. We must influence them and not let them influence us! All this is possible if we make it our priority to please God, and if we submit to His power, guidance and ultimate direction in this life here on earth. The ways of this world are totally opposite and different to God’s ways, so it will take His awesome power to redirect us and show us the way, the truth and the life – eternal life. With God, all things are possible.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for your love and for being fair in everything You do. We love the times that You bless us with good news, good things, and hope for an awesome future with You and the Father in heaven. But we consider it challenging when, out of total love for us, You work on our attitudes, our bad choices and our desires to please those in this world, rather than in total obedience and commitment to You. Please help us today to stop and meditate on Your words, and the deep concern shown through Your teachings. Without correction or challenge, we might question whether You love us. So Lord, please help us to listen closely to Your voice, Your correction, and Your teachings so that we can follow in Your footsteps, for Your people need to hear from You, not from sinful folk like us. May we recommit ourselves to following You and living like You Lord. May You be glorified in everything we do and say. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

Our Comfort, Our Hope, Our Encouragement!

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Adoration, Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Awesome God, Beyond Description, Blessing, Celebrate God, Comfort, encouragement, Hope, Needs, Praise, Praise-worthy, Recognize God, Salvation, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED: Tuesday, 2023-02-28
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 13 Brothers and sisters, we want you to be fully informed about those who have fallen asleep in death so that you will not be overwhelmed with grief like those who live outside of the true hope. 14 Here’s what we believe: since Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, God will bring with Jesus all who have died through Him. 15 For we can say all this to you confidently because it is the word of the Lord: we who are still alive and left behind when the Lord comes will not precede those who have fallen asleep in death. 16 On that day, with a command that thunders into the world, with a voice of a chief heavenly messenger, and with a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord Himself will descend from heaven; and all those who died in the Anointed One, our Liberating King, will rise from the dead first. 17 Then we who are alive and left behind will be snatched up together with them into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This is how we, the resurrected and the living, will be with Him forever. 18 So comfort one another with this hope, and encourage one another with these words.

OBSERVATION: When others are hurting, we may tend to stay clear of them, because we are afraid that we won’t have the words to encourage them. However, God’s Word is not just for correction and direction, but we will find in today’s Scripture that it also offers us words to be encouraged by, or to help those who have lost loved ones who knew Jesus as Lord.

APPLICATION: My wife had completed a medical procedure that caused her to use a wheelchair while shopping. We found it interesting how some friends who saw her in the wheelchair chose to walk down a different isle or try in some way to avoid having to encounter my wife or ask her about her temporary disability! We believe they were at a loss for words. Visitations and/or funerals are no different, for we become dumbfounded for the right words to encourage the grieving relatives left behind. Unfortunately, this is very challenging if the loved one died without ever accepting the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary for the forgiveness of their sin. For the Bible is clear on their eternal destiny, where they chose to remain unsaved and, instead lived, and died, in a way that only Satan would approve of. Friends, I believe if we face family or friends who are suffering through such a loss, we might become even more determined than ever to urgently share the love of Jesus with those we know and love. As believers in Jesus Christ, it is imperative that we follow the practice and teaching of our Master. One of those principles is that we do not lie. So, while we must be sympathetic toward the family the loved one, we should never confuse them into thinking that their lost loved one is now in heaven. Of course, that’s what they want to hear, but we know, based on the Word of God, that if God honored their request to have nothing to do with them on earth, He will be sure to keep that commitment in death also. Instead, we might therefore take the opportunity of sharing the encouraging news that Paul highlights in today’s Scripture, with hopes of helping the living relatives make a better choice for their eternal destiny. It is always sad to lose one that we care about – yes, even one whose destiny is secure, and their eternal destiny is one of peace and comfort. safe in the arms of Jesus. Praise God, Paul shared a message of hope for the surviving family of one who has passed on from this world. For those of us who know Jesus as Lord and Savior, let’s be comforted in the hope, and encourage those who care about us, that greater is one day in His courts than a million elsewhere! Let’s plead with them to also leave us with the same assurance about themselves.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Let us comfort one another with the hope that our eternity is secured, and our destiny is set to be in heaven with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit when our time on earth is finished! What a peace is afforded to us, and our loved ones in knowing this fact.

