Category: Imitator of Christ

Make Time To Pray

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Imitator of Christ, Power of PrayerLeave a comment

Scripture: Luke 5.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Luke 5:15-16 (NLT)

15 But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.

16 But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Recently I saw a signature line on an email that read “Make it a great day!” and it struck home to me that although we can say to friends that we wish them a great day, it is totally up to them to make it a great day. Likewise in this passage, Jesus could easily have prayed to the Father with all the crowds around Him, but to truly find an intimate time with His Father, He withdrew from the crowds and found one on one time with Him. Attending church is vital to the Christian. Praying with fellow Christians is very healthy, especially when praying for things in common. However, when praying about very intimate, personal things, and when asking for very intimate responses from God to your very intimate needs, it is always best to pull yourself aside from the busyness of the day, from the friends that will distract you, from the work that you are so busy doing, and make time to pray intimately to the Father. Tell Him your heart and your hearts desires. Listen to Him about all that He would have you do to walk closer with Him and be a better witness for Him. To make time to pray is making that a priority in your life and not allowing anything to come in the way. Sometimes this will force you to look at your day and determine when there is availability in your schedule where you will not be disturbed by anyone or distracted by anything. Sometimes this may mean taking less sleep so you could spend time with God. Whatever it is, do whatever it takes to make time to pray, friend. Jesus did it, imagine how much more important it is for us to do it! One of the worse attended services at churches is Prayer Meeting. Corporate prayer is usually evidence of an individual who practices personal, private time, I believe. Where are you on prayer meeting nights?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, we get so caught up in the rush, hustle and bustle of everyday life, that we often include our time with You as part of that hustle and bustle. Please help me to always make time to pray, even if it means sacrificing a little sleep or personal time. I have often taught that instead of saying that we don’t have time for something, say that it was not a priority at the time for us. I pray that I will never say that finding time to pray alone with You was not a priority for me. Something so important deserves top priority, because it means communicating with my Creator, my Savior who sacrificed life itself so that I may live eternally with the Father. It means finding time to make sure that I receive my next set of instructions for the day, or for the tasks assigned to me by the Father. I want to make my time with You top priority. Please help me to always honor this.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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As You Are Blessed – Give in Return

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Giving, God our Provider, Imitator of ChristLeave a comment

Scripture: Deuteronomy 14 – 17.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Deuteronomy 16:16-17 (NLT)

16 “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the Lord without a gift for him. 17 All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Would there ever be a need in God’s house or among His people if we all gave as we are blessed? I dare say that there would not be the need for a church to borrow funds if we truly followed God’s Word on the subject of giving. I believe that too often we tend to give ourselves credit for all that we achieve in our jobs and in our income, so we find excuses as to why we shouldn’t give a portion to God in return for His blessing. I need to remind self and my friends this morning that life itself is a blessing from God. Health and strength is a blessing from God – after all why do we deserve to be healthy enough to rise and shine this morning, when so many are bed ridden and unable to move? Why are we so blessed to have a job to go to this morning when there are so many that are unemployed? God has seen fit to bless us in this time and place. What we do with that is our appreciation back to our Maker, our Provider, our Protector, our Sacrificial Lamb, our Savior, Our Lord and soon coming King. As we are blessed, let us recognize the blessings, and let us give in accordance with how we are blessed. We often say “God is good all the time”, the question today is: Are we good to others in return? Do we give freely to others as God has chosen to give freely to us? It’s all His, friend! Let’s not be stingy in how liberal we are in how we give to others and to His work!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I pray that You will help me to be mindful of how much You bless me each and every day. Help me to not obligate myself so much in debt and/or bills that I find it challenging to give to others and/or Your work. Thank You for blessing me with so much. Please help me to bless others in return so that they may see You in material ways and want to know You in a personal way.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Obey God’s Commands

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Heaven, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Resurrection DayLeave a comment

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12-13.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Deuteronomy 12:28 (NLT)

28 Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 12:32 (NLT)

32 “So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them.
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NLT)

4 Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.

