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Post Date: |
Saturday, 2017-04-01 |
| SCRIPTURE | |
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From: |
Proverbs 4:20-23 (Voice) |
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Text: |
20 My son, pay attention to all the words I am telling you. Lean in closer so you may hear all I say. 21 Keep them before you; meditate on them; set them safely in your heart. 22 For those who discover them, they are life. They bring wholeness and healing to their bodies. 23 Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life. |
| OBSERVATION: | |
| Solomon was able to share these Godly words to us, but also speak from the experience of his father about the results of letting our minds and imagination run wild, and how it impacts the heart and controls your actions. This matter was close to home for him, experientially, plus you might remember that Solomon was the benefiter of very Godly wisdom. So even though most people feel like they have life under control, Solomon’s advice is still rock solid even today. | |
| APPLICATION: | |
| From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks! That’s one of many sayings that come to mind as we meditate on this Scripture today. I realize that the first barrier each of us will face with this advice, is that we think we are all ‘good’ people and our intentions are always good, very clear, and abundantly obvious to the person we are dealing with, correct? If you answered ‘yes’ to that question, then I would suggest that after you get up from kneeling before your Maker in sincere repentance, that you re-read the Scripture and possibly this blog! Friends, in case you haven’t noticed: if you hang around drunks, they will soon have you drinking; if you hand around company that curse at every opportunity, you will soon be sneaking in a few curse words in almost every sentence; if you hang around children of God and hear about their many blessings that they attribute to Jesus’ love and mercy, then you will soon be wanting to know about the same and apply it to your life. When you see the scales tipping towards righteous thoughts, words and deeds, then I believe that it will confirm that you are on the right track. If not, I believe that God is opening your mind and heart to realize that something is lacking – perhaps inadequate time in His Word, or perhaps way too much time hanging around folk that answer to a different leader than you do. Yes, I am saying that you will deal with a spiritual battle, if the Holy Spirit lives within you and is leading you in the right path. Friends, if your heart is filled with the love, actions and thoughts of our Lord, then you will act like Him and talk as He would. Conversely, if your heart is polluted with the devil and his evil attitudes and deeds, then you find yourself frustrated, because you have asked Jesus to come and live within you, yet you are heating up the internal battle by pouring in the ways of the world and it’s ungodly leader – Satan. There’s a little chorus I sang in children’s Sunday School “O be careful little eyes what you see”. If you know that chorus, you will remember that it also includes what you hear, what you do and where you walk. In other words, learn, speak, act and look at things that are Godly so that you may guard your heart – the internal barometer of your whole being! | |
| PRAYER: | |
| Lord Jesus, thank You for not only living among us and showing us how to live in a way that is pleasing to Your Father, but also for leaving with us the Comforter – the Holy Spirit, who will guide us into righteous living, and help us guard our hearts that belong to You. Lord, may we be found righteous and sold out to You in every aspect of life. May it be evident to everyone that we come into contact with, and may You be glorified because of everything that You accomplish in us, and through us. 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 could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us! | |
Category: Know God’s Heart
We Can’t Fool God
Wednesday, 2016-08-31
Scripture
Bible Reference: 1 Kings 14:4-6
Bible Text: 4 So Jeroboam’s wife went to Ahijah’s home at Shiloh. He was an old man now and could no longer see. 5 But the Lord had told Ahijah, “Jeroboam’s wife will come here, pretending to be someone else. She will ask you about her son, for he is very sick. Give her the answer I give you.” 6 So when Ahijah heard her footsteps at the door, he called out, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you pretending to be someone else?”
Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)
My Take
If you click on the scripture link you will have the opportunity to read the whole story that surrounds the verses I included above. I found this story so interesting that I laughed as I enjoyed the glory of God and his all-knowing power! For a brief understanding of what transpired before these verses: the son of king Jeroboam took seriously ill. The king was well aware of how much he had digressed in sin from the time that the prophet had told him he would be king, so although he knew that Ahijah would have some answers for him about his son, he was embarrassed for the prophet to know that he still would approach him for answers from God. Therefore he told his wife to disguise herself and go to the prophet on their behalf. Friends, just like God knows everything that goes on in our lives today, He was also well aware of what the king was up to, so He prepared His servant for the visit of the king’s wife. To her surprise when she arrived at the home of this very old, blind, man, he called her by name; knew she was disguised; and invited her in before she could knock on his door! Imagine the shock to this lady who thought she had her act together! Friends, I believe that our take away on this today is to be reminded that we can’t hide anything from God. If we are His child, then we should be living as His child. We can be sneaky about our lifestyle to our spouse, family, pastor, or our boss, but because God knows our heart, He knows how we are thinking about things and people. He knows our ulterior motives. There was a saying back in the day “come clean, man”, which meant drop the sham and be totally transparent with me. I believe that God expects us to always be transparent with Him, and to prove our ‘heart’ by being transparent with all those that we touch. How are you doing friend?