PRAYER: What an awesome God we serve! You not only sent Your Son to satisfy the sin of those who seek You as Lord of their life, but You also showed us through Your servant Paul, that our friends and relatives can now rejoice in knowing our eternal destination, instead of sorrowing in our loss here on earth. Lord Jesus, this not only brings peace to us, and our relatives, but also drives us to wanting our family to also seek Jesus as Lord and experience that same peace. Please Lord, soften the hearts of those who continue to be stubborn and disobedient to Your call on their life. Only You can draw them to Yourself. Please be patient with them and once again today, show them the way to eternal life. We are forever grateful for what You did for us, now please give us peace about those who are still here on earth and have the opportunity to open their hearts to You, and we thank You in advance for what You could do! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Your Words and Actions Reflect What’s In Your Heart

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Hope, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Worship1 Comment

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-05-24
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Proverbs 7:1-3
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: 1 My son, live according to what I am telling you;
    guard my instructions as you would a treasure deep within you.
2 Stay true to my directives, and they will serve you well;
    make my teachings the lens through which you see life.
3 Bind cords around your fingers to remind you of them;
meditate on them, and you’ll engrave them upon your heart.

APPLICATION: The last time I saw my grandmother alive, she assured me that even though she could no longer see to read her Bible, she was able to recite Scripture daily and meditate on the Word of God. Our Scripture today encourages us to write the Word upon our heart. Could it be for times such as my grandmother experienced when her sight left her? Perhaps! And I could only praise the Lord for her ability to remember, for it seems like a struggle for me to do the same! But friends, I believe this is also important at other times in our lives, especially when we are forced to evaluate a situation and decide the course we will take in responding. Will our words and/or our actions reflect the God of this universe, or will it be obvious that Satan still has control? What tends to spurt forth from your mouth when we are caught off guard, or frightened by someone? What comes forth when you are told shocking news? What words do you share with someone when you know its the last time you might see them here on this earth? Let’s be reminded that “from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”. Also remember, if it’s in you, it will come out of you! So dear one, let us be busy about the Master’s work. Let us daily commit to take in more of the Lord, by reading His precious Word. Not only will it give us direction for the day, but it gives us a path that is pleasing to our God. This is the opportunity for us to speak and act through the lens of everything God has placed in our heart. Let’s be intentional in always displaying the rich love of God, so that our life and our words will show evidence of that in everything we say or do. Fortunately, we live in a world that is dominated by the evil one. May our representation of Christ by the light that will brighten their day, and lead them to the source of life eternal! This, my friend, is Hope to a hopeless world.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: The Light of the world, and the Hope that points us to the cross, is something we can share with those who live in world darkened by sin, and filled with hopelessness. Let’s share the Good News dear friends!

PRAYER: Precious Lord, take my hand today and lead me on. May the Words that I’ve read today be a rich source of inspiration, and a witness, to someone without any hope. May they desire to know You personally and be willing to seek the source of all hope that results in eternity with You in heaven. Please touch the hearts of all who might read this devotional today, and impact their hearts also with the everlasting joy of knowing 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 might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Pass Along The Message of Hope

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Hope, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Share, Share God’s Word, Teach, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2022-05-08
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 78:2-8
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 2-3 … I will show you lessons from our history, stories handed down to us from former generations. 4 I will reveal these truths to you so that you can describe these glorious deeds of Jehovah to your children and tell them about the mighty miracles he did. 5 For he gave his laws to Israel and commanded our fathers to teach them to their children, 6 so that they in turn could teach their children too. Thus his laws pass down from generation to generation. 7 In this way each generation has been able to obey his laws and to set its hope anew on God and not forget his glorious miracles. 8 Thus they did not need to be as their fathers were—stubborn, rebellious, unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.