Deuteronomy 13:18 (NLT)

18 “The Lord your God will be merciful only if you listen to his voice and keep all his commands that I am giving you today, doing what pleases him.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

It is interesting how God has been emphasizing ‘Obedience’ over the past three devotions! In reading these two chapters this morning I noticed where the Israelites were being warned several times how important it was for them to honor God through their obedience. It was also interesting to note how a reward of some sort was being offered or promised to them in response to their obedience. It definitely was emphasized how important it is to God when His children loves Him enough to be obedient to His commands and teachings. This speaks to me, because I know that this is the same God that I serve today. God’s Word is loaded with ‘nuggets’ that we are expected to follow in obedience to the God that we love and in showing proof to God that we love Him so much that we are willing to obey Him, regardless if it may be contrary to the desires of our own heart or in line with what our peers around us. It is obvious that our obedience pleases God and it is obvious throughout God’s Word that He will honor our obedience with rewards that come only from a loving God. I’m looking forward to my reward of being present with the Lord some day in Heaven and I long for the voice of God to say individually to me, “well done good and faithful servant – Ed, you have been obedient to my Word and my commands, welcome into my presence”. Wow, ‘What A Day that Will Be‘! Wow, ‘Oh that will be Glory for Me’!, Wow, ‘Oh I want to see Him, Look Upon His Face, There to Sing Forever‘!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, just to look upon Your face and sing glories to You forever in Your heavenly home is something worth the journey each and every day while walking this daily, challenging road here on earth. You have emphasized how important obedience is to that ultimate journey. I pray that my life will be so dedicated to obeying You and my mind so fixed on Your Word and obeying it, that someday, when You see fit to call me out of this world, that I shall see You face to face and worship You eternally in heaven. I look forward to that day! I feel like it will be the prize rewarded to me for being obedient, patient and exemplifying You in every way while here on this earth. Thank You for preparing a home for me! While left here on this earth, I beg Your power to overcome evil and be a living, loving example of You to all that I come into contact with.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Love and Obedience Lead to Blessings!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, God’s Word, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Pleasing to GodLeave a comment

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Deuteronomy 11:22-23 (NLT)

22 “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. 23 Then the Lord will drive out all the nations ahead of you, though they are much greater and stronger than you, and you will take over their land.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I have underlined a section of the short scripture that I copied above, because it really spoke to me this morning about where we are as a people, as a church, as a city, state and country. We tend to get all shaken and concerned about all that goes on around us, and we may even wonder sometime if God is truly with us. I believe that much too often we look at external factors that may affect us much more than looking inward to see what it is that we may be falling short on ourselves. I believe that Moses said to his people that when they do their part by:

  1. Showing love to the Lord – let’s remember that our love is shown by our actions. We may say with our mouths that we love someone, but when we consistently do those things that we know will aggravate, tantalize, upset or even disappoint that person, they will not feel much love from us. So it is with God. If we truly love Him, we will be in close communion/fellowship with Him daily. We will look for ways to please Him, honor Him and obey Him. We will then say it with our mouths that we love Him, and He will know without a doubt from our actions that we love Him. In fact others around us will know that we love Him.
  2. Walking in His ways – being a Christian means being a little Christ, or giving every effort towards doing all that Jesus did, all that He showed us and told us to do. Follow His example in the ways that He dealt with people. Imitate His very character and seek to do His will in all aspects of your life.
  3. Holding tightly to Him – at the beginning of this chapter Moses made it clear that he was not speaking to the children, or folk that didn’t know about the mighty hand of God. This reminds me that I can’t shrug off my responsibility to hold tight to the teachings, miracles, leadership, love, understanding and boldness of my Savior, because it is upon those things that I have built my faith and trust in Him. So hold tight to those things that I have learned about Him so that all doubt will be removed as I look to depend on Him each day.