Prayer
Having been molded by You oh Lord, we must also endeavor to live like You. Thank You for setting the pace and the example for us. Lord, teach us to be transparent in every way with You and with our fellow man. May we glorify You today in every aspect of our life, AMEN!
Footnote
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to http://www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!
Are You Listening?
Tuesday, 2016-08-23
Scripture
Bible Reference: Mark 4:23–25
Bible Text: 23 “Are you listening to this? Really listening? 24–25 “Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”
Bible Translation: The Message (MSG)
My Take
In verse 23 Jesus re-emphasizes what He said in verse 9 – “Are you listening?”. I believe that Jesus would have the same concern today, for we can fill our churches if we throw in a meal, or if we were giving away something to everyone that attended. Some fill their churches by preaching only the positive aspects of the gospel, and not challenging their congregations with the plain truth about hell and the grave. Friends, the Word of God is widely known as the ‘Good News’, however there are consequences for sin. Satan is constantly trying to steer folk in his direction and away from God. So whenever you feel like you have failed in your invitation to have your neighbor attend church with you, please be reminded that you are probably fighting against the evil one who is trying to keep his grip on one of his followers. It is unfortunate, but churches often fill up when there is a disaster. So I am convinced that many believe there is a God, however He is only called on as needed, much like we do with the gas station. Friends, Jesus told these parables so that His listeners would be reminded of the importance of knowing the Savior of this world intimately, that you would give Him full control of your life, and that you would live in total obedience to the Word of God. Evidence of you having received the gift of salvation will reflect in your willingness to give more than your natural desire to receive. May I encourage you to evaluate your life, or better still try asking God to evaluate your life and show you if you are more of a receiver than a giver? There has been no mention of money, so please don’t ever use that as a crutch on why you can’t give. Just give, as God has given to you – perhaps a helping hand; a prayer; a phone call; a hug or a word of encouragement. These will be worth more than money to a lonely person or one who is hurting. These characteristics will reflect Jesus more than anything you can buy at the store.
Prayer
Father, You gave Your very own Son for our good, yet we seem so selfish with what little we own here on this earth. Please help us to give sacrificially as You did, and may others see Your character in every aspect of our life. Lord, please draw the lost unto You this day, and if You can use us in the process, may we be willing servants, all for Your ultimate glory, AMEN!
Footnote
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!
God’s Purpose Fulfilled at Our Amazement
Friday, 2016-06-24
Scripture
Bible Reference: Jonah 1:14–16
Bible Text: 14 Then they cried out to the LORD, Jonah’s God. “O LORD,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” 15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the LORD’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.
Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)
My Take
In much of what we hear about the story of Jonah, I believe that the part that really stands out revolves around how God got Jonah’s attention when he tried to run away from Him. However, let me share with you a little ‘nugget’ that I found in our referenced scripture this morning. I found where God was able to use this distraction to also speak to the hearts of a few sailors who may have otherwise continued in their blindness towards the living God. I’ve been on a ship before when it hit very rough waters, and I could see the panic in the eyes of the sailors when they realize that their ability to turn the situation around is virtually impossible, and way beyond their capability at that time. Therefore, I could only imagine how the sailors from the boat on which Jonah was riding, must have been in a very similar challenge – they must have panicked at the extreme waves and bad weather they were forced to deal with, while also being concerned about the safety of their passengers and themselves. I was impressed how the sailors tried everything possible before finally deciding to throw Jonah overboard. They asked the passengers, and Jonah, to pray to their gods for wisdom and safety. Then after hearing about Jonah’s God, the sailors chose to speak directly with God about the situation including, asking for their forgiveness should they have to pitch Jonah overboard. I found it interesting that they were fine with dealing with many gods in looking for a resolution, yet they settled for speaking directly to the God of Jonah. However, the most important find in this is in verse 16. The sailors were so amazed by the power of God Almighty, that they vowed to serve Him! Friends, I believe that this rough bunch of guys surrendered their lives to the awesome God that Jonah knew and worshiped! May I also remind you that this is the same God that I share with you every day through these devotionals? My prayer is that each of you will recognize God through these devotionals and, like the sailors, commit yourselves to my Savior and seek to serve Him the rest of your days. I implore you to consider this proposition friend. I stand as living proof that Jesus loves even me, and He especially loves you and wants your heart – fully surrendered to Him.
Prayer
Father, You are awesome in every way! Stubborn though we are, yet You have ways of getting our attention so that we might recognize Your greatness, and our need for a Savior. Father, thank You for using even us to reach the lost so that You may draw them to Yourself. Thank You for the story of Jonah and for opening our eyes to the similarities of how we also run from Your assignments and therefore miss opportunities to reach the world for You. Lord, may this be a day that we can be used as mere instruments in Your powerful hand to reach those that need visible evidence of Your grace and mercy. Merciful Savior, may You be lifted up in all things that we partake in today, is my humble plea and request. AMEN!
Footnote
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!