APPLICATION: Take a moment to consider the sort of messages that are passed along to our kids? I distinctly remember a few messages my daughter received first hand while in my house: 1). I arrived home from work one day and my daughter asked permission to share something with me that she had learned. She proceeded to recite the ABC’s! I was excited, but as I looked over to my wife, she clarified the question that was obviously written across my face, ‘she heard it repeated so much by ‘Barney’ on TV that she picked it up’! I was thankful, but I was ready to punish myself for not teaching her myself! 2). I was playing ball with her one day, and she wanted me to pitch. After about 2 missed strikes, she turned around and spit, then positioned herself for the next pitch. I asked what that was all about? My young daughter reported ‘that’s the way the players get to hit the ball on TV’! It soon became evident that my daughter was learning more from TV than from her mom and I. But are we unique in that? I wonder if you sat down each Sunday and analyzed what your child(ren) learned from you over the past week, what might that list look like? Did they see you read your Bible? Did they overhear your prayer? Did you drop them to church and showed them that learning about Jesus is for kids, but adults could indulge in anything they want? Has your dinner table discussion been more about the fights you are having with relatives, Facebook updates, and TV shows, than about how God was evident in your life that day? Notice from our Scripture today that Asaph had the privilege of sharing from the history of what his ancestors did. The lives of many were punished and often lost because they ignored the awesome works and power of God, and they became even more reprobate in their every-day life. The miracles performed by God was not discussed, so the younger generation knew nothing of His power and therefore saw no need to call on Him. With a sorrowful heart today, I’m most afraid that this might be the issue with our children today. They are seeing way too much of our disobedience, our hatred, our selfish desires, our refusal to love one another – especially those who should be closest to us, and hardly anything of our miraculous God. Are we really teaching our kids and grandkids to repeat our mistakes, our bad decisions, our hatred for mankind, and our lack of faith? Many of you reading or listening may have gone through a dedication service for your child, or been a part of one for your grandchild. Have you stayed true to the promises you made that day? I firmly believe that if you stop your busy day long enough to refresh yourself on what you promised to God in that baby dedication, you may sincerely seek the powerful hand of Jesus upon your life to make your promises true. Let’s be diligent about seeking God’s favor, and let’s never forget to pass along His blessings to our children. That’s our responsibility! Since they have a similar responsibility, let’s be sure that they pass along the good stuff that God has done for us because of our faithfulness to Him. Like the Israelites, their very lives may depend on it.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Children will learn from our actions what we know in our heart. Fill our hearts with God, then our kids will come to know our Savior, and our Lord. They lives may be dependent on the role God plays in their life.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us through Your Word today the importance of recognizing the key role You play in our lives, and the importance of us setting an example of whose we are. The Israelites lost battles, and lost lives because they refused to recognize Your power available to them. Lord, may we always share Jesus through our example and in our teaching so that our children, and theirs, will know first hand about You and about Your powerful hand. Others are always watching us, Lord. May they always see Jesus in me, for this is my honest and sincere plea. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

You Alone Are Our Hope

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

DATE POSTED Friday, 2022-04-22
WRITTEN AT: Citra, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 71:5-9
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 5 O Lord, you alone are my hope; I’ve trusted you from childhood. 6 Yes, you have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly—no wonder I am always praising you! 7 My success—at which so many stand amazed—is because you are my mighty protector. 8 All day long I’ll praise and honor you, O God, for all that you have done for me.
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t forsake me now when my strength is failing.

APPLICATION: Although it seems like one of the great pitfalls of aging today is Alzheimers, another is probably just as prevalent, if we’re not careful – complaining! But if we’re getting older, rather than complaining about our aches and pains or the sorry state of society, what if we chose to talk about the Lord continually? Wouldn’t that be an awesome way to grow old gracefully and faithfully? But i’m sure many will ask how this can be done? Many people try to discipline their tongues, but Jesus said that it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Therefore, the key to changing your speech is to change your heart. How? By allowing the Word of God to fill it day by day. If you do this, your heart, and therefore your words, will be filled with praise. Don’t you know that relatives and friends would much prefer visiting and being around you when you frequently praise the Lord and give Him thanks in all things that He has blessed you with? After reflecting on his blessings, David tells us in our Scripture today that it’s no wonder praise is continually in his heart and on his lips! As for you, sure you may encounter pain in your arms, but how do you feel when you look at a man who has no arms? I was tired and hurting in my back and legs, until I saw a man coming my way with both feet pointing inward, heavy braces on his legs and feet, yet walking along with a smile on his face. Oh Lord, please forgive me when I whine. But precious friends, when I meditate on God’s Word and am reminded of all that He did for our ancestors, and the love that He showed in extreme circumstances, my heart is filled with praises to my King for all that He has done, because He continues to do the same for me and my loved ones every day! Please try and join me each day in seeking out the blessings of God. We could read all that He did for David, and for Moses and the Israelites, but let’s look around and fill our hearts with joy as we observe all that He continues to do for us. Our God is so good, and we could never stop praising Him for His goodness! There is such encouragement and hope in admiring the handiwork of our God!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Let us learn to praise God every day! Enough with the griping and complaining, we serve an awesome all-powerful, ever-loving Savior who gave everything for our eternal salvation!