When we do our part, then we can know that God will honor His Word and do all that He has promised. We have a hope, friend. Let us do our part through our belief, our actions and our obedience, then watch and savor the blessings that will be ours as God watches over us and makes a way for us.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, thank You for reminding me again this morning what it takes to open the doors of Heaven and receive Your blessings. Please direct my path today and help me to walk in Your ways and be obedient to all that You would have me do or say. I am often reminded about what You would have me do and say. Please give me the boldness, desire and love to follow Your teachings so that I may be more like You each and every day. Thank You for your promises to do even more for me as I follow and be obedient. I need Your strength and power each and every day dear Lord.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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In Faith, Believing

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Chosen by God, Faith, God our Helper, Imitator of Christ, Obedience, Pleasing to God, PurityLeave a comment

Scripture: Luke 1.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Luke 1:35-38 (NLT)

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In my last devotional I was drawn to a section of scripture that highlighted the unbelief of the disciples concerning the resurrection of our Lord. In this passage I rejoiced, and was encouraged over the humbleness and total faith of Mary who was honored by the presence of an angel and also by the miraculous message that she would bear a child, even though she never had relations with a man. In fact, it appears like Mary basically said to the angel: I am God’s and God’s alone, may He do with me what pleases Him so that He may be honored through me and bless others. Wow, what a powerful example of a totally surrendered, unselfish, committed life. This means that nothing in this world was more important, or had greater priority, than to follow the will of God and be used by Him. Even if it meant that the world may look upon her in disgrace, because they wouldn’t know the extent of what brought on the pregnancy. If there was at least one person in each church congregation that had these characteristics today, there would be no doubt that we are truly a Christian nation! Individually, can we work on our faith so that we may totally surrender our lives to the work of the Master? Can we turn loose of self and our desire to please a sinful world, and instead dedicate ourselves to pleasing an almighty God?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, in reading this today I am reminded of how much I lean towards pleasing those around me rather than totally surrendering myself to You and allowing You to have Your will and way in and through my life. Please forgive me for my lack of priority and direction. Please help me to get on track in being obedient to You, the one that I have committed my life to and asked You to be leader, director and model for my every decision, movement and action. I am Your servant, may everything You desire to use me for here on this earth be accomplished in and through me in its most purest form.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Would you Recognize Jesus?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Follow Jesus, Imitator of Christ, Obedience, Our Help comes from GodLeave a comment

Scripture: Mark 15.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Mark 15:37-39 (NLT)

37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In our daily lives many of us pray to Jesus, and most of us witness answers to those prayers. We sometimes do good to others in Jesus name, while others allow God to work through them and perform Godly acts to and for others as Jesus would do. When the Roman officer witnessed Jesus in His most humbling, painful, humiliating, conquering form, he recognized that there was something about the man that reflected the power, majesty and love of God that Jesus taught while He ministered. I was alerted to two questions in this passage:

  1. Would I been as keen as the Roman officer to recognize Jesus?
  2. Seeing that I, as a Christian, am supposed to be like Jesus in my everyday walk, would others recognize Jesus in my actions and in my conversations?

This should have an eye-opening effect on our daily walk and in our everyday interaction with others. This should keep us humbled before the cross of Jesus begging for His mercy, grace, wisdom and power to be overcomers of temptations from the evil one, and soldiers of the cross, and instead be exemplifiers of the Prince of Peace, the holiest of all, Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I am aware that there is little I can do on my own to overcome the evil in this world and to be a true disciple of Yours, witnessing and representing You in every aspect of my life. So today, I ask anew that You help me to overcome those things that tend to distract me from my walk with You, and the things that unfortunately take priority over my walk with You. I don’t need to hear the words, because it would build unnecessary pride in me, but may others be able to say to You today about me, that truly He is a man of God. Lord God, I also pray that those that may read this devotional today may also be impacted by this and that they may also choose to ask for Your power to be overcomers of the evil in this world and instead, be disciplined followers of Yours.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Selfish Leadership

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, God Reigns, Imitator of Christ, Servants of GodLeave a comment

Scripture: Numbers 20.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Numbers 20:7-12 (GW)

7 The Lord said to Moses, 8 “Take your staff, then you and your brother Aaron gather the community. Right before their eyes, tell the rock to give up its water. In this way you will give the community water from the rock for them and their animals to drink.”