Hearts Filled With The Word of God will Speak and Act Like Jesus
May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Make every effort to fill yourself with the Word of God, so that your words and actions will exemplify Jesus to a lost world. They don’t need another pretender. May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………
Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 7:39-40
Today’s Bible Text: 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” 40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation
My Take Away: At one time in the past I heard someone say that they were talking to themselves, because they needed someone intelligent to talk to!! I am one to ponder on things before I speak, so I may wind up similar to the Pharisee in this story, where I would rehearse things over in my head before speaking. However, I believe there were different reasons here, for Jesus found the need to address the situation with this individual. I’m sure that there are many of you, just like me, that often thank God for not having said all that ran through our heads while fellowshipping with some folk! However, I believe many of us live in regret for not having said some of the things that we thought during our interaction with others, because we may have been too timid. I want us to look at the scenario of where our sin and evil thoughts come from and how that impacts our interaction with others. I believe that way too often God may wish that we would be more like the drunk who is said to use his impaired mind to speak his heart! So how do we get in the gutter like this? Well, the Bible tells us repeatedly that we are to saturate our minds with the things of Christ. Will this come natural? It will, if we learn that our minds will be filed with what we fill our eyes and our ears with. If we feast on God’s Word, then our minds will be filled with God’s love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His goodness and His sacrificial attitude displayed one for another. Seldom will you find anything like this on the television, in the bars or at some of the parties you may be invited to. Friends, from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and I believe that it only speaks what has already been filtered by you for others to hear, as there is tons of ‘junk’ that you are still pondering on and not yet verbalized. Let’s understand from this scripture today that God knows all things, even the thoughts you have not verbalized yet, and He will address the reason for such evil thoughts, just as He challenged the Pharisee. Let’s seek His help today that our minds might be pure and innocent, filled with His teachings and commands and exampled after His goodness, God being our helper.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good, and You have set an example for us in Your Word that we could achieve, with Your help. We want to truly represent You here on earth, so we realize that we have a lot to clean up in our minds. Although unspoken, way too often our thoughts are obvious to our audience through our actions and tone of voice. We need Your help in not only being wise in our spoken words, but to also fill ourselves with the Word of God, so that we might exude the Mind of God in everything we say and do. Thank You for speaking to us through Your precious Word today. As we are filled, may we also reflect this in every way today with all that we come into contact with. Please touch Your children today, especially me, as we stand in need of prayer – personally. I ask these things believing, AMEN!
Footnote: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to http://www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!
2016
What Should We Do?
May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Find out first-hand what God would have you do today! This will be important as you seek to do His will. May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for your blessing, friend!………
Today’s Bible Reference: Luke 3:10–14
Today’s Bible Text: 10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
The Bible Translation: New Living Translation (NLT)
My Take Away: In so many areas of our lives we ask the same question as was asked of John the Baptist. As a child when we are tired of whippings and ready to do things mom way, we might ask her to just remind, or show us again what we could do to please her. As adults, we might ask our spouse to remind us of what we could do to please them or stay in their good graces. In our jobs we want to know what we could do to move up the corporate ladder, or earn more money. I believe that each time we attend church, we are looking for opportunities to worship and praise God for His goodness, but also to seek His face for our next assignment, or just instructions for righteous living that would please Him. Daily as we open the Word of God (and I pray that it is daily for you friend), we are looking for more encouragement and blessings from God, and looking for our next set of instructions from the Holy Spirit on what we must do to be more reflective of our Savior to those that we will come into contact with that day. We are simply asking like the different groups of people asked John, “What Shall We Do?”. A few verses down in this same chapter, John went on to explain how the Lord will soon return and how He will separate the chaff from the wheat – in other words, there will come a day of accountability, where the Master will recognize those who have obediently followed His instructions found in the Word of God from those who claimed the name but, continued to do the same old same old, and those who wanted nothing to do with their Creator or His precious Son, Jesus Christ. In knowing the Son of God, we have an obligation to obey Him, otherwise we never prove to Him or the world that we are a true son or daughter of the King. What then shall we do? Won’t you go before the Master and ask that question today, friend? John gave some basic answers that I’ve shared with you, but if you know Jesus personally, you have every right to approach Him and ask for your personalized instructions on what He would have you do. Let me encourage you to form that type of intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father, friend.
Prayer: Father, I want to thank You for showing me day after day that Your Word is active and very much alive, for You speak directly to me personally when I read its pages. Please help me to obediently follow Your instructions as a light unto my path of life. I have no doubt that my readers face the same dilemma each day as they seek Your face. Please revive Your army with Your almighty instructions – fresh new life that will not only revive us, but incent us to encourage others towards a more meaningful life and may we bless others as we meet them today. ‘As We seek Your face, may we know Your Heart’ is our hearts’ song today Lord Jesus. Please bless Your children accordingly, and we will be eternally grateful. AMEN!
Footnote: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!
2016
Nuggets From God's Word 