PRAYER: Oh Lord, teach us to set our minds on the great and awesome gifts that You bestow on us daily! Please help us to shun the desire to whine and complain about everything and everyone, but instead to look towards the heavens, read from the holy pages of Your Word, and reflect on the awesome power of our Lord, so that our hearts may be filled with appreciation that overflows through our lips as we sing Your praises and encourage others to know our Savior and Lord. Oh Lord, great is thy faithfulness and greatly You are to be praised and honored in every aspect of our lives. Minister to the lost today Lord, and open their eyes to Your goodness and mercy. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

My Only Hope Is….

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Eternal Life, Hope, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-07-14
WRITTEN AT: Casa Grande, AZ

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 39:6-7
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 We live our lives like those living in shadows.
    All our activities and energies are spent for things that pass away.
    We gather, we hoard, we cling to our things,
    only to leave them all behind for who knows who.
7 And now, God, I’m left with one conclusion:
    my only hope is to hope in you alone!

APPLICATION: There was a gentleman who had his casket built, and it was stored in the room next to him at his home! Children dreaded visiting this gentleman with their parents because they were afraid of the idea of a casket being in the home! Now compare that to the dozens of people you know that fit the description given by David in verse 6. Many of us work ourselves into an early grave, as we strive to make the next hundred to save in our retirement, or purchase the newest gadget for our spouse or child. But what happens when their hopes are dashed by an accident that suddenly shortens the lifespan of that individual? I love the heart, and the writings of David in the Psalms. In the preceding verses he was rehearsing with God how much longer he would live. And I believe that we all think about that at times, but oh how I wish that we would come to the same conclusion that David did in verse 7: Regardless of all else, praise God I realize that my only hope is in the risen Lord, Jesus my Savior! Friends, we all want to leave for our children more than our parents left for us, but let me suggest to you something that matters most when an individual leaves this world: that someone was touched by your walk, or your talk, or your time with them, while you were alive here on earth, and that person found Jesus because of their association with you! Friend of God, I pray that your hope is in God – the same God that David referred to in our Scripture today. Where is your hope? What is your hope based on? Unless your hope is based on Jesus Christ, nothing you achieve will be of value to those you hope will benefit from your estate.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Our hope is in Jesus our Lord, the Creator of the earth, sun, stars, you and I. Anything else is temporal and may never be appreciated by those left behind.

PRAYER: Thank You dear Lord for the reminder that all you created will be taken care of here on earth and in the new heaven that You created just for us. Everything else is temporal and matters very little when we stand before You on Judgment Day. Please Lord, speak to the hearts of the unsaved and speak to each reader/listener of this devotional. May we all plan to be with You on that great resurrection morning! Please help us to fix our eyes on this very important part of life while here below, so that when our time comes for meeting you in the skies, we might sing with the angels: Oh That Will Be Glory For Me! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

With A Humble Heart

On By Ed AlgreenIn Blessings, Holy Spirit, Hope, HumilityLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-06-23
WRITTEN AT: Big Cabin, OK

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 5:3
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT:  “Great blessings belong to those who know they are spiritually in need. God’s kingdom belongs to them.

APPLICATION: Poor in spirit – On face value, I tend to believe this means that one might be feeling sorry for themselves, or thinking poorly of themselves and the circumstances around them. Doesn’t this come to the surface at times in each of us? But Jesus said that God blesses these kind of folk when, in spite of how they’re feeling, yet they see the need for Him. Friends, I know that we need to stay positive and pretend like we are on cloud nine at all times, but reality sets in very frequently for us. At the beginning of every day: we need God to hold our hand; Give us wisdom; Encourage us to go on, in spite of all that we know might happen that day; Hold our hand as encouragement and strength for our day; and then remind us frequently throughout the day that He’s right there beside us. You see, for the disciples, Jesus told them that they are to go out and live like this. I believe that we must realize that we are nothing without Christ, but everything as His possession. We have power to do nothing without the power of God within us. We must love others like Jesus loved us, for God gave Him up so that we might have life eternally in heaven one day with He and the Father. We must live in total dependence on Him, for without Him life is totally void. And remember, just as we listened to the call of Jesus on our life, others we will come into contact with will also desire this Savior of ours. Jesus may have said: Brothers, you may be poor in spirit, but may this be the day that you realize that your only hope is in a life that is totally saturated by Jesus. I believe Jesus looked at them and assured them that the world may fail them, but God never will! Praise to the Lord – our Savior; our Redeemer; our Deliverer and our everlasting Hope.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: God’s Kingdom belongs to those who are humble and weak in spirit, but sincerely loves Jesus and have surrendered their life to Him!