9 Moses took his staff out of {the tent in} the Lord’s presence as he had been commanded. 10 Then Moses and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock and said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock for you?”

11 Moses raised his hand and hit the rock twice with the staff. Water came pouring out, and all the people and their animals drank.

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “You didn’t trust me! You didn’t show the Israelites how holy I am! So you will not bring this congregation into the land I’m giving them.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

A simple, but God centered and God instructed, set of instructions were given to Moses and Aaron to follow. If followed exactly, God would have been recognized. However Moses made much of the opportunity to promote himself, after all he had really been beat up on by the Israelites, and this may have been an opportunity to show them how great a man/leader he was. Friend, when we consider how great God is, and when we consider how much He does for us each and every day, who are we to promote ourselves before anyone? After all, it is God himself who gives us life, health and food to eat each day. Why on earth would we lead anyone to believe in any powers or skill that we might have? It is God, and God alone who designed and made us. He should be the one that we allow to control and direct all that we do and say. By Moses adding in his two cents so that the miracle of producing water from a mere rock could be attributed to his power and/or the power in his rod, he and Aaron were reprimanded by God and their lives shortened as a result. What about you friend, and what about me, how often have we promoted self instead of clearly showing that it is God and God alone that works in and through us that should receive the praise for anything accomplished through us? I admire Christian leaders who, after working so hard and diligently, yet when they are praised for the job they did, asks that you give God the glory for the great work He did in the situation! For this is so true – had it not been for God, what could we have done? To God be the glory, great things He has done! This is both past and present, for I know that He still accomplishes great work though me, and His Godly leaders today. Let’s give the praise to Him, where it truly belongs!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, although I am mere human and can do little on my own, yet as a child of the King of all kings, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Therefore it is You that should receive all the glory and honor from anything that may be accomplished through me. Please help me to stay in Your Word and follow Your commands as instructed, without diluting it with any of my own ideas that may attribute its success looking like something I may have done. Please help me to be humble and direct the praise for anything accomplished through me to the Master of the plan, You – God and God alone!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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What Can Jesus Do for You Today?

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Honesty, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Pleasing to God, Reflecting ChristLeave a comment

Scripture: Mark 10.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Mark 10:51 (NLT)

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In this story of Bartimaeus, often referred to as ‘Bartimaeus, the blind man’, he laid aside any and all pride and shouted over the crowd asking Jesus to have mercy on him. Now while he could have just as easy shouted out “Jesus, give me sight”, instead he chose to ask for mercy. I like this, because I get the impression that he was saying, “Jesus, whatever Your will is, may it be so. Just have mercy on me” There is another similar story where a man said to Jesus, “Have mercy on me, for I am a sinner”. In spite of the crowd and all they were doing and saying, and shouting, Jesus told the disciples to go and tell the man to come here. In our lives, we may feel like Jesus is much too busy with all the other important people of the world, and all the more critical needs that exist, but friend we must be bold like Bartimaeus and ask for what we need from God, but in all humility knowing that it is His will that we need to follow. The other thing that I am humbled and touched by in this story is that, like us, Jesus could easily have assumed that because this man was blind he must have been crying out for healing of his sight, but Jesus didn’t do that, He asked the man “what do you want me to do for you?” Oh that this may be a lesson for us today. Let’s not assume that we know what a person needs, because sometimes this may be totally different than what we might see or assume. What if we were asked by Jesus today, “What do you want me to do for you?” what would be our response? Remember, God sees and knows all things, He knows the desire of our hearts and what it would take to draw us closer to Him and be a better witness for Him, so we may as well be honest with Him and respond in a manner that truly reflects our heart. Instead of the selfish desire to be like, or have the toys like, our neighbor, I wish that we could consider what God can do to make us more like Him. Which walls can He tear down so that we may be humbled and so that we may represent Him better to the lost?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father God, please have mercy on me. Please forgive me for the selfish desires that I may often have so that I may be more like my rich friend, or neighbor, so that I may be envied by my friends or family. It is You that I need. It is You that I want others to see reflected in my mannerisms and in my actions. It is You that I want them to accept as their Lord and Savior, so may I never be a stumbling block to them. Please have Your will and way in my life today, and direct me into Your path to do Your will today. Please provoke the hearts of those that may read this devotional so that they may lay themselves bare before You and surrender all that is not Godly in their character or their daily lives. As children of the King, we must always be representative of Your character and Your holiness. Please direct me into that path daily!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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Genuine, Successful Leadership

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Servants of GodLeave a comment

Scripture: Mark 9.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Mark 9:33-35 (NLT)

33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?”

34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Often in today’s view of leadership folk tend to look at who has made the most money or who might have the largest or longest lasting company. Jesus’ disciples were discussing which of them were most successful, or the greatest. Jesus told them that the way they would know is to look at who is the best servant to those that they lead. Friend, this is leadership from a whole new and different perspective than what the world looks at for genuine and successful leadership. Some leaders will tell you that you can’t be friends with those you lead. Some will tell you that you will only be a successful leader if you fire or really beat up (not literally) on an employee, then others would gain fear of you and your leadership and then they would respect you as a leader. As taught in this scripture, I believe that humble servanthood, respect of your employees, fairness to your employees and doing all you can to make your employees successful will result in the most genuine and successful leadership. We, as leaders, should never feel above any job that we would ask our employees/servants to do. This dear friend, will make us successful leaders and biblical leaders. Even in leadership, others must see and witness Jesus in us! This earns respect and brings honor to us as leaders – Christian leaders!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I know that leadership in today’s standards and in the view of those all around us, is very different to what you teach in your Word. Please help me to stay focused on what You teach so that I may first of all be the best Christian that I can be, then others will recognize the leadership qualities in me. Thank You for speaking to me, and other Christian leaders today, so that we may follow Your lead in being genuine, Christ-like and successful leaders even in this wicked and ungodly world.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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It’s What’s on The Inside That Matters

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Imitator of Christ, Our Help comes from God, Pleasing to GodLeave a comment

Scripture: Mark 7.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Mark 7:15 (NLT)

15 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”

20
And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you.

21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,

22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.

23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

We are often quick to judge someone by what they eat or anything else that we may see externally. Reading these verses gives good reason for us to concentrate on our own condition and leave the judging of others up to God. For Jesus said, that it all depends on what’s inside a person that determines who they truly are, and we all know that only God knows what is truly on the inside of a person. Bottom line is that we have a lot to worry about in trying to keep ourselves aligned with God’s will, His example and His expectation of us. So besides being incapable and unqualified to judge others, we have a fulltime job trying to read God’s Word, understanding it, and following God’s will for our lives. So let’s not be as concerned about judging others, because we will truly mess up in that. If we think that we see a weakness in our brother, let’s try praying for strength for him, so that he might overcome the temptation or sin and live victorious.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

A little chorus came to mind as I read this passage, Change My Heart Oh God, as I have a responsibility to see God’s face for His help in keeping my own heart aligned with His will and His precepts. Lord, it is my desire that I honor You and be more like You every day of my life. Please help me to seek Your face, Your will and Your direction for my life and to follow You in all sincerity daily. You are my King, my Lord and my deliverer. Be Lord of my Life, dear God.

 

àI would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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