PRAYER: Wonderful Savior and Friend, thank You for placing us just where we are so that we may allow Your Holy Spirit to work through us and bless those that become a part of our circle of influence. May we always realize that life is all about You and the manner in which we give you control and leadership in our living. Oh that we may live with the full influence of the Master extending Himself mightily through us for His ultimate glory and praise. It is so hard to live in a world that promotes self everywhere we turn, and yet approach life with humility of spirit and fully dependent on You. Teach us daily dear Lord, that only You can save a sinner and heal the sick. We are worthless without You. Please teach us to depend on You for our every need, so that we may be Your instruments of blessing here on earth. Oh that many will reach far beyond the skies today as they reach out for a relationship with the One who created the stars and the heavens. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

Just A Touch From The Master

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Healing, Hope, Miracles, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2021-05-11
WRITTEN AT: Jupiter, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 5:22-23; 27-28
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 22 The person in charge of the Jewish meeting place was also there. His name was Jairus, and when he saw Jesus, he went over to him. He knelt at Jesus’ feet 23 and started begging him for help. He said, “My daughter is about to die! Please come and touch her, so she will get well and live.”
27 The woman had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him in the crowd and barely touched his clothes. 28 She had said to herself, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well.” 

APPLICATION: At one point, a pastor of a church I attended, at each baptismal service, had everyone stand who ever had a part in that person’s life. It was amazing – from Nursery workers, to Sunday School Teachers, to Youth workers, to Deacons and family members, they all stood as a witness. As I meditated on this Scripture today, I first thought about the Jewish worker from the temple. If they believed that Jesus was not truly the Messiah, why would the Jew feel like Jesus had the power to heal his daughter? Could it have been that many friends bragged on Jesus and shared their overwhelming joy of seeing loved ones healed by this Son of God? Could it be that for years his friends had been especially good to him and shared with him the love of Christ, even though they knew what He believed about Jesus? Now step into the feet of this Jew. What if temple worshippers saw him approaching Jesus? Would he be mocked for the rest of his life? What about you my friend? Are you willing to befriend and encourage an unbeliever, or a person of another denomination or even a cult? How will they know, if you don’t tell them about your Lord? Don’t wait, depending on a friend to tell them. In our second story, we see where a woman who had been sick for a very long time, knew that her chances were slim in getting close enough to Jesus to actually petition Him for healing, but she had heard enough about His healing power, and she had enough faith to believe that if she could only get close enough to touch His robe, she would be healed. Where did this confidence come from? Perhaps friends had shared with her about the One who could heal from a distance by merely speaking the word; One who could heal various diseases and issues like He did for the blind man, the crippled and the man lowered down through the roof. People had undoubtedly shared the good news with her about this Savior of the world. All of this was so touching to me, until I tried to compare it to what we do today. Some may still share the awesome news of Jesus Christ, but isn’t our story often smothered by our whining and complaining? You know, about the ugly suit the preacher had on this week; how you felt like he would never finish his sermon; how the person who sat next to you in church was rude and unfriendly. Wouldn’t our sharing be more productive to the lost friend, or the hopeless person if we told them about the love of God that you were reminded of as you heard the Scriptures read once again, and how you now understand better all that God portrayed through a certain Scripture? Friends, it is so easy to notice the things that are wrong, or that doesn’t fit your expectations, especially when you went to church unprepared to meet with, and celebrate the King of all kings. A pastor of mine had a note stuck to his pulpit with the words ‘O that they might see Jesus’. What if we had those words implanted in our hearts and made them our goal throughout every day? Wouldn’t the people you come into contact with hear more about the love and power of your Lord, rather than the ranting and complaining about your church service or the attendees? Many of our contacts need a touch from the Master, for one reason or another. I pray that each of us will aid them in finding the Master, and not hinder their search through our negative attitudes and ugly actions, God being our helper.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, thank You for the assurance we have of salvation; the proof that we can show of our healing; and the awesome comfort from a God who loves us beyond anything we could imagine. So many are hurting, need healing, and long to know that someone loves them, but they are hopeless on where to turn for either of these. Lord, You have been so good to my readers and I. Please provoke us to share Your love with others and to share our story about the God who saved us, even while we were deep in sin. You encouraged us, You loved us and You gave us amazing hope. Sharing that with a friend who is hurting and in need of a Savior, will make all the difference in the world. It changed the life of the dad who needed healing for his daughter, and for the lady with a blood issue. I believe that there isn’t anything that You can’t do dear Lord. Help me to share that reassurance, especially with those who hurt and feel destitute. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!